If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll know that for the past 3 months I have been travelling in Thailand and Japan. After spending much of that time (1.5 months) on Koh Phangan, I’ve decided to share my experience regarding everything yoga + vegan food in the Vegan Guide to Koh Phangan.
While there are many vegan restaurants spread over the island, the area of Sri Thanu in the north-western part of the island, has by far the best and most concentrated amount of vegan eateries. You’ll find that the north-west, where I spent most of my time during those 1.5 months, offers anything from a relaxing atmosphere, high quality yoga and detox retreats, picturesque beaches, incredible sunset jams, diving schools, and a beautiful community of curious travellers, locals, digital nomads, expats, and overall health- and spiritual seeking people.
The following vegan guide to Koh Phangan includes a list of my favorite vegan dishes + restaurants. While you can find many more places, these are my absolute favorites and well worth a visit! Of course I didn’t visit every vegan restaurant there is on the island, hence I’ll add a list of the ones I didn’t try below.
Where to stay?
Since one of the most popular questions I get is where to stay on this beautiful island, I’ll lay out a few of my favorite places below! Personally I preferred staying in guest houses/bungalows that are close to the beach, rather than hotels. It’s such a pretty island with food abundance that you won’t spend much time at home anyways so I always prefer spending my money on food and activities rather than a fancy hotel!
If you plan to stay a bit longer it might be worth booking a guest house/bungalow that includes a small kitchen unit to store fruits and do light cooking! Anyways here are my favorites:
Seaview Rainbow
≈$25
This is a bungalow style guest-house right on the beach! I stayed here for almost 2 weeks with my boyfriend in one of their fan bungalows. Their location is unbeatable, as their not only right on the main Srithanu beach but also just in the middle of all the best restaurants and coffee shops! You’ll pay about $25 per night but if you stay for longer than 2 weeks you might be able to bargain with the owner.
Benjamin’s Hut
≈$38
Beautiful bungalows right on the beach with a nice balcony, hammock and outside sitting area – perfect for breakfasts with a view! They’re located only short 2 minute scooter drive away from the center of Srithanu and surrounded by coconut trees and tons of lush greens! This is such a fantastic location, right on the beach with super friendly staff and even a small pool to chill and refresh! There’s tons of local shops and a minimart around to shop for quick supplies!
Loyfa Natural Resort
≈$44
Cutely designed bungalow style resort, located just next to my favorite yoga place Orion. This one is a bit more secluded located right on the beach front surrounded by lush greens. They have 2 outdoor pools overlooking the beach and a beautiful relaxing area. It takes about 5 minutes by foot to reach the center of Srithanu which is perfect!
Where to eat?
Eat.co
Eat.co is definitely a must-go when on the island! It offers the perfect selection of vegan comfort foods, healthy smoothies, lunch bowls and scrumptious desserts. The owner Kinga is the sweetest Polish woman who came to the island and created a little piece of (vegan) heaven with this restaurant. During my time there I literally went to Eat.co every second day, just because their food is incredible and the whole vibe in the restaurants is so relaxed and fun.
The vegan ramen is one of the best (if not THE best) I’ve ever had so far. It’s so incredibly flavourful, packed with tempeh, meaty mushrooms, shredded veggies, seaweed, sprouts, rice noodles and all the goodies! YUM! Just thinking about it now makes me crave it.
Apart from the ramen, make sure to try the Burmese salad (no msg and so so good), the meaty mushrooms on brown rice (out of this world), the mushroom burger (just look at the picture), the thali platter (all the good stuff on a plate with amazing dips), the Mexican bowl (think guac, tortilla chips, brown rice, corn, beans, salsa), cheesy kebab chip bomb (name says it all – for those comfort food days), and the dhal with naan.
Just before I left the island they also opened for breakfast with an absolutely mouthwatering new menu, so make sure you try also the quinoa porridge and some of their new breakfast goodies (I wish I could’ve tried them all).
Also, do yourself a favour and get their signature drink: passionfruit frizzboocha (just. try. it.) and stay for desserts! If you haven’t noticed already it’s a place where you need to come to for a minimum of 4-5 times to get an accurate impression of what’s going on! 😀
My personal dessert favorites were the coffee ice cream (so so creamy), Oreo cheesecake, apple crumble pie with vanilla ice cream, banoffee pie, and the mango millet cream pie!
Eat.co – what nourishes you (Srithanu)
72/1 Moo 8, Sri Thanu, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280
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Eat.co Bruncherie
As if one amazing vegan restaurant isn’t enough already, Eat.co also has another branch in Thong sala (just by the pier) that focusses on breakfast and lunch goodies! I’ve come to eat here every time I had to catch a ferry or was in the area. Excellent excuse to spoil yourself with some comfort food. The space is much smaller than their main restaurant but the menu is equally amazing!
In case you’re in the area, make sure to try the vegan waffles (with coconut whip), scrambled tofu, smoothies, wraps and baguettes. Just on the last day before catching the ferry to Koh Samui, I ordered this crazy scrumptious meaty mushroom baguette, which was huge and unbelievably delicious! Everyone on the ferry envied me for having it, while I was struggling to stay somehow civilised and clean while eating it… haha!
Eat.co Bruncherie (Thong sala)
Address: 79/1 Moo 1, Thong Sala, Ko Phangan
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Karma Kafe
Talking about favorite vegan restaurants, this gem is way on top of the list! Karma Kafe is perfection in its simplest forms. Everything from the delicious vegan food, the beautiful space, relaxed vibes, and super friendly staff is going to make sure you’ll leave satisfied (and probably come back)!
The food at Karma Kafe is incredibly delicious and you’ll find plenty of wholesome healthy options to choose from. And just in case you’re looking for an allergen-friendly restaurant, you’ll find anything from raw to gluten- and refined sugar-free.
Their signature burrito is out of this world and I’ve been missing it ever since I left the island. Think spirulina tortilla, filled with the best organic goodies like pumpkin, black beans, and sweet potato, topped with creamy cashew cheese, salsa and a side fresh salad! Words cannot describe the joy every single bite of this beauty has given me! If you order it, make sure to get it with crispy tempeh for some extra goodness in your life!
Some of my other favorite dishes include the Malibu sushi, the Kalifornia bowl, the quesadillas, the pesto bruschetta and, most importantly, the pumpkin soup with garlic bread. I’m one of those people that would never ever order a soup in a restaurant, just because most soups don’t fill me up, are not really amazing and I end up having to order another dish. BUT, this pumpkin soup completely changed my mind about soups.
Up until now I still don’t understand how they make it so good, but the soup is so incredibly creamy and just melts in your mouth. The combination of the garlic bread (gimme all dat!) and the soup is just next level. Just do yourself a favour and try it! It’s plenty and will definitely leave you satisfied!
Also, if you’re left with some space, make sure to try the desserts! My absolute favorites are the mint ice cream (or any of the other flavours really), the chia parfait (doesn’t look like much, but secretly it’s this most amazing lemony cheesecake), the carrot cake (make sure they warm it up for you), and really any of the other ones…. they’re all amazing!
Karma Kafe (Srithanu)
20/18 moo 8, Srithanu, Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani 84280
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Pure Vegan
Pure Vegan is definitely one of the places with the most beautiful setting on the island. Once you enter the place you find yourself in this very relaxing garden setting surrounded by lush jungly vibes and wooden signs with affirmations.
It is one of the only places (if not the only, not sure) that serves a decent açaí bowl and some other goodies when those cravings hit. My personal favorites from the menu were the sweet potato gnocchi, açaí bowl, quesadillas and the toffee pudding is INCREDIBLE!
If you go, make sure to bring mosquito repellent, or otherwise you’re gonna be eaten alive! 😀
Pure Vegan Heaven (Srithanu)
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Orion Healing Centre
Orion Healing Centre is not only a well-known yoga/detox retreat center on the island but also has one of the best locations/views and great food! It’s one of my favorite places to come and work from, spent the morning or just relax after one of their yoga sessions.
If you’re on the island and have the time and money, make sure to take the 2 hours morning yoga class with Ben! Until today one of my absolute favorite yoga classes ever!
Orion is located in a beautiful bay, offering divine ocean views and the perfect environment to just chill in a hammock, and enjoy some good food!
Some of my favorite dishes there include the hummus with za’atar (literally the best hummus I’ve had outside of Israel), their gluten-free bread with peanut butter and chia jam, the homemade granola bowl with coconut yogurt, the meaty mushroom burger, the cheezy ‘shrooms wrap and, last but not least, their signature papaya! Also, do yourself a favor and try the vegan snickers!
I’ve never even thought about it, but turns out, that tahini, dates, lime and papaya are a match made in heaven! Who knew? So so good for digestion and the perfect way to start your morning!
Orion has amazing healthy vegan food and they even offer a full detox menu for those who came to the island to do some cleansing.
