12 January 2018
Our trip to Chiang Mai was with old school friends. So we planned a lazy morning in Chiang Mai where we would do little but explore cafes in the Nimmanhaemin area, known to be the chic and trendy part of Chiang Mai.
The Nimman area includes the main Nimmanhaemin Road, which runs south from Maya Shopping Mall on Huay Kaew Road, cutting through the city’s bustling university area towards the airport, plus all the small Soi or side lanes along the Nimmanhaemin Road.
Prior to the trip, we did some research on the best cafes in this area and one stood out. We made this cafe our first stop since it opens pretty early too.
After a light breakfast at the Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel, we took a songthaew to Ristr8to, located at Nimmanheamin Road, Soi (Lane) 3.
The Ristr8to store located at Nimmanheamin Road, Soi (Lane) 3.
This cafe is supposed to be the best coffee shop in Chiang Mai. The owner worked for many years in Australia, won awards for his latte art and brought back the secret skills of good coffee to Chiang Mai.
We later found that there is another Ristr8to store, located nearby along the main Nimmanheamin Road itself. That store seemed more crowded. I actually prefer the one we went to at Lane 3 (called Ristr8to Lab) as it is less crowded and the surroundings were more peaceful, being on a side lane instead of the busy main road.
Coffee roasting machines.
Sample of the signature coffee available at Ristr8to.
Check out the cool latte art works on our Signature coffees at Ristr8to.
With the cool and non humid winter weather, it was great to sit on the terrace, sipping the freshly brewed, carefully blended coffee with old school mates.
After Ristr8to, we wandered up and down the next side lane, and then the next lane, discovering the quirky themed cafes, boutiques and spa/massage places along the way.
Another cool themed cafe at Nimman area.
We saw some cafes that were recommended in internet but now permanently closed. Managing a cafe business in Chiang Mai is not so easy after all.
We made a stop at Rustic and Blue, located at Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 7.
Sitting under a large mango tree in a courtyard garden, we had specially blended, caffeine-free fruit and flower tea, plus some delicious tacos.
Yes, caffeine-free organic tea. We cannot be drinking coffee the whole morning.
Rustic and Blue served specially blended organic tea that is caffeine free.
Delicious BBQ pork tacos, with spicy roasted chilli sauce, Jalapeno sauce, cheese and corn tortillas for 285 THB.
We ended our morning of cafe hopping at the Kao Soi Nimman, to have Chiang Mai’s signature curry noodle dish called Khao Soi for lunch. This is not a cafe but a restaurant that opens later, in time for the lunch time crowd. Located along Soi 7, it is quite popular and had a number queuing system.
Sitting area at Khao Soi Nimman.
The restaurant serves an extensive range of Thai dishes but we ordered the Chicken and BBQ Pork Khao Soi. The delicious bowls of curry noodles came with small bowls of chopped shallots and pickled vegetables to add on as toppings. The portions are not large and priced around 69 to 79 THB per bowl.
Chicken Khao Soi at Kao Soi Nimman
BBQ Pork Khao Soi at Kao Soi Nimman, with the optional toppings of chopped shallots and pickled vegetables added.
Overall, Kao Soi Nimman is a good place to have lunch or Khao Soi when in the Nimman area.
In one morning, we only had time to check out 3 places in Nimmanhaemin. I am sure there are a lot more interesting and excellent cafes and eating places in this area. The next time we visit Chiang Mai, we will be back here again to explore more.
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