Chiang Mai on a Budget: Where to Eat Under 100 Baht (2026)

Chiang Mai is the cheapest city in Thailand for great food. Not cheap food — great food that happens to be cheap. The difference matters. In Bangkok, budget eating often means grabbing whatever is closest. In Chiang Mai, budget eating means sitting down to a bowl of khao soi that someone has spent 30 years perfecting, and paying 50 Baht for the privilege.

This city runs on food. Northern Thai cuisine (Lanna food) is distinct from central Thai cooking — spicier, earthier, more herbal, with influences from Myanmar, Laos, and the hill tribes. And because Chiang Mai has remained affordable even as it has become a digital nomad hotspot, you can eat three full meals a day, plus snacks and coffee, for under 300 Baht (roughly $8.50 USD).

This guide covers every neighborhood, every budget trick, and specific restaurant and stall recommendations with real prices. No vague "try the local food" advice. Names, locations, dishes, and Baht amounts.

Let us eat.

The Daily Budget: What 300B Gets You

Before we dive into neighborhoods, here is what a full day of eating in Chiang Mai looks like on a backpacker budget:

Sample Day 1: The Local Way

| Meal | Where | What | Cost | |------|-------|------|------| | Breakfast | Jok (rice porridge) cart near Tha Phae Gate | Jok moo (pork rice porridge) + Thai iced coffee | 55B | | Lunch | Chang Phueak Gate area | Khao kha moo (braised pork leg rice) | 50B | | Afternoon snack | 7-Eleven | Toasties + iced coffee | 42B | | Dinner | Old City street stall | Pad kra pao + rice + fried egg | 55B | | Dessert | Night market cart | Mango sticky rice | 60B | | Water | Refill station | 1.5L refill | 1B | | Total | | | 263B |

Sample Day 2: The Explorer

| Meal | Where | What | Cost | |------|-------|------|------| | Breakfast | Temple food offering | Sticky rice + curry (pay what you wish) | 20B | | Lunch | CMU (university) food court | Khao soi + water | 45B | | Afternoon | Local coffee shop | Iced black coffee | 35B | | Dinner | Warorot Market food stalls | Sai oua + laab + sticky rice | 70B | | Snack | Walking street | Kanom krok (coconut pancakes) | 20B | | Water | 7-Eleven | 1.5L bottle | 7B | | Total | | | 197B |

Sample Day 3: The Mix

| Meal | Where | What | Cost | |------|-------|------|------| | Breakfast | Hostel free breakfast | Toast + eggs + coffee | 0B | | Lunch | Maya Mall food court | Green curry + rice | 55B | | Afternoon | Nimman area cafe | Iced latte | 60B | | Dinner | Kad Manee Market food court | Boat noodles x3 | 75B | | Evening snack | Night bazaar area | Grilled chicken skewers x3 | 30B | | Water | Refill | | 1B | | Total | | | 221B |

Average daily food cost: 197-263B (about $5.50-7.50 USD)

Neighborhood Guide: Where to Eat Cheap

1. Old City (Within the Moat)

The Old City is backpacker central and, fortunately, also cheap-eating central. Nearly every soi has food carts, small restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall kitchens cooking for travelers and locals alike.

Top Cheap Eats in the Old City

SP Chicken (เอสพีไก่)

What: Rotisserie chicken, the best in Chiang Mai. Whole or half chicken grilled to perfection with a papaya salad on the side.
Where: Soi 1, Samlan Road (near Wat Phra Singh)
Price: Half chicken 120B (serves 2), som tam 40B, sticky rice 10B — split between two people = under 90B each
Hours: 9am-5pm (sells out early, often by 2pm)
Why it matters: SP Chicken is a Chiang Mai institution. The chicken is marinated overnight, slow-grilled over charcoal, and the skin is impossibly crispy. Go before noon for the best pieces.

Khao Soi Khun Yai (ข้าวซอยคุณยาย)

What: Khao soi — the northern Thai curry noodle soup you came to Chiang Mai for
Where: Soi 1, Sri Poom Road (Old City, north side)
Price: 50B for chicken, 60B for beef
Hours: 8am-2pm
Why it matters: Small, unassuming, and fiercely local. The broth is thick and coconutty, the crispy noodle topping is generous, and the condiment tray (pickled cabbage, shallots, lime, chili paste) lets you customize each bite. Many locals consider this the best khao soi in the Old City.

