Mae Hong Son's food scene is dominated by Shan cuisine, which is lighter and more herb-forward than Thai food, with influences from both the Burmese Shan State to the west and the northern Thai kitchen. The morning market is the best and cheapest place to eat — khanom chin (rice noodles with curry sauce), sticky rice, Shan tofu, and fresh fruit are all available at the stalls from around 5:30am.
The lakeside area has several good restaurants serving a mix of Thai and Shan food. Fern Restaurant on Khunlum Praphat Road has been consistently recommended by travelers for years. The town also has several small cafes and a few bakeries supplying trekkers stocking up for the hills.