The only downside I can think of are the prices. While the other mentioned vegan restaurants are already pricy for Thailand (comparable with vegan food in Europe), Orion is extra expensive (both their food and yoga classes). I’m not quite sure why they make it that expensive, as personally that was one of the only things that kept me from going there everyday instead of once a week, but oh well…
Orion Healing Centre (Srithanu)
5/2 Moo 8, Srithanu, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280
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Aree’s Ayurveda Cafe
While most of the above mentioned eateries are rather expensive for Thai standards, there are a few gems on the island that serve delicious vegan food for cheap. Aree’s is one of those. Here you can find a delicious vegan buffet full of flavourful Indian food, homemade kombucha and healthy desserts (excuse the low quality phone picture).
For 150thb ($4.5) you can fill up your plate with as much food as you want, including naan, curries, rice, dhal, etc. It’s simple, healthy, delicious, home cooked and the perfect place to eat on a budget!
Aree’s Ayurveda Cafe
33/7, Moo 8, Srithanu, Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani 84280
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Art Cafe
Art cafe is another beautiful place, located half in the jungle, with beautiful interior design and relaxing vibes. They have the BEST smoothie bowl on the island and offer a lovely atmosphere to work or have a nice breakfast. The protein bowl has a really thick consistency (like nice cream) and is filled with goodies like spirulina, peanut butter, bananas, etc. You can choose your toppings but my favorites are chia seeds, granola and cashews! YUM!
Apparently their fresh spring rolls are also amazing but I never tried them, so I couldn’t say.
Art Café
78/10 8 hani, Moo 6, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani
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Soul Organics @ Pantip Food Market
One of my absolute favorite places to eat amazing vegan Thai food is Soul Organics. If you want high quality organic food that’s cheap and really delicious, make sure to pay them a visit. Soul Organics is located inside the Pantip Food Market in Thong sala, but well worth the drive (or if you’re in the area).
My absolute favorites are the Massaman curry, the green curry, the tom yum soup, and the pad thai! They use much less oil than other places and their produce comes fresh from the organic garden.
Also located in the Pantip Food Market you’ll find an Israeli place with great hummus and falafel!
Soul Organics Restaurant
Pantip Food Market, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani
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Taboon
An all vegetarian Israeli restaurant with a really nice outside sitting area, great food and friendly staff and owners. As my boyfriend is an Israeli living outside of Israel, he gets extremely excited about homey Israeli (Arab) food, and definitely wasn’t disappointed when we went here. Choose from a variety of hummus, falafel, babaganoush, shakshuka, fresh pita, sambusak, burekas and whatever brings joy to your heart! Most dishes can be veganized if you tell them.
They also have some really nice juices I can highly recommend!
Taboon Restaurant and Cafe
44/1 Moo 8, Srithanu, Koh Phanang, Surat Thani, 84280
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Akasha Home Restaurant
Ever tried macrobiotic food? No? Well you should! Akasha is a small but lovely restaurant on the road into Srithanu featuring mostly organic and macrobiotic food. The food is very simple, super healthy and surprisingly yummy. It was my first time eating macrobiotic food and it was so delicious.
The restaurant is run by this really nice Greek guy and his wife and they also sell their own packaged spices, oils, homemade snacks, clothes and natural health products.
The food is really delicious, including read rice, steamed veggies, very little seasoning, macro bowls, soups, sandwiches and really yummy bread. I feared that it would be rather bland and tasteless but it’s really the opposite!
Big Mountain
Nice restaurant on the road leading into Srithanu. They have some vegan baked goods, Thai food and lots of juices. Apparently their pizza is a thing but I never tried it. Really liked their lab tofu mushrooms and steamed spring rolls! Also they have really good ‘mocktails’ that you should try!
Organic Shop
If you’re looking for some healthy supplies like homemade coconut yogurt, granola, kombucha, and vegan treats like bliss balls and cookies, make sure to check out the organic shop in Srithanu. It is a small shop located between Eat.co and Karma Kafe (next to the atm machine, there’s usually and older man sitting inside). The shop doesn’t really pop out but it’s worth a visit!
Fruit Stands
Last but not least, one of the best things food-wise on Koh Phangan (and probably all Thailand) are the local roadside fruit stands where you can buy tons of cheap, ripe fruit. Those were my go-to breakfast almost every morning. I became obsessed with papaya, passionfruit and lime (great combo), tried durian for the first time in my life (not yet loving it), ate maybe 50kg of juicy mangos, had a coconut a day and tried mangosteen and absolutely LOVED it!
Funnily enough, I’ve never really liked papaya, it always kinda tasted like old socks to me, but then again I guess I never had a real one. Ever since I tried the local ones I’m in love and eating it all day everyday!
This vegan guide to Koh Phangan included all of my favorites! While there’s many more, those were the ones I’d go back to. If you’ve been there and feel like I’m really missing some place, let me know in the comments down below! <3
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