11 Best Chiang Mai Markets You Shouldn’t Miss [2023]

Visiting the markets in Chiang mai is one of the best ways to get to know this Northern Thailand city.

Take a moment to experience this important part of the culture and walk a mile in the shoes of a local as you make your way through the aisles and down the rows of vendors. 

Really embrace the opportunity to shop and eat at the Chiang mai markets just like the local people do every day.

From the prepared food stalls to the sprawling Chiang Mai night markets, you can choose the experience that fits your tastes.

With so many different options, there is a market that will provide you with a travel experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

Chiang Mai Markets Map

11 Must Visit Chiang Mai Markets

1. Chiang Mai Gate Market (South)

Address: 87 Bumrung Buri Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
Best Time to Go: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

This night market in Chiang Mai sets up shop each evening just inside the moat area on the south side of the old city walls.

The market is divided into two sections on either side of the road. The section on the side closer to the moat consists of dozens of street carts selling made-to-order dishes including Thai street food classics along with northern Thai food.

Each vendor on this side of the night market sets up tables and chairs for you to eat at. The second section is right across the street which is a long strip of carts right outside the Bumrung Buri market.

The vendors that set up across the street are more focused on selling snacks that can be eaten on the go like grilled skewers, and Thai rice desserts. 

This night market is a great place to get dinner in Chiang mai along with some snacks as there are a lot of food options and you can figure out what you are in the mood for when you get there.

Chef Tip: Collect all your snacks, then head across the street where you can eat them like appetizers while you wait at a table for your main course to be prepared.

Dishes to try: Sai Krok Isaan (fermented pork sausage), Gai Tod (fried chicken), Khanom Jeen (noodle soup)

2. Chang Puak Gate Night Market

Address: 248/70 Manee Nopparat Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
Best Time to Go: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Just north of the moat from the old city is a cluster of street food carts that are set up almost every night of the year.

This night market in Chiang mai has a couple of famous vendors including the cowboy hat lady selling her five-spice stewed pork leg along with the legendary Suki vendor. 

There are quite a few vendors offering up small snacks along with some that offer cooked-to-order dishes ranging from seafood to dishes from all over Thailand.

It’s best to come early as the popular vendors get really busy and lines start to form.

Chef Tip: While waiting for your food, order some grilled fish balls or some pork satay skewers to eat as an appetizer.

Dishes to try: Pad Prik Gaeng Moo Krob (Dry red curry with pork belly), Khao Ka Moo (pork leg stewed with 5-spice), Bualoy (rice balls in warm coconut milk with sweet and salty eggs)

3. Chiang Mai Saturday Night Market (Wualai Walking Street)

Address: Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Busiest Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

The Chiang Mai Saturday night market is one really long street that is lined with vendors selling about everything you could imagine.

There are vendors selling the obvious tourist knick-knacks, but there are also endless amounts of artisan crafts and artists selling their wares.

Don’t worry, there are also lots of snacks along the way that are set up in little offshoots on either side of the road.

The food tends to lean toward the touristy side, but you can find just enough real Thai street food dishes to keep your adventurous palette excited.

This Saturday walking street in Chiang mai starts just across the busy moat from the Chiang Mai Gate market so you can visit both in the same night while eating some snacks from markets.

Chef Tip: Stick to some street food snacks and save room for dinner at the Chiang Mai Gate Night market or at one of the amazing restaurants in the city.

Dishes to try: Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers), Khao Niao Mamuang (mango sticky rice), Gai Tod (fried chicken)

Saturday Night Market Chiang Mai Map

4. Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market (Sunday Walking Street Chiang Mai)

Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Opening Hours: 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
Busiest Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

This Chiang mai Sunday walking street (also known as Tha Pae Sunday Walking Street) stretches over a half-mile across the center of the old city starting at the Thapae Gate to the east all the way to Wat Phra Singh (see map).

There are also offshoots that stretch down side streets and food areas that occupy the courtyards of several of the temples along the route. 

