9 BEST Cafes and Restaurants in Lampang, Thailand

1. Ku Chang Heng

Perfect for: Morning coffee and light snacks.

One of the best cafes in Lampang, and I have come to know the family who runs the place very well as they took me around the city and showed me their beloved hometown, is Ku Chang Heng, a small family-run cafe located not too far from Lampang Train Station.

The café is decorated in a Chinese teahouse style with stunning red dragon paintings done by one of the daughters of the family. It is furnished with wooden furniture, giving a nice, cozy, open-air feeling. They sell Thai traditional drinks such as Thai Milk Tea, strong Thai Coffee, and Thai desserts made by their mother.

The person running the café, Bank, also speaks very good English, and she would be more than welcome to talk to you about their hometown. If you are looking for an authentic experience in Lampang, be sure to drop by Ku Chang Heng.

The café opens from 8 AM to 8 PM. The drinks cost around 30-35 THB, which I think is dirt cheap compared to the quality you get. My favorite coffee is the Thai Traditional Coffee (strong and sweet) that Bank made personally for me. If you are there and would like to try Thai coffee, just tell them you knew about the café from Pete from BucketListly Blog, and they will personally make one for you. 😉

2. Memmoth Cafe

Perfect For: Breakfast, Coffee, and Pastries.

If you are looking for a place to have breakfast, Memmoth Cafe, which is also a hostel that I stayed at (book here), is a great cafe with a ton of options for breakfast, as well as western-style coffee and pastries for you to choose from.

The atmosphere is also very cozy with high ceilings, balconies, and stunning furnishings, both old and new. It is a place popular among local tourists, so you might find it crowded late in the afternoon.

The café opens from 7 AM to 9 PM and is located within walking distance from the Lampang train station. Their orange cake and Thai Milk Tea are highly recommended.

3. Khao Mun Kai Ha Yak

Perfect For: Lunch.

If you find yourself somewhere near Wat Chiang Rai in the afternoon, be sure to stop by and have lunch at Khao Mun Kai Ha Yak, which was recommended to me by the family of Ku Chang Heng cafe.

The restaurant serves Hainanese-style chicken rice, which is a tasty dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice, served with chili sauce and cucumbers. They also offer it in fried or steamed variations. Whichever option you choose, you are sure to be mind-blown by their delicious chicken.

3. Ma Kong Ta Egg Noodle Restaurant

Perfect for: Lunch.

Ma Kong Ta Egg Noodle Restaurant is a restaurant I stumbled upon accidentally while looking for lunch at the Kad Kongta market. However, I love their egg noodles so much that I decided to put this on my list.

The restaurant is known for its delicious egg noodle, freshly steamed wonton, and red pork noodle soup. It is cheap, at around 35 THB - 45 THB per dish, and there are a ton of noodles you can pick from.

The place is decorated in an old Thai-style with vintage posters and wooden furniture that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time to the 80s in Thailand. The restaurant opens from 8 AM - 3 PM, making it the perfect place for lunch, especially if you are already out and about exploring Lampang City.

5. Khao Soi Bun Yuen

Perfect for: Lunch/dinner.

Khao Soi is a household dish of Northern Thailand, and one of the best restaurants to eat Khao Soi in Lampang is Khao Soi Bun Yuen, a local restaurant on the other side of the Wang River that is popular among the locals.

They serve Khao Soi as well as Satay on sticks with peanut sauce and grilled bread, which go very well together with Khao Soi. The place has been run by a local family for many years, and they are very friendly and attentive.

The restaurant opens from 8 AM - 3 PM. The price of Khao Soi is around 40 THB, which is average, but be sure to also order a plate of satay while you are there. You will not regret it!

6. MAHAMITr Microroaster

Perfect for: Afternoon coffee.

If you are looking for a place to chill by the Wang River in Lampang, there is no better place to be than MAHAMITr Microroaster cafe, a small, hip, and industrial-vibe cafe that serves professionally roasted coffee with a variety of beans and machines for you to choose from.

There are 2 seating areas: the air-conditioned inside and the open-air platform outside by the river. I very much prefer the latter while enjoying my Thai-style iced coffee. You will be mostly under the shade if you choose to sit outside, and with the cold wind of Thailand's north, sitting by the river, there is no better place to peacefully enjoy the river than here.

The coffee is considered to be in the premium range, especially when compared with Ku Chang Heng, but the view of the Wang River, the industrial vibe, and the relaxed atmosphere are priceless. The cafe is open from 9 AM - 6 PM every day.

7. Pad Thai Yai Fong

Perfect for: Dinner

Pad Thai Yai Fong is a popular local restaurant that is known for its huge river prawns they give when you order one of their Pad Thai dishes. Apparently, the recipe for their pad thai has been passed down from generation to generation, which is what has made the restaurant so popular among the locals.

Their soft yet stretchy Pad Thai noodle, wrapped with fried eggs, and the delicious tamarind sour sauce make their pad Thai dish a household name in Lampang. You might find the place a little more expensive than other Pad Thai places, but I can assure you, you will get what you paid for.

Pad Thai Yai Fong is open from 4:30 PM to 9 PM, a very small window of opening time if you ask me. However, if you are looking for a nice place for an early dinner, you will love Pad Thai Yai Fong.

8. Aroy One Baht Restaurant

Perfect for: Dinner in a big group.

One of the most popular dinner places in Lampang, and you will see when you are there, is Aroy One Baht Restaurant, an old-style restaurant inside a 2-level wooden house that serves a variety of delicious dishes that you can eat with Thai-style rice soup.

