Forest Bake

Forest Bake is a long-standing Chiang Mai bakery in the Wat Ket area. You reach it through a garden trellis that leads into a jungle-like garden, and the wooden interior, decorated with dried flowers, has the feel of a country cottage. It is one of those places that looks like it belongs in a storybook, and it is a popular choice for a slow breakfast or afternoon tea.

The bakery is known for naturally leavened sourdough and for cakes and tarts made without preservatives or additives. The Earl Grey cake, with its tea-flavoured layers and soft frosting, is a highlight. For something more substantial, lightly toasted sourdough is served with toppings such as eggs, salmon, yoghurt and fruit, which makes a good late breakfast. Coffee and tea are available to go with whatever you choose.

Beyond the café, Forest Bake also prepares snack boxes and caters around the city, which says something about its local reputation. If you are staying in an apartment or planning a picnic, a loaf of sourdough or a box of pastries to take away is worth considering.

Forest Bake is open every day from 09:00 to 17:00. It suits couples, friends meeting for brunch, families and anyone who enjoys baking. The garden setting is especially pleasant in the morning before the heat of the day, and it is a good place to slow down after a busy time in the Old City.

A taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest way to get there from the Old City or Nimmanhaemin, and the bakery makes a good stop on a morning spent exploring the Wat Ket area.

Order a slice of the Earl Grey cake with a hot drink if you visit in the afternoon, or come early in the day for the sourdough breakfast. If you are buying bread to take away, ask what has just come out of the oven. The garden setting is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, so allow at least an hour rather than treating it as a quick stop. Insect repellent is useful in the garden, and a hat helps on sunny days.