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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176 Reviews
First Review by eatyourveggies
catandcupcake
Points +6858
Excellent place - Edit
Fab initiative, charity shop with vegan cafe. Lovely space inside. We weren't too hungry but what we tried was delicious. Could stay here for hours.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-06
Guest
sourdoughbutch
Points +123
Racist, rude owner - Edit
HAPPY COW WONT ALLOW ONE STAR
Read moreThe staff were gorgeous and the food we had was good. However, the white American owner was awful.
We witnessed her abusive, racist behaviour towards her staff. She very sternly talked down to a staff member repeatedly in front of customers, making not only staff uncomfortable but also customers. It was as if she was telling off a naughty child, acting as if the staff member was incompetent and punishing her for the smallest things.
She told off the staff member for using basic Thai phrases with customers (e.g. thank you) and criticised her pronunciations of English words. This is unacceptable as we tourists are in Thailand and should all be completely prepared and excited to hear Thai language, and grateful to Thai people for learning English to communicate with foreigners. She clearly enjoys being condescending and having the upper hand by only communicating with her staff in English.
We heard her speaking rudely and condescendingly to staff throughout our meal, completely ruining the atmosphere. My friends and I felt very tense and uncomfortable, and felt on edge and watched for the remainder of our brunch. We all felt relieved once we had left the cafe and the tense environment.
For someone who is has posters on the walls about workers' rights and repeatedly replies to reviews mentioning the cafe's good working conditions, her attitude and behaviour are not those of someone who lives by her words. The whole thing felt very performative and for show.
I want to reiterate that the staff were amazing, especially while working under these conditions. They must feel so under pressure and on edge throughout their shifts.
I should have read more Google reviews before coming here. When she is criticised for her abusive behaviour, she is extremely defensive and quick to write angry paragraphs accusing the customers of being rude. She even writes about checking the cameras and acts as though she can remember every customer and order. She also admits that she should have talked to/yelled at her staff in private, which is not much better for the poor staff members. She is obviously insecure and revels in her power and white saviour complex.
I will never support this cafe again, and there are so many other places in Chiang Mai that are Thai owned and run that I could recommend. I suggest that the owner has a think about her actions and the many, many customers who have alerted her and the public to her terrible behaviour.
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-04
Cons: Horrible owner, Poor treatment of staff, Tense atmoshere
Guest
SophiePark
Points +303
Everything stunning 💚 - Edit
Super yummy, lovely service, and the whole place is so nice 💚💚💚 will def be coming back
Read morePros: Thai ‘omlette’, Chill ambience, Shop
Guest
DominiqueIsis
Points +388
Espacio muy agradable - Edit
Muy cómodo y grande el lugar, la comida muy rica excelente atención
Read morePros: Tienen productos veganos a la venta, Tienen ropa a la venta justo al lado, Muy rápido todo
Guest
peanutbella
Points +102
good circle consept - Edit
Spending money here is putting money to great causes. It’s a non-profit organization where the money goes to the Shan people. The food is good, real and vegan. They have a great variety. The portions could have been more generous, but still 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read moreGuest
food4ricky
Points +1941
Good food, good cause - Edit
Very sympathetic cafe, which donates their profit to projects for Burmese fugitives.
Read moreFood is good! In Pai I visited the cafe multiple times. Here I had the chickpea omelette over rice for breakfast, which was really good. Accompanied by a carrot juice.
Nice store, friendly staff.
However, only 4 stars because the items on the menu were more expensive than in Pai.
Guest
gracie777
Points +67
Food Ok- but bland - Staff unfriendly - Edit
Food not cooked fresh, as soon as you order, food comes in about 4 minutes. I hope they don’t use a microwave to heat the food.😒#Veganuary
Read moreGuest
ashferns23
Points +1337
Great concept, tasty food - Edit
Amazing spot to drop by for food, conversations, used clothes and sharing with the community. They have a great mission.
Read moreFood was good, but portions were small for the price. Menu has dishes inspired from Myanmar.
Service was quick, but it’s a bit inconvenient, coz you need to go to the cash counter and you place your order and pay in advance, so Not ideal for a big group.
Also was a bit surprised to receive the brownie we ordered, handed over to us, wrapped in a piece of paper and not served on a plate.
Pros: Good mission , Good vibe
Cons: Expensive , Small portions
Guest
marionMainadi
Points +114
Happy safe place 🤩 - Edit
Found it without looking at the app but it was so cool ! We tried appetizers and limo matcha, then I was so happy to try a veg version of Khao soi !
Read moreNice staff and even found nice clothing pieces in the second hand store.
Would definitely recommend !
Pros: Nice staff, Calm and peaceful , chill space , Good food
Guest
VancityVeganWendy
Points +129
Delicious and filling, with a side of a great cause - Edit
Pancake was big and delicious couldn’t finish and def didn’t need the banana fritters but they were also delicious as was the stuffed French toast my breaky companion had
Read moreHighly Recommended
Pros: Cause
Guest
vannyy.o
Points +1943
One of our favorite Breaky spots! ✨ - Edit
Seems like they’ve updated their menu. They have amazing breakfast, lunch & dinner options. We’ve been there for breakfast twice and loved it! They have traditional and international food options on the menu, also nice drinks & desserts. Would highly recommend the matcha-affogato, vegan omelet with rice & Mac n cheese. Also great smoothie bowls.
