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.
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14 Sirimankalajarn Soi 9, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50300
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Last update on 12 Dec 2025 by LilacHippy
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182 Reviews
First Review by eatyourveggies
sanluvegan
Points +200
Great vibe but not very tasty food - Edit
This place has a great vibe, but as for the menu we didn't really find anything that sounded that great so we just winged it. Ended up with two dishes we didn't like, a watermelon shake that mostly tasted like water and a mixed juice with a lot of foam on top (and no straw). I was hoping for a good experience but unfortunately this made us not want to come back. If I did come here again I would try a smoothie bowl or maybe a sandwich.
Read morePros: Cozy place, All vegan
Cons: Not a very exciting menu, Not great food
Guest
veganairman
Points +309
Go for the pancakes! - Edit
Went here for breakfast and ordered 2 pineapple juices, 1 vegan scramble set, and 1 vegan pancake. The best part was the pancake, it was huge and so delicious! However, it could have had some more fruit on top than just the 4 small pieces of pineapple and watermelon. Other than that it was a little bit disappointing.
Read moreIt was 80 thb each for a small glass of pineapple juice, which we thought was quite unreasonable. The vegan scramble set was pretty pricey as well, and it had an excessive amount of garlic in it.
For breakfast to spend 550 thb for two people, I would expect something amazing. I would go back for the pancake and maybe try something else on the menu, but wouldn't order a juice or the vegan scramble set again.
Pros: Great pancakes, Service
Cons: Pricey, Attention to detail
Guest
iris.isabella
Points +50
favourite spot in Chiang Mai - Edit
AMAZING food, friendliest staff and all money goes to Thai Freedom House which makes me more than happy to pay a little extra. Everything is so flavourful and delicious, my favourites are the chickpea curry and the mango milkshake. The founder Lisa is amazing and does an amazing job with the cafe and organisation. Don't miss out on this place!
Read moreGuest
jonnymarshall5
Points +373
Food leaves a lot to be desired - Edit
Love the fact that this place is vegan and also a non profit enterprise, but the food here leaves a lot to be desired. The menu sounds so great but it just wasn't very tasty. Also the prices are way too high.
Read moreVibe is good though so I wouldn't rule out going back for a coffee, but if you want decent vegan food in Chiang Mai, Vegan Heaven is far superior.
Pros: Vegan, Non profit, Extensive menu
Cons: Not tasty, Expensive
Guest
sharjna
Points +74
really nice but expensive - Edit
This place is really nice, sweet and comfortable. They offer delicious fodd, but it's quite expensive... Most of the breakfast for example coast arround 200 baht.. But with this prize you are supporting the freedom house project, which is great!!!
Read morePros: donating the freedome house, good & healthy food, cozy place
Cons: expensive
Guest
alaska77
Points +195
best salads I’ve ever had - Edit
Very peaceful little place with great and smiley staff - and customers as well :) I’ve had salad sampler of tea leaf, chickpea and pennywort (gotu kola) salads. All 3 were amazing, so flavorful and fresh! Also, really special, you don’t see these salads on the menu anywhere else. It is a must try in Chiang Mai!
Read morePros: food, great cause, service
Cons: location could be more central
Guest
Alma_copenhagen
Points +375
cute place - Edit
I was really impressed by their coffee but the food was really plain and average in comparison with the price. I had expected more. If you go I would recommend their chai latte coffe!
Read moreCons: expensive
Guest
AnthonyMTL
Points +233
Food is good but pricy - Edit
Like the bio says money goes to the owner's foundation. The menu is expensive but you're also donating. Had the smoothie bowls, they also have a gluten free pancake.
Read moreI'd recommend to go once at least.
Guest
Umeko
Points +363
Wish we could of come back again - Edit
We caught this place on the last day it was open before we left and I'm gutted. It was so good and they have such a lovely menu I really wanted to try so much more
Read moreI went here for the lapet thok (fermeted tea salad) and it was beyond words. They also sell the tea mix so you can take some home which made me very happy.
It's an incredible place with all the good work they do, a must visit if your in chiang mai
Pros: delicious food, lovely staff, wee shop
Guest
dcmf
Points +209
Such a special place - Edit
I love almost everything about Free Bird - that it exists to help disadvantaged minorities; that it sells second hand books and clothes; the quirky, colourful decor; the smiling, friendly staff; the communal tables where you can meet new people (of course there's more private tables too); and of course that it's entirely plant-based!
