Chiang Mai Dining Guide for the New Year Holiday
Chiang Mai on December 31 offers more than Khantoke shows and sky bars. A Ping River cruise sails at 17:00 and finishes before 20:30, a rice-field and tea-field restaurant in Hang Dong stays open to 23:00, and a Michelin-recognized chef's tasting menu opens at 12:30. This guide introduces 8 Chiang Mai restaurants whose listings state hours and conditions, in timetable order.
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Afternoon Tea at Hong’s Chinese Restaurant by InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae PingView dining experience MONKEYTRAVEL DINING GUIDE
Choose by travel party, seating style and how early reservations close rather than a fixed ranking.
Chiang Mai Dining
Best forA late January 1 morning start with Chinese-style afternoon tea
A Chinese-style afternoon tea at Hong's Chinese on the 16th floor of InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, open to non-guests. It runs 11:00 to 17:00, one of the earliest starts in this guide. Extra orders on site may carry tax and service charge.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forA light Thai set on the December 31 midday, leaving the evening free
Rosemary Cafe & Bistro at Maladee Rendezvous Hotel serves Thai lunch sets A and B of chicken cashew stir-fry, tom yum gai, fried pork and yum woon sen with mango sticky rice or a brownie. It runs 11:30 to 22:00 and a special rate may apply at New Year.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forJanuary 1 afternoon, a seasonal tea set with a garden view
The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Chiang Mai serves an afternoon tea whose contents change by season, with a garden view. It runs 13:00 to 17:00 and smart casual applies. The contents vary by date and season and cannot be confirmed in advance, only on site.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forChoosing between a daytime tea cruise and a dusk sunset dinner on December 31
Nam Jit Cruise from Anantara Chiang Mai Resort sails with the Anantara signature afternoon tea by day and a sunset dinner in the evening. Check-in, boarding and route are the same, but the tea boat is smaller than the dinner boat. It runs 13:30 to 20:00 and tickets must be exchanged 30 minutes before sailing.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forJust after dark on December 31, a course dinner on a golden vessel finished by 21:00
Dibba Yana Chitta from Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is a luxury dinner cruise known for its golden hull and lighting, serving a chef's course on board that blends northern Thai tradition with modern touches. It runs 17:00 to 20:30. Exchange tickets 30 minutes before sailing and declare allergies at booking.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forDecember 31 evening away from the city crowds, Lanna fusion until 23:00
Rabiang Cha at Veranda High Resort MGallery is a Lanna fusion restaurant in a modernized traditional northern rice barn with rice and tea field views. Every private room has air conditioning and meals can also be taken on the outdoor terrace. It runs 17:00 to 23:00.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forA late December 31 lunch, a slow tasting in a garden-gallery setting
Cuisine De Garden, presented as Chiang Mai's most innovative fine dining, serves a tasting menu that changes each season, inspired by nature. The listing credits a chef recognized by the Michelin Guide. It runs 12:30 to 22:00 and an extra tasting (The Nest) is available.
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Chiang Mai Dining
Best forJanuary 1 daytime, a Thai or Western lunch on a breezy terrace
The Higher Room at Veranda Chiang Mai has stylish indoor seating and a breezy outdoor terrace, with Thai and Western lunch and dinner sets and a view. It runs 11:00 to 19:00, the earliest-closing meal restaurant in this guide. Smart casual applies and a special rate may be charged at New Year.
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Continue with city guides for attractions, restaurants, massage and shopping.
Starting on January 1 morning, Hong's Chinese at InterContinental Mae Ping opens its Chinese-style afternoon tea at 11:00, and Rosemary serves Thai lunch sets from 11:30. The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La serves a seasonal tea with a garden view from 13:00.
At dusk on the Ping River there are two boats. Nam Jit lets you choose between a daytime tea and a sunset dinner, while Dibba Yana Chitta is a course dinner cruise that sails at 17:00 and ends at 20:30. Both need ticket exchange 30 minutes before sailing.
To avoid the city crowds, head to Hang Dong. Rabiang Cha is Lanna fusion with rice and tea field views from 17:00 to 23:00, Cuisine De Garden a seasonal tasting 12:30-22:00 and The Higher Room a terrace lunch 11:00-19:00. All need a separate trip from town.
Pick the time that fits your day first. Among the meal restaurants, the earliest closer is The Higher Room at 19:00 and the latest is Rabiang Cha at 23:00.
Before booking, check the ticket exchange time, allergy notes, dress code and New Year rate on each listing. Hours can change with hotel and restaurant circumstances.
Hong's Chinese starts at 11:00, Rosemary at 11:30 and Nam Jit at 13:30, Dibba Yana Chitta sails at 17:00 and ends at 20:30, and Rabiang Cha runs 17:00-23:00. Settle the time slot first.
Dibba Yana Chitta and Nam Jit require you to arrive 30 minutes before sailing to exchange tickets and to declare allergies at booking. The Nam Jit afternoon tea boat is smaller than the sunset dinner boat.
Rabiang Cha, The Higher Room and Cuisine De Garden are in Hang Dong, a separate trip from the Old City or the Night Bazaar. Allow for New Year's Eve traffic when picking a time.
The Higher Room and Rosemary may refuse slippers, shorts, sportswear and sleeveless tops, and both note that special holiday rates, including New Year, may apply. Pick your date on the listing to see the fare.
DINING ROUTE
Hong's Chinese (11:00), Shangri-La Lobby Lounge (13:00) and Rosemary (11:30).
Nam Jit (13:30-20:00) and Dibba Yana Chitta (17:00-20:30).
Rabiang Cha to 23:00, Cuisine De Garden to 22:00 and The Higher Room to 19:00.
Rosemary stays open to 22:00 for a light meal in town.
Looking for more Chiang Mai dining for the New Year holiday?
