Lanna Hill House Chiang Mai

Inside Track
Inside Track provides reviews of Chiang Mai's hidden secrets for visitors who want to experience the best of what local people enjoy, rather than be jostled by hoards of tourists. The reviews are written by the manager and owner of Lanna Hill House. Where the character of a location would be jeopardized by too many visitors, contact details are not published and are only shared with guests of Lanna Hill House.

Khun Churn vegetarian restaurant
"Churn" means welcome in Thai. This is always a guarantee at this extremely imaginative and popular restaurant in Chiang Mai. Although vegetarian, meat eaters certainly should not be put off. There are a wide range of extremely tasty dishes incorporating traditional Thai herbs and spices, to suit all palettes.

The restaurant is located off Nimmenhamind road, down Soy 17. There is a large covered garden area, or if it's too hot (or cold) there is an air conditioned room. Lunch comprises a buffet of salads, various noodle dishes and a wide selection of curries, which are mainly translations of the meat version into delicious vegetarian ones. Meat substitutes include mushrooms, tofu and soy. The buffet includes healthy drinks such as lemon grass flavoured water. Expect to pay just over $2 or £1 to eat as much as you like.

The dinner menu is a la carte, and includes many of the dishes that are served at lunch. The curries are particularly delicious and are all served with a choice of salad, fresh vegetables and brown rice. Pricing is similar to lunch. The owners both speak good English and would be delighted to know if you are staying at Lanna Hill House.

The best Northern Thai food in the world Hua Jai Yong is without doubt the best Northern Thai food restaurant in the world. Tucked away in a side street, about 15 minutes east of the city, it has gathered a huge following among local people and even members of the royal family. You are however unlikely to ever see a tourist there. The place is almost always full, allowing the owners the luxury of only opening for lunch (it closes at 5pm each day). Constructed from the frame of an old teakhouse, the restaurant is more rustic than modern.

Traditional Thai music contributes to the authentic feel of the place. But the food is the star. Unusually for Thailand, dishes are almost always served piping hot, fresh from the kitchen. Food is always prepared on the day and therefore always tastes fresh. If you come too late, some of the popular dishes will have run out. There's no running to the freezer or microwave at this restaurant. Personal favourites include Gaeng Bplee (Bannana flower curry), Sie Oua (traditional spicy Thai sausage), Pak Chaeng Dao (an egg dish with fresh green vegetables and herbs) and Gaeng Hang Lae (a traditional pork curry. It has been remarked that they do the best version of this dish in Thailand).

For the more adventurous you can try Jack fruit curry and various dishes made from frogs (not for me!). There are several fish dishes including a delicious fish pate (at least that is what it looks like) all served with the ubiquitous sticky rice. There are enough options on the menu to satisfy kids or those who do not like very spicy food.

The food is complimented by delicious tropical fruit juices, that include star fruit, Chinese gooseberry and tamarind. The menu is all in Thai, but for guests at Lanna Hill House we will provide you with a translation. Expect to pay no more than $2 (£1) a head.

Wawee paradise coffee shop
Wawee is a chain of coffee shops in Chiang Mai, with a menu that supports locally grown hill tribe coffee and an ethos that represents all that is hip and cool about Chiang Mai. There are several branches attracting a different mix of people depending on the location. But there is one branch that stands out. It is one of the original branches, tucked away in a side street ("soi"), boasting a large decked tropical garden with mature trees, an ultra cool interior (which is very tasteful), super fast internet and a predominant Thai clientèle. If you like people watching then this is a great place to be. The mornings are quiet, which is great if you have work to do or simply fancy a leisurely read, but by mid afternoon the place is jammed packed with students and professionals. It's not too noisy though. On some days there is live music in the garden (which can be loud), that is popular with the college crowd.

Siam Celedon Tea house
Located on Thapae road (not far from Narawat bridge) is the Siam Celedon Tea House. Crafted out of an old colonial style wooden building, dating from 1915, the house is shared with a shop selling high quality housewares, including silks and pottery. Inside ornate cast iron rafters combine with painted wooden panels, to create a feeling of yesteryear. High ceilings and a courtyard with vaulted ceiling add to the airy feel. The tea shop serves a selection of delicious cakes and a teas, including fruit and herbal teas, Stassen teas imported from Sri Lanka and others from China, India and Japan. Of course there are locally sourced teas too. Cooked western breakfast is available as well as a western lunch menu.

Strawberries in the tropics?
Not many people know about the strawberry season in Chiang Mai. From December through to February they are available from street sellers and supermarkets all around the city. The pleasant winter climate in the mountains is akin to the summer in northern Europe (without the rain) and provides the perfect environment for cultivating strawberries. They are expensive by the standards of what you usually pay for fruit in Thailand, but at as low as $1 a kilo they're still a bargain.

Back to Luxury Nature Villas