Most of the vendors and items for sale can also be found at the Chiang Mai Saturday night market, but the food offerings improve as there is more room for additional vendors.

Just like the Saturday night market, there is a lot of uninteresting food targeted at tourists, but if you keep your eyes open, you will find some delicious Northern Thai treats.

Chef Tip: Head to the Sunday walking street early and grab a seat at one of the cafes or rooftop bars and enjoy a cold beer or other beverage while doing a little people watching.

Dishes to try: Miang Kham (wild piper leaf-wrapped aromatics), Naem (grilled fermented sausage), Krabong (deep-fried vegetables with shrimp paste)

Sunday Market Chiang Mai Map

Interested to learn how to make one of these dishes? Our hand-selected list of the best Thai cookbooks will help you learn more about Thai cuisine.

5. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Address: Chang Moi Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

This is market used to be one of the biggest night markets in Chiang mai, located just outside the moat.

Unfortunately, most stalls were empty when we visited in late 2023.

There are some vendors that line the street just outside the market that provide some shopping opportunities, but there aren’t any food stalls.

6. Warorot Market

Address: Wichayanon Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Opening Hours: 4:00 am to 6:00 pm (7 days a week), Take away street food starts at 6:00 pm

Warorot market (Kad Luang) is the biggest market in Chiang Mai. This market is a random hodgepodge of goods and food ranging from cooking utensils to packaged items like fried peanuts and fermented sour pork.

You can buy a t-shirt and a mungbean cake on the same aisle. The fun thing about this market is going from vendor to vendor to check out all the unique items produced in Chiang Mai and the surrounding region.

This market is more about exploring a local market in Chiang Mai than finding new culinary delicacies.

There aren’t many vendors selling prepared food during the day, but there are plenty of packed non-perishable items to take along with you on your travels.

What you will find is an endless assortment of souvenirs that deviate from the standard tourist junk. 

Chef Tip: Plan to eat before or after you visit this market as it isn’t focused on ready-to-eat foods.

What to try: Freshly roasted coffee beans from Doi Chang, fried peanuts with kaffir lime leaves, dried mango

Markets in Chiang mai (Day time)

7. Siri-Wattana Market (Thanin Market)

Address: 193 Changpuak Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

Located just five minutes from the old city by tuk-tuk, this local market is packed to the gills with amazing vendors selling everything from made-to-order Thai dishes to take-out snacks.

If you only have time to visit one market in Chiang Mai, make this Thai food paradise your only stop. 

The market is made up of three sections. The first section consists of fresh produce and meats.

The second attached section is a cornucopia of prepared dishes including Thai sweet treats, fried pork cracklings, roasted ducks, fried corn fritters, coffee vendors, along with endless other treats.

The third section which is across the alley consists of a dozen or so vendors that specialize in made-to-order dishes that can be enjoyed inside the food hall.

Chef tip: Make your way through the main section and collect a bunch of snacks that you want to try. Then head across the street to the made-to-order food area and select a vendor for a bowl of Khanom Jiin Naam Ngiew (noodle soup). Eat all your treats at the same time with your noodles for one epic meal. Best lunch in Chiang Mai.

What to try: Cap Moo (pork cracklings), Karipap (curry puff), Tod Man Khao Pod (fried corn fritters), Som Tam Kai Kem (papaya salad with salted egg), Khanom Chan (pandan cake), Khao Mao Tod (rice coated fried unripe bananas)

8. Friday Mornings Yuenan Market

Address: Charoen Prathet 1 Alley, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm Fridays only

Of all of the markets in Chiang Mai, this one was the most interesting just based on the diversity of the ingredients and goods on offer.

This Friday market has a mix of influences from several cultures and religious affiliations that all come together in this one market including Yunnanese Muslims, Shan, Burmese, and Thai people. 

The end result is an incredible collection of unique ingredients, beautiful produce, and special delicacies that make this local market a toy store for the chefs of the best restaurants in Chiang mai.