Jok Somphet (โจ๊กสมเพชร)

What: Jok — Thai rice porridge (congee) served with a raw egg stirred in, ground pork, ginger, and crispy garlic
Where: Moon Muang Road, near Soi 3
Price: 35-50B
Hours: 6am-11am (breakfast only)
Why it matters: The classic Chiang Mai breakfast. The porridge is silky-smooth and deeply comforting. Add white pepper and a squeeze of lime. Pair with a pa thong ko (fried dough stick) for 5B extra.

Ratana's Kitchen

What: Made-to-order Thai dishes — pad thai, fried rice, curries, stir-fries
Where: Tha Phae Road, near Tha Phae Gate
Price: 40-70B per dish
Hours: 10am-9pm
Why it matters: Reliable, fast, and the menu covers everything a hungry backpacker wants. Good portions. Nothing fancy, everything solid.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options: Pun Pun (พันพัน)

What: Organic vegetarian restaurant inside Wat Suan Dok temple compound
Where: Suthep Road, Wat Suan Dok
Price: 30-60B per dish (rice with 1-2 veggie dishes = 40-50B)
Hours: 8am-4pm
Why it matters: One of the best vegetarian meals in Thailand at unbeatable prices. Everything is organic and locally sourced. The setting inside the temple grounds is peaceful and beautiful. Perfect for a mindful, cheap lunch.

Old City Budget Tips

The soi behind Tha Phae Gate (Soi 1-5 on Moon Muang Road) has the highest concentration of cheap food per square meter in Chiang Mai.
Street carts selling khao pad (fried rice) and pad thai appear after 5pm along most main roads. Prices: 40-60B.
Look for "khao kaeng" (curry over rice) shops — they display metal trays of pre-made curries. Point at 2 curries + rice = 40-50B. These are everywhere.

2. Chang Phueak Gate (North Gate)

The legendary Chang Phueak Gate night food market is small — just a handful of stalls along the road outside the north gate of the Old City — but it punches well above its weight. This is where locals eat dinner. No tourist marketing, no fancy signage. Just plastic stools, fluorescent lights, and some of the best food in the city.

Top Cheap Eats at Chang Phueak Gate

Cowboy Hat Lady (Khao Kha Moo — ข้าวขาหมู)

What: Braised pork leg over rice with pickled mustard greens, hard-boiled egg, and chili sauce. The most famous single dish in Chiang Mai.
Where: Chang Phueak Gate, right side when facing the gate from inside the Old City. She wears a cowboy hat. You cannot miss her.
Price: 40-50B (regular), 50-60B (special with extra pork)
Hours: 5pm-midnight (or until she sells out)
Why it matters: The Cowboy Hat Lady has been written about in every food blog, every guidebook, and every Thailand forum. Despite the fame, the quality has not dropped and the price has barely moved. The pork is meltingly tender, braised for hours in soy sauce, star anise, and cinnamon. The crispy garlic on top is the finishing touch. Every backpacker who passes through Chiang Mai ends up on one of her plastic stools.

Pad Thai Stall (next to Cowboy Hat Lady)

What: Wok-fried pad thai made to order
Where: Adjacent to the Cowboy Hat Lady stall
Price: 40-50B
Hours: 5pm-11pm

Grilled Fish Stall (ปลาเผาเกลือ)

What: Whole salt-crusted fish grilled over charcoal
Where: Across the road from the main stalls
Price: 100-150B for a whole fish (share between 2 people = under 75B each)
Hours: 5pm-10pm

Khao Tom (rice soup) carts

What: Rice soup with pork, chicken, or seafood — light, warming, and perfect after a night out
Where: Several carts along the gate area
Price: 35-50B
Hours: Evening to late night

Chang Phueak Budget Tips

Come between 5-6pm before the crowds arrive. By 7pm on weekends, every plastic stool is taken.
Everything here is designed for sharing. Order 2-3 dishes between friends for maximum variety at minimum cost.
This area is also excellent for late-night eating (after 10pm). Several stalls stay open late.

