Bring the whole family including your beloved fur babies to this pet friendly cafe in Chiang Mai
Located a short drive from the centre of town beside a river is Fondcome Village. It was the first river restaurant of its kind along the Samoeng Road – a place where your sit the water while you eat and the kids can swim, play or try the obstacle course overhanging the water!
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Cool off at this kid friendly and pet friendly cafe inChiang Mai
Fondcome Village was the first to start the trend of river cafes where you enjoy your meal or cold drink while dipping your feet in the water, or in this case, literally sitting in the water. Other now more well known places such as Lanna Rock Garden and Valley Cafe just up the same road got their inspiration from here.
Fondcome Village used to be (and may well still be) a resort although the resort part looks rather run down. It has reinvented itself as a river restaurant and so much more! The best part for animal lovers is that it is pet friendly. A couple people had brought their dogs along with them when we were there. Just be aware that there are two resident dogs, but they didn’t seem to mind other dogs and were off in the jungle carrying on unbothered on their own.
Seating
It may not be clear from this photo, but all of these tables are actually sitting in water! The water appears to be pumped up from the river and then released in a waterfall that sends the water flowing down the banks under the tables back into the river. The water is cool and really takes the bite off the hot heat of the day. There is also bamboo style seating on the other side.
The water where we sat was ankle deep and our toddler made friends and was splashing around. They even have some toys around for kids to play with in the water!
Playground and obstacle course
So besides being a river restaurant novelty, they also have an obstacle course across the river! It kind of hails from the 1980’s in terms of safety, but if your kid (and you) is confident give them a shot. Our daughter and I tried both the swinging bridge walkway and the rope bridge but didn’t have the guts (me the strength) to get as far as we hoped!
Of course the local children were able to go across in what seemed like seconds without even looking like they may fall in! My concern was with the depth of the water. It was quite shallow the day we were there and someone who didn’t know how to fall into the water correctly might hurt themselves.
Further down from here the water deepens and there is a boat that you can get in and paddle around. It’s also deep enough for children to go for a swim if they wanted to! Just be sure to check for cleanliness. You never want to swim in water that has been stagnant for too long.
Then there is the playground area which is up away from the water. It’s a metal structure playground with swings and a slide but it amuses the younger kids for ages. That day there was also the push toy that my son just loved!
See some rabbits!
Tucked away the the right side of the entrance is a rabbit cage where you can see some bunnies hopping around. There were baby rabbits on the day we visited and they were newly born. You cannot touch or feed the rabbits (which is great for them!), but just observing them can be enough fun.
When is the best time to go to Fondcome Village?
I would say anytime! It gets busiest here from 3 onward, but as the restaurant is designed to keep you cool, you could come any time from open to close.
What kind of food do they have at Fondcome Village?
Food
The food is Thai style and they do have a menu in English. The food is honestly is nothing great, but will do the trick. It’s reasonably priced though!
Drink
They serve typical drinks here and they are much better than most of the food! The kids will enjoy the pink milk or smoothies.
How to get to Fondcome Village?
Grab is the easiest solution if you don’t have your own transportation. Of course you could also songtaew it or take a taxi as well. To get here by yourself, drive south along Canal Road (the 121) or Hang Dong Road (the 108). You will turn right at the second ring road off the 108 or at the Samoeng Road (the 1269) if coming off Canal Road. If there is still construction at the intersection, you will have to take the first U-turn to come back to the same intersection. Then you will head towards Samoeng and follow the 1269 until you come to the first bridge. Fondcome Village will be just after the bridge on your right. Parking is just outside.
Hours: Open daily 10 am – 6 pm
Good for ages: all ages
Phone: 085-037-0333
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $
Facebook: Fondcome Village Hotel
Location: Fondcome Village Hotel map
Things to consider
If it turns out Fondcome Village doesn’t quite feel like the place for you, not to worry as there are similar and honestly nicer places just a few minute away! They are Lanna Rock Garden and Valley Cafe.