The Riverside Bar & Restaurant

Established in 1984, The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is a legendary landmark in Chiang Mai, known for its vibrant energy and prime location on the Ping River. It transitions from a relaxed, family-friendly riverside eatery during the day to a high-energy party venue at night, popular with both locals and travelers. Atmosphere & Setting: Visitors often highlight the magical "golden hour" views from the outdoor terraces and garden. The setting is described as romantic yet casual, featuring an old wooden house aesthetic. Menu & Dining: The extensive menu features over 500 items, ranging from traditional Thai staples to Western favorites like burgers and pizza. Signature dishes include Tom Yam Goong, Khao Soi, and Royal Pork Satay. Entertainment: Live music is a cornerstone of the experience, starting with acoustic guitar sessions at sunset followed by full bands playing rock, pop, and hip hop late into the night. Dinner Cruise: A unique feature is the nightly boat trip along the river, allowing guests to dine midstream for a small additional cruise fee. Service & Value: Reviewers generally report rapid and attentive service despite the restaurant's large size. Prices are considered reasonable for the location and atmosphere. The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is highly recommended for those seeking a "classic" Chiang Mai experience that combines reliable Thai cuisine with a lively music scene. For the best experience, reservations for riverside seating are strongly advised, especially around sunset.

Perfect and delicious food! I would highly recommend fish dish like Steamed tubtim. The portion was huge. Absolutely amazing atmosphere right on the riverside! The rotating lineup of different music bands throughout the night keeps the energy high and the experience fresh.

We had dinner on the boat and, despite the fact thw we were the only group, they made the river cruise anyway with just the three of us, which we appreciate a lot. The food is delicious (the menu has plenty of choice) as well as the hot tea, and the cruise is really nice. Bring a light jacket during winter time, the wind can be chilly. The waiters don't speak a lot of English, and we had an issue with the bill, they charged us an extra dish we didn't have. They apologised and fixed the issue (we don't think it was on purpose, but recommend to always double check). Overall a nice experience, something different from the usual dinner.

Returned here after a 20 year gap. Loved sitting outside on the decking. Had an beer Lao for an excellent 100 baht, and relaxed after a long afternoon exploring. Didn't eat but there was a full food menu. The bar was also advertising dinner cruises for 200 baht on the river. The cost of your dinner being additional. The service was very friendly and attentive. Hopefully I'll be back sooner next time.

The Riverside bar and Restaurant My Overall Rating: 5/5 stars) The Riverside bar and restaurant is a must-visit. Located on the beautiful Ping River, it offers a spacious and inviting atmosphere with ample seating both inside and outside. The primary restaurant section is family-friendly, accommodating large groups and families with children. The music from the band, which performed at 9:30 pm, created a lively ambiance, with people dancing and enjoying the music from their tables. Although I didn’t dine there, my friend’s experience was enjoyable. The extensive menu provided me with an opportunity to explore the options. I opted for a premium gin, which was delicious. The service at the Riverside bar and restaurant is exceptional. The attentive waiters and waitresses are always on the lookout for customers, ensuring prompt and friendly assistance. Parking is available, and reservations are not required. In conclusion, the Riverside bar and restaurant is highly recommended. I will definitely return for more. What I Loved: I loved the ambience. This restaurant and bar is very large and is located on the Ping River with a beautiful view. There is outside seating where you can take in the views along the Ping River and more than sufficient seating inside. In the section of the restaurant I will call the primary restaurant is family friendly. I saw many large groups and families there with children enjoying the music from a distance and enjoying their food. Because the restaurant is so large you can sit in an area where you can still hear and see the band, but it is not too loud, and you can still engage in conversation with your friends. I came here with a friend on at Sunday night for cocktails and the music. We saw the band that performed at 9:30. The band was great! At one point there was an impromptu sing-along. People were dancing at their tables. I did not eat at the restaurant, but my friend ordered from the menu so that gave me an opportunity to take a look at the menu. It is quite extensive. I ordered a premium gin. My drink was very good. The Service: the service is excellent. They have many waiters and waitresses walking around looking for someone who may need some service or other help. They even have printed on the back of their T-shirt “Order Here.”Service prompt and friendly. Good to Know: There is parking. Reservations not required. The Bottom Line:The Riverside Bar and Restaurant is highly recommended. I will come back again. The Riverside bar and Restaurant My Overall Rating: 5/5 stars)

We had a nice dinner here for my Mom's birthday. The food tastes nice and the ambience is also great. The shrimp rolls and pork knuckle were delicious. I preferred their crab fried rice than the pineapple. The catfish salad was also a new discovery for us. All in all, I'd say it's worth the price.

Very nice place near river. We took four different meals and all of them were very tasty. Additionally we took cheese pie with Kahlua. The staff was friendly.

One of the great place to have a chill relaxing dinner just beside the river. This place is huge with plenty of table setting but we do made booking earlier before coming. For the menu, you can’t be sure which to order because too much great food. Overall I love it, definitely will come back again & this place not expensive at all, all at affordable price.