Hailed as 'the Rose of the North', Chiang Mai has a lot to offer to travelers of any kind. Breathtaking landscapes, magnificent temples, cheap-priced goodies and an abundance of good food, it is no surprise that Chiang Mai is making its way up as one of the must-places to visit to if you are ever in Thailand.
Speaking of good food, do you know that contrary to what you might expect, Chiang Mai has a lot of Muslim-friendly delicious food to offer??
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So what are you waiting for? Let's check them out!
1. Khao Soi Islam
Named after a famous dish here in the northern Thailand, this is the place to go to experience halal Thai cuisine. They are specially known for serving an authentic, unaltered original recipe of khao soi - egg noodles with coconut curry broth tops with dried condiments!
Credit: @manatakai on Instagram
Another dish of theirs with positively raved reviews is the Thai beef briyani, or khao mok neua. Do order the goat version if it's in stock, because, hey, how often will you get the chance to taste one? If not, the usual beef also suffices for what makes this biryani different isn't the type of meat, but the sweet and sour sauce of mint and cilantro that blends deliciously well with the dish☺️
Credit: @ultimatelanna on Instagram
Other dishes by this Muslim-owned restaurant are salad kaek, soup neua or beef soup, beef noodles, roti mataba, curry noodles, and beef satay.
#HWWT Tip: Baan Haw Mosque is just nearby if you need to perform your daily prayers. Also, there are many halal street food around to be enjoyed as it is situated at the Halal Street Hilal Town.
Contact: 053-271484, 089-2625411, 081-1800183
Address: Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Operating hours: 10am – 6pm daily Saturday to Thursday (closed Friday)
Price: 30 – 50 THB per dish
2. Khao Soi Fueng Fah
Want more of the Northern Thailand's famous noodles khao soi? Then how about a visit to Khao Soi Feung Fah, another halal option for khao soi situates not far from the night bazaar. What make theirs stand out from the other khao soi in town is the red pickled veggie condiment that goes so well with their khao soi!
Credit: Adventure Foodie
Popular with the local Thai Muslims, this low-key joint also provides other halal menu such as Thai biryani rice, bpa bpa soi (a less spicier version of khao soi) and khao man kai or Thai chicken rice?
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You can also stock up on your food stocks while you are there as they sell a selection of halal tidbits for travelers to bring and munch along their journey.
Contact: 6681-595-7030
Address: Soi 1, Th Charoen Phrathet Chiang Mai, Thailand
Operating hours: Daily 7 am - 9 pm
Price: 40 - 150 THB per dish
3. Ruammit 1 Halal Restaurant
Situated at the centre of Chiang Mai, this place serves up fusion dishes of Chinese and Thai that you won't get anywhere else! Some of their famous meals include baked duck (Shanghai-styled), clear tom yam and beef's tail soup.
Credit: Ruammit 1 Halal Restaurant on Facebook
It is also a good spot to just hang out and chill after a full day of walking and exploring as the place is spacious and surrounded by lush greenery, exuding calm and relaxing vibes for one to enjoy?
Credit: Ruammit 1 Halal Restaurant on Facebook
#HWWT Tip: A prayer room is available on the third floor so just ask the friendly staff there if you need to use it!
Operating hours: Daily 10 am - 10 pm
Address: 170/7 Changklan Road A. Muang 50300 Chiangmai
Price: 10-300 TBH
Contact: +66 53 819 085
4. Takawa Halal Cuisine
Can't get enough of that deliciously aromatic Thai cuisine? Then Takawa Halal Cuisine should be next in your list as it offers an assortment of your favourite Thai dishes in an elegant yet homely ambience complete with air-conditioning inside.
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Aside from the usual hearty local Thai meals, you can also order Western dishes such as grilled salmon steak, spaghetti fish salt, and t-bone steak.
Credit: Takawa Halal Cuisine on Facebook
Finish your meal with some savoury Thai desserts of tab tim grob (red rubies in coconut milk) or bua loy, taro ball in coconut cream for a complete Thai cuisine experience?
Credit: Takawa Halal Cuisine on Facebook
Curious about their list of menus? Check it out here!
Operating hours: Daily 9 am - 930 pm
Contact: +66 88 267 6660
Address: Chiang Mai Land 10 Alley, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Price: 100 - 400 TBH per dish
5. Yaring Cuisine
This charming and picturesque restaurant is one not to be missed for they provide southern Thai cuisine here in the northern part of Thailand!
