15 Veggie Friendly Restaurants in Chiang Mai

12:44 PM Unknown 0 Comments

Pun Pun Organic Farm is a working farm as well as a seed saving, sustainable living and learning center outside of town in Mae Taeng. The farm also runs two restaurants in town, the first of which is located within a temple complex, Wat Suan Dok, on Suthep Road. The excellent food, Thai and Indian veggie dishes and salads, and relaxing atmosphere make it a unique lunch spot. 

On the same road as the Wat Suan Dok location (situated at the base of the mountain across the street from the last entrance to Chiang Mai University) Pun Pun Lang Moh is open later than the first location (so you can go for dinner) and still has similar dishes and prices.

Food-4-Thought serves a range of fresh fusion dishes including several creative wraps (BEST homemade tortillas in Chiang Mai!) and salads made from high quality ingredients. They also offer some raw desserts, kombucha and artisan coffee from the conjoined Bay’s Cafe. The restaurant is in a funny location, just off of the Canal Road close to the intersection with Huay Kaew, and the address won’t help you much – take a look at the map on their Facebook Page to help find them.

A solid standby in the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood, you’ll be able to recognize this Thai shop (in the little street to the side of 7-11, across from The Salad Concept) by their simple sign that says ‘Organic Vegetables Food & Drink’. While not strictly vegetarian, this is one of the local Thai restaurants that doesn’t get confused when you asked to substitute meat for tofu. They seem to make almost any Thai dish you could think of – noodles, soups and stir fries – and the place is popular with Thais as well as foreigners – partly because of the food, partly because the prices are normal Thai prices (around 30-50B per dish) in an area that mainly only has trendy, and expensive, restaurants.

I love the area Cathouse is located in – a little soi off the east side of the moat – because even though it’s so close the center of the tourist area, it feels much more traditional and local. The restaurant serves fusion fare, including salads and quesadillas, and of course, yummy shakes and juices. The fries with different dipping sauces are also good choice – especially as a treat in a place where you don’t eat french fries very often!

I actually haven’t made it to this spot yet but it’s on the top of my list to check out. They serve organic, veggie Thai and fusion fare and do, from what I hear, wonderful shakes and lassis that are similar in price as you would pay at a street stall. (Many of the other veggie restaurants jack up their drink prices a bit…)

Local เจ restaurants and street stalls are found scattered around town and often serve pre-cooked dishes cafeteria style, meaning you can choose one or two of the dishes they have that day served over a plate rice.

The following restaurants offer even more vegetarian options, though personally I think the places above are better in either value, variety or taste. The ones listed below, however, are all located near Tha Pae Gate so easily accessible for many travelers staying in the Old City (which is probably a reason why the prices seem slightly higher than other similar restaurants…) and do more western style breakfasts.