The highly innovative concept of Canopy, A Treetop Dining Experience takes dining to new heights – quite literally – as it opens at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Surrounded by Northern Thailand’s lush jungle and perched nearly 200 feet above the grassland, Canopy speaks to the resort’s eco-conscious ethos and its commitment to showcasing regional flavors.
Considered a naturalist’s playground in Northern Thailand, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a mountain sanctuary surrounded by a 160-acre bamboo forest and gardens, overlooking the border with Myanmar and Laos. Guests are invited to bond with the trunked gentle giants at the elephant caretaker village, cruise down the calm waters of Mekong River, and enjoy healing treatments inspired by local wisdom at the spa in the jungle. And, now, guests can experience a brand-new and completely unique dining experience at the resort with Canopy: Treetop Dining.
“At the heart of the Anantara Golden Triangle experience is a profound connection with the environment, whether through daily interactions with our rescue elephants, jungle trekking, or dining,” says Executive Chef Pisit “Jino” Jinopong, in a press release. “Canopy is a testament to our care for ecological mindfulness, providing guests a space to engage with the natural world in an intimate and nourishing manner.”
The open-sided capsule in which the dining experience is held is reminiscent of a beehive and offers guests 360-degree vistas of the Golden Triangle. The dining capsule utilizes natural materials and muted, earthy tones, resulting in a peaceful retreat where diners can be one with nature and its endless spoils.
Come first morning light, epicurious travelers – with binoculars in hand – can observe the majestic elephants roaming the nearby camp. Lunchtime invites a culinary exploration of regional tastes and, at dusk, Canopy: Treetop Dining is accompanied by the soft light of the setting sun.
The all-day tasting menus, which offer both sweet and savory flavors, are served in traditional, nature-inspired Pinto containers. The Mekong Discovery menu pays homage to the region’s culinary heritage, featuring Laotian riverweed paired with yellowfin tuna larb and Chiang Rai’s curried pork on roasted rice toast. Offering a fusion of Eastern tradition and Western innovation, dishes like tender wagyu short ribs on artisanal bread rolls, Phuket lobster wrap with local avocados, and baked Royal Projects figs in crème brûlée make up the Culinary Adventure menu. Diners enjoying the Gourmet Odyssey menu can dig into next-level local cuisine with luxurious ingredients like wagyu M5 beef, king scallops, and Royal Projects caviar.
Canopy: Treetop Dining is available 7 to 11:30 a.m. for breakfast; 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for lunch; and 5:30 to 7 p.m. for sundowners. Tasting menu prices start at $411 per couple.
For more information, visit www.anantara.com/en/golden-triangle-chiang-rai.