Nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a great city to be in. The atmosphere here is more relaxed than the busy Bangkok, yet the vegan scene is just as vibrant, offering everything from charming laneway cafes in the Old Town to trendy vegan restaurants in the Nimman neighbourhood.
After exploring the city extensively to write my travel book, I was blown away by the variety. You can find comforting vegan pizzas, authentic Northern Thai classics like Khao Soi, and even fully vegan hotels with breakfast buffet.
In this Chiang Mai guide, let me show you 6 of my favourite vegan restaurants, where to stay, and the essential tips you need for a smooth trip.
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Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a thriving plant-based community, and this extends to hotels and accommodation. If you want the ultimate vegan experience, I highly recommend staying at one of the city's fully vegan hotels.
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort
Located just a short walk from the famous Tha Phae Gate, Away Chiang Mai is a resort-style hotel that combines a relaxing stay with a fully-vegan onsite restaurant. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, from the pool in the middle of the hotel, to the hotels rooms with big beds and modern Thai style decorations. Some rooms even have direct access to the pool.
For me, the absolute highlight of staying here was the breakfast. After years of not able to eat anything at a hotel breakfast, waking up to a fully vegan buffet felt like a dream. You'll find everything from savoury Thai dishes like stir-fried noodles to Western classics like croissant, waffle, a salad bar, fresh pressed juice and more. The same vegan restaurant - Moreganic - also serve a wide range of delicious vegan cuisine throughout the day, including the 3-tier afternoon tea set that I tried.
Green Tiger House
If you prefer to stay right inside the Old Town, Green Tiger House is another great choice. This fully vegan hotel is tucked away in the northern part of the old city and has a lush, leafy garden atmosphere. It is home to the vegan cafe - Reform Kafé, which means you have access to some of the city's best comfort food without leaving the hotel.
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Must-Visit Chiang Mai Vegan Restaurants
The Vegano Bistro
Vegan | Hang Dong
One of my favourite and most memorable meals in Chiang Mai was at The Vegano Bistro. It is a must-visit for any vegans visiting the city. Even though the location is a bit out of the way (about a 20-minute drive from the Old Town or Nimman area), it is absolutely worth the trip for the impeccable and creative dishes.
Everything I tried here, whether it's their authentic Thai dishes or Western comfort food, was top notch. I was blown away by their pad kaprao, which featured crispy layered vegan meat and a perfect vegan fried egg with crispy edges and a runny yolk. Western classics are also done well here. The mushroom soup, for example, seemed simple at first glance but came with a soft, buttery brioche bun that they made themselves.
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Goodsouls Kitchen
Vegan | Old Town
Goodsouls Kitchen is a popular vegan restaurant in Old Town with an impressively big menu that does both Thai and Western food well. The place has a cool, retro diner vibe with moody maroon accents and interesting light fixtures.
I tried a couple of their signature dishes and was impressed with the flavours and portions. My personal favourite was the Khao Soi mushroom steak with a creamy and not-too-spicy Khao Soi sauce. The "steak" itself was tasty and made of mushroom pieces pressed together. The Som Tam (papaya salad) and mango lassi were also well-made and delicious.
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Imjai Vegan
Vegan | Nimman
If you are exploring the trendy Nimman area, head inside the Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre. On the B1 food court level, you'll find Imjai Vegan for a quick, affordable, and tasty vegan meal. They serve pre-made vegan dishes where you simply point to the ones that catch your eyes. A simple plate of rice and three dishes will only run you about 55 baht. Apart from the rice plates, they also have fried radish cake, sausages, and mushroom ball skewers. I even tried a simple vegan burger that had a patty that reminded me of a kofta. It is the perfect pitstop for an affordable lunch after shopping.
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Rad Rabbit
Vegan | Old Town
Inside Old Town is an all-vegan pizzeria called Rad Rabbit. Being Chiang Mai's first, their menu is packed with so many irresistible options including a range of vegan cheesy pizza, pasta, wraps and more.
The Texas BBQ pizza I tried was like a meat lover's pizza made vegan, loaded with smoky BBQ sauce, vegan bacon, chicken, and melty vegan cheese. The egg Benedict was also spot-on with vegan egg and creamy hollandaise sauce. Don't skip desserts here. They have a selection of house-made cakes, and I was blown away by how good the Black Forest cake was.
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Aum Vegetarian
Vegetarian | South of Old Town
Aum Vegetarian is a great spot for home-style Thai food just south of the Old Town. It’s an open-air restaurant, and while there’s no air conditioning, the fans keep it comfortable, especially in the evening.
You'll find traditional Thai dishes, with a selection of Northern Thai specialties, on the menu. Most of the dishes are vegan. Out of the dishes I tried, I really enjoyed the Numprikaong. I ordered it non-spicy, and it was like a creamy, comforting tomato and scrambled tofu stew. I paired it with the blue sticky rice, which came served in a beautiful palm leaf cone. However, I was slightly disappointed when I found out that their Khao Soi didn't come with crispy noodles.
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V Secret
Vegan | East of Old Town
For a lively night out, head to the Ploen Ruedee Night Market on the east side of Chiang Mai. There is an all-vegan food stall here called V Secret selling delicious and affordable Thai dishes. All dishes have a flat price of 80 baht each. Despite the low price, the portions are generous. I tried the vegan sausage which has a meaty texture with strong lemongrass flavour, and it came with sticky rice, peanuts, and cucumber. The Chiang Da green noodles were also great with fried mash potato pieces. Grab a couple of dishes, find a seat, and soak in the market vibes with live music.
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Essential Travel Tips for Chiang Mai
Stay Connected
Navigating the winding streets of the Old Town or calling a ride requires a reliable internet connection. I used Airalo as the eSIM throughout my 3-week trip and the connection is strong and reliable. It’s easy to set up before you even land in Thailand, and saves you the hassle of finding a physical SIM card shop when you arrive.
Download Ride-Hailing Apps
While you can take the red trucks (songthaews) around the city, apps like Grab and Bolt are similarly priced most of the time and even more convenient. They allow you to get to places that are further out (like Vegano Bistro mentioned earlier) without worrying about negotiating prices with drivers.
Carry Cash for Markets
While some places in Thailand now accept credit card payments, cash is still king in Chiang Mai. Whether you're at the smaller night market stalls and street food vendors, make sure to keep cash with you.
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Top Sightseeing Spots
The Old City Temples
Chiang Mai is famous for its Lanna-style temples. You can easily spend a day walking around the Old Town visiting them (and stop by vegan restaurants in between temples). Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang are the most significant and visually stunning ones to visit.
Sunday Walking Street
If you are in Old Town on a Sunday, you have to check out the Tha Phae Walking Street market. It stretches nearly the whole length of the main road inside the Old Town, with endless stalls of crafts, snacks, and clothes.
Jing Jai Market
This is one of my favourite markets in Chiang Mai, particularly on a weekend morning. This market comes alive on Saturdays and Sundays with a huge handmade market featuring genuine crafts from local artists. It has a relaxed atmosphere with some surprising hidden vegan gems. In the food court area, look for stalls that sells khanom krok (coconut pancakes with gooey middle and various toppings) which is marked vegan. I also loved the khao puk ngaa, a warm, chewy purple sticky rice pancake filled with cane sugar and sesame seeds.
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Want the Full Foodie Guide on Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket?
This guide is just a taste of what Bangkok has to offer. In my full book, The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand, I cover over 110 vegan spots across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, including additional information on vegan hotels, the famous Vegetarian Festival, shopping guides, and more. There's also a free sample if you are not sure whether this book is a good fit:
Get your copy of The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand here
