Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar

Walk through the gate and you’re in a riverside daydream: a wooden Lanna-style house shaded by banyans, rattan chairs on the lawn, the Kok River sliding by a few steps away. Chivit Thamma Da is where Chiang Rai slows down properly — morning sunlight on the deck with a strong Northern Arabica, birdsong from the garden, and plates that feel homemade in the best way. The kitchen leans into comfort: hearty breakfasts, fresh salads and pastas, and well-executed Thai standards, all alongside a proper bakery counter of cakes and pastries. Coffee is taken seriously, but so are late-afternoon G&Ts and classic cocktails when the light turns gold over the water. It’s the kind of place where you come for a quick caffeine fix and end up lingering through lunch. Find it in the Rim Kok area, a short ride from the Blue Temple, right on the riverbank. Go early on weekends if you want a front-row table by the water. Open daily from 9am to 10pm; call +66 81 984 2925 or check the website for menus and specials. Expect a relaxed crowd — couples, friends, and Chiang Rai weekenders — all here for the same thing: unhurried hours in a beautiful spot.