Appetising Atmospheres

 |  February 26, 2015

These three new Chiang Mai eateries offer not only fabulous food, but also a beautiful place in which to eat it. You’ll never have to sacrifice atmosphere for flavour again!

Rustic and blue_1Rustic and Blue

Having already caused quite a splash in Chiang Mai with their fabulous pop-up dinners and their lovely little tea shop, Rustic and Blue have now expanded big time with their new Nimman digs. The beautiful cafe is festooned with hanging plants and the spacious backyard looks fit for a wedding, complete with hanging fairy lights, mismatched antique tables and three cute little white tepees for two. Perfect for a romantic dinner, a creative cocktail hour or a luscious brunch, the new menu is a stunner. Try their show-stopping French toast: homemade brioche decked out with Nutella, peanut butter, passion fruit curd, bananas, walnuts, strawberries and powdered sugar. Other must-tastes include the beef chilli with homemade chorizo and poached egg and the green eggs benedict breakfast sandwich with avocado and bacon. Wash it down with a cup of loose-leaf tea (steaming or iced – there are dozens of blends to choose from) or one of their famous tea-infused cocktails.Open daily, 8.30am – 10pm
Nimmanhaemin Soi 7
www.facebook.com/rusticandbluechiangmai
086 654 7178

White LotusWhite Lotus

This stunning new Vietnamese restaurant is just a bit out of town in Mae Rim, but boy is it worth the drive. Set in a moo baan, the two storied restaurant painted in bold canary yellow, and accented by Vietnamese artworks and furniture from the antique to the playful, diners can sit indoors in the elegant dining area or walk up to the open aired rooftop with sweeping views of the lush green paddy fields. The French Vietnamese couple who own White Lotus are career restaurateurs and have pulled out all the bells and whistles – good wine selection, homemade Vietnamese yoghurt and decadent desserts – to accompany the menu of traditional Vietnamese favourites such as pork on sugarcane sticks, pho, bahn mi, spring rolls. A wonderful place to dine with romantic tables for couples and even an outdoors playground for children.Open daily, 11am – 2pm and 5 – 10pm
Impress Palm Spring Village, Mae Rim
mekonghorizon@yahoo.com
089 814 0416, 081 753 0358

green factoryGreen Factory

Conveniently located just behind the Tarin Hotel in Wat Jed Yod, this lovely little café opened at the end of last year and is a great place to kick back and enjoy a light meal, a beer or a tasty cup of coffee. Set inside a newly constructed house with walls of glass, the cheery little shop has high ceilings and a lovely garden surrounding, with plenty of chairs and tables for relaxing with a friend or a book. Owner Nan is a warm and friendly presence with a passion for food without chemicals – she uses only organic ingredients in her cooking. Popular dishes include the baked rice with Chinese sausage in a clay pot, baked shrimp with vermicelli, noodle wrapped prawns, and the rice and mackerel served with shrimp paste, chilli dip and vegetables. Parking lot onsite.
Open daily, 11am to 9.30pm (closed Wednesdays)
Thoramanakom Soi 3, Chang Puak
www.facebook.com/greenfactory71
099 268 6388