Look for items that you might not have ever seen before like black chickens, Chinese herbs, and local seasonal produce.

You can also find some unique food items that are hard to find outside of this market. They are mostly small treats that are made to satiate your hunger while you shop.

Grab something delicious and enjoy taking in this important part of the culture that makes up this community. 

Chef Tips: Come early as the market really starts to wind down by 11:00 am and the food vendors sometimes run out early if it's busy. 

What to try: Khao Puk Nga (charcoal-grilled sticky rice cake with sesame), Khanom wong (Shan donuts), and Muslim griddled corn cakes.

9. Jing Jai Market Chiang Mai 

Address: 45 Atsadathon Rd, Pa Tan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 1:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays only
Best Time to Visit: 8:00 am to 11:00 am

This Chiang Mai weekend market is definitely on the upscale side compared to the others on this list.

If you are looking for some pesticide-free produce or a fresh-baked scone, you are in the right place.

There are artisan coffee roasters and craft vendors offering up everything from recycled clothing to handmade jewelry.

For many that are used to visiting farmer’s markets in hip cities in the USA, this will feel very familiar, including some live performances by folk artists.

Don’t get us wrong, this is a very cool organic market that supports local farmers and vendors from the region.

You can find Thai dishes alongside fun takes on western dishes that you can snack on as you peruse the three sections of the market.

Chef Tips: Make sure to bring a reusable bag if you plan to shop as they do not allow the vendors to give out plastic bags.

What to try: Doi Chang Coffee, Thai and western desserts, and baked goods

10. Mueang Mai Market

Address: 98/9 ซอย 3, ตำบล ช้างมีอย, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours (7 days a week)

Although this food market in Chiang mai is used primarily used for wholesale for restaurants and other food service operations, it is open to all who are interested in a huge selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

If you love fruit for breakfast, this is a great place to stock up on an assortment at really good prices.

It is easily accessible by foot as it is just an eight-minute walk from the northeast corner of the Old City moat, so feel free to load up for your stay.

Inside the market, you will also find everything a restaurant would need in the way of fresh ingredients including fresh river prawns to bulk cooking oil. 

This is the Chiang Mai market where the local chefs and restaurants stock up on their produce, meats, and provisions.

Come early to see these restaurant professionals and street food vendors load up on everything they need for the day’s service. 

Chef Tips: Be warned, this market gets really busy especially in the morning as this place is very business-oriented. If you are a market rookie, maybe come after lunch when it settles down a little. 

Snacks to try: Seasonal tropical fruits (don’t hesitate to ask them to cut some fresh so you can snack as you shop and never buy pre-cut fruit unless you want a stomach ache.)

11. Ton Phayom Market

Address: Soi Talat Ton Phayom, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm daily

Although this market in Chiang Mai has many items on offer, the star of the show is the trio of Sai Ua Northern Thai sausage, Nam Prik Num (green chili dip), and Cap Moo (fatty pork cracklings).

Every other vendor in the market has the same three options so it’s best to try some samples and look for the vendors that just finished cooking either the sausage or the cracklings. 

The market also hosts several vendors that have fresh produce and butchered meat. You can also find items like dried fruits, nuts, fermented sour pork, spices, and some packaged desserts.

Chef Tips: They will offer the sausage in a vacuum-sealed package but you should opt for the fresh ones right from the oven. Reduced oxygen packaging can be dangerous if safety precautions are not taken. 

What to try: Sai Ua Northern Thai sausage, Nam Prik Num (green chili dip), and Cap Moo (fatty pork cracklings). Also grab some chilies, roasted peanuts, ginger, and some cabbage to go with your snacks.

