Zach Price Takes You Deeper Into Chiang Mai Coffee

Chiang Mai has quietly become one of the most fascinating cities in the world when it comes to specialty coffee. Whether you’re deep in the Old City, roaming the suburbs, or tucked into the rural stretches of the mountains, you’ll find cafés serving cups that rival, if not surpass, those from top-tier roasters in major global cities.

What makes this mountain city so uniquely positioned in the coffee world isn’t just the scenery. It’s the cultural palette, passionate professionals, and creative energy that make Chiang Mai a true coffee capital.

From Dark Roast to Light: The Thai Palette Awakens

Ten years ago, specialty coffee was still in its early days here. A handful of pioneering cafés began moving beyond the commercial-grade, dark-roasted coffee that dominated the market—coffee that often needed milk and sugar to be palatable.

These pioneers started showcasing lighter roasts that celebrated origin, highlighting floral, fruity, and tea-like characteristics that had never been part of the mainstream Thai coffee experience. What allowed Chiang Mai to catch on so quickly? In my experience, it’s largely thanks to Thailand’s rich tea culture. A decade ago, most farmers I met in Northern Thailand had never tasted their own coffee.

They drank tea, while the dark-roasted coffee sent back by buyers wasn’t appealing to them. But when we roasted their beans lightly and cupped together, something clicked. Their ability to identify delicate tasting notes—floral, herbal, fruity—was already developed through their love for tea. All they needed was coffee roasted in a way that let those characteristics shine.

This tea-forward palette gave Thai farmers and drinkers a head start in appreciating specialty coffee. Over time, local entrepreneurs built businesses around that discovery. In a remarkably short span, Thai farmers, coffee companies, and nonprofit partners began pouring energy into post-harvest improvements—experimenting with fermentation and drying techniques that were still considered cutting-edge globally. Today, experimental naturals and anaerobics are commonplace across Northern Thailand. The convergence of coffee knowledge, a community ready to taste it, and a new generation of baristas and roasters eager to push boundaries created an atmosphere of creativity and innovation that’s hard to match anywhere else.

As a certified Q Grader and Authorized SCA Trainer, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of Chiang Mai’s top coffee professionals. Some began as students in my classes and now lead their own cafés, roasteries, and farms. Their passion for excellence and storytelling through coffee is shaping a city-wide experience unlike any other.

Where to Experience It for Yourself

Why It Matters

Chiang Mai’s coffee scene is more than good drinks. It’s a living example of how community, culture, and curiosity can transform a local crop into a world-class experience. The passion here is contagious. Whether you’re a café hopper, a Q Grader, or a traveler seeking a meaningful adventure, Chiang Mai has something for you.

With farms, producers, and roasters just a short drive from the city, it’s one of the few places in the world where the seed-to-cup journey is so accessible. So next time you’re in Chiang Mai, skip the chain café and start exploring. You’ll taste the difference and maybe even meet the farmer who grew your beans.

More cafes to explore

Everybody knows about Graph, Baristro, Brewginning, Ahka Ama, and Roast8ry, and rightly so. These foundational brands helped define Chiang Mai’s modern café culture. But if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten track, here are a few more cafés I like to visit regularly. These are run by personal friends, former students, and respected colleagues, people I know and admire for their craftsmanship and commitment to quality.

Fieow is a fun and funky café that showcases beautifully roasted Thai coffees in a creative setting. Always experimenting, always pushing.

Kate and Kim Coffee is known for their uniquely infused coffee beans, offering one of the most rare and exciting coffee experiences in Thailand. Think flavor meets art in every sip.

289 Coffee is run by passionate professionals who consistently produce clean, well-processed coffees and often experiment with new techniques.

Omnia Coffee is operated by another Authorized Specialty Trainer with the SCA and fellow Q Grader. Omnia is a standout player in the specialty scene, known for its high attention to detail and quality.

Art Farmer Café is a farm-to-cup café next to Bella Goose on the Hill; try the Dirty Rose.

Roxpresso Coffee Craft provides a personalized service with lever-brewed espresso on elegant trays.

Zeit Roaster has wide single-origin menu with educational tasting cards.

Sensations Coffee Roaster specializes in rare Geisha varietals, including Thai-grown.

Glass Blowing Café Their owner crafts his own brewing gear; also offers spirits and wine.

Self Coffee does experimental mixology; don’t miss the Cold Brew with Longan, Cinnamon, and Cream.

Ministry of Roasters is a Bangkok brand with roasting in-house. One of the few cafés – including Bella Goose on the Hill – where you can sip while watching beans roast.

There are too many good cafés in Chiang Mai to name them all, and honestly you can’t go wrong. This list just includes a few that I personally visit often and recommend to anyone exploring the scene.