The Best & Cheapest Buffets in Chiang Mai

Last Updated on November 9, 2015

If you’re the sort of person who likes to eat and drink their way through a holiday, Chiang Mai will not disappoint you. Whether it’s the abundance of markets who offer delicious northern Thai dishes, the typical mom n’ pop shops, alternative cafés or high-end restaurants, Chiang Mai has it all. But if you’re more into sampling a numbers dishes, then you should consider the various buffets around Chiang Mai. We listed the 7 best for you here:

1. P&P Buffet

One thing you’ll notice quickly is the large number of Shabu-Shabu restaurants around town. Shabu-Shabu is also known as the Japanese version of the ‘hot-pot’ which was originally introduced in Osaka, Japan by the mid of the 20^th century and evolved quickly as a popular alternative to usual restaurants. Why are Shabu-Shabu restaurants so popular? There is no real answer to that, but it’s probably because you have the freedom of preparing your meal on your own.

The P&P Buffet is offers a great variety of meat, several vegetables, jasmine –and curry rice and a big dessert selection consisting of ice cream, sweet buns and mini cakes. How much? All-you-can-eat for just 159 THB/person

Address: Arak Road Open: 17:00-03:00

2. Khum Churn at the Old Chiang Mai Culture Centre

The Old Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Culture Centre is probably best known for its nightly culture show and Khantoke dinner. Although no show is awaiting you during the day, the centre offers a delicious vegetarian buffet which is even popular among non-vegetarians. Indulge to salads, Khao Soi, fried rice, deep-fried eggplants and pumpkins, tofu, various curry dishes and a selection of herbal juices. To round up your meal, coffee, tea and numerous sweet treats like grass jelly with brown sugar on ice awaiting you.

Address: The Old Chiang Mai Culture Centre, 185/3 Wualai Road Open: daily, 10:00-15:00 & 17:00-21:00 Cost: 169 THB/person

3. Auf der Au – German Bistro & Restaurant

Why eating German when visiting Chiang Mai? Simply because ‘Auf der Au’ offers fantastic authentic German cuisine! Owned and operated by a German couple, ‘Auf der Au’ offers the most popular German dishes, from schnitzel and mashed potatoes over pork steak and bratwurst to various breads with cold cuts and heavenly desserts like black forest ice cream and caramel pudding. The buffet is only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, normal a la carte will be served at all other times.

Address: 197/2 Moo 5, Lamphun Road Open: Monday-Saturday from 17:30 (closed on Tuesdays), Sunday from 11:30. Cost: 249 THB/person.

4. Vegetarian Buffet Dinner at Gap’s House

What many visitors don’t know is that Chiang Mai has an entire vegetarian subculture. Forget about boring salads with tasteless dressings and welcome instead delicious curries and mouthwatering soups and rice dishes. The buffet at Gap’s House only opens at night but is a very popular spot among local and foreigners alike. Although the selection isn’t big, it’s tasty and has a fantastic value. And if you love the food that much, you can register at the in-house cooking school and learn how to cook lip-smacking Thai dishes.

Address: 3 Rajadamnern, Soi 4 Open: daily, 19:00-21:00 (closed on Sunday)

5. Sukonta Moo Kata

The biggest restaurant in Chiang Mai: Sukonta Moo Kata can fit up to 2000 (!) people at a time. It’s well known among locals and often missed by foreigners. They have a huge selection of prepared food but you can also prepare it on your own, Shabu-Shabu style. Your dinner experience will be accompanied by live entertainment throughout the evening. The incredible price of 199 THB includes the food (yep, whatever you like) and water.

Address: 46/1 Huaykaew Road, near Maya Mall Open: 17:00-00:00 Cost: 199 THB/person

6. Lunch Buffet and White Elephant Restaurant, Chiang Mai Grandview Hotel

The buffet offers the best of both worlds – Asian & European. It’s widely considered as one of the best buffets in town in terms of taste and value and offers a great mix of European, Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes. The restaurant caters to all people whether you plan to come alone with your family or a business partner. Don’t miss out the extended dessert buffet – spoiler alert!

Address: 24 Chiang Mai-Lampang Road (Superhighway) Open: 11:30-13:30 Cost: 199 THB/person

7. All-You-Can-Eat Lunch Buffet at Misone Korean Restaurant

Looking for a taste of Korea in Chiang Mai? Don’t miss to visit Misone! The restaurant is located within the trendy Nimmanhaemin area and popular among young Thais and a number of expats. Fact is, (young) Thais seem to be in love with Korean and Japanese things, whether it’s fashion, music, movies or in that case, food. Misone offers fresh authentic Korean cuisine like kimchi, banchan, noodle soups and typical BBQ-style options, speaking you can cook the raw meat and/or veggies on your own.

Address: 9 Nimmanhaemin, Soi 7 Open: 11:00-13:00 (lunch buffet) Cost: 119 THB/person