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-Thu 9:00am-8:00pm, Fri 9:00am-10:00pm, Sat 9:00am-8:00pm, Sun 9:00am-5:00pm. Closed Mon.
-
14 Sirimankalajarn Soi 9, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50300
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 12 Dec 2025 by LilacHippy
Update business info
-
-
182 Reviews
First Review by eatyourveggies
Kelley
Points +258
Great vibes, good food - Edit
Food was great, and ordered 2 bagels for takeaway. Loved the outdoor patio that we sat at too, great vibes!
Read morePros: Great tasting Thai food
Guest
gary1992
Points +20
Extremely bland and expensive - Edit
The restaurant looks nice and the thai staff are extremely nice. However, the food is very expensive, bland and they add tax AFTER the bill has been totalled up which is very strange. The coffee is nice. I had a kaow soi which had no spice and the only flavour i could detect was a hint of garlic.
Read morePros: Nice staff,nice coffee, nice venue.
Cons: Extremely expensive, Tax added after bill, not included in menu price, Bland food
Guest
Michael_Seraph
Points +254
Pricy but worth it - Edit
All vegan restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere. They also sell plastic free and vegan products for takeaway, which is nice. The food was not cheap, but tasty and filling (Main Dish was 110 Baht, a bit more than 3€). Overall a good experience!
Read morePros: Nice amosphere
Guest
HeikoZimmermann
Points +278
Café with a positive mission - Edit
We had some iced tea and a bowl of ice-cream which both were good, although rather pricey. The concept of the place is really great, the staff is friendly and it seems like a project where your money is well invested.
Read moreGuest
Beresj10
Points +221
Disappointingly bland food - Edit
The Free Bird Cafe is a bit of an institution in Chiang Mai and while I love its ethos: hosting weekly female lunches, selling 'previously loved' items and supporting local social causes, I've found its food disappointingly bland, a bit stodgy and definitely lacking in interesting spicing and heat (for my palate anyway). It definitely seems aimed at the Western market. I also find the whole 'please don't use computers' thing a bit dictatorial - if I want to check my emails over breakfast, why shouldn't I?!
Read morePros: Great ethos, Inside and outside space, Food comes quickly
Cons: Food is rather bland, Rather limited variety of dishes, Bit bossy
Guest
Eljay
Points +73
Love this place! A must try. - Edit
Have been here a few times and know I will be back many more to come! Cute space, delicious, tasty food, friendly staff and the owner is absolutely lovely. I've lived in Chiang Mai for 5 months and have been to countless cafes and restaurants, but this is by far one of my favourites.
Read morePros: Lots of great options.
Cons: None
Guest
jessicadivine
Points +24
Had a great time here - Edit
Very cute little place that’s decorated lovely! The staff were friendly and even though there was a language barrier they were helpful. The food was lovely i had the Khao Soi which was full of flavour. Everything is vegan and there is so many options to choose from. The smoothies and juices were very watery though so I would choose something else... There is also games everywhere to play while you wait and the food is reasonably priced
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Really cute place that has air con, Tasty food
Cons: Smoothies were watery and had no flavour
Guest
thetalesoftaylor
Points +184
Wow, what a treat ❤️ - Edit
This is such a lovely cafe setting an incredible example. The food is delicious, nutritious, and locally sourced. The proceeds go to a great cause, and the atmosphere of the cafe is heart-warming. You’ll want to come back over and over again!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Air conditioned dining area, Friendly staff
Guest
EmmaPotter
Points +107
Amazing food and amazing purpose - Edit
Free Bird Cafe has plenty of vegan options (I got a smoothie bowl and fresh juice) but also has a shop with second hand books, reusable items like straws, beeswax wraps, cutlery, menstrual cups, and a second hand clothing shop which all benefits the NGO that helps Burmese refugees. Would recommend ten fold 💕
Read moreGuest
BrianBirtle
Points +17
Terrible. Avoid! - Edit
I’m not even going to dignify the owner to the details but suffice it to say I’ve been to maybe 100+ cafes in Chiang Mai and never an experience even comparing to today. Just. Don’t.
Read moreGuest
heretobehappy
Points +828
support this social enterprise! - Edit
A tad expensive for Chiang Mai but inclusive thai/western menu. We went back multiple times. Had smoothie bowls, golden mylk, yogurt/granola/fruit bowl, and one of the thai noodle dishes (remember to check for gluten-free noodles). I am vegan/gluten-free. All proceeds go to Thai Freedom House. They also have an onsite zero-waste store and a thrift store!! Friendly staff.
Read morePros: social charity, beautiful space, thai/western food
Guest
paula_gore
Points +106
Great smoothie bowls - Edit
We found this place on HC for breakfast, cacao smoothie bowls for my husband and son which they both loved, while I really enjoyed the fruit muesli bowl...
Read morePros: Clean with a nice quiet atmosphere , Smoothie consistency perfect , All fresh and nicely presented
Cons: A little pricey though for a good cause
Guest
PirateBird
Points +305
Amazing food, great place! - Edit
Absolutely love Free Bird. I noticed that another review called it too expensive, but all their profits go 100% to charity so it's really a great deal and a way to give while enjoying delicious healthy food.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options! , Great setting and service. , Tasty and creative food.
