Fern Forest Cafe - Simply Chiang Mai

Fern Forest Cafe is a Chiang Mai institution. This popular spot is known for its charming atmosphere and prime location right within the Old City’s walls.

Nestled on Singharat Road in the northwest corner of the old town, you’ll easily spot it by the bold green sign with gold lettering hanging outside. In contrast, the entranceway is more discreet, veiled by lush greenery, revealing a glimpse of a charming white house nestled amidst the foliage. Step inside, and you’ll discover what many describe as a “fairytale garden”, beckoning you in further.

A Family Business

Fern Forest is a family-owned business which began life more than two decades ago. It was originally founded in 2003 as a small shop to sell the handcrafted coffee harvested from the family’s own coffee plantation in Doi Saket. In 2014, the daughter, drawing on her architecture experience, redesigned and renovated her grandmother’s house to reflect the serene, lush atmosphere of the plantation. The move to the larger premises marked a new chapter for Fern Forest, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Fairytale Garden

Fern Forest’s enchanting garden seamlessly blends with the cafe’s elegant white building, creating an exotic and picturesque setting perfect for enjoying your food or drink. Quaint low wooden tables and chairs with white parasols are scattered throughout the garden, nestled beneath a shady canopy of large ferns and other foliage. A small waterfall and pond with some beautiful (and very large) koi fish adds to the tranquil ambience, with a short wooden bridge across the pond leading you to the main building.

Fern Forest Cafe garden — Shaded by a canopy of foliage and parasols, the garden offers a serene escape amidst the lush greenery

To help you stay cool in the tropical heat, electric fans are strategically placed throughout the garden, offering a welcome breeze.

Colonial Elegance at Fern Forest Cafe

Inside, the two-story cafe exudes nostalgia with its cosy décor and vintage touches. The air-conditioned, cool white interior has a colonial feel, featuring white wicker furniture and blue and white porcelain accents. A gleaming black piano at the front enhances the ambiance. During the cooler hours, accordion door windows on two sides open up the space, allowing a gentle breeze to flow through.

The cool, white, colonial interior at Fern Forest Cafe — The cool, white colonial interior at Fern Forest Cafe

Additional seating is available upstairs, though this area isn’t always open.

Diverse Delights

The menu at Fern Forest Cafe is one of the best in Chiang Mai, catering to a wide range of tastes with an extensive selection that exceeds your typical cafe fare. Indulge in their wonderful tropical pancake breakfast with seasonal fruit, whipped cream and maple syrup. Or choose something equally delicious from their extensive menu of all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, bagels, salads, pasta, roti, and classic Thai cuisine. A separate vegetarian menu is also available.

Fern Forest also boasts a tempting selection of homemade cakes and pastries, many featuring recipes passed down through generations of the owner’s family. Be sure to try their signature “Coconut Cream Pie” – a slice of history on a plate!

Tom Yum soup at Fern Forest Cafe — Tom Yum soup, just one of the diverse delights on Fern Forest’s extensive menu

An impressive beverage menu is on offer too, featuring espresso-based coffees, unique coffee creations, creamy milkshakes, a variety of hot and iced teas, freshly blended fruit smoothies, refreshing juices, and a selection of sodas. For your hot drinks, soy or oat milk is available for an additional charge.

A delicious Sweet Berry Smoothie at Fern Forest — A refreshing Sweet Berry Smoothie

Take-Home Treats from Fern Forest

Beyond the cafe experience, Fern Forest features a curated selection of high-quality goods to take home, such as Monsoon and Monteaco forest-friendly teas from Northern Thailand, premium granola, delicate almond florentines, and crunchy caramel cornflakes.

Fern Forest Cafe: At A Glance

Fern Forest Cafe is a tranquil oasis in the heart of Chiang Mai. It’s a place to escape the city’s chaos and connect with nature. A must-visit for anyone exploring Chiang Mai’s Old Town.

	Design/Style	A mix of Traditional and Colonial styles with a Tropical garden
	Food	Thai / Western / Cakes & Pastries
	Seating	Comfortable cushioned wicker furniture inside, with hard wooden seating and garden furniture outside
	Cost of a Hot Latte	85 Baht*
	WiFi Speed	See speedtest results below
	Power Outlets	Limited
	Restroom/WC standard	Needs improvement
	Good To Know	• Fern Forest is a popular spot, especially during festivals and holidays, so be prepared for occasional queues during peak times. • There is often live jazz in the garden on weekends. Check their socials for details.