My Favorite Restaurants: Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant

This is a great Thai restaurant that seems to be unknown to the foreigners in Chiangmai. No tour buses here, just many Thai people who have come for the excellent food and the ambiance. You eat while sitting around or above the small lake. There are fountains and running water to add atmosphere. The central jetty is anchored and has no roof, while two others are floating jetties with thatched roofs to keep you cool under the sun. One section on the shore has a tin roof with water running over the roof for both atmosphere and your comfort. There are many tables (over 150 at my count) and a large staff, but even so the restaurant can get quite busy at times.

A note to those concerned about hygiene: the restaurant proudly displays signs announcing that the Sanitation Department has ranked them as "Very Good" and that every container is sterilized. Be at ease and enjoy the food without worries. Not one problem reported from the food, so I accept their signs at face value. The bathrooms were quite clean and had no odors. Foreigners should be aware: these are authentic Thai style toilets and not the Western models we know and love (at least when the need is upon us). If you don't like Thai-style toilets, plan your affairs accordingly.

There is quiet northern Thai and Thai pop music played at a low and non-intrusive level. It was pleasant.

All in all, the Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant is a most pleasant place to eat lunch or dinner or just to take a break from the hectic shopping on Sangkamphang Road.

Menu Favorites

After several trips to this restaurant, I think that everything is very well prepared and tasty. That is always a good sign. I'll mention of number of dishes, although I kept prices from only my most recent visit. It should be clear from these prices that the Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant gives great value to go with their excellent food and service.

First, a large Singha Beer is only 48 baht! That is an outstanding price and the beer is quite cold and delicious.

The Tom Yum Kung is outstanding, as are the Deep Fried Shrimp (kung dtoht - 50 baht). Yes, I do like shrimp. My Thai friends loved the Liang Curry Shrimp Soup (gaeng liang kung - 50 baht) but I preferred the Tom Yum Kung.

Some typical favorites with westerners, like the Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts (gai paht mett mammuang), were very good. A more typical Thai dish, Minced Pork with Basil and Chili (phat gapow - 50 baht) was excellent to both farang and Thai taste.

The Mixed Vegatables (pat pak ruam - 30 baht) were plentiful, fresh, and delicious. The Crispy Duck (whole) (phet lawn - 99 baht) was served with a dark, smokey, sweet sauce that made a fabulous taste combination. No duck left on the plate after this meal! An entire bowl of rice was 25 baht.

On the spicy dishes, you can order the degree of heat that you prefer. If you say nothing, you will get the "real thing" exactly as served to the Thais. One set of friends declared the Tom Yum Kung to be perfect - they couldn't get enough of it.

This restaurant has stood the test of time: after repeated visits by many different people, all have agreed that this is an excellent restaurant.

How to Get There

Head east of the Superhighway on Sangkamphang Road. After about 3 km., turn left (north) towards the "Baan Celadon" showroom (every taxi of tuk-tuk driver should know this landmark), go a couple of hundred meters and turn right at the restaurant's sign. Another 100 meters or so and you are there. There is a large parking lot and the restaurant is on your left.

Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant
114 Moo 2 Sanklang
T. Sanklang, A. Sankamphang
Chiang Mai 50130

Tel: (053) 338641, 338800
Fax: (053) 384261