Guest
Beannaamaris
Points +32
Wonderful food for a wonderful cause - Edit
Lovely outside and inside seating. Great menu, on a pricey side but worth it when considering all profits go to helping Burmese refugees. Also has a no waste shop and a second hand clothes shop. Only potential problem is that for some reason they don't allow computer use. Free WiFi.
Read moreGuest
Lubu
Points +172
Nice but... - Edit
Nice place, good intentions and idea of minimal waste and good vibes, friendly staff but the "local food" was more like a free interpretation or some kind of international fusion kitchen - definitely not what we expected. We had Som Tam, Pad Thai and the Green Tea Salad but did not like the dishes and thought them to be overpriced. No Laptops or Computers allowed.
Read moreGuest
KarleyWoodford
Points +134
Best smoothie bowl! - Edit
Amazing smoothie bowl, and a fantastic place for your zero waste necessities!
Read more💜💜💜
Guest
crmhannigan
Points +268
Amazing breakfasts! - Edit
Came here twice as the food and drinks were so delicious. The iced coffees and chocolates with almond milk are so good! The pancakes are huge and fluffy, difficult for one person to finish unless you're really hungry, but great, same with the French toast sandwich. Love that it's 100% vegan, would defo recommend.
Read moreGuest
malaury10
Points +624
Good food. Great place. Awesome shop. - Edit
I had a Pad Thai and a passion fruit soda. Both were pretty good. The thing I loved most about that place is the zero waste shop to help you reduce your waste production! So cool!
Read moreGuest
Evie88
Points +106
Lovely, clean, modern vegan cafe/shop/charity. - Edit
Order at the counter and take a number. Seating indoor and out. Chill music, nice atmosphere.
Read morePros: Good variety of food. Western, Thai, and Burmese., Good portion size. , Friendly staff.
Cons: Expensive.
Guest
cookaloris
Points +229
We loved it. Clean, healthy food in a modern, clean, bright restaurant - Edit
We ordered the pad Thai and the ginger pumpkin curry and tahini shake. Everything was fresh and delicious and healthy. There is a second hand shop on the grounds and we enjoyed shopping while waiting for our lunch. New age vibe with crystals and stones and inspirational quote posters and things like that around. Self serve water, bamboo straws and other environmentally friendly touches. I believe there is some tie in to a charity as well. Friendly, quick service. Would definitely return.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options. , Reasonably priced, Small thrift shop on grounds
Guest
KathleenKlassman
Points +42
Little slice of vegan heaven - Edit
Ethical, zero waste & non-for-profit. The food is also very tasty which just tops it for me. I love that they have a little pre-loved charity store inside, an outside eating area with umbrellas and a fountain and a cozy little inside (quiet) eating area.
Read morePros: All is vegan
Cons: 110 BAHT for a main meal - very much worth it
Guest
Sasapin
Points +65
Nice and quiet - Edit
Zero-waste advocate and peaceful vegan restaurant. Their menu offers a mix of Thai, Burmese and Western food along with a hearty range of drinks and sweets. To a Thai person’s taste, their salad could be more flavorful.
Read moreGuest
K.Kevin
Points +17
Nice ideas, bad executed - Edit
The dishes on the menu sounds amazing but sadly out of 3 dishes only one was tasty. One dish was just fine and the ginger salad was uneatable. Rather stay away.
Read moreGuest
Julien_blutopia
Points +496
A reference. Tasteful and conscious. - Edit
Free Bird is a great place. Besides the lovely food, you can find a bunch of zero-waste products to buy. So, you won’t find any plastic on your table.
Read moreI would have loved to go there again. No time.
A pity we cannot use laptop to work.
Pros: Wonderful food , Zero-waste shop , Nice place
Cons: Not allowed to use laptop , Expensive
Guest
stretchwithgumby
Points +171
unique destination - Edit
Free Bird has the most inventive, unusual menu among restaurants in Chiang Mai, and being a nonprofit they wear white hats. When it comes to comfort food, I prefer Anchan, but when it comes to expanding expectations, come here. For example, one of their drinks is an espresso paired with coconut water (which you sip directly from the coconut). I did not try most of their Myanmar based menu but that is one of their specialties.
Read morePros: nonprofit venture, very imaginative menu
Cons: place is a little eccentric
Guest
PetraTataiChaloupka
Points +37
Yummy with a great zero-wasre shop - Edit
The restaurant serves delicious food at very good prices and with a purpose. Everything we tried was yummy. There is also a small zero waste shoo attached which is awesome, I bought some bees wax wraps! They also have second hamd books and clothes for sale. No computer use is allowed in the restaurant.
Read moreGuest
MelanieSwan
Points +52
Best Café in Chiang Mai - Edit
Everything on the menu is delicious. Great atmosphere and AMAZING zero waste store and pre loved clothes shop attached. This is a real gem. The Burmese tea leaf salad is a firm favourite and Lisa's passion smoothie is a fab pick me up after the jet lag!
Read moreGuest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.