Maadae takes streetside open kitchen themes to the next level as smoke from its charcoal grills wafts into the evening air, carrying the scent of the catch of the day. Born during the pandemic to support Thailand’s artisanal fishermen, it has since become a local favourite under the careful eye of Chef Yaowadee ‘Yao’ Chookong, who now also runs a popular cooking school outside of town.
Fish offerings change daily – whole mackerel, trevally or snapper grilled over charcoal fire. There are house favourites too: rich fish chuchee curry, bright crab ceviche with homemade chips and refreshing fried fish pomelo salad with shrimp paste. Outdoor seating puts you right at the heart of the action, flames flaring from street-side grills. Drinks and desserts are hyper-local too – house-brewed teas, Daydrinker’s Collective mead from Chiang Dao, seasonal fruit sodas and ice cream from nearby farms.
Maadae Slowfish Kitchen. Mains from B300. Thapae Road, Chiang Mai. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm.