Large cafeteria-style vegetarian restaurant which re-opened Jan '23 after around two years of closure. Help yourself to the buffet that may include about eight dishes such as brown rice, Thai curries, soup and salads with fresh herbs. Organic fruits and veggies also sold by the kilo or individually as are religious items, herbs, and other products. Has a health store and second hand 'goodwill' store on site. This is part of an institution in Thailand with organic farms in the countryside (where one can volunteer and stay). Located near the airport between the corner of the moat and Toyota dealer. NOTE: Limited take-out available in the morning only as of June '23. Open Tue-Fri 8:00am-2:00pm. Closed Sat-Sun. Closes during Buddhist events.
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42 Mahidol Rd T Haiya, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
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Last update on 21 Jun 2023 by Thepurplesage
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28 Reviews
First Review by rheb
VeWarrior
Points +826
I don't wanna lie... - Edit
I am since some years vegan and I love eating vegan food, but I also hate to trow away food, therefore I ate this cold food, which was from taste completely not mine (maybe because Wasabi was inside). I faught one hour to eat it completely. 🫣
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Price of payment is on you
Cons: Something like sand taste was inside, Cold buffet, Maybe Wasabi taste (or something similar)
Guest
anautrecht
Points +2160
Pay as you like buffet - Edit
This place has a store/second hand shop/ buffet. You bring your own container and utensils, or buy a plant container for 1 bath. The food itself is pay as you like and you put the money into a bucket by the register.
Read moreAs we didn't have utensils there were some we could take. You'll probably be lost a bit here, there's no English explanation or anything. But people helped us figure it out when we looked confused.
The food itself is pretty basic, not really the reason to go here. Go more for the experience, the organisation and the community.
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-14
Guest
BarakCohen
Points +940
Amazing health food shop - Edit
This is Buddhist organization that serves local food vegan food and also has amazing health food shop with best prices you can find for organic foods and herbs teas coffee enemas kit etc
Read moreUnfortunately as to 2024 the place is not like it used to be much smaller food section and etting outside 🥺
Updated from previous review on 2020-08-10
Pros: Food usually available until 12 noon , Shoop closed at 1400
Cons: Food finishing to early
Guest
mrnondairy
Points +31
A Moment of Peace - Edit
I think the description of the CMVS and the associated reviews of this particular organization are quite accurate and sufficiently informative so as not to warrant further explanation of the CMVS mission statement. As others have stated, the food is remarkably inexpensive! A real treat, that.😄The menu changes daily and all items are tasty enough to please. Further, I would offer that the menu is a bit broader than has been suggested. All good things.
Read moreWhat impressed me most, however, was the powerful sense of peace I experienced from the moment I pulled up outside. The interior space is unexpectedly interesting in terms of design...sort of a low budget tropic chic. *laugh* The atmosphere is quiet, open air, somewhat communal, with a very interesting use of space. Its a great way to start the day or briefly break from the world any time of day. Honest smiles, comfortable setting and good simple food. I love this place.
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-06
Pros: Comfortable Setting, Great Price, Great Cause
Cons: Open Air Means Open To Insects (Clean), Clean Your Own Dishes😄(Negative?)
Guest
Nutth
Points +28
Enjoy very much - Edit
What a nice place with full of hospitality and the foods is not expensive at all.
Read morePros: Lots of Vegan food
Guest
joedenney
Points +299
Healthy and a good path - Edit
Buffet style. Many choices of authentic old school thai food. Very good prices. I will definitely be back.
Read moreGuest
paula_gore
Points +106
Lucky find! - Edit
Our first visit, a total authentic experience!
Read morePros: Good wholesome cheap food , Friendly staff
Cons: No English to describe the dishes
Guest
mitchens
Points +659
Stands out in a city with vegetarian ubiquity - Edit
The operation has a very Buddhist context so there is a strong emphasis on collective support and volunteering. There is a regular moment of silence, dishes are self-washed in a water-efficient manner and food is procured locally with consideration for its healthfulness (each item has a label noting alleged medicinal properties). The food also seems to be prepared with minimal taste enhancement.
