Where to get good coffee in Chiang Mai

Akha Ama Coffee is one of the most beloved and ethically minded coffee shops in Chiang Mai. It’s also a really good coffee – because we know despite all the amazing things that can be done, if the brew was not good, then it wouldn’t make this list. 

Founded by Lee Ayu Chuepa, an Akha hilltribe member himself, Akha Ama serves up locally sourced coffee of both single and blended origins, ensuring that every bean roasted and served is sourced from sustainable farming practices that provide fair trade opportunities for local coffee farmers. 

Their beans are majoritively sourced directly from the Akha village, with each cup telling a story of community, if you look hard enough. Aside from coffee, you can also buy their signature origin coffees from their online site here, or venture out of the city to the Akha Ama Living Factory and see for yourself how the beans are processed.

They have three locations, one in Santitham district, one opposite Wat Phra Singh and the factory out of town. If you find yourself in Tokyo, they have recently opened their first overseas branch in Shinjuku City. Prahsingh branch opens every day 8am-5pm. 

If you're serious about coffee art and want a taste of something more globally inspired, Ristr8to on the main Nimmanhaemin road is just the ticket. 

Famous for its intricate latte art (founder Arnon Thitiprasert has won numerous latte art championships including a winning gold at the 2017 World Latte Art Championship in Budapest, Hungary), their selection of specialty brewed coffees look as good on Instagram as they taste in person. 

Their innovative brewing methods and professionally baristas mean for a perfect cup every time. Taking inspiration from Italian coffee traditions, they add their own flair by incorporating bold, experimental twists to classic cups, such as the best-selling ‘satan coffee’ served in a glass skull mug. Nimmanhaemin Road. Open every day 7.30am-6.30pm.

Roast8ry Lab is, as you can probably tell from the name, the sister brand to Ristr8to (following a split of founding partners several years ago), evolving the styles and blends of its origins into a more minimalist and experimental setting. 

Their flagship store on Nimmanhaemin Soi 17 allegedly is one of the most meticulously crafted coffee options in the city, with a whole menu of experimental cups that incorporate strange brewing techniques, odd cups and containers, and even some alcoholic cocktails that go far beyond a simple Irish coffee. 

The café aims to highlight the full flavour profile of each bean or blend, sourced from around the world, including local Thai beans. The Cold Drip Coffee is especially popular for those who appreciate a balanced, refreshing coffee experience, while the richer hot brews are packed with caffeine. Nimmanhaemin Soi 17 and Nimmanhaemin Soi 3. Open every day 8am-5pm. 

GRAPH is one of the more simple coffee shops on this list, but you’ll be sure to find it on every list given how good the coffee they make really is. 

Taking a unique approach, they create creative coffee concoctions that blend freshly roasted coffee with unexpected ingredients like tonic, butterfly pea flowers and activated charcoal.

Their modern, sleek coffee shop design is also ideal for those who like to keep a photo diary of their caffeine intake on Instagram; the clean white setting contrasting brilliantly with the rich and brightly coloured coffee cocktails. 

For those who like a refreshing coffee mouthfeel, the Black Tonic is worth a try, made by mixing espresso with lemony tonic that adds a peculiar splash of excitement to your coffee experience. They have several locations throughout Chiang Mai, including in the old city (Ratvithi road), Wat Ket (Charoen Muang road) and Nimmanhaemin (Sirimankalajan road, Sirimangkalajarn Soi 13 and Nimmanhaemin road). Open from 9am with varying closing hours per location.

For those looking for a classic Chiang Mai experience that takes you out of the city and into nature, No.39 Cafe is a perfect place for that complete sensory experience. 

Located a short trip out to Hang Dong, expect to sip on freshly brewed coffee in a lush, scenic location complete with pond and plenty of greenery. The mood of No.39 Cafe is relaxed and fun, which may be why their Affogato is celebrated as their regular monthly bestseller. 

Adding to the Chiang Mai vibes, the cafe also offers live music from 10am-12.30pm and a chillout DJ from 2.30pm-4.30pm every day. And if you’re here with your pets, they’re welcome too; a welcome break space for our furry friends, which is something hard to come by these days. The cafe is open every day from 8.30am-5pm, tucked away down Soi Wat Umong behind the university.

Art aficionados rejoice! At Woo Cafe you can enjoy local coffee while sitting inside a living showroom of kitsch and quirky art pieces, sculptures, furniture and painting – all for sale, if you can stomach the prices. 

Alongside their humble coffee menu, they serve up a menu of Thai and Western dishes, as well as a small wine menu if that’s your preferred buzz. Venture upstairs and you’ll find a collection of curated home décor items, crafts and accessories – great for souvenirs or memory pieces that you can take home.

If you’ve a sweet tooth, opposite Woo Cafe sits the award-winning coconut cake shop Cake Baan Piemsuk. Sure, it also serves coffee but their cakes are much better. Woo Cafe is Open 10am-6pm, Closed Wednesday.

Sleep in and sip on a hot coffee from the comfort of your own bed. Slap bang in the centre of the old city, the coffee served at this quaint B&B may surprise you – in the best possible way. 

Nuan Nil offers guests and walk-in visitors an all-day breakfast and coffee service, with a well-equipped coffee bar that serves classic coffee in a non-nonsense way. It’s also just 200m from the Sunday walking street, making it a perfect spot to re-energize while you explore the markets, or escape without the need for a taxi ride. 

The café emphasises a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for those looking to imbibe in the slow-life lifestyle that the city is famed for. Open 8am-5pm every day, located on Inthaworarot road in the old city.