Chiang Mai Markets Table

Chiang Mai Market	Days/Hours Open	Best For	Tourist Factor
1. Siri-Wattana Market	Everyday / 6AM-8PM	Ready to eat foods	1
2. Warorot Market	Everyday / 4AM-6PM	Pre-packaged foods, Souvenirs	2
– Warorot Night Market	Everyday / 6PM-11PM	Ready to eat foods	2
3. Yuenan Market (Kad Haw)	Friday / 6AM-11AM	Yunnan Muslim Street Snacks & Ingredients	1
4. Jing Jai (JJ) Market	Sat-Sun / 6:30AM-1PM	Artisan Products	2
5. Mueang Market	Open 24/7	Shopping local ingredients	1
6. Ton Phayom Market	Everyday / 6AM-8PM	Pre-packaged foods	1
7. Saturday Night Market	Saturday / 5PM-10PM	Street snacks, souvenirs	4
8. Sunday Night Market	Sunday / 6PM-11PM	Street snacks, souvenirs	4
9. Chiang Mai Gate Market	Everyday / 5PM-12AM	Sit-down dinner, street snacks	4
10. Chang Puak Gate Night Market	Everyday / 5PM-12AM	Sit-down dinner, street snacks	4
11. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar	Everyday / 5PM-12AM (currently closed)	Souvenirs	4

^{Tourist Factor: Refers to how touristy a market is with 5 being the most touristy}

Markets in Chiang Mai | What to Expect

These markets in Chiang Mai are a sensory explosion of sights, sounds, and aromas that will be as fun as it is memorable.

If this is your first time shopping in a market in Thailand, it might take you a little bit out of your comfort zone but in a good way.

This is nothing like shopping at the mall or the grocery store in western countries.

The markets in Thailand can get really busy with people buzzing around looking for ingredients for home-cooked meals and with chefs sourcing their produce for their restaurants.

Markets are also a popular place for people to grab a cheap and quick meal on a lunch break or for an easy meal at the end of the day.

No matter which markets in Chiang Mai you choose to visit, these experiences will be an important part of getting to know about the people and culture of Northern Thailand.

6 Practical Things to Know when Exploring the Markets in Chiang Mai

1. Bring small bills

Don’t show up expecting the vendors to have change for your 1000 baht bill. Get change from 7-11 or from a grocery store prior to heading to the market.

2. Certain vendors have specific food tables to sit at

The tables and chairs in a market are often owned by a specific vendor. Make sure you are sitting in the correct area or purchase something from the vendor that owns the seating area.

3. Eat where the locals are

If there are 10 food stalls at the market and 1 has a line of locals waiting for food, eat there even if it’s not what you planned to eat. These hawkers are usually busy for a reason.

4. Skip on food that is not freshly made

If the food is not actively being cooked right in front of you, it might have been sitting for a while.

Food tastes better and is safer when it’s cooked fresh. There are exceptions including anything that must be slow-cooked in advance like stewed meats.

5. Wet wipes come in handy!

Assume that there will not be any form of napkin and if there is it most likely will be tissue or toilet paper.

Any of these options are worthless when it comes to actually clean your fingers. Plus it’s a great way to sanitize your fingers before eating finger foods after handling cash.

6. Always ask when taking photos of vendors

Purchasing some food does not automatically give you the license to take photos of the vendors. Just ask politely, and most of the time they are more than ok with a few shots.

On the other hand, we have seen some people get really pissed off that someone took a photo of them without asking.

Wrap Up: Chiang Mai Markets Guide

Are you ready to go shop and eat your way through all these incredible Chiang Mai markets? If you are planning your trip to northern Thailand or are already in Chiang Mai, take this amazing opportunity to experience this piece of Thai culture. 

Whether you are excited to score some locally crafted souvenirs or to eat some Northern Thai street food snacks, there is a market that is just right for you.

In fact, the markets vary greatly in size, style, and what they offer ranging from touristy but fun walking streets to food halls that feed the working people of Chiang Mai.

We suggest you visit as many as your travel schedule permits to literally taste the markets in Chiang Mai.

If you are excited about visiting these markets, then it’s a good idea that you get to know all of the best food in Chiang Mai that you should try. Check out this list of classic Northern Thai dishes that are truly unique to this region.

BACK TO: Chiang Mai Food Travel Guide