Read moreI ordered the French toast sandwich, which, although it looked underwhelming, tasted fantastic (though I'm not sure it's particularly authentic as far as French toast goes).
My only gripe is that their chocolate shake was quite watery.
Pros: Wonderful community + justice-based environment, Excellent food and varied menu, Good value
Cons: None
Guest
mamanoley
Points +507
Superb Vibes - Edit
This is a special place, brightly lit with open windows and hanging plants ~ definitely brings in a smiling crowd! Big BEAUTIFUL menu of breakfast, salads, thai dishes, sandwiches, hummus etc! It was nice to have a vegan sammie while traveling Asia - super fresh! The Apple Cider Vinegar Limeade was AMAZINGggg!!!! They have little games on the table to play with and people hang out their to do business on their laptops. The green-tea burmese salad is a MUST TRY! our favorite of the three we ordered. Desserts are yummy too :) Very friendly staff! and they have a calendar of conscious community events to check out too
Read morePros: Beautiful Space , Conscious Community Events , Fresh Food
Cons: none
Guest
DominikaStastna
Points +67
must try - Edit
Super tasty Cocoa smoothie bowl and French toast. Lavender latte also amazing. Great spot and great staff, too.
Read morePros: amazing menu
Cons: pricy
Guest
LilacHippy
Points +13448
Chiang Mai Favourite - Edit
This has to be one of the best if not the best place to eat a veg meal in Chiang Mai. EDIT: As of October 2017 - now fully vegan!
Read moreThe vegan pancake is huge and so tasty you can add whatever fruit you like - beats any other that I have had in Chiang Mai. They also give you coconut flower sugar instead of honey for vegans which I thought was great.
The Burmese salads are better here than anywhere else since this restaurant are the ones who started this trend before all the others followed. If you want the real genuine thing, then come and eat it here. The taste and flavours cannot be beaten. The Shan somtam is simply amazing!
Updated from previous review on 2015-11-13
Guest
RunEatWorld
Points +3838
Fantastic cafe - Edit
I have been back here several times, trying different items. My favourite is the pumpkin ginger curry - you must try it! The pancakes are enormous and are best shared with others. Prices are reasonable. Highly recommend this place.
Read morePros: Pumpkin ginger curry, Relaxed venue
Guest
CherylKqy
Points +157
great for vegan - Edit
I got the free bird vegan French Toast. At first glance, you might think this is going to taste bad. Because of the way it looks, mushy looking bread on the outside.
Read moreI enjoyed the French Toast very much. It has peanut butter, dates, and banana on the inside. A nice sweet treat that still leaves you feeling healthy.
You will be spoiled for options to eat and drink!!!
Pros: many vegan options.
Guest
Rosa veg
Points +2060
Nice atmosphere - Edit
We went here just for a cake that was really deliciuos . The atmosphere is nice And you can relax after a day around the city . They run this place to Help Burmese people and we love this kind of activities . Next time we ll try their food for sure
Read morePros: Nice atmosphere
Guest
Mike Munsie
Points +3466
vego cafe with vegan options - Edit
I called into Free Bird Cafe for lunch today (note to self: leave shoes at the door :-) ... I got the vegan pad Thai with a soy latte (฿160) ... I enjoyed the pad Thai despite it being rather bland looking on the plate ... the quality and quanity of the food was very good and the soy latte was ok ... the cafe was clean and cool and the staff friendly and attentive
Read morePros: vegan options available
Guest
avocadora
Points +105
Good variety and wholesome - Edit
I got the Shan salad sampler with rice berry and it was excellent. There are so many items on the menu I want to try including a vegan French toast sandwich with pb and dates and super food smoothie bowls. The small shop also offers homemade kombucha and some natural bath products. Prices are more comparable to Bangkok, but all profits are going to support Burmese refugees :)
Read morePros: lots of vegan options, emphasis on whole foods, variety and creativity
Guest
GekeKeuter
Points +187
good food for a good cause - Edit
I just looove the food there! the prices are a bit high, but I understand why.
Read moreif you're in a rush.. don't go here because it's one girl in the kitchen and one waitress (pretty slow).
Wish they were open more early (for breakfast and all) because they also close early.
