If you’re celebrating Navratri this month, here’s how to live life on the veg.

By the Masala team

KHAO YAI

The Witches Brew Khao Yai offers an entirely separate vegetarian menu with Asian and Western dishes priced between THB 150 – THB 440. Some of their popular items include their Green curry, Hawaiian Fried Rice, Vegetarian pizza, and Penne in your choice of Arrabiata sauce, olio, pomodoro, or mushroom and truffle.

Aurra Ammie is a vegetarian restaurant run by locals who use produce sourced from the region. Dishes are well-priced, around THB 100 – THB 200 per dish, and recommended menu items include the Veggie BLT sandwich and the spicy Somtum, and the restaurant also offers vegan alternatives for dishes like the Cheeseburger and Panang curry. 
Facebook: @aurraammieveggie

The Castle Restaurant and Tea Room sits inside a grand English-style country home inside the Thames Valley Khao Yai Hotel, and serves up an array of incredible vegetarian-friendly desserts like their popular Summer forest afternoon tea set (THB 890), comprising of various tarts and choux pastries, and the Crazy in love afternoon tea set that’s just as tempting. 
www.thamesvalleykhaoyai.com

PATTAYA

Yes! Vegan Pattaya is a restaurant offering a mix of Thai and Western dishes cooked using fresh, high-quality ingredients. All dishes are reasonably priced, with our recommendations spanning the Vegan chicken with basil leave sauce (THB 125), the Vegan spicy grilled pork salad (THB 125), and the Vegan pork satay (THB 125). 
Facebook: @yesveganpattaya

Five Star J is an internationally recognised vegetarian restaurant offering over 220 dishes on their menu such as Massaman tofu (THB 149), Tom yum mushroom hot pot (THB 199), and Deep-fried soy duck salad (THB 139). Dishes don’t have any MSG, trans-fat, chemicals, onion, garlic, refined sugar, or palm oil, so you can indulge in their palatable cuisine while treating your body like a temple! 
www.fivestarj.com

Rasayana Raw Food Café is the place for you if you’re a fan of eating healthy. Meals are dairy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, and the restaurant only cooks with raw ingredients! Recommended items include the signature Rasayana Salad (THB 200), ‘zoodles’ (zucchini noodles) topped with various sauces, and their burgers and sandwiches. 
www.rasayanaretreat.com

PHUKET

Vegan Booty Burger serves up the vegan versions of all your junk food favourites! Examples of their burgers include the Wake ‘N Bakon (THB 350) made from vegan meat, cheez, bakon, and homemade maple bbq sauce; Flamin’ hot (THB 310), crafted using beyond meat, cheez, hot sauce, jalapenos, and pickles; and the V.F.C, fried chick’n (THB 250) topped with sriracha mayo. 
Facebook: @veganbootyburger

Kon Cook is a community restaurant that hires ex-convicts as staff to give them a fresh start. On the menu are several different cuisines spanning Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and more. Recommended items include their flavourful green and pumpkin curries, their various burgers, wraps, and spring rolls, and on occasion, they do an all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays that’s incredibly popular. The restaurant also takes pride in the fact that they make all sauces and dips in-house! 

The Vegan Table dishes up vegan cuisine in a fun, contemporary setting. All ingredients are sourced locally, including the vegan ‘cheeze’ and mayonnaise. Specialising in all-day dining, tempting items on the menu include their Vegan English breakfast (THB 279), Chikin ‘n’ mushroom pie (THB 249), Spicy vegan tacos (THB 360), and Spicy beyond meatball pizza (THB 379). 
Facebook: @thevegantablephuket

KOH SAMUI

Funky Vege Café is a plant-based eatery that focuses on zero-waste, serving comfort foods like burgers and fries, vegan pizzas, housemade hummus and dips, and a wide variety of brownies and cakes. Their popular burgers are made using jackfruit patties and pink buns, making them Insta-worthy as well as tasty! 
Facebook: @funkyvegecafe

Lamai Veggie is a restaurant with a unique concept. The menu changes every day, but always offers a few dishes to be enjoyed with steamed rice in a lunchbox format. The cuisine is Thai with many dishes crafted using various mock meats. A great place to check out if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful cuisine! Facebook: @LamaiVeggie

