Food glorious food

In Chiang Mai in fact the whole of Thailand we are so lucky at the variety of dinning opportunity available. No matter what your budget or taste i am sure you will find it here.
Food stalls on the street offer a diversity of Thai dishes and are usually found in groups each having it's own speciality dish and tables and chairs to eat at or you can get it bagged up for take away, and such a bargain at around 25 baht a dish, and freshly cooked and hot off the stove! They are everywhere.

We have MacDonald's, KFC, Dunkin Donuts and most if not all western fast food outlets should you really feel the need for a junk food fix.
Mikes burgers may be a preferable alternative and in my opinion a bit more tasty and can be found on the moat just before Tha Phae gate, Nimmanhaemin Rd and a new one by the climbing wall at the peak, in the Night Bazaar.

Classy restaurants abound in Chiang Mai serving both Thai and western food and the best places to check them out is City Life magazine or Whats on Chiang Mai which also carry loads of useful information for tourists and back packers alike, including emergency contact numbers for police embassies etc.
http://www.chiangmainews.com/

However MY favourite non Thai restaurant in the inexpensive but excellent range is Tsunami on Huay Kaew Rd, serving freshly made/ cooked Japanese dishes and the sushi and sashimi is amazing and so inexpensive, try and get a seat by the outside cooking station and you can watch the very talented and friendly chef / owner preparing the sushi and sashimi. Very busy from 7pm till 8-30 with queues waiting to be seated, out of those times is easier, but it speaks volumes about the food.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webblog/view_blog.php?uid=554&bid=2037

My favourite CLASSY venue at the moment is D2, stunning design and a menu to match with a mix of Asian, Western and Fusion cuisine with a very reasonable price tag you wouldn't expect from a venue of this calibre. With an extensive wine collection and great staff topped by the beautiful and elegant and very hospitable Angel, deputy manageress an out and out winner.
http://www.d2hotels.com/z847/index.shtml

For Thai food and in particular northern Thai food you need to pay Kuhn Esther a visit at the River Ping Palace, just over the river from the Sheraton Hotel, this River Bank setting is so romantic, the staff are friendly and the food is wonderful, and if Esther is in the house you will be spoiled rotten. Bubbly and chatty Esther has everything it takes to make you feel welcome and more. Try the Gang Hung Lay, delicious.
http://riverpingpalace.tripod.com/id7.html

For small cosy and Thai just opposite the Nakornping Apartments is a great little restaurant, Nawaree, where home cooked food will woo your senses and the bill will please your wallet, small prices big food and service! All new menu just started.

For British Pub Grub and a great Sunday carvery try the PUB where Graham will welcome and entertain you, on the Huay Kaew Rd, just after the junction of super highway heading from the city centre on the left hand side.

For an elegant night out, i am informed by reliable sources that top of the pile are The Chedi and Le Crystal.
Apart from Le Crystal, which i have not as yet visited the above are a reflection of my personal taste and are by no stretch of the imagination the only good dining experiences in Chiang Mai.