The Italian Restaurants of Chiang Mai

[Begbie]

For a small city Chiangmai seems to have more than its share of Italian restaurants. I suspect there's at least 20 and that's not counting the Thai wanabees like 13 Coins and the American style Pizza places.

Here's a few photographed in no order.





Buonissimo. This moved to the present location on the east bank of the river about six months ago. The owner used to run the old PumPui Restaurant.

[Begbie]

Babylon.
Opposite the main gate to Chiang Mai University on Huai Kaeow Road. I ate here in 1981 so it's been here a while.

[Begbie]

Il Forno

In the middle of the old city near Wat Chedi Luang.

I find the photos of the waiting hosts a bit off putting.

[ChiangMai noon]

^
that Buonissimo place is rather ambitious I think.
Pum Pui was hardly ever busy and it was a quarter of the size.

[Begbie]

La Lanterna

Behind the Montri Hotel. Note the gas storage room upstairs.

[Begbie]

La Villa

Moved from Near the AUA to near the Pirates Cove Bar. Used to do the best Pizza in town, now I'm not so sure.

[Begbie]

Giorgios

Nice place on Chang Klan Road just past the traffic light at Pantip Plaza. Good ambience, lots of waitresses in smart uniforms and very good food. Veneto style which seems to mean all the soups are out of the blender.

[dirtydog]

Il Forno looks a bit intimidating with that picture entrance, do they all stand over you watching you eat

[Begbie]

^No and it's a bit spartan inside.

More to follow.....

[BUCKEYE]

This is interesting as during my time in Udon Thani only a few Italian restaurants had come to my attention. Italian food looks like it is becoming as popular in Thailand as the Chinese are in America.
I hope to be back in Udon in a few months. I have been cooking Italian food for 37 years. I can do a good job creating a menu that might be adaptable to the Thai as well as farangs. Just thought maybe someone reading here has an interest in starting up a little business in Udon as an investment. Send a PM.

[stroller]

What about the price-range, quality and ambiente?

[Begbie]

^I think I'll leave out making judgements except perhaps on ambience as my opinion of a good meal may not be the same as everyone elses.

Price range perhaps I could quote the price of a Pizza as a good rule of thumb. Problem is I was in IL FORNO about 12 months ago and can't remember the prices.

I'll get back to you..

Giorgios PIZZA around 200baht.
Pizza La Villa around 180 baht (I think)
Babylon about 189 baht (?)

Bugger I'll have to go back and take a note.

[stroller]

We should get a well-known connoisseur like Ulysses to do some decent res reviews.

[Begbie]

^Wash your mouth out with soap.

[garye]

Where is PumPui??? Soi 2 Moonmuang

[ChiangMai noon]

^
yup.

[WhiteLotusLane]

^
that Buonissimo place is rather ambitious I think.
Pum Pui was hardly ever busy and it was a quarter of the size.

I think it's ambitious for *ANY* Western restaurant. It could actually be the biggest one in the whole town. AND a riverside setting..

Remarkably, prices are low.. Similar to when Sergio owned Pum Pui.. Pizza's start like 120 baht or so, most in the 130-160 baht range? Lots of 'proper' Italian food on the menu as well, which will cost more.

So, yeah, I think it's too big, and rent is probably too high to sustain a place like that UNLESS also Thai people would visit in numbers, but that's pretty much the holy grail in restaurants and not likely to happen.

[lukas9]

Can you tell me the address, thanon/soi it is on near the Ping?

[AntRobertson]

For a small city Chiangmai seems to have more than its share of Italian restaurants. I suspect there's at least 20 and that's not counting the Thai wanabees like 13 Coins and the American style Pizza places.

And as proof of your point I don't even recognise a few of those you posted despite having lived here 6yrs and generally enjoying Italian food.


Mind, I have no friends/social life so don't get out much.

[Begbie]

Can you tell me the address, thanon/soi it is on near the Ping?

This is their website

Buonissimo

[lukas9]

where exactly is Buonissimo Restaurant in Chiangmai?

[lukas9]

Buonissimo's website has their old location and address. Does anyone have the new address?

[ChiangMai noon]

Along the river towards the super highway same road as the bear's den but another kilometer or so further on.

[cali kid]

There is one down a soi on Suthep road near the main gate on that side of the uni..

Anybody know the one?

I cant think of the name, excellent though I thought.. I will try to get a pic and the name later if nobody knows the one, or even maybe if they do..

[Begbie]

^If its the one in narrow soi on the left, just before the the turn off to the back off the university then its closed. It used to be on the front on the street and had a sign which said Italian Foo because the d had dropped off. They then moved a couple of times until their last location. It's a pity as they were quite good and did some very cheap cocktails.

On the other hand you might be refering to Mi Casa which styles itself as mediteranean cooking. It's further up the road and a long way in down a narrow soi. Nice but not for the faint of wallet.