Chiang Mai and Environs Restaurants

Chiang Mai and Environs Restaurant Reviews

All the city's top hotels serve reasonably good food, but for the best Thai cuisine go to the restaurants in town. The greatest variety—from traditional Thai to French nouvelle cuisine—are to be found within the Old City, although Nimmanhemin Road, about 2 km (1 mi) northwest of downtown, is rapidly becoming a star-studded restaurant row. The best fish restaurants, many of them Chinese-run, are found at the Anusan Market, near the Night Bazaar. Chiang Mai also has northern Thailand's best European-cuisine restaurants, and some of its French, Italian, and Mediterranean fusion restaurants rival those of Bangkok.

Back to School

If spending time in monasteries makes you wonder about the lives of the monks, or if you find yourself so enthralled by delicious dishes that you want to learn how to prepare them, you're in luck. Chiang Mai has hundreds of schools offering classes in anything from aromatherapy to Zen Buddhism. Alternative medicine, cooking, and massage are the most popular courses, but by no means the most exotic. In three weeks at the Thailand's Elephant Conservation Center near Lampang you can train to become a fully qualified mahout.

Cooking: Chiang Mai has dozens of classes—some in the kitchens of guesthouses, others fully accredited schools—teaching the basics of Thai cuisine. Courses cost B800 to B1,000 a day.

Among the best cooking classes is the Baan Thai Home Cooking Course. 11 Ratchadamnoen Rd., Soi 5, Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/357339.

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, run by TV cooking program host Sompon Nabinan, has a very good reputation. 42/7 Moon Muang Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/206388. www.thaicookeryschool.com.

One of the city's most popular budget lodgings, Gap's House, runs an excellent cooking school. 4 Ratchadamnoen Rd., Soi 3, Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/278140.

Dancing:

Surprise your friends by learning the ancient art of Thai dancing at the Thai Dance Institute. A two-hour course teaching you a few of the graceful movements costs B900. 53 Kohklong Rd., Nonghoy, Chiang Mai, 50100. 053/801375.

Jewelry:

One- to five-day courses in jewelry making are offered at Nova Artlab. You can also study sculpture, leatherwork, painting, and photography—all for B1,100 a day. 201 Tha Pae Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/273058. www.nova-collection.com.

Language:

The American University Alumni has been around for more than 20 years. Charges vary according to the duration of the course and the number of pupils. 73 Ratchadamnoen Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/278407.

Corner Stone International has both group and individual instruction. 178/233 Moo 7, Nhongkwai, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, 50300. 053/430450.

Massage:

Held at the Chiang Mai University Art Museum, the Thai Massage School is authorized by the Thai Ministry of Education. Courses lasting two to five days cost B2,560 to B4,800. Nimmanhemin Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/907193. www.tmcschool.com.

The Chetawan Thai Traditional Massage School is affiliated to Bangkok's famous Wat Po massage school. Courses cost B800 a day. The school has accommodation for female students. Opposite Rajabhat University, on Pracha Uthit Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 053/410360. www.watpomassage.com.

Yoga:

The Yogasala has a five-day yoga course that costs B1,500. 48/1 Rachamankha Rd., Chiang Mai, 50200. 05/208452. www.cmyogasala.com.