Chiang Mai Cookery

Your trusted guide to authentic Thai cooking experiences in Northern Thailand

✦ Expert Reviews ✦ Honest Comparisons ✦ Updated January 2026

Why Trust Our Reviews?

We've researched and compared every major cooking school in Chiang Mai, analyzing thousands of real traveler reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, Klook, and GetYourGuide. Our mission: help you find the perfect Thai cooking experience without the guesswork.

10+ Schools Reviewed
5,000+ Reviews Analyzed
4.8 Average Rating

Top 10 Cooking Schools in Chiang Mai

Ranked by guest reviews, authenticity, and overall experience

1

Grandma's Home Cooking School

Central Chiang Mai • Half/Full Day

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5.0

Traditional Thai recipes with market visits and small group instruction. Known for fun, engaging instructors and fresh ingredients. Popular with families and first-timers.

Market Tour Vegetarian Options Small Groups
$25-40 USD
★★★★★
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2

Mama Noi Thai Cookery School

Outskirts • Full Day Immersive

★★★★★ 4.8 / 5.0

Farm-to-table experience on 6 acres of organic gardens. Famous for teaching authentic Khao Soi. Transportation from hotels included. Cultural immersion with cooking.

Organic Farm Khao Soi Specialist Transport Included
$30-50 USD
★★★★★
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3

Thai Farm Cooking School

Rural Area • Full Day

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5.0

Learn from the garden up on an organic farm. Highly praised for authenticity and teaching ingredient origins. Take home recipe cards and cooking techniques you'll actually use.

Organic Garden Market Tour Recipe Cards
$25-45 USD
★★★★★
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4

Thai Akha Kitchen

Chiang Mai • Half Day/Evening

★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5.0

Unique Akha tribal cuisine in traditional outdoor setting. First school in Thailand focused on Akha food. Cultural immersion beyond typical Thai cooking classes.

Tribal Cuisine Cultural Experience Outdoor Setting
$20-35 USD
★★★★☆
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5

Smile Organic Farm Cooking Class

Near Chiang Mai • Full Day

★★★★★ 4.8 / 5.0

Eco-friendly with organic produce. Small class sizes ensure personal attention. Some packages include elephant sanctuary visits. Great for environmentally conscious travelers.

Organic Eco-Friendly Small Classes
$30-50 USD
★★★★★
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6

Siam Garden Cooking School

Old Town • Half Day

★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5.0

Garden-fresh ingredients with focus on Northern Thai specialties. Relaxed atmosphere in the heart of old town. Perfect for travelers short on time.

Central Location Garden Fresh Northern Thai
$25-40 USD
★★★★☆
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7

Thai Cottage Cooking School

Suburban • Flexible Duration

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5.0

Home-style cooking in charming cottage setting. Personalized menus based on your preferences. Cooking certificate included. Intimate and welcoming atmosphere.

Home Style Custom Menus Certificate
$20-35 USD
★★★★☆
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8

Basil Cookery School

Central • Short Classes

★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5.0

Hands-on with fresh herbs and market tour included. Great for beginners. Shorter class durations ideal for travelers with limited time.

Market Tour Fresh Herbs Beginner-Friendly
$25-40 USD
★★★★☆
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9

Thai Orchid Cookery School

City Center • Half Day

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5.0

Focus on Lanna (Northern Thai) cuisine. Small groups in air-conditioned kitchen. Central location makes it convenient for most travelers.

Lanna Cuisine A/C Kitchen Small Groups
$20-30 USD
★★★★☆
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10

A Lot Of Thai Home Cooking

Residential • Full Day

★★★★★ 4.8 / 5.0

Intimate home-based experience. Customizable for dietary needs including vegan and allergies. Long-running with loyal fans. Personal, authentic, and accommodating.

Home Based Dietary Friendly Customizable
$30-45 USD
★★★★★
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Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare key features to find your perfect match

School Rating Price Duration Setting Market Tour Specialty
Trichada Cookery 5.0 ★★★★★ $30-40 4-5 hrs Home ✓ Authentic Northern Thai
Grandma's Home 4.9 ★★★★★ $25-40 Half/Full School ✓ Traditional recipes
Mama Noi 4.8 ★★★★★ $30-50 Full Day Farm ✓ Khao Soi, Organic
Thai Farm 4.9 ★★★★★ $25-45 Full Day Farm ✓ Garden-to-table
Thai Akha Kitchen 4.7 ★★★★☆ $20-35 Half Outdoor — Tribal Akha cuisine
Smile Organic Farm 4.8 ★★★★★ $30-50 Full Day Farm — Eco-friendly, Organic
Siam Garden 4.7 ★★★★☆ $25-40 Half Garden — Northern Thai
Thai Cottage 4.6 ★★★★☆ $20-35 Flexible Cottage — Home-style, Custom
Basil Cookery 4.7 ★★★★☆ $25-40 Short School ✓ Beginner-friendly
Thai Orchid 4.6 ★★★★☆ $20-30 Half School — Lanna cuisine
A Lot Of Thai 4.8 ★★★★★ $30-45 Full Day Home — Dietary friendly

How to Choose Your Perfect Class

What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cooking class is best in Chiang Mai?

It depends on your preferences! For authentic home-cooking, we recommend Trichada (our Editor's Choice) or A Lot Of Thai. For farm experiences, try Mama Noi or Thai Farm. For market tours and traditional instruction, Grandma's Home is excellent. All schools on our list have 4.5+ star ratings.

How much do cooking classes cost in Chiang Mai?

Prices range from $20-50 USD per person, with most classes around $30-40. This typically includes all ingredients, market visits (if applicable), transportation, and recipe cards. Premium experiences with organic farms may be on the higher end.

Do I need cooking experience?

No! All classes welcome complete beginners. Instructors guide you step-by-step, and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Many travelers say it's one of their favorite Chiang Mai experiences regardless of their cooking background.

Are there vegan and vegetarian options?

Yes! Most schools offer vegan and vegetarian menus. Trichada, Thai Cottage, Smile Organic Farm, and A Lot Of Thai are particularly accommodating for dietary restrictions. Always mention your needs when booking.

What dishes will I learn to cook?

Common dishes include: Pad Thai, Green/Red Curry, Tom Yum soup, Khao Soi (Northern Thai curry), stir-fries like Pad See Ew, spring rolls, and desserts like mango sticky rice. Each school has a menu to choose from.

How do I book a class?

Most schools accept direct bookings through their websites, or you can book through platforms like TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, Klook, or Viator. We recommend booking at least 2-3 days in advance, especially during high season (November-February).

Is transportation included?

Many schools include hotel pickup and drop-off, especially those outside the city center. This is typically mentioned in the class description. Schools in central locations may ask you to meet directly at their venue.

Can I take the food home?

Yes! Most schools provide containers for leftovers, and you'll receive recipe cards to recreate the dishes at home. Some classes also provide certificates of completion.

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Do you run a cooking school in Chiang Mai? We'd love to feature you in our directory. Contact us to add your school or update your listing.

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