If you’re looking for that trendy, upscale experience while you’re in Chiang Mai, there’s really one place that needs to be at the top of your mind. Nimmanhaemin!

For real. After first experiencing 7 full days of the Old City and within walking distance from there, getting to experience the atmosphere of Nimmanhaemin was so refreshing.

Don’t get me wrong, both areas are amazing in their own way! But the difference in ambiance of the two neighborhoods is like night and day.

Whereas the Old City is steeped in historical charm and cultural heritage, the Nimman area is modern, upscale, and beyond trendy. It’s a bit like what you can experience in the Thonglor area of Bangkok.

The area gets its name, Nimmanhaemin, from Chiang Mai’s oldest family. Originally, the street was home to oodles of noodle shops and small residential homes. Today, it thrives with restaurants, bars, galleries, and cafés.

In fact, some even know Nimmanhaemin Road as “Coffee Street”. But like I said, they don’t just have tons of coffee shops that appeal to expats and “digital nomads”… they also have a ton of good shopping, good bars, and good eats!

Wondering what activities to get into while in the Nimmanhaemin area? Let’s get into all the best things to do in Nimman!

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

Table of Contents

Essential Things To Know: Chiang Mai

Here’s a quick overview of all the useful info you need to plan an awesome trip!

When To Go: My favorite time to go is late November to February (during the cool and dry season).

Where To Stay: Stay near the Old City for a cultural experience (Hotel Clay or Glory Wabi Sabi are my favorite boutique hotels), Nimmanhaemin area for a trendier vibe (Sanae Hotel Chiang Mai) — both areas are very pedestrian friendly areas.

Nearest Airport: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

How to Get Around: Tuk-tuks, songthaews (shared red trucks), and Grab (super affordable ride-sharing app) are common modes of transportation within the city. You can also rent a scooter if you’re comfortable on the road. The Old City and Nimman are walkable areas.

Must-Do’s: Visit an ETHICAL elephant sanctuary, visit the highest point in Thailand at Doi Inthanon National Park, eat and shop at ALL the night markets, and explore the trendy Nimman area.

Before You Go:

Skip the airport lines. Get your eSIM data package for cellular data on Airalo. I got the unlimited data package for my trip and the internet was not only reliable but FAST!
Pack comfortable clothing, insect repellent, and lots of sunscreen.
Respect local customs by dressing modestly when visiting temples. Pack a shirt with sleeves as well as a pair of long pants.
Can’t eat spicy? Learn the phrase “Mị̀ p̄hĕd” (sounds like ‘my pet’ when pronounced)

‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Thai: Hello: sawasdee – Thank You: khoob-khun ka (if you’re female) OR khoob-khun krab (if you’re a guy)

Currency: Thai Baht (THB) – click for current conversion rates

Best Things To Do In Nimmanhaemin In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Shop at One Nimman

Things To Do In Nimman, Chiang Mai Thailand

One Nimman is about as trendy as you could get in Chiang Mai. If you’ve gotten used to putzin’ around the Old City, get ready to be transported to some place way more modern.

In a nutshell, One Nimman is an indoor/outdoor shopping complex located smack dab in the center of the Nimmanhaemin area, home to some really fun shops like the infamous Elephant Poo Poo Paper, fashion boutiques (I really liked OOTD for women’s fashion), bag stores, lifestyle shops, and more.

One Nimman Shopping - Chiang Mai Thailand

Among the many shops are a ton of cafes too — perfect for resting your weary feet while enjoying an afternoon pick-me-up refreshment.

Dine at One Market food court

Feeling hungry? There’s a swanky little food court within the complex you could dine at called One Market.

This indoor food court gives you the pleasure and comfort of an indoor setting with all of the outdoor night market charm! You’ll find a dozen or so food vendors within the food court, including stalls that sell stir-fried dishes, noodle soups, coconut desserts, smoothies, and more.

One Market Food Court - Best Markets In Chiang Mai

If you’re feeling in the mood for a more formal restaurant, there are literally so many to choose from. It’s home to a couple of Michelin Guide-recommended restaurants like Kiew Kai Ka and Jia Tong Heng Restaurant.

Experience the night market at One Nimman

Night Market at One Nimman - Best Markets In Chiang Mai

When you’re at One Nimman, you’ll find a daytime component and a nighttime component. Because of this, I like to visit in the late afternoon so I can experience both!

Earlier I mentioned One Market, the indoor food court within the One Nimman complex.

But One Nimman doesn’t have just this food court. At around 5 pm, the outdoor area comes alive for dinner time!

Head outside to the courtyard at One Nimman and you’ll find a lot of stalls that give off those traditional night market vibes despite being in a super trendy setting. These outdoor food stalls close around 10pm.

Shop handicrafts at White Market

“White Market” is a market formed by the gathering of Japanese people living in Chiang Mai Province. This market combines Japanese and Lanna cultures together to form an incredibly cute shopping experience.

You can expect to find fashion clothing, embroidery, crocheted items, shoes, jewelry, home decor, health products, artwork, and more.

The White Market at One Nimman reminded me a lot of the Jing Jai Market. In fact, a few of the vendors that I saw at Jing Jai Market were at the White Market! Or their merchandise, at least.

White Market - Best Markets In Chiang Mai

Pro Tip: If you’re planning a visit to the Nimman area, I’d recommend visiting the White Market around 3pm. That way, you can go to the MAYA Lifestyle Mall or peruse the permanent shops within One Nimman while the White Market vendors get all set up for the night.