Read moreGuest
BeaGomez
Points +109
A haven of goodness - Edit
Ordered some of their cheesy dishes because as a vegan with a bad cashew allergy, I was excited to find vegan Mac and cheese that had a creamy cheese not made of cashew, and that Mac and cheese did not disappoint!
Read moreNot only does Free Bird offer delicious, vegan food, they offer many eco conscious products, incredible thrift options, and community events.
They have weekly events, like the Women's Lunch on Wednesdays, and special events to check out.
Pros: Community space to make connections
Guest
JuajanChuwera
Points +17
อร่อย - Edit
ฮัมมุสอร่อย ปริมาณอาหารต่อจานเยอะมาก
Read morePros: อาหาร, บริการ, บรรยากาศดี
Cons: ไม่มี, -, -
Guest
zozosnax
Points +149
Amazing - Edit
This is a cafe restaurant, community space, shop and second hand store all in one. It’s a great place to relax, and the food is delicious. Would absolutely go here again!
Read moreGuest
BonnyDiesels
Points +143
Super - Edit
Leuke zaak voor het goede doel. Ik nam een fruit juice en had hem binnen 2 minuten en erg lekker.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-10-05
Pros: Goede doel
Guest
Florian2410
Points +96
Great concept, good food - Edit
Had a yummy lunch at this place. Friendly staff. Very casual.
Read moreGuest
ColmMutton
Points +649
Incredible space and food - Edit
If you’re in Chiang Mai you must visit! The space is amazing and the food was delicious. It was very sustainable, inclusive, LGBT friendly. Staff were very polite and attentive.
Read morePros: Massive menu, Quick service, Great atmosphere
Guest
jollyhoe
Points +971
Amazing! - Edit
Such a brilliant cafe. Amazing food with a great variety of dishes.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-06-25
Guest
SharonR
Points +3023
No waste restaurant - Edit
Tried the kao soy (yellow curry) and a chickpea tofu dish. Both pretty good.
Read moreLots of sitting available. The restaurant also appears to serve as a community space, there was a large group having lunch and what seemed like their regular meeting.
Updated from previous review on 2024-06-15
Guest
Fourfold
Points +554
Fab lunch spot with really good tasty food, all for a good cause - Edit
Very pleasant vibe and excellent choices. Very polite staff. We had crispy tofu salad with roti, Thai chick pea omelette over rice, crispy miso ramen soup and rainbow pad Thai. All dishes were excellent.
Read morePros: Fab food, Nice vibe, Good cause
Guest
Prathna
Points +591
Great food, amazing cause! - Edit
This cafe was one of our favorites in chiang mai! The menu is huge and has a selection of western and Burmese dishes. The food came out fast and was so tasty. The staff are so friendly and we loved learning about how the cafe’s profits are used to support Burmese refugees. Great organization to support!
Read moreGuest
Evereating
Points +545
Burmese lunch - Edit
A nice range of curries, noodle dishes and a few western too.
Read moreI had the Shan noodles, my husband the jackfruit burger and my kids had the omelette.
Happy to support this worthy charity.
Pros: Good range, Second hand shop and eco / vegan shop , Great charity
Cons: It was very hot, they only had the AC on one side
Guest
Veganweg
Points +366
Cómodo - Edit
Es un local no solo con comida plantbased sino de carácter activista. Defienden causas. Tienen proyectos y además por supuesto la comida está muy buena y el lugar está planteado para el coworking.
Read morePros: La zona chill, Pad Thai, El concepto
Guest
EthanBakerTravels
Points +1041
Cool place, bit more expensive - Edit
Just had dessert here, was nice but more like Western Price
Read moreHas a thrift area too
Guest
anautrecht
Points +2529
Cool community spot - Edit
Don't miss their fried chickpea tofu!
Read moreThe food was good and the location had a nice atmosphere, there's laid back seating, a second hand shop and some cool community things like a women's lunch they organize.
Updated from previous review on 2024-01-24
Guest
Noahhh
Points +108
Best Vegan Grilled Cheeze - Edit
Delicious grilled cheeze. So good I had to order a second one.
Read moreAlso, the Halo Vegan Day Cream and Lo's Facial Oil they sell is really good.
Guest
julierobertscrafts
Points +277
There is better about - Edit
Was really busy when we visited, meant there was a wait which we were warned about which was fine, but they'd run out of loads of stuff.
Read moreThe food we had was quite mediocre. Perhaps we just made the wrong choices. The fritters were lovely though.
I think there is better in ChiangMai and I found it on the pricy side, didn't mind too much as it supports the Shan communities they work with.
Pros: Ethics and set up, Outdoors is tranquil
Cons: Slightly pricy
Guest
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