Pros: a lot off vegan options, amazing fresh food, for a good cause
Cons: expensive , opening/closing time
Guest
kool_kitchen
Points +875
Nice food, good cause - Edit
It was very busy. The shan salads were good. I also tried hummus which came with these crispy fries that looked like and had the texture of a deep fried snacks found in 7 eleven but not sugary though and I'm sure they made it themselves.
Read moreDrinks were nice, nice choco shake with no sugar in a jar.
Pros: good food for a good cause, centrally situated
Cons: slow service, little pricey for what it was
Guest
happycyclist
Points +443
best in town-highly recommend - Edit
We felt so healthy and refreshed after our delicious meal here, ready to tackle a full day of touring temples. The food is not only healthy, beautiful, and delicious, but local, organic, and often raw. We had the amazing salad sampler where you can choose 3 of their many salad choices. We had the pumpkin, ginger, and chickpea salads, all with amazing taste and freshness. We also enjoyed their kaosoi curry noodle, and the tempe, which went well with brown rice. Overall, great food, good prices, lovely atmosphere, felt good knowing our patronage also helps Burmese refugee support programs. Highly recommend!
Read morePros: healthy ingredients, delicious, atmosphere
Guest
Wildwuchs
Points +42
Must visit in Chiang Mai - Edit
If you go to Chiang Mai you have to visit the free bird cafe. They have so much variation in their menu it's amazing. There should be something for everyone as long as you like healthy food. The sandwich I had was a bit tasteless, but everything else I tried was really really good. Also it's a charity cafe, so everything you buy is for a good cause. One negative: The place is a bit loud as it's directly near a main street.
Read morePros: tasty food, nicely decorated, variation, charity
Cons: price, loud location
Guest
Ruderies16
Points +349
Wonderful place - Edit
Great organisation and fantastic food. Wish they opened earlier - 9am is not nearly early enough for breakfast for this early-rising reindeer (and there are so many fantastic breakfast options!). Really tasty food and a great organisation.
Read morePros: profits go to assisting Burmese refugees, delicious food, vegan options
Cons: doesn't open until 9am
Guest
LinnDaugherty
Points +618
bam!! love this place!! - Edit
My friend showed me this place not realizing it was a vegan/vegetarian restaurant. She saw a picture on Instagram of the food here and wanted to check it out. It was delicious! Tons of options! If you wanted to try the famous Thailand Khao soi but couldn't because it's egg noodle - come here! They have a lentil noodle instead and vegan version. It's delicious! And lisas smoothie (I think that's the one I had) is one of the best! It's pretty easy to find - on the corner.
Read morePros: delicious!
Cons: wish it was closer to my hostel
Guest
njanszen
Points +70
Organic - Edit
Great initiative from the owners. 2 days a week closed due to study for burmese refugees. And all organic!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-10-08
Pros: Organic!
Cons: Not for work
Guest
reissausta ja ruokaa
Points +1942
Great restaurant, great food, great atmosphere - Edit
I reviewed Free Bird cafe first time 2,5 years ago and now I want to redo it, because the place has got so much better! It´s now one of my favourite Chiang Mai restaurant, or maybe the most favourite.
Read moreI love the salads, because I like salty Asian salads that have lots of taste. The Shan salads at Free Bird are something you don´t get vegan in many places at all.
The smoothie bowls (cacao or spirulina) are so good! They are tasty and sweet as I think they should be.
If somebody thinks it´s unhealthy then hey, all vegans don´t want to eat superhealthy food and it would be bad reputation for veganism if everything was superhealthy. I love to get my deep fried, sugary and salty foods. But I would not call the food of Free Bird as unhealthy (and I´ve been vegan for 22 years).
My old review:
I ate tea leaf salad and it was well spiced (not with chili) and good. There was only little bit of fermented tea leaves for taste.
I also had vegan key lime pie, which was not so tasty. It was still frozen.
My spouse had porridge (named warm oats of something) that was supposed to be with coconut milk, but it did not taste like coconut at all. Still it was good.
Nice atmosphere, not too far from any places inside the old town.
Updated from previous review on 2014-03-28
Pros: good salads and smoothie bowls, nice atmosphere, looks nice
Guest
Julie90
Points +1558
One of the best - Edit
I love Free Bird! Great food, fantastic breakfast (the smoothie bowls... wow) and they no longer serve milk. I love the whole concept as well. This is a must visit when in Chiang Mai! ;)
Read moreGuest
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