In the 13th century, Chiang Mai became the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, which was regarded as the cradle of the Lanna culture. Located in a verdant valley on the banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai is an important political, economic and cultural center of Northern Thailand.

Unlike the international and bustling metropolis capital Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a tranquil place where you can enjoy a cozy and slow-paced lifestyle. It’s the destination for those who want to relax and experience something different. For me, it is the local coffee culture that attracts me the most. Summer is here. Why not escape from your daily routines, wandering around a foreign country and exploring a new place? So when in Chiang Mai, do what Thais do.

Speaking of coffee, Chiang Mai has geographical advantages as its adjacent city Chiang Rai is the main coffee-producing region where both Robusta and Arabica grow. The high-quality coffee beans together with the booming coffee industry lure coffee lovers from all over the world which adds a touch of coffee aroma into this small yet charming city. Also, such an environment greatly promotes the specialty coffee industry in Thailand. Believe it or not, Chiang Mai has such a large number of coffee shops, just like the number of local temples and pagodas. Therefore, you will never get bored among the wide variety of coffee shops.

Situating in the tropic region, Chiang Mai is considered one of the important sources of inspiration for iced coffee around the world. The carefree life combined with never-ending summer leaves me an unforgettable memory of this city. There are so many innovative drinks here. Not only their unexpected new flavors but also their interesting presentation and great tastes make the drinks so appealing. Let’s enjoy the aroma of the “Rose of the North” and start the coffee journey, exploring this charming city.

Gateway Coffee Roasters

– House roastery with Thai coffee beans

Famous for its house roasted coffee, the coffee shop uses beans from high altitude mountainous areas in northern Thailand. The dark roast house blend features a beautiful crema. The staff focuses much on details especially in roasting in order to make every drop of coffee retain the taste of Chiang Mai. The shop also supplies coffee beans to many local coffee shops. Lost Star is a special drink that blends espresso with lemon, sugarcane and plum juice. The sweetness of the sugarcane neutralizes the acidity of lemon and plum juice, making it a fruitful refreshing coffee.

Add: Chang Moi Rd Soi 2, Chiang Mai 50300

Hours: Mon-Sun 9:00-18:00

The Baristro at Ping River

– Signature drinks with yummy fruits

This newly-established branch of the Baristro sits along the Ping River away from the busy old town. It is a combination of two houses with an outdoor area extended to the Ping River. Black Coconut, a blend of coconut juice and an espresso shot with coconut pulp atop is one of the coffee shop’s signatures. The bitter coffee along with the refreshing sweet coconut makes it such a must-try drink. Isn’t it just like our bittersweet life?

Add: 62 Patan Road, Chiang Mai 50300

Hours: Mon-Sun 8:00-19:00