Eat

Fern Forest Café

2/2 Singharak Soi 4, 053-416-204. Open daily 8:30am-8:30pm
A doctor and his wife have turned their house into a homey café with tables scattered among lush green trees and huge ferns, so it’s easy to relax as you sip their unique Sylvanian coffee. Having their own coffee farm, this place promises strong, bitter brews that go well with their sweet homemade pastries. If he’s in a good mood, the owner will even show you to the secrets of his ferns.

Charcoa

4 Sripoom Soi 1, 053-212-681. Open daily 7am-9.30pm. www.charcoa.com
Hidden in a tiny soi, this petite café is decked out in a Mediterranean-cum-Lanna aesthetic with frescos and natural materials. They do an extensive list of Western food with a touch of Thai fare, and a famed bakery menu, including the stand out Charcoa chocolate fudge cake.

Vieng Joom On

53 Charoenraj Rd., Wat Gate, 053-303-113. Open daily 10am-7pm. www.vjoteahouse.com
The name means pink town in the Lanna tongue, and this attention-grabbing teahouse is, you guessed it, as pink as can be. Your girly friends will ooh and ahh over the kitschy, feminine decor, as well as the extensive range of teas on offer. You can also head outside to a riverside patio to enjoy the views.

W by Wanlamun

Chang Moi Soi 2, 053-232-328. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-10pm. www.wanlamun.com
This classic white wood house is one of Chiang Mai’s top destinations for tasty dishes and creamy pastries. The few small tables in the front yard are perfect for hanging out on cooler days, but the air-con room, decked out in classic English style, offers a welcome respite from the heat or rain. The popular tiramisu or fruit tart, along with cups of herbal tea, come highly recommended.

Drink

the Good View

13 Charoenraj Rd., Wat Gate, 053-302-764, 053-241-866. Open daily 10am-1am. www.goodview.co.th
For a relaxed, informal but seriously fun night out, wander down to the river and seek out the Good View. This Chiang Mai institution is a cavernous, semi-open-air bar-cum-restaurant-cum-live music venue that always seems to be bursting at the seams. Book early if you want to get a table out by the river.

Mandalay

5/3 Phra Poklao, Phra Singha, 053-208-395/-8. Open daily 9pm-2am
Located near Thapae Gate, Mandalay has been the popular spot for the Chiang Mai gay scene for as long as we can remember. The lofty, but suitably dark, space is filled with a variety of music ranging from international hits to Thai favorites as well as some live dance performances by coyote boys. It’s packed every weekend with local gays and their gal-pals.

Monkey Club

Nimmanhaemin Soi 9, 053-226-997. Open daily 6pm-1am
People-watching is the name of the game at this tried-and-tested watering hole. The outdoor area is decked out in a tropical garden style with an acoustic band playing softly in the background. Step inside and get ready to sweat, dance and monkey around with trendy local party animals and flight attendants while house bands serve up thumping pop/rock.

Going somewhere else? Check out Thailand's Best Restaurants and Bars.