10 Dinner Experiences in Chiang Mai the North Does Best

1.Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 103 reviews · from $23Our pick

Head to Khum Khantoke Chiangmai for a northern Thai dinner served on shared platters at low tables, usually with floor mats for seating. A local guide arranges hotel pickup and drop-off in central Chiang Mai. During dinner, watch regional dances, music, a sword dance, and a closing hilltribe performance. Drinks cost extra.

“Nice dance acts, enough variety - length balacne to enjoy the fullest. The meal was excellent and food was replenished more than we could eat. Unfortunately we still have no clue what the differenc is in the tour options of standard, premium or special dinner. Would be good to understand the difference”

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2.Private Dinner Cooking Class with Benny in Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $97Top rated

Benny and Nan host this private, five-hour evening class, with a market visit and food tastings before you choose dishes to cook at Benny’s home. You’ll make curry paste, soup, noodles, curry, and dessert using local ingredients, then take home a full-color recipe book. Hotel pickup is offered.

“We had the best day with Benny and Nan. I loved that we got picked up in one of the local red trucks for a ride to the market. Benny showed us all around the market and got us local treats to try in addition to our grocery list for the class. Read more”

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3.Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show At Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $32

At 6:30 pm, settle onto floor mats at low tables for a family-style northern Thai khantoke dinner, then watch Lanna music and cultural performances, including dances and sword displays. Vegetarian and halal meals are available if requested. The evening lasts about two hours and takes place at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center.

“This was a very neat experience!!! The show was beautiful, the food was amazing, and the service staff were so kind. We had a really great time here.”

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4.Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 17 reviews · 1 day · from $25

Spend an evening with Northern Thai food and a traditional Lanna performance of dance, music, and rituals. Choose a shared set menu or buffet, with vegetarian and Halal options available if selected. The event may be held in a tropical garden or a traditional Lanna-style setting. Pickup is optional.

“Le personnel était adorable, la nourriture excellente et le spectacle absolument magnifique ! J’ai passé une excellente soirée 🤩 je recommande cette activité à 100% !”

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5.Ladyboy Cabaret – Stories, Dinner and Sparkle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $49

This four-hour Chiang Mai night out starts with hotel pickup in a red songthaew, then dinner at the Night Bazaar and a walk through the nightlife district. Your English-speaking guide shares personal stories about the local LGBTQ+ community before you settle in at Ram Show Bar for cabaret, one included drink, and time to meet performers. Guides have included Gam and Bimi.

“Had an excellent time! Bimi was the best host we could ask for! Chiang Mai is so much fun. Glad to have experienced this tour”

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6.Khantoke Dinner Experience & Cultural Dance Show with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · from $45

Spend an evening with a set Thai dinner and a cultural show of Lanna dance, music and performances linked to Northern Thailand’s ethnic communities. Hotel pickup and return transfers are included for Chiang Mai City hotels. Expect low tables and floor seating, with a limited number of chairs available by advance request.

“Fabulous dancers and delicious food. Something for everyone! Nice relaxing dinner including a show with beautiful costumes and cultural dance.”

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7.Ladyboy Cabaret Show with Dinner and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · from $57

Start with hotel pickup and dinner at a Chiang Mai night market, where an English-speaking drag performer guide introduces local food and queer culture. Then head to a bar for two included drinks, a cabaret show, and a possible meet-and-greet with performers. Photos are welcome, though personal conversations depend on performers’ schedules.

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8.Magical Evening Dinner Cruise on the Ping River

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · from $75

Board a 30-seat boat for a two-hour evening cruise on the Ping River, with a Thai set dinner, an English-speaking guide and round-trip hotel transfers. You’ll pass a small riverside Buddhist temple and local market areas. Drinks cost extra, and the meal is fixed, so check carefully if you have dietary needs.

“Wonderful experience! Cocktails were terrific, and the place (Riverside Restaurant) seems to be famous for them. The cruising view of all the riverside businesses with their lights was magical. Ordering drinks after arriving on the boat put too Read more”

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9.Traditional Khum Khantoke Dinner & Dance Show at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · from $61

Spend an evening at Old Chiangmai Cultural Center, where northern Thai dishes are served at low, round khantoke tables alongside traditional dance and colorful costumes. The roughly three-hour outing starts at 7 pm and includes dinner, an air-conditioned ride and pickup from selected central hotels. Confirm your pickup location before booking.

“Wir wurden einen Tag vor der Veranstaltung informiert, dass die Abholung und Rücktransfer vom/zum Hotel nun doch nicht verfügbar ist, wir müssen selbst anreisen zum Kathoke Dinner. Haben wir auch gemacht, jedoch lag dort beim Old Read more”

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10.Traditional Khum Khantoke Dinner from Chiang Mai with Cultural Dance Show

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $61

Start at 7 p.m. with pickup from a selected Chiang Mai hotel or meeting point, then head to Old Chiangmai Cultural Center for a Lanna-style dinner and cultural show. Eat seated on floor mats at low circular tables, with northern Thai dishes served family-style as dancers and musicians perform. The tour lasts about three hours and is limited to 15 people.

“I’impressive show and great food multi cultural and family friendly. Please to be sure to tip performers for their acts”

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