Neil Aronson Nowadays it is fairly easy to write about pizza in Chiang Mai. That is because it has spread all over the city, and it to the mountains. I have found amazing pizza in places you would not imagine. Not only has pizza in Chiang Mai become very popular, it has become popular all over Thailand.
It is not just for tourists anymore. Locals love it as well. Even my Thai wife and her cousins who used to only eat Thai food, go out for pizza. And of course the new generation of Thai kids likes it. Because of this, there is no shortage of pizza places. The surprising thing is that most of it is great.
On my first trip to Chiang Mai in 2010, homesick for some comfort food, I found a small pizza shop a few doors over from the Tha Phae gate. It was owned by an Italian guy, naturally, and I sat down for one of the best home made wood fired pizza I had ever had.
I went back numerous times over my many visits the next few years. Over Covid-19 we were not able to travel to Thailand for a couple years, and sadly, when we finally did, my little pizza shop was no longer there. Probably another of my businesses that fell victim to Covid-19.
This page contains links to affiliate partner websites. We receive an affiliate commission for any purchase made by you on the affiliate website using such links. All such links lead back to our partners website. See also paidforadvertising.com/
Pizza List
Outside Chiang Mai
First I need to mention a couple places outside of Chiang Mai, just in case you are traveling north or south of the city.
Grooveyard Chiang Mai
If you are north of the city in the Mae Rim Area, then I recommend eating at Grooveyard. Easy to find on Google maps. Besides the great food, the setting is amazing. They are located on a back road near the Four Seasons Resort. The property is large with a large garden, and three cabins for rent if you want to stay overnight.
They serve Thai and other food, but pizza is their main thing. The hand made pizza is cooked in their outdoor woodfired oven. They also have live music on some nights. We had a couple different pizzas, and they were amazing.
For More on Mae Rim Area please read our article.
Mr. Chan and Miss Pauline
This couple owned restaurant has been a staple in the Hang Dong area for decades. Our Thai cousins, who live down the road took us here. Since we drive back and forth between Chom Thong and Chiang Mai, we had passed it dozens on times while driving on route 121. So if your driving around this area perhaps going to the Royal Park or Night Safari, you can stop by here for lunch or dinner.
They are more than just pizza in Chiang Mai, but salads, steaks, pastas, more. So it is a good options for groups of people who want variety. My wife had a steak which was excellent, and the kids ordered spaghetti which they liked. We ordered a couple different salads, one of which is below.
Since I am mentioning the place, it means the pizza was great as well. It does get crowded for late lunch, the the prices are much higher than most local restaurants.
Rim Doi Pizza & Cannabis Chom Thong
If you are heading to Doi Inthanon National Park, then on route 1009 in Chom Thong, you can stop for hand made woodfired pizza. It is located close to the junction of route 108 and 1009, past the 7-11, as you are going towards Doi Inthanon.
Inside is also a Cannabis shop, Weed Stop. The restaurant is owned by a couple, Pansa and Kevin, with Pansa running the show. The couple also runs a fantastic homestay, Suan Sook Homestay, which is located just down the road if your looking for a peaceful place to stay. The pizza crust is prepped for the restaurant at the homestay.
Tonmai Pizza Chom Thong
Outside of Chom Thong, south of Chiang Mai, I saw a sign hand made wood signs stating ‘pizza’ with an arrow pointing the way. I kept going down a dirt road following two more arrows for about 2 km, out in the middle of nowhere.
When I got there, it was this place (pictures below). I didn’t even remember the name. But the owner/resident, was sitting playing the guitar, with his dogs and chickens running around. If was a surreal setting on a small lake.
Excited to see some customers, the proprietor could not be more friendly. Ready to make us anything we wanted in his home made outdoor brick oven, he got to work.
I almost forgot to say, the pizza was amazing. We went back again, even though it was a little bit out of the way.
Thirteen years later in 2023 we just went back, they are still there, and as good as ever. We took our cousins, and the Thai kids loved the pizza. The name is Tonmai Pizza, if you are in the area. And the proprietor, who is in a local rock band, has new music, and was happy to play for us. Here is a video on Youtube.
Just goes to show you, in Thailand, you can find all types of amazing food and friendly pizza where ever you look.
Local Pizza In Chiang Mai
Locals to Chiang Mai already know that the pizza in Chiang Mai is some of the best anywhere. Or maybe they don’t, they’re just used to it.
Above we showed you a few great places outside Chiang Mai, but within the city there are dozens of places. Most of them you can walk to, depending on where you are staying. In my option, the area inside the walled city, as well as Nimman, have the most choices.
