Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The best time to go is around lunchtime on a weekday; otherwise, don't even bother trying. This is the Chiang Mai University cafeteria: air-conditioned, packed with stalls, and priced more for students than tourists. Arrive around 6 p.m., as many of the shutters will be closed and the selection very limited – precisely the most frequent complaint in reviews.

Here you'll find a wide selection of Thai dishes at various stalls, along with coffee and even steak, should anyone in your group wish. Tourists don't pay a surcharge. While most of the staff speak limited English, a few gestures and a smile will get you by, as many customers confirm. It's an ideal stop if you're already on campus or near Suthep and prefer a cheap and comfortable meal to sitting on a plastic stool by the roadside in the heat.

Please return your empty dishes. Tables are scarce during peak hours, and if guests leave their trays behind, it makes the situation worse for everyone.