CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • OVERSTAND

So a few weeks ago, Katie, Jackie & I decided to try Overstand for breakfast before we sent Jackie on her journey back to Bangkok. We were greeted with a lush entrance, fountains and good music. Though the space is open air, the coolness of the vibe and the shady gray of the walls makes it the perfect spot to get out of the sun during a morning on the moat.

The place doubles as a gallery, showcasing some pencil drawings of out-of-this-world creatures for sale. The edgy atmosphere lends itself to a co-work, and the giant distressed wooden table in the middle of the room is the perfect spot to perch and sketch, or grab one of the puzzles in the middle of the table to while away the time.

Overstand boasts an incredible breakfast menu and an extensive drink list. The owner is Australian, and the feel of the place matches. The flat white is something to write home about, and the chai latte isn't half bad either. If you're looking for kombucha, you'll find a fridge full.

Katie and I ordered open-face breakfast sandwiches, mine with grilled mushrooms and feta, hers with parmesan fried eggs. If you're looking for a hearty, beautiful and delicious breakfast, this is the place to go. We've found it hard to not go here every time we wake up early and want breakfast before work.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • ARTISAN CAFÉ

Artisan is one of those gems I just walked right into, not really expecting to fall in love at first... sip? I'd heard good things about this one via the internet, but nothing to prepare me for the hippest of all hip coffee shops in Chiang Mai.

Artisan is connected to Oxotel, a hostel known for it's minimal and trendy atmostphere as well as the amount of light it can get to flow into one space. The café is equally as well lit, the shadows just adding to the coolness of the place. The coffee and tea lattés are delicious, all made in an organized chaos little kitchenette at the front of the shop.

Every detail, down to the floors, adds to the interest of Artisan. The staff is friendly and attentive, every seat is comfortable, and every place is suited to quick respites or long days of work. The bright and giant ferns out front are echoed inside with the garden-like display of entomology and photog paraphernalia. The old suitcases and the dried flowers inside tie the antique with the modern and the place just feels fresh.

These folks take their interiors and coffee seriously, from the playlist to the latté art, the variety of wood stains and textures around, and the extensive coffee menu. This is a place I kinda want to keep a secret so I can retreat here on a busy, hot day, but it's too good to horde it all to myself.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • JAIBOON

Okay, I know I've been severely lacking on the "blogging my favorite coffee shops" front. So here's the first in a long string of posts about what Chiang Mai is highly known for in Thailand and SEA: cute cafés. I visited Jaiboon one morning on a work errand out toward San Kamphaeng, having seen a poster advertising it at one of our favorite restaurants, Rustic & Blue. 

It was pretty obvious that the two places have a similar vibe: so much green, it was like stepping into a secret garden upon entering the courtyard where the "cabin" was hidden. Twinkle lights spread out across the yard, ready for the sun to set, though it's a little dang hot for that at the moment.

Inside consists of little details like paper flowers and cute embellishments. Stamps and postcards, hand drawn posters, etc. The menu is a doodler's dream, and the cake display boasts a great selection of amazing desserts. I've had the red velvet cake, and Lyna and I ordered the lemon coconut cake this time: both wins.

It's easy to lose track of time here. The light is dreamy, and you feel like you're on a retreat instead of in the middle of a highway filled with auto repair shops and the like. The coffee is delicious and smooth, the atmosphere takes you out of Chiang Mai, but the Thai feelings stay with all the cute little Asian details. It's worth the drive, and worth a second (or third) trip out of the city center.