Chivit Thamma Da: An Ordinary Life in an Extraordinary Chiang Rai Cafe
Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar is a cafe-restaurant in a white vintage wooden house on the Kok River in Chiang Rai town, with an English-garden feel that invites you to slow down.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Chivit Thamma Da is at 179 Moo 2, Ban Rong Suea Ten Soi 3, Mueang Chiang Rai, on the Kok River. It is a restaurant and coffee shop in a white vintage wooden house styled as a secret English garden, with an air-conditioned room, glasshouse, library and riverside seating. The cakes are consistently good. Open daily from 09:00, with parking opposite.
Key takeaways
- A white vintage wooden house on the Kok River, decorated as a secret English garden
- Air-conditioned room, glasshouse, library, games room, riverside terrace and garden seating
- Savoury dishes, bakery and many drinks; the cakes are consistently good, especially the lime lemon cake
- Cross the Kok River bridge and turn left at the first intersection; the sign is on the left
- Open daily from 09:00; parking opposite the entrance
Chivit Thamma Da: an ordinary life, an extraordinary atmosphere, a beautiful Chiang Rai cafe
Bored of the same old days with nothing new and exciting? In this review we take you to Chivit Thamma Da, a beautiful cafe in Chiang Rai that really wowed us and turns an ordinary day into one full of charm.
The concept
Chivit Thamma Da, which means "ordinary life", serves savoury food, sweets and all kinds of drinks, made with fresh ingredients, surrounded by flowers, birdsong, flowing water and fresh air. The idea is to let guests stop the clock, step away from the rush and soak up the beauty of nature up close. The cafe believes life should be unhurried, simple, peaceful and beautiful, so it invites guests like us to fully enjoy an ordinary life at Chivit Thamma Da, for as long as we like. A lovely concept that is anything but ordinary.
Atmosphere and seating
Chivit Thamma Da is both a restaurant and a coffee shop, one of the hottest in Chiang Rai, in a very stylish setting. It is a white vintage-style wooden house on the Kok River, shaded and surrounded by lush trees, decorated as a secret garden in the English style. There is plenty of open space, with an air-conditioned room and open-air areas, including the garden, a glasshouse, a library and a riverside zone. The menu offers a wide choice of savoury dishes, sweets and bakery items, which are excellent, and many kinds of drinks. Almost everything we tried was delicious. You have to come and try it.
Cakes
The cakes here are consistently good. Cake with hot tea in this setting made us very happy. The plates are pretty and the cups and saucers are elegant. Above all, the quality of everything is what has made this a Chiang Rai landmark. Our favourite was the lime lemon cake: moreish and not too rich.
Getting there
The cafe is in Chiang Rai town on the inner Kok River, on Soi Rong Suea Ten 3. Cross the Kok River bridge and turn left at the first intersection; you will see the Chivit Thamma Da sign on the left, so turn into the soi. When you arrive, park opposite the cafe in the car park reserved for customers. The entrance is covered in greenery and climbing plants, with signs pointing to the different seating zones. Turn left for the coffee and bakery counter, the riverside terrace and the glasshouse, which are all in the same area. Turn right for the garden and lawn, the library, the games room and the river-view terrace. We were impressed, and next time we visit Chiang Rai this cafe will definitely be on our list.
Cafe information
Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar
Address: 179 Moo 2, Ban Rong Suea Ten Soi 3, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai 57100
Map: Google Maps
Phone: 081 984 2925
Opening hours: daily from 09:00 (closing time given as 21:00 or 22:00; please check with the cafe)
Parking: available
Facebook: Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar
FAQ
Where is Chivit Thamma Da in Chiang Rai?
At 179 Moo 2, Ban Rong Suea Ten Soi 3, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai 57100, on the Kok River. Phone 081 984 2925.
What are the opening hours?
Open every day from 09:00. The article gives the closing time as both 21:00 and 22:00, so check with the cafe before you go.
How do I get there?
Cross the Kok River bridge and turn left at the first intersection. The cafe sign is on the left; turn into Soi Rong Suea Ten 3.
Is there parking?
Yes, the cafe's car park is opposite the entrance.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