Read moreUnsurprisingly, the prices are among the lowest imaginable and you may find yourself looking for ways to increase your bill. For this (and for something those not used to this food are likely to find more palatable) I recommend the blended calories (juices), of which they have a decent selection and range of colours.
However, they do operate on 'Buddhist timings' and close at 2 pm; they are also closed during a number of Buddhist events that can last several weeks.
Pros: Healthy meals, as if prepared at home, Exceptionally affordable, with free offerings, Community/Sangha
Cons: Restrictive opening times/dates
Guest
falanglanna
Points +142
authentic - Edit
Not very cozy but run with idealism and cheap. Some interesting food never ate before. Some foods have “unusual“ taste, some others are very tasty. Worth to try and the shop next is worth to visit as well. Lovely staff
Read moreCons: often closed for days or weeks
Guest
Frightnr
Points +17
Wonderful place - Edit
The food is amazingly good and there's a lot of it to choose from! Noodle soup, buffet style, juices, smoothies and all very, very affordable. But please, don't be one of the people I see here on the regular who just take food, and sometimes a lot of food, and don't pay anything. Yes, the first plate with one topping is free but don't take advantage of this kindness, and if you go for more plates then pay your way. Sometimes I see the staff having to confront foreigners for payment, embarrassing for both parties involved, especially as it's only 10baht a dish! Do go, it's amazing!
Read morePros: Everything
Cons: none
Guest
paullikespasta
Points +105
Just wow. - Edit
This really is a one of kind place. This is the cheapest vegan restaurant you will ever go to. Some days you eat as much as you want for free other days it is 10 baht a plate. The food is good but very traditional spicy thai. If you are not used to that then go easy on the toppings and rather take more rice otherwise your stomach will make you pay for it later. If you can spare it give a tip to the wonderful volunteers at veg society and help keep their doors open.
Read morePros: VERY cheap, Good traditional thai food (spicy) Friendly volunt
Guest
Rosa veg
Points +2060
Incredible place - Edit
This place is run by volunteers, it s a huge open space place where you can have thsi organic food for really cheap price . There is also a shop . An amazing experience to try
Read moreGuest
LilacHippy
Points +12745
Simple Food; Very Cheap - Edit
The food is wholesome and healthy and EXTREMELY cheap but don't expect elaborate dishes. There are some interesting yummy things to be eaten but it's all pretty simple and just cheap, cheap, cheap. You won't believe how cheap it is. You can also stock up on organic products in their little shop too.
Read moreBe sure to check before coming here as sometimes they can be unexpectedly closed.
Come early to get the best food.
Be prepared to wash your own dishes after you eat.
Pros: Cheap, Healthy Food, Some interesting food
Cons: Basic, canteen style place, Limited opening hours, Can be closed for days or weeks at a time
Guest
Rogues in Thailand
Points +43
it's ok - Edit
If you don't eat green veg or leafs it's not for you ,most dishes are spicy and not in English so it's pot luck lol , it's a little intimidating if it's your 1st time as no one tells you what to do , smoothies are nice and a lot to pick from
Read moreI loved it but I was one of 6 lol
You must clean your own dishes
Pros: good selection, smoothies, clean your own dishes I like that
Cons: unlabelled food and spicy , intimidating no help , mostly greens
Guest
ppdan
Points +215
good atmosphere - Edit
We had a short visit to Vegetarian society. You can chose from a few dishes with rice, different healthy drinks and there are some sweets also. Very cheap, you might even get food for free. You have to do the dishes afterwards, fun experience. Very friendly and loving environment. Payment is not self explanatory, drinks and food needs to be paid separately. Health store is also very good. Food might not be the best in Chiang Mai (mine was a bit cold) but the place is worth a visit for sure.
Read moreGuest
uschiverena
Points +576
3.5 stars - Edit
The food wasn't amazing but I loved the atmosphere there and it was super cheap! Had rice with 2 toppings for 10 baht - crazy! One of the dishes was too spicy for me. The juice for 10 baht was very good, huge variety.