Govinda’s is an Indian, Nepalese, Thai, and vegetarian restaurant that also offers plenty of vegan alternatives. No onion or garlic is used in the cooking so it’s also Jain-friendly. Expect all types of classic dishes on offer, including pakoras, bhindi masala, vegetable parathas, and more. 
Facebook: @govindasrestaurant

KOH PHANGAN

Pure Vegan Heaven is a franchise born out of the mission to show the world that food could be plant-based, cruelty-free, and delicious, with branches in Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Chiang Mai. Recommended items include their rice paper salad rolls, mushroom larb, nachos, and quesadillas.  pureveganheaven.com

Eat. Co serves up nutritional plant-based dishes made from fresh ingredients. Their dishes span all-day breakfast items, light bites, smoothie bowls, loaded toasts, soups, salads, earthy dishes like dahl and falafel plates, and mezzes. Pair with one of their refreshers, like the Fizzboocha (THB 100). 
Facebook: @eat.consciously

Dosha is a restaurant specialising in Ayurvedic and Indian cuisine. It offers an all-you-can-eat buffet of healthy, vegan dishes that starts at only THB 100. In addition, the restaurant also dishes up a fusion menu in the evenings featuring items like curries, vegetable salads, raw dishes, and vegan desserts. 
Facebook: @AreesCafe

KOH TAO

VegetaBowl specialises in various bowls with options for those with several dietary restrictions. Examples include the Mexican bowl, where rice, lettuce, or pasta is topped with spicy beans, corn, tomatoes, and vegan feta, and the Japanese bowl, comprising of crispy tofu, nori, wasabi peas, and wasabi miso dressing. Prices start at THB 130. 
Facebook: @vegetabowl

Gecko Republic Jungle Café is the island’s first pure vegan restaurant. On the menu is a mix of Western and Asian dishes, crafted from organic ingredients. Served tapas- style, the plates are perfect for sharing and the restaurant offers great combo deals, for example, two flatbreads and three tapas for THB 300. 
Facebook: @geckorepublic

Another restaurant serving up delicious, healthy cuisine is Vegan Island. Offering a mix of Asian and Western-inspired dishes, the restaurant specialises in an array of salads, wraps, and mains, including burgers, pasta varieties, and breads and dips. 
Facebook: @VeganIslandKohTao

CHIANG MAI

An offshoot of Chiang Mai’s famed Reform Kafe, Goodsouls Kitchen is best known for its range of vegan Thai and international dishes, interesting combinations, and delectable desserts. Most recently, their menu
has added an array of vegan pizzas, which include their signature cashew mozzarella, and gluten-free options. Facebook: @goodsoulskitchen

“Vegetarian food so delicious, you won’t miss the meat!” is Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant’s motto, and the restaurant lives up to it with its creative take on Thai cuisine, without any mock meats or MSG. Popular with locals and tourists alike, their menu changes weekly, but the Crispy fried banana flower salad (THB 160) on their fixed menu is one that we highly recommend. 
www.anchanvegetarian.com

If you want to feed your soul as well as your bellies, Free Bird Cafe is a social enterprise where all proceeds go towards the Thai Freedom House, a resource centre for Burmese refugees and other minorities. Focusing on Thai, Shan, Burmese, and international dishes, their Classic khao soi (THB 120) is not to be missed. Facebook: @FreeBirdCafe

HUA HIN

Hua Hin Vegan Cafe and Wine is a charming bistro in the middle of Hua Hin which serves completely vegan Thai and international dishes, including more unique takes like their Spicy jackfruit stir fry (THB 150). Aside from a surprising range of wine vintages from around the world, the restaurant also offers raw juice and drinks as a healthier alternative. 
Facebook: @huahinvegancafe

A hidden gem in Chomsin Road, Muay and Joom Vegetarian serves vegetarian Thai cuisine all day, but make sure to get there early to find the best selections. From mock meat dishes to stews, curries, and kuay tiew, this restaurant may not look like much, but it’s a favourite of locals and tourists alike. www.restaurantguru.com/muay-and-joom-vegetarian-hua-hin

An all-day buffet of ovo-vegetarian Thai cuisine (although vegan options are available), Ruean Thong Vegetarian Food is a hole-in-the-wall popular among locals for its generous array of options. From classics like green curry and mock-meat options of popular Thai dishes, a serving of as much as you can eat will cost you only THB 40. 
Facebook: @RueanthongVegetarianfoodhuahin