Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle choice followed strictly by many people around the world. It’s no different in Thailand, which is traditionally a Buddhist country where most Buddhists follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Although times have evolved and various types of meat and poultry have made their way into Thai cuisine, it still stands as a predominantly vegetarian-friendly cuisine.
Are you a vegan looking for the ultimate dining experience on Thailand’s beautiful Phuket Island? You’re in luck! We have collected some of the best restaurants and cafes with plant-based options so that you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry about finding meals. Not only is Phuket known for its lovely beaches and water sports, but it also offers many exciting temples, Thai massages, and now delicious vegan food! Read further to learn our top recommendations and find out which restaurant will satisfy your taste buds!
What Does It Mean To Be Vegan?
Before we present our list, let us provide you with a brief overview of veganism so that those less familiar can gain an understanding of the lifestyle and dietary choices.
Veganism is a commitment to not inflict pain or distress upon any animals for human consumption, be it in the form of food, clothing items, etc. It’s more stringent than vegetarian diets as some vegetarians may still partake in eating eggs and/or dairy products; veganism strictly forbids these foods from its diet plan along with all types of meat and seafood. Vegans also consciously stay away from wearing or using products that are made from animal skin, fur, etc.
If you’re a vegan who loves Thai food, then Phuket is the perfect destination for your next meal. We’ve put together an extensive list of delectable vegan dishes to choose from so that you can savor the best of what Thailand has to offer. From classic treats like Pad See Ew and Tom Yum Soup to flavorful favorites like Green Curry and Som Tam, there’s something in our selection sure to satisfy the vegans!
Popular Vegan Thai Dishes
Thai cuisine has some vegan favorites that are loved by both non-vegans and vegans alike!
- Pak Boong (Morning Glory)
- Pad Phak (Stir-fried Vegetables)
- Thai Mango Sticky Rice (Amazing Thai vegan dessert)
- Thai Green/Red Vegetable Curry (with Tofu)
- Thai Massaman Vegetable Curry (with Tofu)
Not only can many Thai foods be made vegan, like Khai Sao and Papaya Salad without the fish sauce, soups without meat and eggs, smoothies with plant-based milk, Pad Thai without eggs, and many more. Phuket has an incredible collection of eateries serving exclusively vegan and vegan-friendly options in all of its beautiful villages and cities, especially Rawai and Chalong, home to a lot of Muay Thai fighters and fitness enthusiasts.
Phuket: Where Is It And Why Is It So Popular?
Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand and lies on the Andaman Sea. It is home to the vast beaches of Phuket Island, its exotic nightlife, welcoming people, splendid Thai and international cuisine, luxurious hotel chains, wonderful Thai massage spas and parlors, and many more.
Phuket has many tourist attractions, like Promthep Cape near Rawai and Nai Harn, both beautiful laid-back cities, and many more. Wat Chalong Temple in Chalong, the calm Kata Beach, the beautiful bays of Patong Beach, which is in the liveliest city of Phuket, Patong, and the capital of the island, Phuket Town, with its long-standing architecture and rich heritage, are some of the few places on the large island. Phuket has something for everyone, whether they like exciting nightlife or a simple and calm view of Rawai’s ports. They also have a variety of options for all dietary needs – vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian.
Recommended Vegan Restaurants In Phuket
Phuket has an endless list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, along with many restaurants that have many vegan options to choose from. Whether you’re craving a vegan burger for dinner or some delicious banana pancakes for breakfast, Phuket will make you feel spoiled for choice. We have not named one as the best vegan restaurant in Phuket, because, honestly, it won’t be fair to the other great vegan eateries. So, here’s our list of the best vegan restaurants in Phuket.
#1 Go Fresh Cafe
The completely vegan cafe is loved by its customers, who especially enjoy the tempeh burger, avocado wrap, and falafel balls with mash. They also have amazing smoothies and healthy beverages to have as a filling meal or to end a hearty meal. The cafe is also known for its great service, aside from serving some of the best vegan food in Phuket. It is a vegetarian restaurant, so it does serve eggs, but you can easily request to opt out of it, or they will do it themselves if you inform them you need “vegan” food.
Go Fresh Cafe is located in Rawai, a laid-back port city, home to many fitness enthusiasts. It is a great spot to chill with a wonderful ambiance and seating while tantalizing your taste buds. The cafe is loved for its good food and the amazing hospitality it provides throughout the dining experience thanks to its friendly owner.
Location
24, 177, 1 Soi Naya, Rawai, Muang Phuket District.
Working Hours
Open daily.
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Weekends: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
#2 The Vegan Table
The Vegan Table is an award-winning restaurant in the heart of Phuket Old Town. The restaurant serves a combination of plant-based dining and mock meats to give its customers both Thai and international cuisines—vegan style. This vegan restaurant serves a variety of vegan foods, from vegan turkey roast dinners for Christmas to scrambled tofu, vegan pizza, strawberries, and maple syrup, and they also take part in the Phuket vegetarian festival with some ravishing vegan food.
