Fern Forest Cafe

Fern Forest Cafe on Singharat Road has been part of the Old City's café scene for so long that it is often described as something of a legend. It was one of the early places in Chiang Mai to serve light brunch dishes with salad on bread, and it remains popular with visitors who want a calm, green setting for a late breakfast or lunch.

The main attraction is the surroundings. Tables are set among plants and trees, which gives the café a forest feel and makes a welcome change from the traffic outside the walls. It is the kind of place where you can linger over a second coffee before heading back out to the temples.

The menu mixes classic brunch dishes with Thai fusion options. The big breakfast is a good choice if you are hungry, with a cheese-stuffed omelette, bacon, ham, toast and salad. If you have room for something sweet, the café is particularly known for its signature coconut cake, which many people come for on its own with a coffee in the afternoon.

Fern Forest is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00, so it works for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon break. It suits couples, families and solo travellers looking for a relaxed meal rather than speciality coffee, and the garden setting is pleasant for anyone who wants to slow down in the middle of a sightseeing day. It can be busy at peak brunch times, so arrive earlier in the morning or mid-afternoon for a quieter table.

The café is inside the Old City, so it is easy to reach on foot from most central guesthouses and hotels, and it combines well with visits to the Old City temples. If you are staying further out, a taxi or ride-hailing car can drop you on Singharat Road.

Order the coconut cake to share if you are not sure about a whole slice, and bring insect repellent, since the garden setting means you are sitting among plants. Families will appreciate the space and the relaxed pace, and it is a sensible choice when you need a break from the heat. If you are working through a list of Old City temples, plan Fern Forest as your mid-morning stop.