3. Nimman (Nimmanhaemin) Area

Nimman is Chiang Mai's hip district — coffee shops, co-working spaces, boutiques, and Instagram cafes line the main road and its numbered sois. It is more expensive than the Old City, but there are budget tricks that most tourists miss.

Top Cheap Eats in Nimman

Think Park Food Stalls

What: Small food court area inside the Think Park complex, with rotating vendors
Where: Think Park, Nimmanhaemin Road (behind the main commercial area)
Price: 40-70B per dish
Hours: 10am-9pm

Rustic and Blue — Nimman's Budget Coffee

What: Quality iced coffee at local (not tourist) prices
Where: Various small Thai-run coffee shops on the sois off Nimman main road
Price: Iced Americano 35-45B, iced latte 40-55B
Tip: Skip the branded cafes (Ristr8to, Graph) where lattes cost 120-160B. The unnamed local shops on Soi 3, 5, and 9 serve excellent northern Thai coffee for a third of the price.

One Nimman Food Court (basement level)

What: Modern food court with air conditioning and dozens of vendors
Where: One Nimman complex, basement level
Price: 50-80B per dish
Hours: 11am-9pm
Why it matters: Air-conditioned eating at street food prices. The khao soi here is 60B and perfectly solid. Good for a midday escape from the heat.

Tong Tem Toh (ท่องเที่ยวต่อ)

What: Northern Thai food — sai oua, laab, nam prik noom (green chili dip), kaeb moo (crispy pork rinds)
Where: Nimmanhaemin Soi 13
Price: Individual dishes 40-80B, sharing plates for groups
Hours: 10am-10pm
Why it matters: A Chiang Mai institution for Lanna food. Come with 2-3 friends and share. Per-person cost for a feast: 80-120B. The sai oua is among the best in the city.

7-Eleven Nimman (budget emergency option)

What: Toasties (ham & cheese, tuna), onigiri, cup noodles, sandwiches
Where: Multiple locations on Nimman
Price: Toasties 29-35B, onigiri 25B, cup noodles 15-25B, iced coffee 25B
Why it matters: When you need food at 2am and everything else is closed, 7-Eleven delivers. The toasties are genuinely decent and they heat them for you.

Nimman Budget Tips

The numbered sois (Soi 1-17) off the main Nimman road get progressively cheaper as you go further from the main strip.
Nimman's cafe culture is aspirational — many places charge Bangkok prices for coffee. Stick to local Thai-owned shops for coffee under 50B.
The Maya Mall food court (4th floor) has cheap, reliable food: 45-70B per dish with air conditioning.

4. University Area (CMU — Chiang Mai University)

If you want the absolute cheapest food in Chiang Mai, eat where the students eat. Chiang Mai University has over 35,000 students, and the food ecosystem around the campus is calibrated for broke college kids. This means massive portions, low prices, and zero pretension.

Top Cheap Eats Near CMU

CMU Canteen (โรงอาหาร มช.)

What: Massive university food court with dozens of stalls serving everything — Thai, Isaan, northern, Chinese-Thai, halal, vegetarian
Where: Inside Chiang Mai University campus (technically accessible to the public during meal times)
Price: 30-50B per dish. Most complete meals are 35-45B.
Hours: 7am-7pm
Why it matters: This is the cheapest place to eat a real meal in Chiang Mai, full stop. Pad kra pao with egg on rice = 35B. Green curry = 40B. Khao soi = 40B. The food is fresh (high turnover means nothing sits around) and portions are designed for hungry students, not tourists.

Suthep Road Food Stalls

What: A stretch of street food carts and small restaurants lining the road between the university and Wat Suan Dok
Where: Suthep Road
Price: 35-60B per dish
Hours: Varies (lunch rush 11am-1pm is peak)

Kad Na Mor Market (ตลาดหน้ามอ)

What: The "market in front of the university" — a covered food market with stalls and small restaurants
Where: Huay Kaew Road, directly across from the main university entrance
Price: 35-55B per dish
Hours: 10am-10pm
Why it matters: This market caters to students, so prices are rock-bottom and portions are generous. Excellent khao pad (fried rice) for 35B. Som tam for 30B.