Credit: Yaring Cuisine อาหารยะหริ่ง เชียงใหม่ حلال on Facebook
Among their famous dishes are nasi kerabu (which some have claimed are even better than the one in Kelantan!), kerepok lekor, massaman curry with beef and bread, and beef soup. Complete your meal with a cool and refreshing Thai milk green tea smoothie?
Credit: Yaring Cuisine อาหารยะหริ่ง เชียงใหม่ حلال on Facebook
This Malaysian-owned establishment also has a Muslim-friendly hotel right nearby if you are in search of a place to stay!
Operating hours: Daily 10 am - 8 pm
Contact: +66 53 234 414
Address: 37 Old Changmoi Road, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
6. Babylonian Iraqi Restaurant
Need a change of taste from the plentiful Thai food you have been devouring throughout your trip? Then this is the place to go for it offers a range of delish Iraqi cuisine! You can opt to order ala carte or go for their buffet meal of the day.
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Located on the fourth floor inside a shopping mall, you will be greeted with an impressive Middle Eastern decor as you step into the restaurant. This, coupled with their delectable Arabian dishes such as the chicken shawarma on hummus, falafel, lamb kebab and apricot curry, will make you feel as if you are in the Middle East itself - an added experience to your Thailand adventure!
Credit:@babylonian_restaurant on Instagram
Operating hours: Daily : 11am - 10pm
Address: MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
7. Gulf Restaurant
Another place that dishes up good Mediterranean food is the Gulf Restaurant. This Muslim-owned restaurant is popular among Saudi and Lebanese food lovers for their freshly-baked bread, freshly-made salad and well-seasoned meat?
Credit: รัฐวิชญ์ ปัญญาวีร์ on Facebook
As it is situated inside the Anusarn Night Market, it makes a great place for you to end your shopping experience - with a fulfilling meal of Lebanese cuisine!
Credit: Paul Milner on Facebook
Operating hours: Daily 11 am - 1230 pm
Contact: +66 87 515 2321
Address: Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
8. Kabab Bar
Nestled within the lively Anusarn Market, Kabab Bar is another Muslim-friendly eatery option. Specializing in Indian/Pakistani cuisine, some of their famous dishes are mixed cheese naan, palaak paneer (a vegetarian dish) and lamb dish, Kebab Bar's hummus is also not to be missed as it is made with fresh lemon?
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A variety of local Thai dishes such as Thai fried rice, pad thai and tom yam are also available to order if your hunger for those flavourful Thai food is not satiated yet!
Credit: Kabab bar by Imrans,Chiangmai / Halal Indian - Thai Food on Facebook
Operating hours: Daily 10 am - 12 pm
Contact: +66 81 100 1060
Address: Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
9. Fatimah Burger House
This small little joint has been getting a heap of praise for their tasty homemade burger - a juicy well-seasoned patty with a heaping amount of lettuce and cheese nestled in between their fresh warm bun. Take your pick between a beef or chicken burger (we recommend the beef one?)!
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Owned by a Muslim local, they also serve other Western food such as pizza, fish and chip, tuna salad and steak - all in generous portions! Local food such as Thai fried rice is also available.
Credit: BhFoan Ptn on Facebook
#HWWT Tip: A mosque, Masjid Hidayyatul Islam, is located right in front of this joint.
Operating hours: Daily 9 am - 9 pm
Contact: +66 53 820 690
Address: Charoen Prathet 1 Alley, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Price: 50 - 200 THB per dish
10. Khum Khantoke
To cap off your culinary adventure in Chiang Mai, how about treating yourself to a cultural experience unique to the region by having a taste of traditional northern Thai flavour in Khum Khantoke - an eatery that specialises in Lanna cuisine? Named after a round rattan tray used for serving-cum-dining table with seven dishes on top of it, their service does not stop at the food alone for a variety of classical performances of music and dance will accompany you as you feast!
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We recommend that you make a reservation first just to be safe, or book with a tour guide, depending on your preference. And don't forget to ask for the halal option (certified by The Central Islamic Committee Of Thailand), which includes dishes such as Chiang Mai style banana fritter, Chiang Mai style chicken curry, minced chicken in tomato sauce, and crispy rice noodle. When the food is that good, you cannot be shy in asking for a refill ?
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After your meal, take a walk around the premise and enjoy the wonderful and beautiful Thai decor, garden and all the architecture this place has to offer!
Operating hours: Daily 630 pm - 9 pm
Contact: +66 53 304 121
Address: Thailand 139 Thetsaban 2 Sai Nai Alley | Nong Pa Khrang, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
Price: 500 - 650 TBH per person
And that's all, folks, 10 Muslim-friendly eateries in Chiang Mai! If there is any that we've missed out that you wish to share with us, do let us know in the comments below!