The short version
The Riverside area runs along the Ping River east of the Old City, a more residential, lower-key part of town that's built up a strong reputation for food — several of Chiang Mai's most established restaurants sit along or near the riverbank, many making the most of evening river views.
What it's good for
A quieter base than the Old City or Night Bazaar area without losing central convenience, a genuinely good concentration of restaurants across a range of cuisines, and a handful of the city's most polished hotels, several housed in restored colonial-era buildings. Evening river cruises also depart from jetties along this stretch.
What to know
It's less walkable to the Old City's temple cluster than staying inside the walls — expect a short ride rather than a walk for most sightseeing. The trade-off is a calmer, more residential feel once you're back at your hotel in the evening.
For hotel specifics in this area, see the hotels directory; for the full area comparison, see best areas to stay in Chiang Mai.