The food usually costs about 40-50 THB per dish, which you can then proceed to order multiple dishes with the Thai rice soup that costs 1 THB (hence where the name came from) per bowl and split it among your friends. This place is best to come in big groups so you can try many of their delicious dishes.

You might have to be a little patient when it comes to finding a seat here, though, as it gets really crowded in the evening. But once they find you a seat, the food should not take more than a few minutes to be ready for you to devour.

Aroy One Baht Restaurant opens from 4 PM to 11 PM, so it is strictly for dinner. Make sure you plan your visit accordingly.

9. Drink the Night Away at Rgong Garden

Perfect For: Perfect for drinks.

If you are looking for a place to go out at night and be among the youth of Lampang, Rgong Garden is a great open-space area where you will be surrounded by pubs, restaurants, and a beer garden that you can choose from. It gets really crowded and more fun, especially on a Friday night, so be sure to align your visit with Fridays.

Extra. Train Night Market

Perfect For: Late-night Dinner

Here is a little extra tip for you if you are looking for a place to have dinner at night. The night market by the train station has tons of street food and small restaurants for you to indulge yourself in.

I particularly like the Thai-style steak restaurant at the Train Night Market. You get a pork chop, a salad, and toast for 70 THB. You can also buy other street food from the surrounding markets and eat at the seating area in the night market.

The night market is open from 4:30 PM to 11 PM, even during public holidays, so it is a safe bet if none of the restaurants are open around your area. I was there the night before New Year's Eve in 2020, and it was the only market that was open.

Looking for a foodie guide to Thailand's street food? Check out:15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Northern Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Northern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:

• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
• Not convinced by my words? How about looking through these photos I took in Thailand? 25 Beautiful Photos from Thailand.
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
• Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
• More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are a ton of things you shouldn't miss in this city. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
• Want to spend a day outside Bangkok but not sure where? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok.
• Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
• Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend you spend at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
• For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
• First time in Northern Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand.
• Want to get off the beaten track and really explore Northern Thailand? Check out: 2 Weeks Northern Thailand Itinerary.
• Looking for another great road trip to get you off the beaten path in Northern Thailand? Check out: 9 Days Nan Loop Road Trip Itinerary.
• Not sure where to begin your journey in Northern Thailand? How about an old capital with a Complete Backpacking Guide to Phitsanulok?
• Come explore the lesser-known mountainous region of Phetchabun with this travel guide: Discover Phetchabun: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More.
• Tired of the constant heat in Thailand? Escape to the cool mountains of Khao Kho with this guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Khao Kho.
• As a gateway to the mountains of Phetchabun, Lom Sak is the perfect place to stop by before you head into the mountains. For a complete travel guide, check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Lom Sak.
• Did you know that the cradle of Thailand began in the ancient city of Sukhothai, north of Bangkok, in the 13th Century? If you are interested in the history of Thailand, here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Sukhothai.
• Sukhothai has a twin city that has prospered together since the first founding of the Siam Kingdom. The ancient city is called Si Satchanalai, 60 km north of Sukhothai, and there are many less-traveled ancient ruins there waiting for you to explore. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Si Satchanalai.
• Kamphaeng Phet, which translates to "The Wall of Diamond," was an outpost town that played a role in protecting the Siam Kingdom from invasion for several decades, and you can still see the remnants today. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Kamphaeng Phet.
• Lampang is low-key, one of the most laid-back places in the north with a northern vibe similar to Chiang Mai but much quieter and more authentic. If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand, check out The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Lampang.
• There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here are the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals.
• Chiang Mai is a big city. How does one find the best restaurants and cafes, you asked? Check out 25 Absolute Best Restaurants and Cafes in Chiang Mai.
• Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and in order to travel there, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Doi Inthanon.
• Have only 3 days in Chiang Mai? Check out 3 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Chiang Mai.
• Have a day to spare in Chiang Mai? How about going on a day-trip to Lamphun? Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Lamphun.
• Looking to go off-the-beaten-path in Chiang Mai? How about visiting the untouched nature of Doi Ang Khang and the Chinese-influenced towns of Arunothai and Chai Prakan? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Doi Ang Khang.
• One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here’s a complete backpacking guide and a 10-day itinerary for the Mae Hong Son Loop.
• Looking to start the Mae Hong Son Loop but not sure where to start? How about the city of Mae Sariang? Here are 8 Best Things to Do in Mae Sariang.
• Mae Hong Son City is one of my favorite cities from the entire Mae Hong Son Loop road trip. Here are 15 Best Things to Do in Mae Hong Son City.
• Pai has become a tourist hotspot ever since it was discovered and featured in many travel blogs, but what is there to do in Pai? We have the answer. Here are 15 Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand.
• Chiang Rai is home to not just stunning temples like the White and Blue Temples, but also the beautiful mountains of Pho Chi Fan and Doi Pha Tang. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai.
• One of the most iconic peaks in Thailand is Phu Chi Fa, and you can hike to the top of it among other hiking trails around Chiang Rai's highlands. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Phu Chi Fa.
• Chiang Saen is an ancient walled city full of history and beautiful scenery waiting for you to explore. Here are the 10 best things to do in Chiang Saen.
• Phrae is so much more than a stopover destination. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Phrae.
• Nan is the upcoming trendy tourist attraction in Thailand that is still pretty much unexplored by foreigners. If you want to travel to Nan, here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Nan.
• Phayao is a beautiful hidden gem of Thailand's north that is waiting for you to explore. It rarely gets any tourists, all the more reason to visit Phayao before it is discovered! Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Phayao.
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Central Thailand or Southern Thailand?
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.