Read moreYou have to clean your own dishes but that was fine, part of the experience :)
There's a natural shop inside where I bought some coconut lip balm and seeds.
Pros: cheap!, many locals
Cons: coldish food not many options when coming too late
Guest
veghofer
Points +64
a must visit for every vegan - Edit
There's a self-service all vegan buffet where you can choose from about 8-10 dishes, some are very spicy and/or salty. You can take as much rice and as much of 2 dishes as you want and still pay 10B! I heard the following quite often now but had to go there myself to believe it: if you take only one dish with your rice it is literally free!! how amazing is that? though i'd feel guilty to pay nothing because the people there are so nice and seem full of passion for this project. they make you feel very welcome (: and you do have to wash your dishes yourself, which is not a big deal at all.
Read morethere's freshly mixed shakes and dessert as well (today was brownies and coconut/tapioka pudding).
they also have a small all vegan health shop (i think) where you can get plant-milk, soaps, soy protein, cereal flakes etc. check it out yourself (:
Pros: all vegan, so so cheap!!!, nice people
Cons: pretty salty
Guest
sukilovesicecream
Points +121
closed until the 16 Nov 2015 - Edit
Hi, hope this saves someone a wasted journey: I went there on the 1st November 2015 and there is a large sign on the gates that the Society will be closed until the 16th November for Buddhist courses.
Read moreI've given it four cows for support :) but am a little disappointed I won't be able to check it out...
Guest
FrederikRoark
Points +50
One of a kind restaurant - Edit
There is a lot that sets this restaurant apart from others: One can eat for as little as 5 to 15 baht, or even for free if one is satisfied by as many plates as desired of rice with one dish.
Read moreThe dishes are oftentimes loaded with greens and sour-flavoured. I personally don't like that as much as the curry-type and sometimes have a hard time finding a dish that fits my tastebuds at 12 or even 11 AM. They appear here and there though.
Most often a very delicious cake is to be found that makes for an enjoyable dessert.
The big pros for me as a big rice eater are the buffet-style and tiny prices.
The big cons for me are the general style and flavor of the dishes and the early closing time.
I am very grateful for that this place exists. It can make living and eating out in Thailand so much more sustainable for people on a small budget, and by that I don't only mean farangs.
Pros: Cheap as it can get, Friendly atmosphere, Diversity of sold goodies
Cons: Only few dishes really delicious, Closing time
Guest
Aya
Points +627
Wow! - Edit
This is one of the most unique places I have ever visited.
Read moreFirst, it's very cheap. Ridiculously cheap.
Second, it's fresh and healthy.
Be sure you arrive before lunch time as most of the food will be gone by 1pm.
Their shop sells a lot of traditional Thai vegan items and the prices are very good. We got some black sesame seeds, some tom yam paste in a jar, some really nice spices and snacks.
Pros: Very tasty and healthy, and all vegan, They have cake!, Very cheap
Cons: A bit far from central Chiang Mai
Guest
medus
Points +770
Amazing - Edit
I wish all cities in the world had such a restaurant as Chiang Mai Vegetarian Society. Although its food is not very impressive taste-wise, it seems very fresh, healthy and made out of local ingredients. What is more, restaurant's prices can't be beaten - 10 baht for a plate of rice and two side dishes is amazingly cheap. They also sell very delicious fresh juices (10 baht for a glass) and several kinds of desserts (including one kind of cake, 5 baht per piece). What's even better - everything is vegan.
Read moreI only wish they have longer working hours. At the time of our visit they were open from Monday to Friday 6am-2pm.
Pros: cheap, variety of dishes, nice environment
Cons: open till 2pm, runs out of some dishes after 12pm
Guest
DC guy
Points +25
It's open and busy. - Edit
I have been twice in the last week. They are open from 6am until 2pm (days of the week I don't know). I arrived the first time at 12:30 and most of the "good" dishes were gone. What was left was plain cooked vegetables without spices or in a curry/coconut sauce. I was disappointed.