University Area Budget Tips

The university area is a 10-15 minute songthaew ride from the Old City (20-30B). Eat lunch here when visiting Doi Suthep temple (which is up the mountain from CMU).
Buy bottled water at the campus 7-Eleven (5B for 600ml) rather than tourist shops.
Some CMU canteen stalls close between meal times. Go between 11am-1pm for maximum selection.
The area around the back gate of CMU (Soi Wat Umong side) has even cheaper hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

5. Warorot Market (Kad Luang) and Surrounds

Warorot Market (ตลาดวโรรส, also called Kad Luang or "Great Market") is Chiang Mai's largest traditional market. It is a daytime market primarily, but the food section operates from early morning until evening, and the surrounding streets have food stalls that go late. This is where locals buy ingredients, spices, dried goods, and prepared food. The tourist-to-local ratio is low, which means prices reflect actual value rather than tourist markup.

Top Cheap Eats at Warorot

Warorot Market Ground Floor Food Stalls

What: Prepared Thai food sold by weight or by dish — curries, stir-fries, soups, desserts
Where: Ground floor of the main Warorot Market building
Price: 30-50B per dish with rice
Hours: 6am-6pm

Sai Oua Stands (Northern Sausage)

What: Freshly grilled northern Thai sausage, sold by the piece or by weight
Where: Multiple stalls along the Warorot Market perimeter and inside the market
Price: 20-40B per piece depending on size
Tip: Buy sai oua (ไส้อั่ว) with a bag of sticky rice (10B) and a small bag of nam prik noom (green chili dip, 15-20B) for a complete northern Thai meal for under 70B.

Ton Payom Market (ตลาดต้นพยอม)

What: Covered market near the Ping River with cheap prepared food
Where: Between Warorot Market and the Ping River
Price: 25-45B per dish
Hours: 6am-4pm

Khao Soi Islam (ข้าวซอยอิสลาม)

What: Halal khao soi with beef — a slightly different preparation from the standard version, with a thinner, more fragrant broth
Where: Charoen Prathet Road, near Warorot Market
Price: 50-60B
Hours: 9am-4pm
Why it matters: This tiny shophouse restaurant is a local favorite. The Muslim-Thai khao soi here uses beef (never pork) and has a distinctive turmeric-heavy broth. It is one of the oldest khao soi shops in Chiang Mai.

Fresh Fruit at Warorot

What: Whole fruits, cut fruit bags, and fruit shakes
Where: Throughout the market
Price: Bag of cut mango 20-30B, bag of lychee 30B, watermelon shake 25B
Tip: This is the cheapest place to buy fruit in Chiang Mai. Prices are 30-50% lower than tourist shops and night market stalls.

Warorot Budget Tips

Come in the morning (7-9am) when everything is fresh and the market is at its most authentic.
The upper floors of Warorot sell clothes, fabrics, and household goods — skip these unless you need them.
Muang Mai Market (ตลาดเมืองใหม่), across the street from Warorot, is the wholesale produce market. Interesting to walk through even if you are not buying kilos of chilies.
The streets between Warorot and the Ping River have excellent street food carts at lunchtime.

6. Maya Mall and Central Festival Food Courts

When the heat becomes unbearable (and in March-May, it will), the mall food courts are a budget traveler's best friend: air conditioning, cheap food, clean toilets, and free WiFi. Both major Chiang Mai malls have excellent food courts.

Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center

Food Court (4th Floor)

Price range: 45-70B per dish
Best options: Khao man gai (chicken rice) 45B, khao soi 55B, pad thai 50B, fruit shakes 30B
How it works: Buy a food court card at the counter (no minimum load), order at any stall, tap to pay. Refund unused balance at the exit.
Hours: 11am-9pm

Why digital nomads love it: Free WiFi, air con, cheap food, and a Starbucks upstairs if you need a "real" workspace. Many nomads alternate between co-working spaces and Maya food court.

Central Festival Chiang Mai

Food Court (top floor)

Price range: 50-80B per dish
Best options: More variety than Maya, including Japanese and Korean stalls. Thai dishes 50-70B.
Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm

Mall Food Court Budget Tips

Mall food courts are 10-20B more expensive than street stalls, but you get air conditioning and clean seating.
Go during off-peak hours (2-4pm) for short queues and guaranteed seating.
The food court card system means you never need to fumble with cash at the stalls.
Both malls have supermarkets (Tops at Central Festival, Rimping at Maya) where you can buy snacks, yogurt, and drinks at non-tourist prices.

