Chiang Mai, being a busy tourist spot, has a wide variety of restaurants serving all types of cuisines, including Thai cuisine. Here you will find American fast food outlets, sandwich bars, steakhouses, English pubs and pizzerias, along with Italian, French and German restaurants. There are some specializing in Muslim foods as well. International cuisine is mostly available in coffee shops and teahouses. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani and Arabic cuisines are commonly found in Chiang Mai. Even vegetarian restaurants are available here.

The traditional Khantok dinner is unique to Chiang Mai. This is followed by a performance of dance, popular in Northern Thailand. The local dishes favored by tourists are the heavily spiced Naem sausages and mild Khao Soi noodles.

Mouth-watering food sold by street vendors is a wonder for many Western tourists. Barbecued chicken, pork and squid are the most popular items on the menu. They are much cheaper than the restaurants. As a precaution, eat only well-cooked food from street vendors.

Chiang Mai has a wide selection of Thai restaurants serving different Thai cuisines like central, northeastern, and southern cuisines.

Northern Thai cuisine is distinctly different from other Thai cuisines. The food is eaten sitting down on the floor while food is placed on a low table.

People of north Thailand prefer steamed rice to cooked ones. The rice is eaten with Kaeng (curry) or Nam Phrik (chili paste) and fresh or boiled vegetable. The most loved chili pastes are Nam Phrik Num or green chili paste and Nam Phrik Ong or chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes.