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Social enterprise restaurant est. 2009 serving healthy, vegan food. Menu is based on Shan, Burmese, Thai, and American 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. Everything is freshly made in-house. In the same compound as 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-Thu 9:00am-8:00pm, Fri 9:00am-10:00pm, Sat 9:00am-8:00pm, Sun 9:00am-5:00pm. Closed Mon.
188 Reviews
First Review by eatyourveggies
Victoria247
Points +164
Gluten free chocolate pancakes are very dry - Edit
We were regulars at this place. Wonderful gluten free options for transitional northern Thai and Burmese cuisine. Only complaint is that the gluten free pancakes were very dry. Which I wouldn’t complain about if 4 other restaurants we had been to hadn’t served delicious vegan gluten free pancakes so not sure what this place isn’t doing I’m wondering if it’s because they offer one large pancake versus a stack of thin ones. But the are dry the other places used rice flour not sure what they used here but the plain pancake was slightly better than the chocolate one. Also have indoor seating with two air purifiers and a couple fans. Very nice area to hang out for a while.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-04-06
Pros: Khao soi, Fried green papaya, Matchaggato
Guest
whereisdebbie
Points +6731
Burmese/Shan food! - Edit
Quite different than other vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai, offers a wide range of cuisines. Order at the counter and pay right away, many seat in- and outside. Free drinking water in the café!
Read moreI had the broccoli cheese bites which were very good, and I tried the Moringha, which personally I found a bit bland but I think that is more of a personal preference, and it’s a new cuisine for me so might take some getting used to. The portions I found a bit too big for me, both times I sadly couldn’t completely finish my meal.
On their menu is chicorei (decaf) coffee but unfortunately they weren’t serving it. I had Yuzu soda and that was good, bit pricey. Wish I could try mor of their dishes, many exciting things on the menu.
Updated from previous review on 2026-03-23
Guest
Peder
Points +564
Excellent - Edit
Excellent food, very friendly service, nice and cozy place in a quiet neighbourhood.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-31
Guest
Keyz2026
Points +6209
VEGAN IN THAILAND - Edit
Everything we tasted and ate was amazing/delicious. Definitely worth the trip and come hungry. We reserved seating as well too.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-30
Pros: Atmosphere, Customer service, Food
Guest
csdan
Points +53
Virtue signalling rude owner , tiny portions, bland food, huge price - Edit
This place feels like somewhere you might go if the "idea" of veganism is more important than the people behind it. The decorations follow the "vegan cool" aesthetic. From the outside, it looks great.
Read moreHowever, the food is bland and remarkably expensive for the area (around 4x higher for equivalents), the portions are also about the right size for an 8 year old.
The Mac and cheese was inedible. Bland, watery, and honestly hard to eat. My friend and I, who had been walking all day on an empty stomach couldn't bear to eat it (and we aren't small people either - in fact, in Thailand we are both XXL).
The American owner(?) however, is the real issue of this place. When I very respectfully mentioned that neither of us could eat the Mac (but that the other dish was nice), she followed with an incredibly condescending reply with no effort made to put things right. Instead, she said sarcastically how "We can't exactly take it back" and instead to add seasonings and chilli. I guess the reason she suggested adding chilli was to at least add some flavour to honestly the blandest dish I've tasted in my life. We could have drowned these Mac and Cheese in sriracha and it wouldn't have changed a thing. We tried, and failed, to finish this dish. We left hungry, and felt ripped off. Why spend so much money to be spoken down to? I'd recommend going to the noodle place down the road, they have won 2 Michelin awards and their signature dish is 50 bhat! And vegan on request.
We don't usually leave bad reviews, but we were shocked by her demeanor. Her words were spoken with venom in the mouth, and a fake smile. Feeling unsettled, we decided to check the Google maps reviews - and oh my, then did we really see. This lady has been accused of racism, poor treatment of staff and general rudeness towards customers. She also tends to reply to all comments with either attempting to contradict and gaslight the commenters that these events never happened (even, in one comment she checked CCTV footage to get a good come back to one customer who complained about her demeanor), or in other comments virtue signalling kr acting all nice and professional. I wonder if or how she will reply to this.
Tl;Dr - expensive food, small portions, bland but questionable owner who makes me uncomfortable. Not somewhere I would go again, or recommend to anyone.
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-22
Guest
veganfloss
Points +645
The best ramen I’ve ever had - Edit
My fave spot to come to do some doodling or take a friend. The ramen is the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Japan). It’s more expensive but it’s for a good cause and iys perfect to drop off any unwanted clothes or anything else random you no longer want. They have events here too but didn’t manage to make any. Visited here probably around 10 times in total and when I return to chiang mai I’ll be back again.
Read moreI loved a chicory (baso decaf coffee) every time hot or cold both good & you can buy it from here too.
Only small downside is it’s cash only!
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-18
Guest
emmsimeimer
Points +314
OMG!! - Edit
Favorite place ever from now on. So cute, so delicious, so fresh!!
Read moreEverything is perfect!
I also recommend the thrift store;)
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-14
Pros: Everything
Guest
Noellec
Points +312
Amazing place! - Edit
Review 2025 (new location):
Read moreWhat a cozy place! The prices are quite high but the food, drinks and vibes are very nice.
We had:
- stuffed tofu (ordered without coriander!)
- miso ramen
- thai milk tea (hot)
- mango kefir yoghurt (is with ice by default, so order without if you don’t want)
- mac and cheese (tastes good but needed extra salt - which is available - and it just tasted like mac with nice sauce, not mac and cheese to me)
Will come back 🤩
Review 2018 (old location):
Such an amazing and inspiring place. Had a great pancake and smoothie, and loved sitting there surrounded by all the decorations. Not only do they serve amazing vegan food there (which I wished I would've gotten the chance to try all), they also sell 2ndhand books, goods and clothes, and other sustainable products.
Updated from previous review on 2025-12-30
Guest
frankinjection
Points +1406
Perfect Bali Vibes - Edit
Thrift store, vegan treats, relaxing and centering atmosphere and super delicious and nutritious bowls. What more can you ask from a morning?
Read morelisabyrd
Thank you so much for the lovely review, we hope to serve you again soon!
Read moreGuest
niniilein
Points +130
Lovely place - Edit
Es ist ein sehr schönes Restaurant mit freundlichen Mitarbeitern und sehr leckerem Essen. Große Auswahl, nett angerichtet. Sehr guter Service.
Read moreEbenfalls gibt es einen kleinen Laden. Es werden soziale Projekte finanziell gefördert.
Updated from previous review on 2025-11-08
Pros: Leckeres Essen, Nettes Personal, Schöne Atmosphäre
lisabyrd
Wow, thank you for the lovely review and photos!
Read moreGuest
Jeff81
Points +448
Disappointed - Edit
Two of us recently ate there, and neither of us enjoyed the taste of our meal. It was poorly seasoned and the recipes were uninspired. It appeared that very little effort was made to prepare an appealing dish.
Read moreIn addition, the portion sizes were quite small even though the price charged was above average for vegan food in Chiang Mai. With the abundance of fresh vegatables and other ingredients available in Chiang Mai, it is a shame that Freebird doesn't make more of an effort.
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-25
Guest
AlexMarc
Points +375
Such a nice vibe! - Edit
I love this place, so much that I booked some accommodation nearby so I could eat here regularly! It has a very chilled out vibe, especially the outdoor bit where you can relax and listen to the water feature and wind chimes while waiting for your food - totally zen!
Read moreEverything I’ve tried so far has been delicious, and for the first time I’ve been able experience Burmese dishes and flavours. So good.
Much of the food is gluten-free (which I need), and is clearly labelled. They claim that they cook the gluten-free food in separate pots and pans, according to the info on their menu.
I don’t understand the recent bad reviews at all! Friendly staff, quick service, great food and portion sizes, not as expensive as some reviews make out. Pretty average costs for a wellness-focused vegan cafe.
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-23
Pros: Very chilled , Great tasting food , Lots of gluten-free
lisabyrd
Thank you so much for your lovely and honest review, so glad you like the zen spot outside and our food, thank you for staying nearby, I do that when I travel too, must have good food nearby. We hope to serve you again soon.
Read moreGuest
ppandya
Points +145
Over rated and over priced - Edit
All packaging and posturing. Stingy portions. We liked the place, ambiance and the fact they they have their own eco system and store they support. The menu looks good too. The portions are so stingy given the price that you have to order minimum 3 main items for a real meal and that just makes the place way overpriced.
Read moreIf you wanted to have some side items or starter items this would be $$$$$$$$$$ on a scale of $-$$$.
Pros: Not your standard fare, Burmese flavors in Thailand, Ambiance
Cons: Super tiny stingy portions, Waaaaayyyyy overpriced, Don’t expect to walk out satisfied
Guest
catandcupcake
Points +8487
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
lisabyrd
Thank you so much for your review and spending time with us, we hope to serve you again soon!