Everyone has their favorites. So I am not saying which is the best, just make recommendations for pizza in Chiang Mai. These are places I have tried (multiple times), and know to be good.
Airniversary Camp & Cafe
For not on only pizza in Chiang Mai, but one of the coolest atmosphere’s, on to Airniversary Camp and Cafe, on Ratchaphakinai Rd in the Old City. It is located about a block south of the Bodhi Serene Hotel.
This is on the top of my list not just for the great food, but the treehouse setting and the rest of the decor. Plus the staff is very friendly.
Another bonus of this place is that pizza is not even the main dish. The menu is eclectic, and delicious. My wife and her Thai family think the Thai dishes are great. There is western food, other Asian, pizza, and big desserts. If you like wood fired personal pizzas than this one hits the spot. The crust is perfectly crispy and soft.
Sit upstairs and feel like your in the tree canopy.
By Hand Pizza Cafe
By Hand Pizza might be my favorite pizza in Chiang Mai. The local spot is also located in one of my favorite areas of town. Inside the Old City on Moon Muang Road Soi 7 on a quiet and cozy street. Not a fancy place, just a good local hangout. As they say, we bake the pizza in our blazing hot wood fired Neapolitan oven.
The crust here is a perfect texture and flavor. The atmosphere is really laid back and cool. It is right on the quiet street corner, but open to the street, with the pizza oven almost on the street. Staff is very friendly. It used to be more local customers. But word is out, and I have been several times recently and it was a lot of tourists.
La Fontana Italian Restaurant
This Italian restaurant is located in a great area in the center of the old city, with a nice inviting atmosphere. Located on Ratchamanka Rd, easy to walk to from your hotel in the area. I found the staff very friendly the few times I have been there. I usually stay in this area, last time staying at the recommended Somwang Boutique hotel.
They have really good salads, and the pizza was excellent. Other Italian menu items are available.
The Dukes (Ping River)
For pizza in Chiang Mai, and everything else, go to The Dukes. With multiple locations, there is probably one near you. They have a popular delivery service. The Dukes is western comfort food. They have popular pizza, but also many salad, steaks, burgers, and more.
There is a huge selection of pizzas to suit all preferences since everyone seems to have their own favorite. They consistently appear on local ‘best of’ lists.
Pulcinella da Stefano
Chang Moi Kao Rd, Italian with good woodfire pizza. Located around the corner from Starbuck across from Tha Phae gate to the east. Small local place, with a cozy Italian motif, and good Italian food. They have been around over 20 years. We were walking around the streets and were hungry for lunch, and passed by this restaurant. Gave the pizza a try and was not disappointed.
2Gether Bar & Restaurant
This restaurant is located in the heart of the Night Bazaar in a cool old teak building. A little tucked away from the main street, 2Gether keeps its charm as a hidden gem, However fans in the know have no trouble finding it.
Besides Italian, their menu has plenty of choices of Dutch and Thai dishes all served in large portions. In addition to traditional pizzas, they have creative fusion pizzas integrating local Thai favorites.
Barefoot Café
Barefoot Café is a casual street-side pizza in Chiang Mai restaurant set in a renovated abandoned building. It is small, casual, and enveloped with the scents of freshly-cooked Italian fare. Located on Tha Pae Road in between the Night Bazaar and Warorot Market.
From their page: nam-prik-ong is a traditional dish in the north. The main ingredients are tomato and minced pork, with chili paste. It’s kind of Bolognese but Thai version. We top with pizza with coriander and green onion.
Street Pizza & The Wine House
For pizza in Chiang Mai, close to our previous choice, Barefoot Restaurant, Street Pizza is also on Tha Pae road. Unique ingredients and even more unique merging of ingredients, makes for some standout dishes. Try the pizza na wat which features wild boar sausage as its topping star, complemented by bacon, dried chili, mozzarella and Thai basil.
Prova Cafe & Pizza Nimman
Last time we stayed in Nimman, at the wonderful Siri Buri Boutique hotel, I needed some pizza. Just a couple blocks away on Siri Mangkalajarn Rd, I tried Prova Cafe. It was great, I went back a couple nights later.
The restaurant is pretty similar to La Fontana, listed above. There are many other menu items than pizza, and a nice patio along the sidewalk. Most nights they have live music, check their Facebook page.
Pizza My Heart At Nimman
If you are in the Nimman area of the city, then give this local place a try. Located on Nimmanhaemin Rd, they consistently get 5 star reviews. Nice outdoor seating area on the street to watch everything go by. Their wood fired pizzas are a hit. Since your in the pricier area of the city, their prices are higher than other places on our list.
As in all of our recommended lists, there are more good options around town. Just get out there and explore.
Related Posts:
