Guide to Nimmanhemin - Street of Fashion and Trends Northern Thailand
Don't miss the Nimmanhemin street in the western part of Chiang Mai. It has been the place to be for a few years now.
This area is more of a phenomenon then an ordinary street. It is an area developed when Chiang Mai University started to gain importance but was almost destroyed due to the building of a new super highway. However, Nimman as the locals call the area survived and is thriving with activity. Fashionable, young and innovative.
Nimmanhemin has it all: Hotels, Spa's, Boutiques, Cafés, Galleries and a buzzing Nightlife of course!
Here are a few quick tips to get you started. Enjoy!
Design and fashion
Most of the trendy boutiques can be found in soi.1
Suriyan Chandra - In a room with world music and sleepy cats you find collections in clay featuring the daily life of Chiang Mai, monks and fat ladies catches the eye.
Also notice Gong Dee Gallery blending the best of lanna thai traditions with a touch of Japan. Maew Jai Dee has all the aromatic candles you can think of and Loyfar exhibits fantastic pewter products.
Nightlife
There are a lot of places to choose from. These are some of the most popular ones. Note that all bars, restaurants and nightclubs close at 24.00! So a good time to start your "nightly" activities is around eight o'clock.
Cafe Warm Up - Always full and many livescenes to fit all kinds of music tastes. Main street Nimmanhemin.
Monkey Bar - Year after year it proves to be one of the most popular nightspots in Chiang Mai. Their logo can be found on cars all over Northern Thailand.
The Glass Onion - Great lounge bar, on the other side of the road opposite Warm Up.
The latest star on Nimmans pubscene is The Box facing the main road(soi 5).Liveband and German beer.
Eating out
Thai
Just all over the place really. One institution on Nimmanhemin main street is the Hong Tauw Inn which serves good northern thai dishes in an old house full of clocks on the wall.
Italian
Beccofina - An Italian Trattoria(!) coming at a price you can afford. Plenty of food. Great Pizzas from the Wood Oven - at Soi 7.
Su Casa - Between soi 11 and 13. Try their spicy oysters. Maybe some of the best cocktails in town. Try their Watermelon Margerita. Yum!
Hamburgers
Mikes - Claiming they are converting vegetarians. On the main street of Nimmanhemin.Noodles
Nua Tun Rot Yiem - Fantastic beef noodles opposite Su Casa.
Noodle Mao - Bamii noodles in a trendy little shop. End of soi 5. All Authentic. Mao watches over you!
Khun Mor - More good noodles in soi 17, opposite the popular vegetarian restaurant Khun Churn. Also here you will find some great vegetarian choices. Try their Blueberry Soda. Vegetarian
Khun Churn A rich buffé coming at great value. Current fixed rate for lunch buffet is around 90 Baht (around 3 USD). Try their menu which has a great variety of typical northern style dishs. Soi 17. Icecream
Iberry - Try durian or spicy mango icecream in a fashionable garden setting. Opened by a famous thai stand up comedian with a big nose (Check out the huge yellow dog at the entrance and you'll understand). Soi 17.
