A land of misty mountains and colourful hill tribes, a playground for digital nomads, a delight for the adventurer
Artisan Cafe
Vintage Cafe away from the Tourist Areas
Artisan Cafe at Oxatel Hostel
Artisan is a bit off the beaten path. I was recommended to check it out from a fellow traveller’s blog and it does not disappoint. A vintage interior and friendly staff make the already good tasting coffee taste even better. They have great food options as well and reliable wi-fi. I enjoyed this cafe so much I decided to stay at the hostel , Oxatel . You can find great rates here.
Nine One Coffee
Great Coffee and Hangout Spot in the Digital Nomad neighborhood of Nimman
Coffee selections and great location in the trendy Nimman Area
If you want to be in the digital nomad hub of Chiang Mai, look no further than Nimman Road ( short for Nimmanhaemin Road ). It’s a small-street jam packed neighborhood full of cafes, restaurants, and accommodations. Nine one Coffee is on one of the main outer streets. They have the classics ( lattes, americano, etc ) but if you are looking for a great variety of beans that can be done French-press style, this cafe is for you. Reliable wi-fi, tons of outlet plugs, and a great staff make this little spot a hidden gem.
Wake Up Cafe
24 hour cafe with comfy chairs and a productive vibe
24-hour cafes with comfy workspaces and seats
Coming from the Western world or other parts of the globe, there is one aspect of being location independent that I think everyone overlooks at first. Time change… building up a client base back home is a great way to start off the journey, but adjusting to time changes can be a challenge at first. Luckily, Wake Up Cafe is open 24 hours so you can take client calls and meetings anytime of the day. They also have some of the comfiest chairs which can go a long way for the long hours. There is Wake up Cafes spotted throughout Chiang Mai.
My go-to is this location
GET DIRECTIONSThere is also one that has a 24-hour Subway attached to it in case you need a late night sandwich or early morning breakfast sandwich. That one is located in Nimman area.
My Secret Cafe In Town
On the Bread
Delicious breakfast and a nice work atmosphere
This is one my top smaller cafes I’ve worked from in SouthEast Asia. The owner is so sweet and her staff is also great as well. They have a variety of “on the bread” options and sandwiches plus a great iced latte. It’s not the biggest space but there is usually always a table to settle into and the timeless decor makes you feel like a time-traveller. Try the avocado and egg toast with bacon added. You will thank me later!
In order to locate the top-rated places to digital nomad, here are a couple great resources: Nomad List , Lonely Planet , Nomad Rental
Nomad List has an up to date rating based off the opinions of a huge Nomad Online Community. Memberships are available that allow access to contact other nomads directly on the site. Lonely Planet has been a staple in the travel community for close to 50 years. It is a great resource for finding digital nomad locations that fit your travel and workplace desires. Nomad Rental offers great 1-month and more accomodations in all of the top digital nomad hotspots.
Top Free Co-Working Spaces in Chiang Mai
Chosen based off of community aspect , price, and location
Brain Awake Co-Working
Great location, service, and wi-fi make this a co-working gem in Old City
3-story co-working area in Old City
Brain Awake was not on the top of my list but I am glad I decided to go try it out. It really is one of the best free co-working spaces. It’s a 3-level space that has a cafe and nice views over Old City of the mountains. A lot of students come here after school and you get free wi-fi for the whole day with a purchase of food/drink. A great deal and great space to get productive, Brain Awake takes the top spot for free co-working spaces in Chiang Mai.
The Camp
trendy space with inspiring surroundings
A co-working space on top of the new Maya mall
Perched atop the newest mall in Chiang Mai, The Camp is an innovative space built by AIS. AIS is one of the main phone data service providers in Chiang Mai and if you have a plan with them, you can use their direct wi-fi for free at the Camp. It’s quite a cool space with many different seating arrangements and some stand-up desks. Some nomads have complained about the lack of seating space so get here early in the day to get a good spot. If you don’t have a plan with AIS, just get a caffeinated beverage for 2 free hours of wi-fi.
Bonus : Hub53 Co-working and Co-living
Quality co-living with a great community
Hub53 has been a great experience for me so far. I am currently staying here and wanted to recommend it for any location independent travelers. The rates for the room are great and they include access to the co-working space 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Hub53 is doing a great job with creating new events to build up the community and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful.
Some Final Thoughts
Well, there we have it. I hope this gives you a good stepping stone into the cafe and co-working culture of Chiang Mai. If you happen to be traveling to other areas in Southeast Asia… here is direct access to the First Impression as a Digital Nomad in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and a full breakdown of How to Digital Nomad in Ubud, Bali.
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