These three Chiang Mai businesses may all be new, but they all have a clear sense of reverence for the past. From refurbished Thai houses to vintage art and decor, each brings its own creative blend of old-time flavour and modern comfort.
Bann Borijinda
Nestled down a small soi near the old city’s north gate sits one of the most well-designed and best tasting kanom jeen restaurants in Chiang Mai. Wanting to bring old recipes crafted by his mother into the public domain for all to enjoy, Pimoke, owner of Baan Barijinda, serves up three simple broths: a salty and bitter but super smooth spicy pork sauce made in true Chiang Mai style (the taste differs in each northern city), fish curry sauce, and a delicious green curry. They also serve a typical northern savoury snack of rice mixed with pig’s blood and steamed in a banana leaf. All these treats sit at a comfy 30 baht per bowl. Coffee is served but is not a major feature; their fresh orange juice and butterfly pea juice with honey and lemon are where it’s at.
Open daily, 9am – 4pm (Closed Mondays)
51 Moon Muang Road Soi 9, first soi on the left when entering the old city from the Somphet Jok Junction
www.facebook.com/BannBorijinda
053 214 778, 088 252 9899
Chiang Mai Chaiyo Hotel
Only two months old but already thriving in the hustle and bustle of Nimmanhaemin is the Chiang Mai Chaiyo Hotel, a new and modern designed hotel that focuses on not only comfort and luxury, but quirky details and a touch of fun with vintage artistic flair flowing throughout the decor. Chaiyo has four types of rooms but interestingly, only three are available online. The fourth room (the Chok Dee room), plays with the Thai word for “good luck” and is reserved for walk-ins only…curious. Rooms start at 1,300 baht per night, and the top floor offers beds on raised platforms, adding a playful aspect to your night’s stay. Free wifi, water, tea and coffee and a safe box are offered for every room and an a la carte breakfast is served inclusive every morning.
Nimmanhaemin Soi 5
www.facebook.com/Chiangmai.Chaiyo.Hotel
095 889 5050
Khao Fae Nimman
This new Nimmanhaemin caf? is small in size but big in flavour with unique, delicious fare and northern Thai flair. Originating in Mae Taeng, Khao Fae’s first branch quickly grew in popularity and is now ready to enter the big city with their new store on Nimman Soi 5. Sip fresh local coffee or munch on a variety of northern and central Thai dishes as well as a few western favourites. The cool and shady caf? is built inside a 50 year old house with walls of windows and big cartoonish coffee cup sculptures out front. The khao soy, fried rice with northern sausage, and green curry roti are popular dishes, and you’ll know why as soon as you taste them.
Open daily, 7.30am – 8.30pm (kitchen opens at 10.30am and closes every first and third Tuesday of the month)
Nimmanhaemin Soi 5
www.facebook.com/kaofaenimman
089 435 9911, 081 904 1660