My Favourite Vegetarian-Friendly Places To Eat in Chiang Mai
Finding good vegetarian food in Thailand can seem like a difficult task. And if you don’t speak the local language — Thai — then it may appear near impossible.
I put together this quick and east guide of my favourite places in Chiang Mai where I found good quality and tasty vegetarian food options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kanjana Restaurant
Open everyday 10:00-21:00
Website: hwww.facebook.com/pages/category/Thai-Restaurant/Kanjana-restaurant-378698335569574/
Tel: +66 53 418 368
Address: 7 Ratchadamnoen Soi 5, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Kanjana Restaurant is a little local mom-and-pop style restaurant located in one of the smaller lanes within the Old City area of Chiang Mai. I went there in the search of a good vegetarian Khao Soi — a noodle curry dish native to northern Thailand — and it turned out to be the best I have ever had. It was so good and delicious I’ve been back twice in less than a year!
Khao Soi is rice/egg noodles served in a rich coconut milk curry with crispy noodles and garnished with onions and pickles. It’s a simple one-dish meal bursting with flavours. It is traditionally served with chicken but the vegetarian version is no less. If the Khao Soi is anything to go by, I imagine the rest of the vegetarian food options on the huge menu will be just as delicious.
The staff at Kanjana Restaurant also made no issue of having to serve vegetarian food; they understood very clearly not to add any fish sauce or meat broth to the food. Bingo!
Anchan Restaurant
Open Monday to Sunday 11:30–20.15
Website: www.anchanvegetarian.com
Tel: +66 83 581 1689
Address: Nimmanhaeminda Road, Soi Hillside 2 (opposite soi 13), Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
While walking around the trendy shopping and dining Nimmanhaemin Road area, a quick Google search for good vegetarian food pointed me in the direction of Anchan Restaurant for dinner.
It’s a cozy little restaurant located on the second floor of a traditional shophouse where a family has set up a small dining area with a few tables attached to an open kitchen. The entire menu is vegetarian, which is a bonus if you are particular about meat and meat-based products being used in the same kitchen as vegetarian food.
I ordered red curry, tofu and vegetables in a spicy basil sauce and chinese kale with tofu and each single dish was cooked fresh and served hot to my table. The whole meal was wholesome, well-flavoured and super affordable. I highly recommend Anchan Restaurant if you’re looking to try a wide variety of Thai vegetarian dishes at very reasonable prices.
David’s Kitchen
Open Monday to Saturday from 18.00 – 22.00 (Closed on Sundays)
Website: www.davidskitchen.co.th
Tel no: +66 91 068 1744
Address: 113 Bamrungrad Road, Wat Kate, 50000 Chiang Mai
Another restaurant I had to return to because the food, wine and ambience are incredible. David’s Kitchen is an upscale restaurant with a very warm and welcoming vibe offering French and Italian classics.
There are plenty of vegetarian options available on the menu. I really enjoyed the pan-fried pumpkin ravioli with spicy tomato sauce.
The dishes are delectable, well-flavoured and beautifully-presented but what really makes David’s Kitchen truly special is the attention to each customer; David (the restaurant’s co-owner) greeted my party at the door and then came by later on for a casual chat. His amiable and friendly personality makes him instantly likeable and he immediately made me feel like I was being welcomed in his own home.
David’s Kitchen welcomes everyone including children. I think it’s a great place for anything from a romantic date night to family dinner to a fancy night out with friends. Don’t miss out.
Overstand Cafe
Open every day 8:00 – 15:30
Website: www.overstand.co.th
Old City location:19/3 Ratchamanka Soi 2, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Nimman location: 29 Nimmana Haeiminda Soi 5, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Overstand Cafe looks like a standard cozy cafe from the outside with its cement texture walls and stools and tables but when I tasted the food and coffee — it was anything but ordinary!
I ordered the parmesan eggs served on bread with homemade olive tapenade and a spicy fresh tomato salsa and I relished each bite. It was wholesome, filling, and scrumptious. What I really appreciate about the Overstand Cafe menu is that it offers lots of vegetarian options without eggs too.
Overstand Cafe has two locations — one in the Old City and one in the the Nimmanhaemin area. I visited the Old City location and I loved the laidback, chill vibe. I can’t recommend this little gem of a cafe enough.
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