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January 28, 2026
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There is a specific fantasy that many travelers have when they come to Chiang Mai. They imagine driving a motorbike up a winding mountain road as the sun sets. They imagine cool air hitting their face, the smell of pine trees replacing the smell of city exhaust, and finding a secret spot—a wooden shack glowing with warm light in the middle of nowhere—that serves the best food they have ever tasted.
Usually, this is just a fantasy. In reality, you often end up at a tourist trap with a nice view but mediocre food.
But there is one place that makes this fantasy real.
It is hidden along the famous Samoeng Loop. It has no air conditioning because the mountain breeze is enough. It is run by a chef who treats grilling meat like a religion. And for the Haze Buds community, it is the ultimate pilgrimage for a post-smoke feast.
We are talking about Hoppipolla.
If you haven’t heard of it, that is by design. It doesn’t advertise on billboards. It thrives on whispers between foodies and locals who know where to get massive racks of BBQ ribs for prices that feel like a mistake.
In this review, we are taking you out of the Old City and into the forest. We will guide you through the drive, the menu, and the vibe of eating steak under the stars at Hoppipolla.
First, the name. “Hoppípolla” is Icelandic for “Jumping into Puddles” (made famous by the band Sigur Rós). It suggests playfulness, joy, and a connection to nature. The restaurant lives up to this name. It sits on the edge of Route 1269 (the Hang Dong – Samoeng Road), nestled in the foothills of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
The Setting: It feels less like a restaurant and more like a friend’s backyard BBQ in the mountains. The structure is open-air, built from wood and bamboo. There are no walls, only the forest edge. At night, strings of fairy lights illuminate the space. The kitchen is open, so you can see the smoke rising from the charcoal grills and smell the caramelizing meat from the parking lot.
The Vibe: It is unpretentious. You sit on simple wooden furniture. The music is usually an excellent playlist of indie folk or acoustic covers that match the chill, mountain atmosphere perfectly. It is the kind of place where you can wear shorts and flip-flops, but the food on your plate looks like it came from a high-end steakhouse.
You cannot separate the meal from the journey. Going to Hoppipolla is a mini road trip. From Haze Buds in the Old City, it is about a 30 to 40-minute drive.
The Route: You head south to Hang Dong, then turn right onto Route 1269. This creates a perfect “transition ritual.” As you leave the highway and start climbing the gentle curves of the Samoeng road, the temperature drops. The concrete buildings disappear, replaced by towering teak trees and bamboo groves.
The Haze Buds Recommendation: This drive is beautiful, but it requires focus. If you are the driver, stay sober or stick to CBD. If you are the passenger, this is a prime opportunity for a “Scenic Sativa.”
Strain Pairing: Orange Creampop (Sativa).
Why: The citrusy, energetic high makes the colors of the forest pop. It turns the winding road into a visual adventure. By the time you arrive, the “munchies” will be just starting to kick in, perfectly timed for your reservation.
Let’s be clear: Hoppipolla is a Meat Temple. They serve salad, yes. But you are here for the protein. The portions are legendary—massive, American-sized servings that often shock first-time visitors accustomed to smaller Thai portions.
If you order nothing else, order the ribs. Chef Champ has mastered the art of “Low and Slow.” The ribs are smoked and grilled until the meat literally falls off the bone. You don’t need a knife; a spoon would be enough.
The Flavor: They are coated in a thick, sticky, homemade BBQ sauce that walks the perfect line between sweet, tangy, and smoky.
The Portion: A full rack is enormous. It covers the entire wooden board it is served on.
For steak lovers, this is the best value-for-money steak in Chiang Mai. They don’t overcomplicate it. Good meat, sea salt, black pepper, fire.
The Cook: If you ask for Medium Rare, you get Medium Rare. The crust is perfectly charred from the high heat of the grill, while the inside remains pink and juicy.
The Sides: The steaks usually come with a generous pile of salad and often a mix of tropical fruits (like dragon fruit or melon) on the side, which acts as a palate cleanser between bites of rich meat.
If you are going with a group of stoned friends (which we highly recommend), get the Mix Grill. It is a mountain of food: Ribs, Steak, Pork Chop, Chicken, and Sausages all piled onto one massive platter. It is a primal feasting experience.
The heart of the restaurant is the owner and chef, often referred to as “Champ.” There is a distinct passion in the way this place runs. In a city where many restaurants cut corners with cheap ingredients or pre-made sauces to save money, Hoppipolla refuses to compromise.
You can taste the patience.
The Marinade: The meats are marinated for hours (sometimes days). The flavors penetrate deep into the muscle fibers.
The Fire: They cook over real fire/charcoal, not gas. That infusion of wood smoke is a flavor that cannot be faked. It triggers a primal response in the brain—especially when your senses are heightened by cannabis.
At Haze Buds, we talk a lot about “Set and Setting.” Eating at Hoppipolla is a sensory experience that aligns perfectly with cannabis culture.
1. The Isolation: You are away from the chaos of the city. There are no tuk-tuks honking. No street vendors shouting. Just the sound of crickets and the wind in the trees. It allows you to fully decompress.
2. The Sensory Contrast: Imagine this: It is 8:00 PM. The mountain air has turned cold (in winter, it can be quite chilly). You are wearing a hoodie. Then, a steaming hot board of grilled meat arrives. The contrast between the cold air on your skin and the hot, savory food in your stomach is euphoric.
3. The Texture: When you are high, texture is everything. The crunch of the garlic bread, the tenderness of the ribs, the crisp freshness of the salad. It is a symphony of textures.
Recommended Strain for Dinner: Guzzlers (Hybrid – 34% THC)
Why: With a name like “Guzzlers” and a massive THC count, this strain is the king of appetite stimulation. It relaxes the stomach and enhances the savory (umami) signals to the brain. Smoking this before you sit down will make every bite taste like the first time you have ever eaten food.
This isn’t a place you can just roll up to casually. It requires a bit of strategy.
1. Reservation is MANDATORY Hoppipolla is small and incredibly popular. If you drive 40 minutes without a booking, you will likely be turned away, which is a tragedy we want to prevent.
How to book: Call them directly (check their Facebook page “Hoppipolla” for the latest number). Do this at least 1-2 days in advance, especially for weekends.
2. The Opening Hours They are a dinner spot. Usually open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Pro Tip: Aim for a 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM slot. You get to drive up while there is still light (seeing the sunset on the mountains) and eat as the stars come out.
3. Transportation Getting there is easy. Getting back can be tricky if you rely on Grab. Grab drivers often don’t want to drive up the mountain to pick people up late at night.
Best option: Drive yourself (motorbike or car).
Second best: Hire a “Red Truck” (Songthaew) private charter for the evening to wait for you.
4. Mosquito Repellent You are in the forest. The mosquitoes are hungry too. The restaurant usually provides coils, but bring your own spray (we recommend the lemongrass spray mentioned in our hiking guide!) to be safe.
Chiang Mai has thousands of restaurants. But Hoppipolla offers something rare: Soul. It doesn’t try to be fancy. It just tries to be delicious.
For the Haze Buds traveler, it checks every box:
Adventure: The drive is fun.
Atmosphere: The nature vibe is unbeatable.
Value: You get incredibly high-quality food for a fraction of the price of a city steakhouse.
Satisfaction: You will leave full, happy, and smelling faintly of woodsmoke.
So, gather your crew. Pick up some Guzzlers or Oreo Big Stuff from the shop. Drive up the mountain. And discover why eating steak in the forest is the therapy you didn’t know you needed.
Get the GPS coordinates and the best time to go in our travel guide.
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