Butter is Better
This year I have been fortunate to test out the Butter is Better restaurant many times as be a place for meetings with friends and colleagues. It’s located just south of the Night Bazaar area in the tourist areas of Chiang Mai.
The food is pretty good American-style breakfast and lunches, the old school decor is fun and you feel as if you’re been transported back to the 1960s and you are eating the little diner in the middle of smalltown America.
Generally, around the lunchtime hour is very difficult to get a table but thankfully they can turn over the tables pretty quickly, and find somewhere for you to sit. They also have a few tables outside but it is pretty the traffic and at times can be quite hot.
On each table they have a waiter call box, which will bring a waiter directly to your table with an order book or the bill. It certainly makes it easier to get someone’s attention.
The menu is full off great diner and fast food style foods. They have all the “sides” as well, or else it would just be a standard burger joint.
Guru Tip
Butter is Better fills fast at lunch. If you arrive after 12:30pm on a weekday, the wait can stretch to 20 minutes. The trick is to arrive at 11:30am when the kitchen is fresh and the tables are empty. You get the full menu without the wait, and the service is noticeably more attentive when the room is half-full rather than completely packed.
Where is Butter is Better located?
Butter is Better is located just south of the Night Bazaar area in the tourist district of Chiang Mai. It is accessible on foot from most accommodation in the Chang Klan and Riverside areas.
What kind of food does Butter is Better serve?
American-style diner food. Breakfast and lunch are the main services. Expect burgers, diner sandwiches, sides, and classic American fast food in a 1960s-style retro setting.
Is it busy at lunchtime?
Yes. Lunchtime is peak hours and tables fill quickly. The kitchen turns tables over efficiently, so waits are usually manageable. Arriving before 12pm or after 1:30pm gives you a better chance of immediate seating.
What is the waiter call box on the table?
Each table has a button system that alerts a waiter when you are ready to order or want the bill. It removes the need to flag someone down across a busy room, which makes the service feel more efficient even when the restaurant is at capacity.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, there are tables outside, but the location near traffic means it can be noisy and hot during the warmer months. Indoor seating is generally more comfortable, particularly from February to May when temperatures and pollution levels are both elevated.
