Social enterprise restaurant est. 2009 serving healthy, vegan food. Menu is based on Shan, Burmese, Thai, and western breakfast dishes. Operates a zero waste kitchen working with local organic farmers. Makes almond and coconut milk for coffee and tea. Smoothie bowls, juices, and milkshakes are on offer as well as cakes, pies, brownies, and ice cream. Ingredients are listed for each dish. In the same compound is My Best Life CNX and a charity thrift store. Air-con room inside & outside dog-friendly seating. Computer use allowed and has power outlets. Note that whilst the cafe is vegan, items with beeswax are sold on the premises. Previously at 116 Maneenoparat Rd. Open Tue 9:00am-5:00pm, Wed-Sat 9:00am-10:00pm, Sun 9:00am-5:00pm. Closed Mon.
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14 Sirimankalajarn Soi 9, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50300
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Last update on 18 Sep 2022 by LilacHippy
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173 Reviews
First Review by eatyourveggies
CLRtraveller
Points +9376
Vegan restaurant plus used-clothing shop - Edit
I went for the Wednesday women’s lunch, held in the air-conditioned side dining room There is some outdoor seating also. I enjoyed a hibiscus ginger soda, a bowl of khao soi (delicious) and a piece of deep-fried banana (great!). Also took away the crispy-tofu salad, which I enjoyed later. All good food.
Read moreThey also sell some grocery items, ethical chocolate and frozen takeaway foods, and they operate a used-clothing shop.
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-27
Pros: all vegan
Guest
microfauna
Points +1886
Good politics, bland flavors - Edit
Had high hopes for this place, but was left disappointed. First, the food places principle over flavor. Second, the ambience had yuppie expat vibes.
Read moreWhat I did enjoy were the Black Lives Matter posters—something I hadn’t seen elsewhere in SE Asia—as well as vegan seasonal sugar cookies!!! The cookies were amazing.
There may be some cool people and ideas behind this place, but as a restaurant I wasn’t a big fan.
Pros: Politics, Sugar cookies
Cons: Bland food, Expat vibes
Guest
nishaaa
Points +5956
delicious - Edit
came her in 2019 for the first time and had their amazing khao soi and samosas hope to come back again soon
Read moreGuest
roisindooley
Points +1412
Nice - Edit
Really nice pancake- it just would have been better if the fruit served with it wasn’t hot. The smoothie was ok
Read moreGuest
ATWIVE
Points +271
Great cafe, good vibes, tasty food - Edit
A really nice vegan social enterprise cafe in Chiang Mai. We headed over to try their vegan Khao Soi - and it was incredible! The prices are good, and the cafe itself has a great atmosphere and a massive menu.
Read moreOur full reviews are available here:
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJPIqo2LfY&t=51s
BLOG: https://www.aroundtheworldinveganeats.com/post/top-places-to-eat-vegan-in-chiang-mai-thailand
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-15
Guest
veganhk
Points +36
Delicious tasty dishes - Edit
Super happy to have had lunch here, there’s a vast menu of choices all vegan with options of gluten free. I tried the mango salad and the Khat Soi - super tasty.
Read morePros: All vegan dishes - large portions , Not just a restaurant, a little shop of donations, Great value for money
Guest
emmalovesanimals
Points +751
lovely cafe, inspiring mission - Edit
Lovely atmosphere to sit and enjoy food, relax, or get some work done either inside (with ac) or outside in shaded and comfortable seats. Delicious food and beverages! And extensive shop and thrift store. Lots of really cool items to check out. We loved their take on khao soi, a Thai mushroom dish, and the lavender iced latte. We also got a snickers bar to go. Highly recommend supporting this cafe that is mission-driven, relaxing, and delightful.
Read moreThey are cash only (we had to go find a local atm). The address via google maps seems to be incorrect. You can find the correct address via happy cow and by visiting their Facebook. They also offer delivery through an app. But, if you can get there, it’s well worth enjoying the food in the ambiance of the cafe. We hope to come back!
Pros: Delicious food, Mission-driven and inspiring, Lovely atmosphere to relax and enjoy
Cons: Cash only
Guest
JennaPorter
Points +187
Breakfast! - Edit
Ordered the chickpea scramble, with bagel and jam. The scramble has spinach mixed into it and i paid the extra 50 baht to get a bagel and jam in the side. It also comes with some melon and pineapple on the side. So delicious!
Read morePros: Huge menu to choose from., Savory and sweet , All different cuisines
Guest
bella7305
Points +176
Lovely restaurante - Edit
Good cause but a bit expensive.
Read moreThe food and mango lassi was tasty.
Guest
IAmVeganForTheAnimals
Points +156
Awesome restaurant - Edit
The food tastes great and we love the fact that they donate everything to refugees to support them !
Read moreGuest
Here.To.Travel_Jade
Points +10584
Great space - Edit
Love what this space represents, the work they do and how they support the community. We made some clothes donations whilst we were there. The food was pretty good but not really great. The food is quite pricey and so are the sustainable items in the shop but the money goes to a good cause #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
LaurenBunce
Points +102
Burmese Green Tea Salad is the best thing ever - Edit
Salad is not what you think. Fermented green tea leaf with tomato, onion, garlic, lime and crunchy mixed beans. Literal perfection!
