Chiang Mai

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £18 (lunch)
   £18 (evening meal)
• House wine: £10.95 per bottle

• High point: All the favourites done well
• Low point: Can get a bit rowdy on weekends
• Food served: Mon-Sun noon-2.30pm, 5.30-11pm
• Delivery: £1.50
• Open since: 2001
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

One of Edinburgh's older Thai restaurants, Chiang Mai has been ticking along at the Haymarket end of bustling Dalry Road since 2001, attracting a swag of faithful regulars as well as pleasantly surprised rugby and football fans spilling out of the nearby stadiums. The large high-ceilinged dining space is laden with greenery, wood carvings and photos of northern Thailand, which is home to the city that gives the restaurant its name. The cooking here is not limited to one region, though, with a spread of Thai choices as well as welcome cameos from China and Malaysia in the shape of crispy duck pancakes and rich Penang curry. The stand-out curry is distinctly Thai - the jungle option is infused with red chilli which stings the palate without blasting the tastebuds away. All the usual bases, such as red and green curries, are also carried off well. The dessert choices are less impressive, but snap up the satisfyingly creamy bananas warmed in coconut milk if they are on as a special. Drinks-wise, the house wine is better than you would expect for £10.95 a bottle, which neatly sums up an unpretentious restaurant managing to exceed expectations with a minimum of fuss.