Read moreGuest
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
lisabyrd
Hi, I am just seeing this review here on Happy Cow, so I will copy my reply from Google, for the sake of others who may wish to see my reply.
Read moreThank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m truly sorry that your visit felt uncomfortable.
That said, I’d like to clarify a few things. The interaction you overheard was a brief and necessary correction between myself and our manager, who has worked closely with me, every day, for over 11 years. We take holidays together, in the past we were roomates, she is my equal, not a subservient under an oppressor. She also calls me out and corrects me when I am wrong. It was not about language, nor was it racially motivated. It was about a serious thing that happened earlier. She is not Thai, and I absolutely support our staff using Thai, Shan, Burmese, and English with customers depending on the context to avoid misunderstandings. This is something we actively encourage and value. Since Thai is not her language, it wouldn't make sense to force her to speak it all of the time either. I also speak fluent Thai and communicate with both staff and customers in multiple languages.
The issue at hand had already been discussed in private and I was still quite upset, so yes, you could sense my mood in my curt replies to her. But obviously, from your remarks, you didn't hear or understand at all what we were talking about. To characterize a few minute conversation as abusive or oppressive is both inaccurate and unfair—not just to me, but to the team we’ve built over the last 16 years. Many of our staff members have stayed with us for over a decade, not because they are under pressure, but because they feel respected, empowered, and well-supported. If our workplace were as toxic as you described, that simply wouldn’t be the case, especially in a city where you can find a job in a cafe within a stones throw.
You mention that many, many customers have raised similar concerns. That is factually untrue. Out of close to 1,000 reviews here over 16 years, there are only three that refer to a moment where I corrected a staff member in front of customers. In each case, I’ve acknowledged the need for more discretion and have taken that feedback seriously. But to claim that numerous people have been “warning the public” is an exaggeration that doesn’t reflect reality.
We do review video footage when issues are raised-to seek clarity, make improvements, and take accountability when we are in the wrong. That includes myself.
Guest
sophie____
Points +493
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
lisabyrd
Thank you so much for your review and cute photos!
Read moreGuest
DominiqueIsis
Points +400
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
lisabyrd
Thank you!
Read moreGuest
peanutbella
Points +118
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 morelisabyrd
So happy you loved our food, thank you for the review!
Read moreGuest
food4ricky
Points +2231
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.
lisabyrd
Hi, so happy you loved our food, I hope you could also see that in Chiang Mai, we have a much larger location, larger menu, a/c room, triple the staff and event space, thrift store, in a high market value area of town, of course our overhead is higher, therefore our prices are higher than Pai, where we have a smaller location, menu, team and grow many of our veggies.
Read moreGuest
gracie777
Points +77
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 morelisabyrd
Hi, owner here, I will clarify that we don't even have a microwave, never have. We do have a well organized and efficient kitchen where every single dish is cooked from scratch, we don't even batch cook things except for dipping sauces, vegan cheese and tofu which we make fresh daily. Most people are happy about food that comes out fast, sorry that it made you feel that it was rewarmed, I hope you feel better knowing it def wasn't.
Read moreGuest
ashferns23
Points +1379
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
lisabyrd
Hi, our staff should have asked if you wanted the brownie on a plate, a lot of people are so full from their food that they just take it home, so the wrapping is convenient. And I should clarify that ordering at the counter and paying when ordering is very common in Thailand and ensures that the order goes to the kitchen promptly and can be made fresh and quick, it works great for large groups, of which we serve many.
Read moreGuest
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
lisabyrd
Thank you so much for the lovely review, happy that you were able to try our vegan Khao Soi, (we make vegan versions of local dishes because I myself love to try local, authentic food when traveling but often can't find a vegan version) and something in our thrift store. We hope to serve you again someday!
Read moreGuest
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
lisabyrd
So happy you loved our food, thank you for the review!
Read moreGuest
vannyy.o
Points +1937
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 morelisabyrd
Thank you so much for noticing! We do update our menu yearly, so happy you like the new and classic options. We hope to serve you again soon.
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
lisabyrd
Thank you so much for the review, I am so glad you loved our nut free vegan cheese :)
Read moreGuest
JuajanChuwera
Points +17
อร่อย - Edit
ฮัมมุสอร่อย ปริมาณอาหารต่อจานเยอะมาก
Read morePros: อาหาร, บริการ, บรรยากาศดี
Cons: ไม่มี, -, -
lisabyrd
Thank you!
Read moreGuest
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 morelisabyrd
Thank you so much!
Read moreGuest
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