Read morePros: b
Guest
yacksn
Points +416
Nice place - Edit
Good food, friendly staff, many options. Cool store as well
Read moreGuest
jonahramone
Points +144
Nice space in cool area - Edit
Liked the location, liked the space, liked that it's both vegan and a non-profit. Food was good- a bit pricey if you're on a local wage but as a tourist it's great value. Only downside was it's soy free, used chickpeas for things like tempeh which means it was lower in protein. Would come again
Read morePros: Vegan, Not for profit
Cons: Soy-free
Guest
nomeatnomad
Points +4795
New location - Edit
I first came here in 2018, and being brutally honest, it wasn’t anything to write home about.
Read moreThey since moved location, and greatly improved the food in the process. Now it’s very high quality.
It describes itself as a “social justice space”, which I find slightly off-putting. That to me rings of crazy people trying to tell others what it is and isn’t ok to believe.
Thankfully, beyond it being written on the sign, everyone here seemed pretty normal.
It’s a comfortable place to sit, and the food is excellent now.
Updated from previous review on 2018-07-11
Guest
KarenSuksabai
Points +4886
Good food for a worthy cause - Edit
Free Bird Cafe has it all! An extensive menu of 100% vegan Shan, Thai and Western food that's all utterly delicious, and an imaginative drinks menu with delights such as muddy mint matcha!
Read moreThere's also a secondhand shop, vegan foods and baked goods to take away, and a plastic-free refilling station with a variety of foodstuffs, toiletries and cleaning products. All proceeds go towards supporting Thai Freedom House.
Pros: Extraordinary selection, Beautiful setting , Worthy cause
Guest
meejisu
Points +2290
It is a very nice place to be - Edit
I appreciate that this is a vegan restaurant and has many products to buy, you can also donate and thrift. They had a workshop when we were there to eat. I can imagine how precious this place is to people who live here.
Read moreBut… as a tourist… the food was alright just not amazing. Still, non profit organisation who donates and social justice place where everyone can feel comfortable made that ok.
Guest
PatrikBird
Points +1559
food is alright. the place as a whole, amazing - Edit
I’d give it 4 stars for the the food I had: “kao soi classic” (which had very little in common with all other kao soi I had throughout Chiang Mai, but still yummy).
Read moreThe place as a whole is definitely worth another star considering the zero waste stuff, thrift shop and the fact that it’s non profit café/social justice space.
Pros: vibes and vegan sweets, thrift shop , some zero waste stuff
Cons: food is not as crazy good, still yum
Guest
moopliss
Points +60
Amazing atmosphere and delicious vegan meals🐥 - Edit
Not only are the all the dishes vegan and delicious, but you'll also fall in love with the atmosphere🐦
Read moreThey have a second hand store that you shop at while waiting for food, community lunch gatherings to be part of, and great wi-fi to do some work👨💻
Pros: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options are all vegan, Community gatherings, Second hand shopping
Guest
CharlesJackson
Points +25
Try the tea leaf salad - Edit
Just off Niman Road lies this eco-warrior palace that not only offers amazing vegan food, but supports various social causes too. Bit pricy, but certainly worth a visit.
Read moreGuest
PlantParadigmPodcast
Points +540
Eco friendly!! - Edit
This cafe is a circular economy. They have a second hand shop, they encourage you to bring your jars and bottles to refill, take away treats in paper. The pancakes and latte was good.
Read moreGuest
CristianLuque
Points +49
Very nice place - Edit
😍😍 Good food, nice envoirment!
Read moreGuest
SoiBoi
Points +283
Highly recommend this place. Smoothie bowls were exceptional! - Edit
Great food, friendly staff and fairly priced for what you get. It costs more than regular Thai food but you’re paying for quality food targeted at westerners (menu is all in english).
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-06-23
Pros: Lots of vegan options, Donations go to a good cause, Beautiful presentation and great flavour
Guest
MarkStratton
Points +339
Shan Nirvana - Edit
As if a 10 tonne block of tofu fell on my head and i woke up in vegan nirvana, this relaxed cooperative has an extensive and delicious full plant based menu. Supporting educational needs of Burmese migrants, I had all day breakfast shan chickpea tofu scramble and a banana lassi. Delicious. Noodle dishes, smoothie bowls, brownies, salads and savoury bowls, of Burmese inspiration. If i had enough days on my trip I'd work my way through the lot.
Read morePros: Huge choice, Relaxed setting with ethical goods for sale, Inexpensive
Cons: No alcohol for evening meal
Guest
AlixCoe
Points +71
Amazing - Edit
Loved this place so much. Great selection of different foods for a good price as well as a lot of other things going on, such as clothing store and books.
Read moreWill definitely be visiting again next time I'm in Thailand!
Pros: spacious, delicious, friendly
Guest
DaH
Points +381
Cool concept and real tasty - Edit
A really cool concept with the second hand clothing next to it and the little store. A place where you can meet other people (if there were more without covid) and a great variety of vegan options which are really delicious. The price is quite high for the size of the portions, but it also goes to a good cause, so that's fine ;)
Read morePros: Many vegan options, Tasty, Cool concept with the other stores
Cons: Pricy but for a good cause
Guest
InccWarin
Points +34
Amazing 100% Vegan food, Super-friendly staffs, and Lovely atmosphere. - Edit
Amazingly lovely 100% vegan foods (also some Shan foods!) which will, for sure, be loved by both vegans and non-vegs. Free Bird offers a great atmosphere to enjoy your breakfast and lunches. Their staffs are super friendly and very welcoming as well 😊 This place is a must!
Read morePros: Environmental-friendly, Charity, Great dishes!
Guest
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