Nimman Cafés and Design in Chiang Mai
Part of the Chiang Mai travel guide — see every topic in All Chiang Mai Guides.
Nimmanhaemin Road, or Nimman for short, is the modern district of Chiang Mai. It sits northwest of the old city, close to Chiang Mai University. The main road has many small side streets, called soi. Along them you find coffee shops, small design stores, galleries, restaurants and places to work on a laptop. Two big shopping centres stand at the north end. This guide explains how the area is laid out, where to start, and when to go.
How Nimman is laid out
Nimman runs north to south between Huay Kaew Road and Suthep Road. The side streets are numbered, from Soi 1 near the north end to Soi 17 further south. Each soi is short and easy to walk. The north end is busy, with malls and big hotels. The middle and south parts are quieter and more local. From the northwest corner of the old city moat, walk west along Huay Kaew Road for about 15 to 20 minutes, or take a short ride with a ride app. Many people stay in Nimman because it has cafés, shops and food in walking distance. Expect heavy traffic in the evening and at weekends.
Coffee culture
Coffee is a big part of life in Nimman. Northern Thailand grows coffee in its hills, and many cafés here roast their own beans. You can try a slow pour-over, a cold brew or a simple iced Thai coffee. Some cafés are famous for latte art, such as Ristr8to, which has won latte art prizes. Others are known for their buildings, with glass walls, gardens or bare concrete. Many cafés open early and close in the late afternoon, so plan coffee for the morning. Most have fast Wi-Fi and power sockets. Order something every few hours if you stay to work. It is polite and helps small shops stay open.
Design shops and galleries
Soi 1 is the oldest creative street in Nimman. It has small galleries, design stores and shops that sell handmade goods. Look for clothes made from local cotton, ceramics, paper goods and modern furniture made by Thai designers. Many shops mix old northern craft with clean, modern shapes. Small exhibitions open and close often, so walk the street and look in. Some shops close one day a week, often Monday or Tuesday. Prices are fixed in most design stores, unlike at the night markets. If you want to buy a large item, ask if the shop can ship it home for you.
One Nimman, Maya and Think Park
At the corner of Nimman and Huay Kaew Road there are three shopping places. One Nimman is an open-air complex with red brick buildings and a clock tower. It has craft shops, cafés, restaurants and markets on some days. Maya is a large modern mall with six levels of shops, a food court, a cinema and a rooftop. Think Park sits next to Maya and is a smaller, open-air space with shops and places to eat. These are good places to escape the midday heat or the rain. In the evening, the area fills with students and young local families.
When to go
Mornings are best for cafés, when the streets are cool and quiet. Late afternoon and evening are best for shops, malls and dinner. The cool season, from about November to February, is the most pleasant time to walk around. From about February to April the air can be smoky because of farm and forest fires in the north. On bad days, wear a good mask outside and spend more time indoors. The rainy season, from about May or June to October, brings short heavy storms, often in the afternoon. Cafés are a good place to wait for the rain to stop.
Nimman Cafés and Design at a glance
| Getting there | About 15 to 20 minutes on foot west of the old city moat, or a short ride by app or red songthaew |
|---|---|
| Hours | Cafés often open early and close late afternoon; malls open late morning to evening |
| Cost | Coffee and food at a wide range of prices; fixed prices in most design shops |
| Best time | Mornings for cafés; November to February for walking; smoky air possible February to April |
| Tip | Many small shops close one weekday; check before you go |