The Vegan Table is also loved by its non-vegan customers because of its delicious menu, from breakfast to desserts, all at reasonable prices. Customers rave about the hospitality, fresh homemade ingredients, and filling portion sizes for fair prices.
Location
108, 1 Ratsada Rd, Talat Yai, Phuket Town.
Working Hours
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
#3 Vegan Phuket
Vegan Phuket is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Phuket for making its customers love vegan Thai food. The restaurant has a cozy vibe and is often visited for the cafe experience, where they serve a variety of plant-based drinks and yummy vegan cakes and desserts.
This spot is loved by all of its vegan guests, both locals and tourists alike. At a reasonable price, you can enjoy a large range of vegan dishes for every meal – breakfast, brunch, just a drink, or more. With a cute air-conditioned set-up inside and a lovely courtyard outside, Vegan Phuket is a splendid choice to enjoy delicious vegan food.
Location
27/4 Soi Paehok Seng, Tambon Wichit, Phuket Old Town
Working Hours
Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
#4 Soul Phuket
Soul Phuket, located by the beautiful Karon Beach, is driven by the belief that vegan food is both a harmless choice of consumption and a great lifestyle change too. Serving an extensive vegan and plant-based menu, the only thing that makes an exception is the choice of having regular cheese instead of vegan cheese for vegetarian dishes. Regardless, the cafe has a hotel-type vibe, with a luxurious storefront and great ambiance.
Customers can also choose from an extensive selection of gluten-free options, so if that’s a dietary concern, they’ve also got it covered. From vegan bolognese with mock meat to smoothie bowls, and marinated, smoked tofu summer rolls, Soul Phuket is a soulful experience for the body and mind too. They even have complimentary yoga sessions and other mind-relaxing activities for their customers to unwind and enjoy. This vegan restaurant is also pet-friendly, so you can take your lovely pets, and if you don’t have any, they’ve got a cute team of three friendly dogs.
Location
224 Karon Rd, Karon, Phuket.
Working Hours
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9: p.m.
#5 Reach – Plant-Based Kitchen
Previously known as Vegan Con Kook, this vegan (Jay) restaurant is owned by a lovely couple, as a community service to ex-convicts. This gives them a job opportunity, and the couple trains them to create the most delicious food. Customers love the fresh ingredients, minimal oil, and the love put into making these vegan dishes.
The restaurant moved from Wichit to Chalong, and it used to serve a splendid Vietnamese vegan buffet, which customers wished they would reintroduce. They also get avocado from Chiang Mai, as it can be quite hard to source, and sell it for a great price. So if you want to make your own guacamole, you know where to go. The mixed curries from the pumpkin curry, and green are fan favorites, while the vegan burger, falafel, and smoothies quickly catch up to the list. If you’re looking for them on a nice Sunday night, you can find them at the Phuket Old Town Walking Street Market.
Location
Soi Ta-iad (Muay Thai St), Chalong, Phuket
Working Hours
Open Monday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
On Sundays at the Old Town Walking Street Market from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
#6 Pure Vegan Heaven
If you’re looking for international vegan food, Pure Vegan Heaven is a great choice. They also serve a handful of Thai vegan dishes, but their international menu is more extensive. Their vegan burger and sweet potato gnocchi are to die for and loved by their customers.
Pure Vegan Heaven serves big portions of delicious vegan food at extremely fair prices and is a must-visit in Phuket. They also have four other branches, one closer to Rawai in Phuket, and the others in Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, or Koh Phangan. So if you missed out on this in Phuket, you know where to find Pure Vegan Heaven next.
Location
10/120 Moo 5, Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, Phuket.
Working Hours
Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
#7 Go Vegan Cafe
This restaurant is one of the best completely vegan restaurants in Phuket. They have a 100% plant-based menu with endless options to choose from. The best options at Go Vegan Cafe are the smoothie bowls, which have many filling options and an amazing taste.
Go Vegan Cafe has slightly high prices, but the experience meets the price all the way. They have no dairy, eggs, fish, or oyster sauce in their food. They have a lovely spot for yoga sessions and meetings. They also have free delivery in the Rawai and Nai Harn areas, so if you’re interested in having a healthy detox juice, scrambled tofu, or a vegan chocolate cake, start ordering!
Location
4009 Rawai, Phuket, next to Yoga by Niti.
Working Hours
Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
#8 Vegan Junkie
Vegan Junkie bagged three awards for vegan restaurants in February 2022 for Best Plant-Based Seafood, Best Plant-Based Dessert, and Best Plant-Based Delivery in Phuket. These awards were voted on by the public, and you know, that’s the best kind of vote for a restaurant.
