The best Thai dessert spots in chiang mai

A Chiang Mai institution that’s been run by the same family for decades, Bua Loy Chang Phuak is all about doing a few things exceptionally well. Their signature bua loy leads the way, with soft, chewy rice balls in silky warm coconut broth and you can level it up with additions like fresh coconut flesh or a gently cooked egg for extra richness.

Beyond the classics, there’s mango sticky rice when it’s in season and one of the more refreshing options on the menu, ruam mitr, a chilled mix of colourful Thai fruits and chewy rice flour bits served over ice with coconut milk. It’s bright, textural and perfect in the heat, especially if you’re not in the mood for something warm. Set against the buzz of Chang Phuak Night Market, it feels local, familiar and always worth a stop.

Bua Loy Chang Phuak. Chang Phuak Night Market. 5pm-11.30pm

This bright, contemporary dessert spot takes the comfort of classic bua loy and gives it a playful, visual twist. The base is still there, soft, chewy rice balls in coconut milk, but everything around it feels lighter, more colourful and more expressive. Bowls arrive in an array of soft pastels, with butterfly pea lending vivid blues alongside other gently tinted hues that make each serving feel almost too pretty to eat.

Alongside the classic version, there are variations that push things further. Oversized bua loy come stuffed with fresh coconut, adding a richer bite, while others are paired with coconut ice cream in flavours like taro or butterfly pea. The mix of temperatures and textures, warm coconut milk against cold, creamy scoops, keeps things interesting without losing that familiar comfort.

Kanom Mae. Suthep Road. 12pm-10pm

Right on busy Chang Moi Road, this long-running evening dessert spot is all about tradition and consistency. The setup is simple, with a vast and vibrant spread of Thai dessert toppings laid out at the counter. You then make your selection and build on the familiar trio of coconut milk, palm sugar and rice in its many forms. You’ll find everything from sticky rice variations to soft custards and jelly-like sweets, each one made fresh. Filled with locals, it feels rooted in everyday Chiang Mai life, reliable, unpretentious and always satisfying, whether you’re grabbing a quick bowl or picking up a few things to take home.

Kanomwan Chang Moi. Chang Moi Rd. 5pm-1am

You have to know it to find it. Set within the bustle of Warorot Market and quite literally under the stairs, this busy, no-frills spot is all about traditional Thai desserts made with care. You’ll see locals line up, pointing at trays of neatly arranged sweets while staff move quickly to keep up.

The selection leans classic, with a wide range of coconut-based desserts, sticky rice variations and bite-sized sweets that highlight different textures, soft, chewy, jelly-like and custardy. Everything is made fresh and sold fast, which means what you’re getting always feels lively and in demand. It’s not polished, and that’s part of the appeal. Between the market noise, the constant flow of people and the tightly packed counter, this is Thai dessert in its most everyday, energetic form.

Khanomthai Taibandai. Wororot Market, Kad Luang. 10am-4pm

This family-run spot has been serving desserts since the 1960s, with roots that lean Chinese as much as Thai. Set within Ton Lum Yai Market in Kad Luang, it’s the kind of place where you perch on a stool, dessert in hand, watching the rhythm of the market unfold around you.

The menu stretches well beyond ice cream, with steamed bao and a selection of traditional sweets wrapped in leaves, soft, fragrant parcels that hint at old-school techniques and recipes passed down over time. But what draws most people in is the mango sticky rice, reliably good when in season, alongside a richer durian sticky rice version served in coconut broth that feels especially indulgent.

Sunday Ice Cream. Ton Lam Yai Market, Kad Luang. 10am-4pm

Wanlamun takes traditional Thai desserts and gives them a refined, almost palatial treatment. The flavours stay rooted in coconut, pandan and palm sugar, but everything feels more composed, from the balance of textures to the way each dish is presented. Desserts lean delicate and precise, with soft custards, chewy elements and creamy components layered in a way that feels both intentional and nostalgic. 

The space matches the tone, calm, considered and slightly elevated, making it a good pick when you want something that feels a bit more special. You’ll also spot Wanlamun’s desserts stocked in Rimping supermarkets around town, a sign of just how popular they’ve become.

Wanlamun Rim Nam. Charoenrat Road, Wat Gate. 12pm-10pm

Feels less like a café and more like slipping into a friend’s house in the countryside. The space is warm, softly lit and easy to settle into, whether you’re starting the day or drifting in for something sweet. The barista setup is fully dialled in with coffee and tea covered, but the real pull is the mix of comforting Thai dishes and a tightly curated dessert menu that leans classic.

On the sweets side, you’ll find everything from water chestnuts in coconut milk and sticky rice with egg custard to golden threads and met khanun. Smaller bites like coconut balls and ta-ko keep things light, while combination sets bring together a few favourites in one go. It’s all straightforward, well executed and deeply satisfying. Add in khao tom, noodles and a shelf of boxed treats ready to take home, and you’ve got a spot that works from breakfast through to an afternoon sugar fix.

La Lune Cafe. Photharam Soi 3. 7:30am-4pm

Stepping slightly away from traditional Thai desserts, 7 Senses blends Italian technique with local flavour, led by a Thai wife and Italian husband duo in the kitchen. A go-to for seriously indulgent gelato, it doesn’t hold back on variety. The menu is sprawling, with just about every flavour you can think of, but what makes it stand out is how Thai ingredients sit comfortably alongside the classics. Expect scoops like Thai tea, durian, butterfly pea and coconut in different forms, alongside brighter combinations like lemon and lime coconut. 

There are also plenty of non-Thai flavours in the mix, but the local ones are where things get interesting. What really sets it apart is the texture. This is easily some of the creamiest gelato in town, rich without tipping into heavy and smooth enough that each flavour lands cleanly. 

7 Senses Gelato. Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 11. 12pm-10pm