Best food markets in Northern Thailand

Hey guys! Welcome back to my blog! It’s been a hot minute since I shared a travel post here on The Nomad Studio, but I’m finally back with a new food-filled adventure—and this one’s all about the best food markets in Northern Thailand.

If you’re anything like us and LOVE Thai food, then this blog post is going to make you hungry—real quick. We recently did a 7-day foodie road trip through Northern Thailand, exploring local food markets in Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai. And wow, it was one delicious ride!

We skipped the usual touristy attractions and went straight for the food. From coconut desserts to spicy noodles, this trip was packed with mouthwatering moments. So here’s a breakdown of every food market we visited, what we ate, what we loved, and what we totally regret not trying more of.

For more tips before traveling to Thailand, check out our Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand guide.

Watch video below

Coconut Market, Chiang Mai – The Weekend Gem 🌴

Open weekends only, 8 AM to 3 PM

We literally went straight from the airport to this market. That’s how excited we were. It’s set up in a park-like area, surrounded by coconut trees—super chill vibes and a perfect intro to Thai street food.

Overall Vibe: Chill, green, perfect place to try a little bit of everything. We’d go back in a heartbeat.

What we tried:

🌈 Mochi-like Coconut Dessert – Lightly sweet and chewy. Loved the texture. ★★★★☆ (10 THB)
🍢 Chicken & Pork Skewers – Juicy, flavorful, perfection. Both meat were yummy in spicy sauce ★★★★★ (50 THB)
🥞 Coconut Pancakes – Crispy outside, soft inside. Addictive. ★★★★★ (25 THB)
🍨 Coconut Ice Cream in a shell – Unlimited toppings, super creamy. ★★★★★ (60 THB)
🥭 Mango Sticky Rice – Classic. Sweet, creamy, can’t go wrong. ★★★★★ (60 THB)

Kalare Night Market – Chiang Mai’s Evening Feast

Open daily from 5 PM to midnight

This market is a night owl’s dream. Tons of stalls, communal tables, and easy parking nearby (30 THB).

Tried and rated:

🥟 Dumplings – Just okay. Expected to be more tasty ★★★☆☆ (50 THB)
🍢 More Meat Skewers – Not as good as Coconut Market. But if you want to try, pork is best.★★★☆☆ (100 THB)
🥥 Coconut Smoothie – Super refreshing. A must-try. ★★★★★ (50 THB)
🍌 Banana Roti w/ Chocolate Sauce – Crispy, gooey goodness. ★★★★★ (50 THB)

❌ Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market – A Lesson Learned

We tried to visit this famous market. Spent hours in traffic. Couldn’t find parking. Gave up. If you plan to go, stay nearby and walk. You’ve been warned. But, I am told that this also one of the best places to eat local street food.

🚗 Scenic Drive to Pai – With Some Tasty Pit Stops

This 4-hour drive through the mountains is GORGEOUS. On the way, we made a couple of cool stops:

🧙‍♀️ Coffee witch house – Cute theme, outdoor seating, refreshing soda. (60 THB)
🍓 Strawberry Farm – Beautiful view, amazing food. We had:
- Thai fried rice (BEST ever!)
- Pad See Ew
- Thai iced tea
- All for 200 THB total!

Bonus: They have clean restrooms (5 THB donation). Loved this place.

Pai Walking Street – Foodie Heaven in a Small Town 🌙

Open daily from 6 PM (main street closed to vehicles)

This tiny town knows how to throw a night market. So many food options, live music, cozy vibes—it quickly became one of our faves.

What we devoured:

🍜 Khanom Jeen – Northern-style spicy noodle soup. Mind-blowing. ★★★★★ (50 THB)
🥗 Papaya Salad – Crunchy, tangy, spicy, fresh. ★★★★★ (40 THB)
🥞 Coconut Pancakes – Freshly made. Sweet & soft. ★★★★★ (20 THB)
🍊 Fresh Orange Juice – Can’t beat it. (20 THB)
🍚 Chicken Fried Rice – Not spicy but flavorful. Big portion. ★★★★☆ (120 THB)
🍌 Banana Sticky Rice – Wrapped in banana leaf, subtle flavor, amazing. ★★★★★ (10 THB)

Regret: We should’ve tried the Khao Soi from that first vendor. Still thinking about it.

📍 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Next to the bus station, open daily from 5 PM

We ended our trip here—and it didn’t disappoint. The food court is huge and full of local eats.

Eats and ratings:

🥥 Colorful Coconut Dessert – Still don’t know what it was, but it was SO good. ★★★★★ (30 THB)
🐊 Crocodile Skewer – Yeah… chewy and tough. Regret. ★★☆☆☆ (125 THB)
🍌 Banana Roti – Delicious as always. (50 THB)
🥭 Mango Sticky Rice – Yes again. Always yes. (50 THB)

Big Miss: We didn’t try the hot pot! Almost every stall had it. Don’t be like us.

Final Thoughts – Our Favorites & Regrets

🏆 Best Overall Markets:

Coconut Market (Chiang Mai)
Pai Walking Street

🌈 Best Variety:

Kalare Night Bazaar

😢 Biggest Regrets:

Skipping hot pot in Chiang Rai
Not trying Khao Soi in Pai
Not buying more coconut desserts

✨ Pro Tips for Food Market Hopping in Thailand:

Try everything the moment you see it—you may not find it again.
Coconut anything is a must.
Get there early for parking and shorter lines.
Carry coins for restrooms and small food items.
Don’t skip the lesser-known stalls—you’ll find some of the best food there!

That’s it for this food-fueled journey through Northern Thailand. Let us know which of these you’d want to try, or if we missed a must-visit market. And if you’re planning your own food adventure soon—bookmark this post and go hungry! 🍜🇹🇭