7. Santitham and Huay Kaew Area

Santitham is the neighborhood northwest of the Old City, just outside the moat. It has become a digital nomad favorite because rents are lower than Nimman but it is still walkable to everything. The food scene here is local, cheap, and excellent.

Top Cheap Eats in Santitham

Khao Soi Samer Jai (ข้าวซอยเสมอใจ)

What: Widely considered the best khao soi in Chiang Mai (among several fierce contenders)
Where: Faham area (technically between Santitham and Warorot), close to Charoenrat Road
Price: 50B for chicken, 60B for beef
Hours: 8am-3pm (often sells out by 1pm)
Why it matters: The broth is extraordinarily rich — thick coconut cream, curry paste that has been roasted to bring out deep, complex flavors, and handmade egg noodles. The portion is generous. If you eat one bowl of khao soi in Chiang Mai, make it this one. Arrive before 11am.

Laab Wiang Jor (ลาบเวียงจอร์)

What: Northern Thai laab (minced meat salad) specialist — pork, chicken, duck, fish, or mushroom, all done in the Lanna style with dried spices and roasted rice powder
Where: Santitham area
Price: 40-60B per dish, sticky rice 10B
Hours: 10am-8pm

Street Carts Along Santitham Road

What: Rotating selection of made-to-order carts — fried rice, stir-fries, noodle soups, som tam
Where: Santitham Road and connecting sois
Price: 35-60B per dish
Hours: Lunch and dinner (11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm)

Santitham Budget Tips

This neighborhood is walkable from the Old City (15 minutes across the moat). No need for transport.
The local coffee shops here charge 30-45B for iced coffee — much cheaper than Nimman.
The 7-Eleven on the main Santitham intersection is a reliable late-night food source.

Budget Food Categories

Khao Kaeng (Curry Over Rice) — Your Budget Best Friend

Khao kaeng (ข้าวแกง) shops are everywhere in Chiang Mai. They display 6-10 metal trays of pre-made curries and stir-fries. You point at what you want, they ladle it over rice. This is the cheapest and fastest way to eat a proper meal.

How to order: Point at 1-2 curries. Say "ao ni kap khao" (I want this with rice). Two curries over rice = 40-50B.
How to find them: Look for shops with rows of metal trays behind glass or on a counter. They are usually open from 8am-2pm and again 5pm-8pm.
Best dishes to point at:
- Gaeng kiew wan (green curry) — usually chicken
- Gaeng pet (red curry) — with pork or duck
- Pad prik king (stir-fried with red curry paste and green beans)
- Phat phak ruam mit (mixed vegetable stir-fry)
- Kai palo (braised eggs and pork belly in five-spice soy broth)

Noodle Soups (Kuay Teow) — Under 50B

Noodle soup shops (ร้านก๋วยเตี๋ยว) are the second most common cheap eat in Chiang Mai. You choose your noodle type, protein, and soup base.

Noodle choices: Sen lek (thin rice), sen yai (wide rice), sen mee (vermicelli), ba mee (egg noodles)
Protein choices: Moo (pork), gai (chicken), nuea (beef), look chin (meatballs)
Soup bases: Nam sai (clear), nam tok (slightly bloody, more flavor), tom yum (spicy sour)
Price: 40-50B for a regular bowl, 50-60B for "piset" (special/large)
Boat noodles: Small bowls, big flavor, 25-35B per bowl. Eat 3-4 for a full meal.

Sticky Rice and Grilled Meats — The Backpacker Combo

Northern Thailand runs on sticky rice (khao niao, ข้าวเหนียว). Buy it everywhere for 10B per bag. Pair it with:

Gai yang (ไก่ย่าง) — grilled chicken, 30-50B per piece
Moo ping (หมูปิ้ง) — grilled pork skewers, 10B each (buy 5-6 for a meal)
Sai oua (ไส้อั่ว) — northern sausage, 20-40B per piece
Naem (แหนม) — fermented pork sausage, 20B per piece
Som tam (ส้มตำ) — papaya salad, 30-50B

A full meal of sticky rice + grilled meat + som tam = 50-80B.

Temple Food — Pay What You Wish

Several temples in Chiang Mai serve food, either as part of community programs or via small restaurants inside temple grounds.

