Stefano (da), Chiang Mai

Accidental discovery of my decade of travels is that Stefano's is the best Italian food anywhere in the culinary universe. Very inexpensive and simply superb. Don't miss this one on your visit.

Greasy food , unpleasant staff, not a good experience

Quite possibly the best Italian food I have ever had, and that is saying a lot being that I live in NY. Everything I have had there is exceptional. I recommend eating family style, by that I mean ordering several dishes and sampling a bit of everything. I wish I was sitting there right now pigging out! For four people to eat themselves full as well as probaly 3 sodas each, it cost a measily $25. This place is truly a diamond in the rough..

I've been coming to Chiang Mai off and on for two or three years, and I have never once been dissapointed with de Stefano! This very unassuming cafe is tucked away 25m down a soi near the Thapae gate to the right of 'Johns Place' a well known bar. The menu is quite extensive but mainly consists of basic italian dishese such as pizzas and pastas, ranging from about 120-200 baht a dish. Although this is an open air cafe, the location is far enough away from the main road to be pleasant (i.e. little noise or pollution and no passing traffic). In fact, the two large outside tables are the most popular. All the dishes I have tried have been bursting with flavour, and while they tend to use dried pasta and not fresh pasta in all their dishes, the general impression is of excellent quality, fresh and tasty food - italian food made with love! The lasagne and bruschetta are my personal favorites, while the pizzas are all authentically hand rolled dough bases with a sprinkling of fresh toppings. Another stand out is the house red wine, at about 75 baht per glass, its also available in half carafes. Its probably the best house wine I've had in Thailand, and an ideal partner with most dishes. The relaxed atmosphere is capped off with 'soft rock' music playing in the background on most nights, this is a great place to relax and enjoy great food with friends in an unpretentious environment.