The 10 Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Pattaya

Pattaya’s Kitchen J is a terrific place for veggies to enjoy Thai cuisine without worrying about hidden meat ingredients. The restaurant serves jay food, a diet that follows Chinese Buddhist vegan principles with no animal derivatives. You’ll find mock meats and a huge assortment of vegetables. Load your plate up with ‘pork’ and holy basil, stir-fried vegetables and noodles for a worry-free feast at a very reasonable price.

Most dishes at Five Star J follow jay principles and are suitable for vegans. However, dairy is used in a few meals, so do check before ordering. The restaurant doesn’t use any MSG, chemicals or palm oil so you really can treat your body like a temple! Dishes are also free from onion and garlic for those following a strict jay diet. Enjoy pizza, veggie burgers and risotto, or tuck into ‘chicken’ massaman curry, pineapple fried rice, and soy ‘duck’ noodles for more of a local flavour.

Yes! Vegan is a small restaurant and hostel. The setting is simple but a great deal of care goes into preparing flavourful and attractive vegan meals, combining both Thai and Chinese influences. There are mock meats to dig your teeth into, such as ‘pork’ cutlet, ‘chicken’ burger and roasted ‘duck’. You’ll find plenty of fresh and hearty vegetable-based dishes too, including warming broccoli soup and crisp wraps with wasabi dip.

There’s no need for vegetarians to miss out on tasty Japanese hotpot thanks to A Pot Shabu. Choose your vegetables and tofu from the buffet then cook up a storm right at your table. Add herbs to enhance the flavour, mix your ingredients well in the bubbling broth and, when it’s cooked, pour yourself a bowl of veggie goodness. The restaurant offers a range of vegetarian a la carte meals too, including pasta and pizza.

Located within the large VT Six condo building, VT Six Indian Vegetarian Restaurant (formerly known as Vegetarian Paradise) serves delicious and authentic cuisine from North India. Close to Central Festival Mall, it’s a top spot to refuel after a shopping bonanza. Meals are available for both vegetarians and vegans. Start with samosas and bhajis before enjoying a range of spicy and creamy curries. Don’t forget to order fresh Indian breads, like naan and roti, to mop up the thick gravy.

The large open-air and nature-surrounded Suan Eakaparp Vegetarian is a welcoming restaurant with only vegan fare on the menu. Dishes make full use of ingredients grown on-site, including herbs and edible flowers for pops of colour on your plate. There’s plenty of protein from the tofu and soya-based mock meats. Tuck into popular dishes Thai dishes such as som tam (spicy papaya salad), pad kee mao (drunken noodles), and pak bung (morning glory), all without any animal derivatives.

For a real health kick, check out Rasayana Raw Food Café. Not only is everything vegan-friendly, but the restaurant uses only raw ingredients to create a range of imaginative dishes. All meals are free from wheat and gluten too, and ingredients are organic as much as possible. For a real treat try the signature Rasayana Salad: celery and avocado are among the many ingredients tossed together in a mustard and beetroot dressing, topped with almond, carrot and herbs. Other items include courgette noodles, mushroom burger and beetroot soup.

Tanatan specialises in vegetarian Gujarati food with added Thai twists. Unlike many similar restaurants, alcoholic drinks are available. Portion sizes are generous, but order the Tanatan Special to really send hunger packing. It includes three vegetable dishes, dal (lentils) and salad, served with rice, roti, a papadum and a traditional dessert. Tanatan is a popular eatery so be prepared to wait a short while for a table in the air-conditioned dining room.

With a popular flagship store in Bangkok, Saras is an exciting addition to Pattaya’s vegetarian food scene. Specialising in Indian cuisine from all regions of the country, the huge menu also has a smaller selection of Thai and Chinese dishes. Make sure to leave space for some tantalising homemade desserts, such as gulab jamun, ras malai, and milk cake, too.