[Closed but reopening as a new restaurant]
Phufinn on the Lake is still relatively unknown, at least to foreigners, but has been and is still very popular among Thai locals. It’s a lovely place to take the kids for amazing drinks or desserts and to give parents a chance to relax. It’s not a place where you want your kids to be running around as it’s got a very relaxed vibe and there are few barriers to stop them from running into the lake!
During the mornings or afternoons it’s a nice place to hang around (literally) and even read a book in a hammock. If your child has some homework, they could do it here by the calmness and natural beauty of the lake.
If you’re up for it, you could even take the family for a swim right next door at the Moo Baan Wang Tan swimming pool.
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Chill out by a lake, go for a ride in a peddle boat, and feed the ducks!
Phufinn is a fabulous spot to come and relax by a small, but beautiful man made lake. It’s surrounded in lush nature and has fish and ducks that you can pay 20 baht to feed. If you’re lucky you may even get to see baby ducks. They are so cute!
The highlight is being able to relax in hammocks that hang over the lake – just be careful you don’t have anything loose on you. I’ve lost 2 pairs of sunglasses to the lake!
Recently Phufinn has installed a floating boardwalk out on to the lake and has purchased another peddle boat. The original swan peddle boat is still there for you to peddle in as well. The lake goes on for quite a while so you could get away and head further into nature to find those duckies! The peddle boats cost 30 baht for 30 minutes and they do have life jackets.
Seating
There’s plenty of choice here at Phufinn on the Lake. The most popular seats are those next to the hammocks. There are only two hammocks so it’s first come, first serve! The other seating areas are under a covered porch and the furniture kind of looks like it was taken from a night club. You sit on black pleather sofas with stools facing the lake, so it’s quite nice actually.
Another seating area is outside, and yet another is completely covered and looks like furniture from a lovely garden restaurant. The final seating area exists on a floating dock area where you can lounge on pillows and eat from low tables while over looking the fountain on the lake.
You just need to be mindful of younger children as there are little to no barriers to stop little ones from falling into the water!
When is the best time to go to Phufinn on the Lake?
Their restaurant is the most busy in the evenings, especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when they have free musical performances, usually jazz music. During the afternoons it is less busy giving you an opportunity to grab those precious hammock seats!
Because the restaurant is open air, you wouldn’t want to be here during a heavy rainfall, but sitting under the covered porch area would actually be quite nice and relaxing in a lighter rain shower. In the hot hot weather, Phufinn has installed air misters and has fans at every table so there’s always a cool breeze.
However, because it gets so hot during the day, the only time you can really sit in the hammocks over hanging the lake is in the morning or the late afternoon or evening. So, if that is what you’d like to do, it’s best to come during those two times otherwise those black pillows turn into lava and you’ll sweat yourself into the lake.
What kind of food do they have at Phufinn on the Lake?
Food
If you order anything, order one of the many desserts. They are incredible in presentation and taste. They’re also large enough to share with two people, easily between even three children.
The rest of the menu is actually rather extensive with food like chutnee, curries, fish dishes, pastas, soups and salads. Kid friendly fare would be chicken fingers, French fries, spaghetti, fried rice and chicken nuggets. The food is moderately priced with fish being the most expensive. Skip to the single dish options or snacks for the most affordable eats.
Drink
Their drinks are incredible and fun! Kids will want to have them all. Remember McFlurries? Well these take the cake on those. They’ve got chocolate brownie shakes, Oreo mint milkshake, Oreo malt milkshake and M&M milkshakes – all for only 99 baht! Fancy smoothies are also available for 99 baht as are special vitamin juice drinks designed to revitalize you. Coffee (85 baht) and teas (75 baht) are also available as are some adult drinks.
Beers, including Beer Lao, Asahi, Hoegarden and Heineken are offered between 80-200 baht. They’ve also got a good selection of whiskey’s including Glenfiddich for 110-200 baht per shot (mixer is extra). Unfortunately, there is no wine!
How to get to Phufinn on the Lake?
First be sure you are going to the right Phufinn – there are three of them with very similar names! There’s Phufinn Terrace, Phufinn Doi and Phufinn on the Lake. The latter is the one you want. All of the Phufinn’s are owned by the same people and are all worth a visit on different days out with the family.
Phufinn on the Lake is located inside Baan Wang Tan, a rather well known moo baan in Hang Dong. To get here, you may decide to Grab it or take a taxi. It may be possible to get a songtaew here, but they tend to only stick to main attractions or main roads for hop on or hop off situations.
To drive your family here head south on Hang Dong Road (the 108) past Big C and Macro, and keep your eyes out for a 7-eleven on the left side. You will turn left at the first road after the 7-eleven. Follow this road straight until you get to a T intersection, then turn left. Follow this road until you get to a strange looking intersection where a small road joins on the left and the road veers and turns to the right. Take the right turn then continue straight until the road forks. Stick to the right and drive straight through the gate of Moo Baan Wang Tan. Once through the gate drive straight until you see the tennis courts. Phufinn on the Lake is across the street next to the Baan Wang Tan swimming pool.
Hours: Open daily from 11 am – 9 pm
Good for ages: 4 and up!
Phone: 080 220 9000
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: Yes, but it’s dangerous
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: No
Pet friendly: No
Parking: Free parking on the street
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $$
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phufinn
Location: Google Maps
Things to consider
Other nature cafes in Chiang Mai that you may like are Ma Chill Dee Cafe, The Royal Train Garden Resort, Valley Coffee, or Zombie Cafe!