The Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe: An EPIC place to relax and enjoy INCREDIBLE views!
Updated: Apr 5
The Giant Chiang Mai Cafe is a 'highly' unique cafe located in the Lampang district of Chiang Mai. The cafe is part of a giant treehouse, complete with rope bridges, and it offers stunning views of the mountainous jungle it sits in the heart of. The vantage point is absolutely epic, and beyond the refreshments, it is worth the visit just for THAT view alone.
The cafe serves a variety of coffee drinks, as well as food and cakes. It has been a tremendously popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, and it is a great place to immerse yourself in a forest and literally feel what is like to hang out in the trees. In all of our travels, we cannot say we have ever experienced dining quite like it!
The Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe was opened in 2014 as part of a village community project to promote the rich history of coffee in the area. The cafe is constructed on platforms intertwined amongst giant trees that overlook valley within the dense woodland. The treehouse was built by the villagers and is on the site of Baan Pok, a cultivated area of coffee, tea leaves and persimmon fruit.
The objectives of the project are to develop utilities in the village, such as improving the roads and cell signals. The Giant is also seeking to create awareness and promote natural and sustainable living, alongside campaigning against deforestation, hunting and agricultural burning.
We are super happy we had the opportunity to come here, now that it is open again. We hope this post will be enough to encourage you to take a trip to The Giant and support this great community venture if ever you are in Chiang Mai.
Read on for our highlights, the food, how to get to The Giant Chiang Mai, and our cafe ratings.
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Our Giant Chiang Mai highlights
This really was a climbing-to-new-heights experience here in Chiang Mai. The Giant is an enchanting place that doesn't just begin at the cafe; it begins on the road trip to get there too. As we made our way deeper into the forest, we started to feel more and more like we were about to find ourselves someplace very different, and very different it was!
The climb to the cafe is very steep and the road is in poor condition, although we did make it with no issues. Initially we were greeted by Buddha, before parking up and making our way to the cafe's grand entrance.
There is a sweet ambience here and we were really impressed by the view and vibe. The cafe is built seamlessly with the trees and nature around it, utilizing branches and open spots, but blending really well with the natural environment.
The first thing to navigate is the wooden rope bridge, which is fun and scary all at the same! Only two people can cross at a time, and it is super wobbly. We were still brave enough to film as we crossed, but we had to take good care with it! We certainly knew we were in a treehouse by the time we got to the other side, that's for sure.
The elevated platforms and walkways provide a sense of adventure as you navigate through the treehouse, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Every corner of this café is thoughtfully designed, and we certainly give the builders a lot of credit for making it a dreamlike setting and a memorable experience.
Being in the heart of a lush forest, the cafe offers uninterrupted views of verdant mountains and vibrant trees. The melody of chirping birds and rustling leaves felt so tranquil, backed up with nice, efficient service and most importantly, good coffee. But more on that later!
Note: As this cafe is located amongst woodland, be prepared for bugs! Mosquitos and other biters are prevalent here, so be sure to bring some bug spray or wear long / loose clothing to avoid those pesky itches. We were actually bitten several times, and it was weird as the tiny bites actually drew blood. We did not even notice at first! Mozzies do not do that so we are not sure what they were. But be advised!
Full of intricate beauty and powerful energy, Wat Phra That is home to an incredible Golden Buddha that is a must-see if you are in the area.
The food & menu at The Giant Treehouse Cafe
The menu here is fairly limited but there is a good selection of coffee and juices on offer, along with a handful of Thai and Western food options if you are hungry. The cake section is perhaps the main highlight though, and what we opted for (it was mid-morning). They were well presented and added a great touch of color to our photos too!
The menu includes steak, spaghetti dishes, soup, curry and pizza. There are only a few choices of each, and when we return here we will probably go for one of them. Leon is a big fan of curry and has developed a penchant for sampling Panang Curry wherever he goes, so at the very least we need to try that! Let us know in the comments if you try / recommend any of the other options!
Thailand Travel Tip tip: if you order a coffee, state that you want it hot (if you do). As with many Thai cafes & restaurants, it will be assumed you want it cold if you don't!
The coffee was really nice, although it was a tad on the lukewarm side when it was served. That seems fairly common in Thailand though and we do not really mind. It was a nice touch to add the complementary alphabet crackers too.
