Chiang Mai’s best brunch spots

Launched last year by Singaporean property tycoon Dr. Stanley Quek, Spice Garden is the latest in food-focused hangout spots, with a massive garden hidden away in the old city itself. The venue has a cafe, bar, al-fresco lunch, almost-fine dining dinners and even a hotel if you prefer to stay the night. But the showstopper must be their brunch, curated by Chef Tiw Rakarain of Mekong Restaurant fame in Kensington Street, downtown Sydney. The seasonal brunch menu offers a mix of Thai, fusion and western brunch favourites, including sweet dessert and bottomless spice blended tea. To top it off, the set brunch is paired with soothing live music being played in the garden and the option to migrate to the bar for an early afternoon session.

Don’t miss: While their western food is good, we’d recommend their more Asian dishes given Chef Tiw’s expertise with Thai and Singaporean cuisine. 

TimeOut Offer: Add Spice Garden’s official LINE @spicegardenth and get a 50% off coupon (terms apply, December 2024 only)

Close your eyes and imagine brunch. Mirror-like hollandaise sauce. Thick, cartoon-like cuts of bacon. A perfectly formed waffle. Now open your eyes and order exactly that at Me&Bacon, the city’s most instagrammable western brunch spot. The star of the menu is, unsurprisingly, bacon – but this isn’t your average strip of pork. Me & Bacon promises thick cuts of bacon (and we mean really thick) served atop all types of carbs, and covered with generous lashings of grated parmesan cheese. With two venues to choose from, there’s really no excuse to go anywhere else. 

Don’t miss: Their Bacon Egg Benedict is a real crowd-pleaser, with perfectly poached eggs perched on crispy bacon and English muffins, all smothered in a rich hollandaise sauce.

For a slightly healthy, but equally hearty serving of western-style brunch that mixes fruit with savory servings, head inside Gallery Seescape to discover a brunch menu that’s as much about aesthetics as it is about flavour. Given its gallery location, there’s no surprise each dish is a work of art, with pops of vibrant avocado greens and passion-fruit orange that intersperse toast, waffles, bacon and eggs. The Egg Cloud Toast is a standout – a fluffy cloud of egg resting on toasted sourdough, paired with fresh greens and avocado for a meal that’s as photogenic as it is delicious.

Don’t miss: The gallery that houses the cafe is always hosting exhibitions and collaborations with local creatives, so there’s always something new to discover.

The name says it all really – European-style breakfast platters that are all about indulgence.  From buttery croissants and scrambled eggs to grilled sausages and crispy bacon, the menu explores classic western breakfasts with a Bavarian twist. For German food lovers, skip the eggs and go straight for their hearty platter of meats, cheeses, and fresh bread that will fuel you for a day of exploring. Or if you’re more inclined, their Thai-style congee is equally filling. 

Don’t miss: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then order the Pancake Tower. Trust us. 

With pretty much legendary status, this Chiang Mai staple has been around for what feels like decades, and was the true pioneer or light, salad on bread type brunch dishes well before it was cool. It’s all about variety here, with a menu packed with classic brunch dishes and Thai fusions that are brilliant day-starters. If you’re hungry, opt for the big breakfast that comes complete with cheese-stuffed omelette, bacon, ham, toast, and a generous kaleidoscope of salad on the side. The beautiful forested surroundings add to the allure, setting the scene for a great day in Chiang Mai. 

Don’t miss: The cafe is also famous for their Signature Coconut Cake, a light and fluffy dessert that is best taken home by the pound. 

Jok Sompet keeps it simple with its casual, open-air setup serving Thai-Chinese staples twenty-four hours a day. It’s not about fancy décor here – it’s all about the food. Open for decades, there’s a reason they’re so successful. The star of the menu is, of course, the jok. A thick, savory rice porridge is served steaming hot and topped with your choice of proteins like minced pork, crispy pork belly, soft poached egg or all three. It also serves other breakfast classics like dim sum and patongo (Thai-style fried dough sticks) for a satisfying alternative. 

Don’t miss: Pair your meal with a hot Thai tea or coffee for a traditional morning pick-me-up.

Another Chiang Mai classic, this time found in Nimmahaemin. Don’t be fooled by the cafe’s dated appearance and ragged menus – their food is consistently good and their generous servings don’t go unnoticed either. Popular with nomads starting their day at 11am, their mix of freshly grilled ciabatta sandwiches oozing with cheese and towering-tall fruit smoothies guarantee you’ll not need to stop for lunch. 

Don’t miss: From smoothies in a cup to smoothies in a bowl, stay health-conscious and order yourself a smoothie or acai bowl breakfast, brimming with fresh fruit and crunchy granola. 

Who says brunch has to be all pancakes and eggs? Why not take your late-morning meal to a whole new level with the bold, vibrant flavors of Burmese cuisine instead. Serving primarily Shan food, this longstanding restaurant (and library!) has lots to choose from, with most of it being vegetarian too. Casual and no-frills, it's a perfect spot for a more local start to the day, striking a balance of savory, spicy and tangy flavors that are satisfying any time of day.

Don’t miss: Shan Noodles are a must. Tossed in a mildly spiced tomato sauce and topped with herbs and pickled mustard greens, it’s both comforting and energizing – exactly what you need to fuel your day.