Secluded within the serene grounds of Fah Lanna Spa, Fahtara Coffee offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Housed within a traditional Lanna-style teakwood house, this award-winning cafe combines rustic charm with modern comforts, providing both air-conditioned indoor seating and a lush garden patio adorned with a calming water wheel.
Nature’s Welcome: The Tranquil Courtyard at Fahtara Coffee
Fahtara Coffee channels the calm of its neighbouring spa into a setting that feels more like a serene northern village than a city cafe. A wooden walkway leads you through to the rear courtyard, where jungle-like vines cascade from ancient Banyan trees. Solid timber armchairs, softened with colourful hill-tribe cushions, are scattered beneath red parasols, inviting you to linger. The centrepiece? A slow-turning wooden water wheel that rhythmically scoops and releases water into a quiet pool below—part sculpture, part meditation soundtrack.
Stepping Inside: A Sanctuary of Style
From the courtyard, step through automatic sliding glass doors into the air-conditioned interior of Fahtara Coffee. Inside, you’ll find a beautifully curated mix of rustic charm and cultural detail. From the moment you step in, the space feels like a peaceful retreat—earthy, grounded, and rich with character.
Heavy timber furniture—with blocky silhouettes and deep red leather seats—anchors the space with a grounded, architectural presence, while large windows let in natural light that softens the darker tones and balances the industrial feel with a touch of tropical warmth.
Fahtara’s Curated Decor: Antiques, Nostalgia, and Lanna Touches
Fahtara is thoughtfully curated with antiques and objects that feel more like museum pieces than mere decor. A 20th-century film projector, a bold red gramophone, antique fans, and manual wooden grinders lend a nostalgic, almost cinematic atmosphere.
Touches of traditional Lanna craftsmanship are woven throughout the space. Overhead, a ceiling grid of upside-down terracotta pots adds a whimsical twist, while woven baskets, artisanal pottery, and carefully chosen decorative pieces bring texture and soul.
The Artful Atmosphere of Fahtara Coffee
Art and colour play a subtle but striking role at Fahtara—like the bold red portrait near the counter that pulls you in, or the pops of colour seen through the oversized windows, where red parasols and lush greenery add life to the otherwise earthy palette.
Altogether, Fahtara Coffee’s space feels like a cross between an art-house cafe and a retro collector’s lounge—a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere in Chiang Mai. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, sip something smooth, and soak in the atmosphere, whether you’ve just stepped out of the spa or stumbled in from the street.
East Meets West: The All-Day Menu at Fahtara Coffee
Western Comforts: Familiar Breakfast & Brunch Classics
Fahtara Coffee serves up an impressive all-day breakfast and brunch menu that caters to both Western cravings and local favourites. If you’re after a full Western plate, the Fahtara Breakfast has you covered—eggs your way, crispy bacon, sausage, toast, and a dollop of homemade jam. Their Eggs Benedict levels things up with poached eggs and bacon on an English muffin, topped with golden hollandaise.
Prefer something lighter? Go for the fresh fruit, yoghurt and muesli combo, drizzled with local honey for a refreshing start. Or lean into the tropical with their French Toast, served with mango, coconut, and royal project honey—sweet, rich, and perfectly balanced.
A Taste of Thailand: Local Breakfast & Brunch Favorites
On the Thai side, local favourites shine. The Khao Tom (rice soup) comes with your choice of chicken, pork, beef, or seafood—comforting and savoury. The Som Tam Set adds a hands-on twist, pairing spicy papaya salad with your pick of grilled skewers—vegetable, meat, or both. And yes, they do Khao Soi too—the beloved northern curry noodle dish makes an appearance on both the mains and the pizza menu (yes, really).
Beyond Breakfast & Sweet Indulgences
Beyond breakfast, you’ll find pasta dishes, loaded sandwiches like the BLT and Chicken Caesar wrap, and a handful of creative pizzas. There’s a dedicated vegetarian section as well, making it a good choice for plant-based diners.
Wrap things up with dessert: the classic mango sticky rice or their honey toast, topped with either mango or a colourful mix of fresh fruit. A little indulgent, a lot satisfying. Just like the rest of the menu.
Sip & Savour: The Inviting Drinks Menu at Fahtara
Fahtara’s drinks menu keeps things just as inviting as the space itself. Expect all the cafe classics—rich espresso-based coffees, flavoured lattes, and Thai milk tea—alongside a solid lineup of organic and premium loose-leaf teas served in a charming teapot. You’ll also find fresh fruit juices, smoothies, shakes, and colourful herbal infusions if you’re after something cool and caffeine-free.
The signature Fahtara Tropical is a popular choice—a zingy, herb-infused lemonade poured over ice and finished with fresh mint and a fragrant stalk of lemongrass. It’s refreshing, aromatic, and just what you need on a warm Chiang Mai day.
Beyond your usual flat white or latte, Fahtara offers unique coffees like the rich Hot Coconut Paradise (espresso with coconut pudding) and the sweet, vibrant Blackpink Coffee (espresso with chocolate and strawberry). Citrus lovers can try the refreshing Orange or Lemon Honey Espresso.
And if you’re after something sweet to go with your drink, check the counter for a rotating selection of homemade cakes and desserts—great for an afternoon treat.
Sip. Spa. Repeat.
Fah Lanna Spa
Just steps away, and sharing the same ethos of tranquility, is the multi-award-winning Fah Lanna Spa.
This renowned day spa offers a serene escape with its lush garden ambience, providing a perfect complement to the cafe’s peaceful setting. Guests can indulge in a range of rejuvenating herbal therapies inspired by traditional Lanna practices. Discover more about their extensive treatments and serene environment at fahlanna.com
Fahtara Coffee: At A Glance
Whether you’re winding down after a spa treatment or escaping the city for a quiet moment, Fahtara blends contemporary Asian Zen with thoughtful details—serving up quality coffee, creative drinks, and flavourful East-meets-West plates in a space that’s grounded in tradition and effortlessly cool.
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Design/Style | Traditional and Rustic charm with a Tropical courtyard |
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Food | Thai / Western / Pizza / Cakes & Pastries |
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Seating | Red leather and cushioned seating inside; traditional hard wooden chairs outside, plus some concrete bench seating |
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Cost of a Hot Latte | 70 Baht* |
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WiFi Speed | See speedtest results below |
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Power Outlets | Limited (you’ll find some in the room beyond the counter) |
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Restroom/WC standard | Excellent |
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Good To Know | • Don’t miss the delightful restrooms—beautifully styled with artisanal touches • Opposite the cafe, the spa’s souvenir shop offers their exclusive Fah Lanna Spa product line alongside a curated selection of local handicrafts and keepsakes |
Credit: Icons by Freepik – Flaticon
WiFi Speedtest
• Measured March 2025
• You may experience different results depending on your device, browser and other factors
Fahtara Coffee: Gallery
Location
📍 Fahtara Coffee is located in the northern half of Chiang Mai’s Old City, on Wiang Kaew Road. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the iconic Three Kings Monument.