Once the early evening rolls around, you can shop the White Market, then head back into One Nimman for the night market street food!

Explore Think Park after dark

For even more night market goodness in the Nimman area, cross the street to Think Park where you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Japan!

Think Park is home to some permanent shops selling all kinds of cute stuff. There are also lots of coffee shops and dessert shops here — both of which are great places to hang out while the sun is still up.

I brought my laptop to the Nimman area and spent a good chunk of my day at RHYTHM & BREW CHIANGMAI and it was the perfect coffee shop work day: good coffee, good music, and relaxing vibes!

Spend a few moments peeking into the lifestyle shops and dessert shops in the area before stopping for a drink at one of the cute little bars in Think Park.

Think Park - Things To Do In Nimman Chiang Mai

During the early evening, you’ll also start to see night market food stalls getting set up for dinner time.

Here’s why I think this night market is SO unique — you’ve got street stalls set up, and most of the restaurants here have a Japanese theme to them. Think ramen, okonomiyaki, and other Japanese delights. It’s not the biggest, but the Japanese theme sure makes it unique.

It’s a relaxing place to unwind, and you can follow it up with some bar-hopping in the Nimman area!

MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center

MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center is one of the three main malls in Chiang Mai. I’d say this is about the second-largest mall, after Central Chiangmai which is the big grand-daddy of malls in Chiang Mai.

MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center’s got stores that you’ll probably recognize (like American Eagle, Crocs, MANGO, H&M) as well as other little boutiques and independent vendors in the middle of the floors.

You can even watch a movie here at the SFX Cinema! And if you’re someone who really likes panoramic views, you can head to the mall’s rooftop to the Nimman Hill Sky Park for a really good view of Chiang Mai.

If it’s getting too hot outside for your liking, pop into this mall for some window shopping or AC!

Eat delicious ramen at Sanmai Ramen

Broken Heart Rice - Sanmai Ramen Chiang Mai

Ramen in Thailand? First off, let me start by saying that after three weeks in Thailand, you’d want a break from Thai food too.

One of the most memorable meals I had in Chiang Mai (outside of the amazing night market eats) was at Sanmai Ramen in Nimmanhaemin.

Not only was the ramen amazing and rival top ramen shops in Japan, but it was SO AFFORDABLE. It was essentially Japanese quality at Thai prices. Incredible value for money!

I ordered a bowl of Tonkatsu Black ramen (premium-style with all the fixings of course), a side bowl of Broken Heart Rice, and a water — and the total was no more than $8 USD. I was shocked! Definitely taking whoever I go to Chiang Mai with next HERE for a meal!

Grab post-dinner drinks

The amount of bars within the Nimman area is uncountable. There are so many! And a lot of them are super trendy and hip too. Here are a few to inspire your bar-hopping itinerary:

Warm Up Café: A longstanding venue in Nimman, Warm Up Café is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Expect lively atmosphere, live music, and trendy decor!
Myst Myst MAYA Chiang Mai Rooftop Bar: Located atop Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center, Myst is the bar to go to for awesome views of the city. This one’s known for its craft cocktails, stylish ambiance, and a mix of electronic and chilled-out music.
Ristr8to Lab: While primarily known for its exceptional coffee, Ristr8to Lab in Nimman also serves alcoholic drinks! They dish out trendy and relaxed vibes in the evening. The baristas here are skilled mixologists, and you can enjoy coffee-infused cocktails and other creative beverages in a stylish setting.
Beer Lab: For beer lovers, Beer Lab is a popular choice in Nimman. This stylish craft beer bar offers a wide selection of local and international brews.

Other Places To Eat In Nimmanhaemin

Koyi Chicken Rice – amazing chicken rice; I’d recommend getting half Hainan chicken and half fried chicken!
Anchan Noodle – yummy noodle place known for their blue noodles
Moo Ping Khun Por – a great place to try grilled meats with sticky rice
Kao Soy Nimman – does Khao Soi even need an introduction when you’re in Chiang Mai? This is a pretty good spot for the iconic dish!

Where To Stay In Nimmanhaemin

Both of these hotels in the Nimman area offer amazing value and amenities for the price you’re paying:

Sanae Hotel Chiang Mai ($$) – just a short walk from the trendy Nimman Haemin area and 500 meters from MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center. All rooms are equipped with a separate living room, two flat-screen TVs, two air conditioners AND a balcony with city views. The private bathrooms come with a rain shower, too!

Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai ($$) – situated super close to everything and is just to the side of Think Park. This one’s got a swimming pool and a gym too!

My #1 Favorite Activity In Chiang Mai

If you’re heading to Chiang Mai, my absolute favorite activity is taking a food tour!

A Chef’s Tour is hands-down the best food tour company in Southeast Asia, and in Chiang Mai, they offer two incredible experiences with 15+ tastings: Lanna Kingdom (daytime tour) and Northern Flavours (evening tour).

The Lanna Kingdom food tour kicks off in the morning at a bustling local market, where you’ll sample a variety of Northern Thai dishes and learn about their origins. Then, it’s off to savor the city’s famous khao soi and indulge in Thai-style grilled chicken with zingy papaya salad.

On the nighttime Northern Flavours tour, you’ll hop into a rod daeng truck and dive deep into the influence of Burmese cuisine on Northern Thai food, exploring secret street eats and local markets.

Both tours offer a unique (and delicious) way to experience Chiang Mai’s rich food scene!

Looking for more Thailand travel tips? Read more:

How To Use Airalo eSIM In Thailand (And Asia)

14 Best Markets In Chiang Mai (Day and Night Markets)