Pun Pun at Wat Suan Dok — Vegetarian organic food, 30-60B per dish
Temple food offerings: Some temples distribute food to visitors, especially during festivals. There is no fixed price — donate what you feel is appropriate (20-50B is common and appreciated).
Monk Chat + food: During Monk Chat sessions at Wat Chedi Luang, there is sometimes free tea and snacks.

7-Eleven Survival Guide

Every backpacker eventually relies on 7-Eleven. Here is how to eat cheap and reasonably well:

| Item | Price | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Toasties (ham & cheese, tuna) | 29-35B | They heat them for you. Surprisingly good. | | Onigiri (rice balls) | 25B | Japanese-style, many fillings | | Cup noodles (Mama brand) | 15-25B | Add a boiled egg (10B) for protein | | Sandwich | 25-35B | Basic but filling | | Iced coffee (brand) | 20-30B | Or fresh-brewed at the counter 25-35B | | Bao (steamed buns) | 15-20B | Pork or chicken filling | | Fresh milk (pasteurized) | 13-25B | 200ml or 400ml cartons | | Yogurt | 10-15B | Meiji brand, various flavors | | Bread + peanut butter | 25B + 45B | Multi-meal investment | | Banana (from outside vendor) | 10B per bunch | Cheapest snack in Thailand |

Pro tip: The counter at 7-Eleven can make iced coffee, heat toasties, and cook hot dogs. A toastie + iced coffee = 55B breakfast that takes 2 minutes.

Coffee Culture on a Budget

Chiang Mai is the coffee capital of Thailand. The northern mountains grow excellent Arabica beans (Doi Chang, Doi Tung, Doi Suthep). But the trendy third-wave cafes charge Bangkok prices (120-180B per cup). Here is how to get your caffeine fix cheaply:

Cheap Coffee Options

Thai Iced Coffee (Oliang — โอเลี้ยง)

Traditional Thai coffee brewed strong with roasted corn and sesame, served with condensed milk and ice
Price: 20-30B at street carts, 25-35B at local shops
Where: Any street cart with a sign saying กาแฟ (coffee) or โอเลี้ยง

Local Coffee Shops (No-Name Thai Shops)

Iced Americano: 35-45B
Iced latte: 40-55B
Hot coffee: 30-40B
These are the small, unassuming shops on side streets — Thai signage, plastic chairs, no Instagram aesthetic. The coffee is usually beans from Doi Chang or Doi Suthep and it is excellent.

Chain Coffee (Budget Tiers)

Amazon Cafe (PTT gas station brand): Iced latte 55B, iced Americano 45B
Wawee Coffee: Iced latte 65B (Chiang Mai-born chain, good quality)
Inthanin Coffee (Bangchak gas station brand): Iced latte 50B

To Avoid (Budget-Busting Cafes)

Ristr8to: 130-180B per cup (award-winning but pricey)
Graph: 120-160B
Akha Ama: 100-140B (excellent, but save for a treat day)

Water Refill Stations

Stop buying bottled water. Chiang Mai has water refill machines all over the city:

Blue vending machines on sidewalks: 1B per liter (bring your own bottle)
Filtered water dispensers at hostels: Usually free
7-Eleven: 1.5L bottles for 7B (still the cheapest bottled option)
Refill shops: Some shops sell filtered water by the jug — 5-10B for 5 liters

You can save 50-100B per day by refilling instead of buying individual bottles.

Vegetarian and Vegan Eating on a Budget

Chiang Mai is one of the most vegetarian-friendly cities in Southeast Asia. The Buddhist culture means meatless eating is normal, not a novelty. Here are your budget options:

Jeh (เจ) Restaurants — Buddhist Vegetarian

Look for shops with yellow flags or signs reading "เจ" (jeh/jay). These are Buddhist vegetarian restaurants that serve no meat, no eggs, and no garlic/onion (strict Buddhist vegetarian). They are cheap, clean, and everywhere.