Vegan Junkie serves predominantly international cuisine, whipping up some of the best vegan burgers, vegan tuna mayo wraps, loaded fries, and mouthwatering vegan chocolate ice cream. The portions are huge and filling, and they are served at a very affordable price for the excellent food and customer service too.
Location
13 Sunrise Rd., Chalong.
Working Hours
Open Wednesday to Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays).
#9 Mae Orathai Vegetarian
Mae Orathai Vegetarian is another one of those vegan-friendly restaurants going by the name of “vegetarian.” The restaurant is very small, making it ideal to pick up food and take it away to your desired destination. Dine-in options are very minimal, but they serve some amazing vegan Thai food for very little money. They serve soups, tofu, rice, and noodles with a range of mixed curries. Patong can be very expensive to navigate, so if you’re looking for tasty Thai vegan food, Mae Orathai Vegetarian can be a convenient and budget-friendly option.
Location
Soi Nanai 38/50, Patong, Phuket
Working Hours
Open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
#10 Dok Bua Vegetarian
This minimalist vegetarian restaurant is another vegan-friendly restaurant. Customers rave about the mocked catfish and spicy salad (Yum Pla Dook Fu), seaweed and local dumplings, tempura vegetables, and the plethora of vegan options at Dok Bua.
It is a bit hard to locate, but the experience at this small but charming restaurant is worth the effort. It has one of the largest selections of food in northern Phuket, all offered at a great price, so customers don’t have to break the bank for it.
Location
2 Soi Ratchapruk, Samkong, Phuket
Working Hours
Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
#11 Vegetarian Restaurant: Nong J
This family-owned restaurant is popular for its vegan fried chicken, praised for being a heavenly delight. The restaurant has impeccable service, and it has a vegetarian menu only because of the few drinks it serves. Otherwise, the food is completely plant-based and is a splendid option for a good vegan meal. They also serve amazing Pad Thai, great mock meats, along with a hot Thai tea, or iced tea if you prefer. You can enjoy a complete meal for no more than THB 120.
Location
12 Patiphat Road, Tambon Talat Nuea.
Working Hours
Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
#12 Sabaijai Cafe
Sabaijai Cafe is popular for its Thai and Asian cuisine, along with yummy fresh fruit smoothies and drinks. This is not one of the vegan restaurants in Phuket, instead, they have vegan-friendly options for most of their food items. The cafe has a cozy and inviting vibe and is a lovely place to visit if you’re staying around or passing through Kata Beach or Karon. You can choose from mushroom tom yum soup, vegan pad thai, and more. The restaurant gets booked fast, so making a reservation is an ideal way to save your spot. You can opt for dine-in or curbside pickup.
Location
5/3 Patak Soi 24, Karon.
Working Hours
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
#13 Stay Green Cafe
The Stay Green Cafe is a lovely part of the Stay Wellbeing and Lifestyle Resort. The cafe is inspired by a philosophical lifestyle and serves vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food, along with healthy non-vegetarian food. The menu is created to perfection, showing calorie intake, carb and protein levels, and more. They also have lovely vegan bites like the chickpea and edamame crispies at THB 90 and zucchini and avocado tartare at THB 190. As a resort cafe, the prices are on the higher end, but they provide a lovely experience and a large range of vegan options.
Location
56/80 Moo 4, Soi Suksan 2, Wiset Rd., Rawai
Working Hours
Open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Be Happily Vegan And Enjoy Delectable Dishes In Phuket
Being vegan is a conscious choice and a cruelty-free lifestyle that you can easily follow in Phuket, whether you’re a local, expat or tourist. Apart from the amazing fully vegan restaurants on this list, there are plenty more restaurants you can find all around Phuket, albeit with a little searching.
There are many vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants that have vegan-friendly options too, like Ella Bistro, Stay Green Cafe and many more local restaurants at very affordable prices. At restaurants in Phuket, vegan food is available from all cuisines, so if you’re craving some Italian vegan food, you don’t need to worry. Phuket has something for everyone.
Here are some of our recommendations for the foodies traveling in Phuket.
The Best Thai Restaurants in Phuket, Thailand
The Best Indian Restaurants in Phuket, Thailand
The Best Korean Restaurants in Phuket, Thailand
Indulge in the best vegan food in Thailand on your next visit to its beautiful southern island, Phuket!
FAQs
Those who follow a vegan lifestyle will be thrilled to know that Phuket is home to an abundance of restaurants offering exclusively vegan cuisine, as well as establishments with plenty of delicious and healthy plant-based options. Vegan visitors can easily find fresh Thai food, pizza, and more – all without sacrificing taste or quality!
To make it unmistakably clear that you don’t consume meat or fish while in Thailand, there are two phrases to remember:
- “Jae” (เจ) – vegetarian/vegan.
- “Mang sa wirat” (มังสวิรัติ) – no meat.
