Among Thais, Chiang Mai is renowned for its cafes, and at the top of the heap is Akha Ama.
Quite possibly one of the best-value coffee shops in the world (an excellent cappuccino will set you back less than $2), it also serves a good cause: The beans here are grown in the remote corners of neighboring Chiang Rai province, providing a needed economic resource for northern Thailand’s minority groups.