We added two treats to our order, a carrot and a strawberry cream cake. Cake seems to be the signature items on the menu, and besides, who doesn't want to eat cake in a treehouse right?! They were presented really nicely and tasted great, we would suggest giving them a try for sure.
Special Events at The Giant Chiang Mai
While there is no definitive schedule, the cafe has seen a variety of live music performances in the past. The cafe has also hosted a number of art exhibitions, featuring the work of local artists.
The Giant is actually connected through a series of bridges to other structures within the trees too. We saw an ad about Yoga Retreats and Zip Lines elsewhere amongst the trees, but we did not check them out. From what we saw and can tell from research online, much of the additional things you can do here have not resumed since Covid restrictions.
Prior to 2019 the cafe was a popular spot for that reason too, but has struggled to regain visitor numbers since then, largely due to negative press around Smoky Season in Chiang Mai.
Be sure to check the The Giant's Facebook page for the latest updates.
How to get to The Giant Treehouse Cafe & opening hours
Getting to The Giant Chiang Mai was a pretty cool adventure for us as we have a hire car, and it was a great opportunity to drive out to a more remote area.
The Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe is located in the Baan Pok village, Huaykaew, Mae On, Chiang Mai. It is about 60 kilometers from Chiang Mai city center.
⪢ By Bike or Car
The cafe is located on a hilltop, giving it that perfect views of the surrounding countryside. To get to The Giant, you will need to follow the signs to Mae On. Once you reach Mae On, you will need to follow the signs to Huaykaew Road. The cafe will be on your left, just before the Huaykaew Waterfall.
If you are coming from Chiang Mai city centre, you will be coming off of Highway 118. The roads from there are in pretty good condition, however once you get to Baan Pok village, the mountainside will become pretty steep, and the road surface is very uneven and pot-holed. Good tires and a decent car are required here; we have a 10yr old Fiesta in good condition and it was just about ok.
If you are worried about the final climb, there are Songthaews at the bottom that will be happy to take you the rest of the way.
⪢ By Taxi or Tuk-tuk
One way to get to the cafe is by taking a taxi or a tuk-tuk. You can either hail one on the street or request a ride through a ride-hailing app (we use Grab).
⪢ Public Transportation
While public transportation options may vary, you can look for buses, trucks or songthaews (red trucks used as shared taxis) that go in the direction of the Mae Rim district in Chiang Mai. From there, you can arrange for a taxi or tuk-tuk to take you the remaining distance to the Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe.
It's advisable to check the restaurant's operating hours and plan your visit accordingly. Additionally, consider the traffic conditions in Chiang Mai, which can get fairly hectic during peak hours, to ensure a smooth journey.
It's always a good idea to have an offline map (you can download them on Google if you do not have data) or GPS navigation system handy, as well as the contact information of the cafe, in case you need to ask for further directions or encounter any difficulties along the way.
Address: 100/1 Moo 1, Huaykaew Road, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Contact Number: (+66) 86 776 2946
Email: thegiantthailand@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Mondays: Closed | Tuesday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Facebook: @thegiantchiangmai
NOTE that CASH is certainly preferred here. There is a card machine but it was not working on our visit (we suspect it was, but like many restaurants in Thailand, the owners want to avoid the charges and taxes that come with processing payments electronically).
Our Giant Chiang Mai experience ratings
The Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe is an enchanting destination that seamlessly blends an outdoor dining experience with mesmerizing natural beauty. Being in this giant tree, at height, we had a one-of-a-kind experience where we felt completely immersed in the peace and warmth of nature. Whether you're a traveler seeking adventure or simply looking for a unique dining experience, this treehouse cafe is sure to leave an indelible impression, beckoning you to return again! Embark on this extraordinary journey and let The Giant create a special memory for you.
✓ Atmosphere: 5/5
The Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse Cafe embraces sustainable practices, making it a haven for eco-conscious travelers. The cafe employs renewable energy sources, minimizes waste, and supports local farmers and artisans. By visiting the cafe, you contribute to their mission of environmental preservation and sustainable tourism, leaving a positive impact on the community and the planet. That, alongside its style and location, that we have already gushed about, puts this cafe in top mark territory.
✓ Cost: 3/5
✓ Food: 4/5
✓ Service: 5/5
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