Price: 30-50B per plate of rice with vegetarian dishes
How to find them: Yellow flag or banner outside with the "เจ" symbol in red
Best during: Vegetarian Festival (late September/October) when hundreds of jeh restaurants pop up citywide

Budget Vegetarian Restaurants

Pun Pun (Wat Suan Dok): Organic vegetarian, 30-60B per dish
Blue Diamond (Moon Muang Soi 9): Backpacker-famous breakfast spot, vegetarian options 50-80B
Taste from Heaven (Phra Pokklao Road): Vegan restaurant with Thai and Western dishes, 50-80B
Free Bird Cafe (near Wat Phra Singh): Fair-trade, some vegan options, 60-90B

Market Vegetarian Options

Som tam (without dried shrimp or fish sauce): Order "som tam jay" — 30-40B
Pad pak ruam (stir-fried mixed vegetables): 35-50B at any made-to-order stall
Khao pad pak (vegetable fried rice): 35-50B
Tofu stir-fries: Ask for "tao hu" (เต้าหู้) — 40-60B
Fresh spring rolls: 30-40B for 3 rolls
Sticky rice + nam prik noom (green chili dip): 25-30B total

How to Order Vegetarian in Thai

"Mai sai nuea sat" (ไม่ใส่เนื้อสัตว์) = "No meat"
"Gin jeh" (กินเจ) = "I eat vegetarian" (Buddhist veg, no eggs/garlic)
"Mai sai nam pla" (ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา) = "No fish sauce" (important — fish sauce is in almost everything)
"Mai sai khai" (ไม่ใส่ไข่) = "No eggs"

Eating Cheap: Advanced Strategies

Strategy 1: The Hostel Breakfast Hack

Most hostels in Chiang Mai offer free breakfast (toast, eggs, fruit, coffee). It is basic but it is free. Eat at the hostel and save your food budget for lunch and dinner when you can eat the good stuff.

Strategy 2: The Big Lunch, Light Dinner

Lunch is cheaper than dinner in Chiang Mai. Many restaurants have lunch specials or simply have lower prices during the day. Eat your biggest meal at lunch (50-70B) and have a light dinner (sticky rice + moo ping from a street cart = 40B).

Strategy 3: Share Everything

Northern Thai food is designed for sharing. A table of 3-4 dishes shared among 3-4 people costs 60-80B per person and gives you way more variety than eating alone.

Strategy 4: Cook at Some Hostels

Several Chiang Mai hostels have shared kitchens. Buy ingredients at Warorot Market or Rimping Supermarket:

Eggs: 4B each
Rice: 40B per kilo (lasts 4-5 meals)
Vegetables: 10-30B per bag
Instant noodles: 6B per pack (add vegetables and an egg for a real meal)

Total cost for a home-cooked meal: 20-40B

Strategy 5: The "Aow Mueng Ni" Move

When you see a khao kaeng shop and the curries all look good but you cannot decide, say "aow mueng ni" (เอาเมืองนี้) — "give me this one" — while pointing. The vendor will give you a generous scoop. Two scoops + rice = 40-50B. Do not overthink it. Everything in a khao kaeng shop is going to be good.

Strategy 6: Time Your Markets

Morning markets (6-9am): Cheapest prices, freshest ingredients
Lunch rush (11am-1pm): Maximum selection at made-to-order stalls
Late afternoon (4-5pm): Night market stalls setting up, prices are lowest before the evening crowd
End of market (9-10pm): Some vendors discount remaining items rather than take them home

What NOT to Do (Budget Mistakes)

Do not eat on Nimman main road unless you have checked the side sois first. Main road restaurants charge 30-50% more.
Do not order Western food when Thai food is 50-70% cheaper. That burger costs 200B. The khao soi next door is 50B and better.
Do not buy water from tourist shops. Walk 30 meters to a 7-Eleven or refill station.
Do not eat inside the Night Bazaar main building. The food court behind it (Anusarn Market) is cheaper and better.
Do not mistake "organic" and "artisan" cafes for budget options. Chiang Mai has a booming organic/health food scene, but these places charge premium prices (150-300B per meal).
Do not tip at street stalls or casual restaurants. Tipping is not expected at casual Thai eateries. At sit-down restaurants, round up or leave 20-30B if service was good. But at a noodle cart? No.
Do not fall for "cooking class lunch" as a cheap meal. Cooking classes are fun but at 800-1,500B, they are not budget meals. See our Thai Cooking Classes guide for honest value assessment.