Read moreThe second time, I decided to go at 11:30 and was able to find a curry dish and an interesting dish with lots of mixed veggies. It was MUCH better and very happy with the taste. Very similar to the taste found in other veg. restaurants in town. The noodle soup (with some tofu and lightly cooked organic greens) and a nice tasting broth which you finish off to your own style was free as someone sponsored it for the day. I paid anyway. :-)
2/3 vegetable dishes and rice is 10/15 B.
Noodle soup is 10 B.
Different drinks are 5 B and smoothies are 10 B (some sugar free) (served in small glasses.
In the front they have some very nice flowers including beautiful orchids. Inexpensive organic produce is for sale as well as staples, spices, unusual herbal teas, kitchen items and health care items (including an inexpensive spray for mosquitoes - located to the left of the front entrance all the way on the back wall - I think on the middle shelf).
Overall a very nice experience if you get there early enough to get more interesting/flavorful dishes. Some of the staff spoke some English. Worth at least twice the price charged.
Pros: Inexpensive., Basic but big facility., Lots of smiles from staff.
Cons: Better dishes run out first.
DC guy
Their hours of operation is 8 am - 2 pm Mon-Fri. Closed Sat and Sun.
Read moreGuest
Humminglion
Points +43
This is what makes Chiang mai amazing - Edit
This place is a not for profit place run by volunteers and seems to have its basis on Buddhist roots.
Read moreThe food is decent and ultra cheap - can eat for 15 thb or even free.
The best part about this place is the freshly made green and red smoothies.
They also have a store on site selling natural products, used books, and vitamins.
I love how you have to wash your own dishes - brings a sense of community.
Pros: Cheap, Yummy smoothies
Guest
msvegan
Points +377
Good Natural Products and Groceries - Edit
Run by the same foundation in BKK. The stores surrounding the rest. have a good supply of many organic and all natural seaweeds, oils, baked goods, supplements, health and beauty products, teas, etc. Also, lots of book info. in mainly Thai about organic gardening and health.
Read moreThey offer free and very low cost food at the rest. as they are a not for profit organization. The people who volunteer there are lovely.
The food is very basic and bland. It is very macrobiotic in appearance and taste.
Updated from previous review on Thursday December 01, 2011
Pros: cheap, vegan, Good selection
Guest
ZuZu
Points +300
proletariat heart of compassion - Edit
This place is humble, noble, and embodies cooperation and compassion. It is a really fun place to be, watching all the volunteer workers prepare this good energy food, and seeing the people who enjoy eating there. Many people offer prayers before having their lunch. One topping with rice is actually free! That said, no western person should leave without making a contribution. Even if you have an enormous appetite or get overwhelmed by the numerous choices, the price is so, SO inexpensive that it is jaw dropping. Plus, you wash your own dishes! It makes me feel good about my whole day. I definitily recommend this place to friends!
Read morePros: the pinnacle of noble vegetarianism, a good energy place to be, incredibly humble
Guest
John Richard
Points +59
Labor of Love - Edit
The Chiang Mai Vegetarian Society is a Thai organization that operates this wonderful restaurant and shop not far from the airport and airport mall.
Read moreThey are not trying to make money on its operation but seek to provide wholesome vegetarian food and supplies to the community. The food is very basic and extremely inexpensive in their attempt to make it totally affordable to everyone in the community. Do not expect fancy service or elaborate dishes but instead appreciate what they are trying to accomplish.
The store they run has everything a vegetarian needs to cook and this is a godsend here in this area. The prices are great and the staff radiates appreciation for your patronage. Make sure you bring your carry bag as store adheres to a no plastic policy.
Note though that operations are only from 7-14:00 and they are definitely closed on all holidays. Patronizing this establishment is helping to preserve a valuable community asset.
Pros: Staff, Food & Products, Community involvement
Cons: Not open for dinner
Guest
Agenda
Points +270
Ok - Edit
Ok place for cheap thai food. Not the best kind - they use garlic. There is also a shop selling pills, healthy products.
Read morePros: Big selection
Cons: Garlic
Guest
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