Creamy green curry, fragrant đôm kàh coconut soup, sizzling pàt tai, and spicy papaya salad – whatever you prefer, Thai cuisine offers a feast for the stomach and senses. Most Thai dishes incorporate a mélange of vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and spices, along with meat, egg, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. Thus, those following a plant-based diet may need to make special requests or order carefully; fortunately, plenty of places across Thailand cater to vegetarians and vegans. This is especially true in Chiang Mai, where you can find everything from superfood-packed smoothies to meat-free fast food.
Most of the restaurants listed here tend to have higher prices than your typical street stall or local eatery, with dishes ranging from 80-200B and drinks between 60-120B. As the meals are generally made entirely from scratch, waiting times may be longer, especially during peak periods.
1. Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant
Not to be confused with the Insta-famous Anchan Noodle, Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant offers hearty portions of fresh and delicious vegetarian and vegan Thai dishes that are so satisfying you won’t miss the meat. This unassuming restaurant frequently changes its menu based on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers. Popular dishes include pumpkin red curry, eggplant stir-fried with miso and Thai basil, and crispy banana leaf salad, which are always available.
2. Goodsouls Kitchen
With smoothie bowls, raw desserts, and possibly the best mushroom burger ever made, Goodsouls Kitchen is 100% vegan, from coconut milk cappuccinos to vegan-aise. This restaurant is an offshoot of the Green Tiger House vegan hotel and is popular among travelers who wish to eat clean. Although the menu may be slightly pricey (100B for juice is on the steeper side for Chiang Mai), the range of Thai, Western, and fusion dishes makes it worth a visit.
3. V-Secret
Ploen Rudee Market, typically tourist-oriented, is surprisingly home to one of Chiang Mai’s best vegan stalls, V-Secret. This tiny restaurant prepares dishes right in front of you, offering surprising combinations. Choose two dishes for 100B or three for 140B for a fulfilling meal with a burst of flavors and textures. The daily menu draws inspiration from traditional Myanmar, Thai, Laotian, or Balinese dishes with vegan flair. Meals are served on a wooden tray lined with a fresh banana leaf, with hollowed-out cucumbers as sauce cups, and made to order by the owner and an assistant, so patience is key—you won’t regret the wait!
4. Asa
Meaning ‘to volunteer’ in Thai, Asa on Th Tha Phae offers more than just a café experience. Operated by a couple of friends, this downstairs eatery serves a mix of vegan Thai, Western, and fusion dishes, while upstairs you can find yoga classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities on selected days. The cozy atmosphere is complemented by several supplements and hard-to-find superfoods to enhance your meal.
5. Amrita Garden
Located in a wooden house on a small soi (side-street) in the old city, Amrita Garden elevates vegan dining by adhering to macrobiotic principles for maximum nutritional value. They feature many homemade fermented foods, including pickles, kimchi, and miso, as well as tempeh, soy yoghurt, and vegan cheese as add-ons. If your palate seeks relief from fried rice and noodles, this is the perfect destination.
6. Free Bird Cafe
A longstanding vegan hotspot in Chiang Mai, Free Bird Cafe is celebrated not only for its unique blend of Thai, Western, and Burmese cuisine but also for supporting community art and language classes for Burmese refugees. Enjoy a trio of Shan-style salads and refreshing fruit-packed smoothies, then visit the attached shop, My Best Life CNX, the first zero-waste store in Chiang Mai, to stock up on eco-friendly essentials. Do you enjoy dining with a purpose? Explore other eateries that improve the lives of refugees worldwide.
7. Munchies
Who said a plant-based diet has to be exclusively healthy? Munchies resembles your average fast food joint, complete with vibrant colors, fluorescent lighting, and takeaway wrappers—but every item on the menu is completely vegan. From ‘cheeseburgers’ and crispy ‘chicken’ nuggets to ‘fish’ & ‘n’ chips and burritos, you can indulge in your favorite fast food cravings, all meat-free.
Thai Vegan Restaurants
Throughout Thailand, you can find local jae, meaning vegan in Thai, restaurants that serve pre-cooked dishes without any meat, egg, fish sauce, or oyster sauce. Simply choose one, two, or three pre-prepared dishes served with rice. If something seems like sausage, worry not; while these establishments refrain from using meat, they often favor imitation meat products made from soy, mushrooms, or textured vegetable protein. In Chiang Mai, two conveniently located vegan Thai restaurants in the old city can be found: one on Th Rachadamnoen near Wat Phra Singh and another on Th Phra Pokkloa toward the moat. Look for the red and yellow signage marked with ‘เจ’, a symbol for these types of restaurants across the country.
Other Veggie-Friendly Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Still seeking more options? Explore some staples of Chiang Mai’s vegetarian dining scene, such as Pun Pun at Wat Suan Dok, Aum Vegetarian, Blue Diamond, and Dada Kafe.
Additionally, several restaurants serve meat but have vegetarian or vegan-friendly options, including Food4Thought, Salad Concept, Oh Ka Jhu, and Overstand Coffee Shop.
