Chiang Mai – Organic and Health Food Shops, Restaurants and Cafes

Have you recently moved to Chiang Mai , are you planning to move there, or are you just planning a trip to this cultural capital of northern Thailand? Are you worried that you will have to pause your super-healthy diet or worse ruin it while on a holiday? Have no fear-the city has enough healthy food and organic supplies to go around, providing for all your diet-conscious grocery needs as well as breakfast, lunch , dinner… all the way down to coffee and ice cream (yes indeed, there is such a thing as organic ice cream as well as fat-free versions). Just walking around the city, or the city’s largest mall the Central Airport Plaza (also known as Robinson Airport Plaza) will spoil you for choice, and that’s just the start.

Suan Pak

This lovely restaurant boasts their very own hydroponic vegetable garden and takes great pride in feeding you those vegetables in innovative, tasty salad dishes that are a fusion of western and Thai salads. Located just next to the Central Airport Plaza. Don’t forget to ask for a tour of their gardens!

Royal Project Outlets

The Royal Project focuses on increasing the living standards of northern hill tribes. One of the ways they do this is by making agricultural produce from said tribes economically viable: Royal Project outlets throughout the country sell these products, which are very much organic and grown on the lofty heights of Doi Suthep, at affordable prices. They range from grocery (fresh vegetables, mushrooms, chili paste, jam, fruit juice) to bakery products including but not limited to excellent cereal arabica biscuits, potato bread, and-when you are lucky enough to catch them during a food fair or exhibition-amazing cake (passion fruit and orange highly recommended). In Chiang Mai, you can find a Royal Project shop at the airport, though there is also another near the University of Chiang Mai.

Rimping Supermarket

Remarkable for its range of imported goods, but also because it sells both fresh groceries from the Royal Project as well as gives support to many local farmers and agricultural firms, giving you an even bigger range to choose from. Many small Thai brands, especially those originating from Chiang Mai and surrounding provinces (Lampang, Lamphun) get their first commercial distribution here. There are at least four branches of Rimping in Chiang Mai, but the three largest ones are located respectively near Central Airport Plaza, near the Mae Ping river by Nawarat Bridge, and in Tarad Ruam Choak.

Doi Tung Coffee

A café franchise as supplied by the Royal Project! A little pricey but considerably cheaper than Starbucks and much, much more Thai and authentic. Doi Tung outlets also sell handicraft made by hill tribes such as mugs, coasters, tapestries, carpets, bags, notebooks, stationery and more. Some of the larger branches can be found in Nimmanhemin Road and the Night Bazaar.

Smooch Angel

A little café in the Central Airport Plaza, third floor. Sells organic fruit-based ice cream and various drinks.

The Vegetarian Society

Non-profit canteen operating during breakfast and lunch times located between Ku Ruang moat and the Central Airport Plaza on Mahidol Road. The food is cheap, popular, but most importantly it’s organic.


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