What is it:
Perched on the 21st floor of the Melia Hotel, with stunning views of Chiang Mai, MAI Restaurant & Bar offers a richer story than you'd expect from a typical hotel dining experience. Focusing on farm-to-table food journeys, it fuses local, low-carbon ingredients to create Thai food with a Mediterranean twist.
Why we love it:
Taking pride in their commitment to supporting local communities, Executive Chef Suksant (Billy) Chutinthratip works closely with Chiang Mai Green Kitchen farmers to source sustainably grown local ingredients that inspire a menu of seasonally rotating dishes. Pioneering a ‘360° Cuisine Program’, Chef Billy also makes sure to use every part of each ingredient, with any leftovers sent back to a close network of organic farms for composting. Dining here is not reserved for hotel guests, meaning anyone can enjoy his creations by either walking in or pre-booking a table. The food is earthy, comforting and pleasantly unfamiliar, with an exciting menu that explores classic northern flavours in not-so classic ways.
Time Out tip:
If you try one thing, we recommend the gaeng phak whan baan consommé-style soup of smoked dried fish, poured piping hot over just-picked seasonal greens from the hotel’s organic garden.
Meliá Chiang Mai, 21st floor. 052 090 603. Reservations here. 2pm-5pm, 6pm-11pm.