Monthly Budget for Digital Nomads

If you are staying in Chiang Mai long-term, here is what food costs monthly:

Ultra Budget: 4,500-6,000B/month ($125-170 USD)

Hostel breakfast (free) or jok from a cart (35B)
Lunch at university food courts or khao kaeng shops (40-50B)
Dinner at street stalls (50-60B)
Occasional 7-Eleven meals
Refill water only
No cafe coffee (drink 7-Eleven or cart coffee)

Comfortable Budget: 7,000-10,000B/month ($200-285 USD)

Mix of street food and casual restaurants
Occasional Nimman cafe coffee (60-80B)
One "nice" meal per week (200-300B)
Night market dinners 2-3x per week
Mix of cooking at home and eating out

"Living Well" Budget: 12,000-18,000B/month ($340-510 USD)

Regular cafe visits
Mix of street food and restaurant meals
Occasional Western food
Weekend brunch culture
Cooking classes, food tours
Regular night market visits with shopping

Seasonal Food Tips

Cool Season (November - February)

Best time for eating outdoors. Night markets and street stalls are pleasant without the oppressive heat.
Strawberry season. Fresh Doi Suthep strawberries appear at markets — 40-60B per box. Best strawberries in Thailand.
Northern Thai BBQ (moo kata) season. The cooler weather makes hotpot/BBQ dining comfortable. 199-299B all-you-can-eat at moo kata restaurants.

Hot Season (March - May)

Mango season (April-May). Mangoes are at their cheapest and best. Mango sticky rice drops to 60-80B everywhere as supply peaks.
Eat inside. Food courts and air-conditioned restaurants become essential, not optional.
Hydrate aggressively. Budget 20-30B per day on water/electrolytes.
Smoky season (March-April). Agricultural burning creates thick haze. Some outdoor eating becomes unpleasant.

Rainy Season (June - October)

Fruit explosion. Durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longan, lychee — tropical fruits are cheapest during rainy season. Mangosteen 20-30B per kilo.
Mushroom dishes. Wild mushrooms from the northern forests appear on menus. Try het khon (เห็ดโคน), a prized termite mushroom.
Fewer tourists means less competition at popular stalls and shorter queues.
Some street carts close during heavy rain. Have a backup plan (mall food court or 7-Eleven).

Vegetarian Festival (Late September/October)

Yellow-flagged jeh restaurants multiply across the city.
Special vegetarian versions of all Thai classics become available.
Excellent time to eat vegetarian on a budget — competition between jeh stalls drives prices down.

The Chiang Mai Food Map (By Neighborhood)

Here is a quick reference for what to eat where:

| Neighborhood | Best For | Budget Per Meal | Getting There | |--------------|----------|-----------------|---------------| | Old City | Everything (khao soi, jok, khao kaeng) | 40-70B | Walk | | Chang Phueak Gate | Khao kha moo, night eats | 40-60B | Walk from Old City (5 min) | | Nimman | Coffee, modern food courts | 50-80B | Songthaew 30B | | CMU Area | Cheapest meals anywhere | 30-50B | Songthaew 20B | | Warorot Market | Fresh food, sai oua, fruit | 30-60B | Walk from Old City (15 min) | | Maya Mall | Air-con food court | 45-70B | Walk from Nimman | | Santitham | Local food, khao soi | 40-60B | Walk from Old City (10 min) | | Sunday Walking Street | Night market food | 40-80B | Walk to Tha Phae Gate | | Saturday Wualai | Northern Thai specialties | 30-60B | Songthaew 30B |

Final Thoughts

Chiang Mai is the rare place where eating cheap does not mean eating badly. The cheapest meal in the city — a 35B plate of rice and curry from a university food court — is made with the same care and the same ingredients as a 200B plate at a tourist restaurant. The difference is not quality. It is location, ambiance, and who the cook expects to be feeding.

Eat where locals eat. Follow the plastic stools. Point at things you do not recognize. Spend 50B on a bowl of khao soi and wonder how anything this good can cost so little.

That is Chiang Mai. That is why we keep coming back.

Related Guides

Best Street Food in Bangkok — Where to eat cheap in the capital
Thai Street Food Guide — How to navigate street food across Thailand
Thailand Budget Breakdown — Full daily costs including food, accommodation, and transport
Thai Food Guide for Beginners — What to order when everything is new
Vegetarian and Vegan Thailand — Eating plant-based across the country