Vegan
Organic
Raw
Thai
Western
Juice bar
Take-out
Small raw food cafe. Air conditioned. Please update HappyCow with exact map location. Reported closed to HappyCow, Dec 2014.
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Tha Pae Soi 1, Loi khor Rd, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50100
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- Cash only
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Last update on 15 Dec 2014 by Guest
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15 Reviews
First Review by Robertasg
mrnondairy
Points +31
Some Of The Best Food In Chiang Mai - Edit
Giva's description reads "small". Actually, it is tiny.
Read moreGiva's detractors suggest not stopping in hungry. That is not entirely unfair.
Pom, the owner operator, is a perfectionist. The place is small because that is what his lone hands can handle. He may be deliberate...considered... Alright, he's slow. However, he is certainly expert, creative, clever and zen. This is his life's work...his purpose.
He is a quiet man, Pom. Yet, when engaged, he withholds nothing. He will readily, and exhaustively, run you through the preparation of any item on the menu if you asked. Such is his enthusiasm for raw food and pride in his creations (which are incredible).
The setting is perhaps somewhat austere, understated, but also intimate and charming. I say Do Come Hungry! Ask Pom if he minds you if bring in a "tide-me-over". He will likely not object. SO, SLOW DOWN. Occupying one of the limited number of seats here is a real privilege. Enjoy the soothing music Giva provides, share a nice conversation with a good friend, and escape the heat in a delightfully air conditioned temple to peace, compassion and tongue tempting nutrition.
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-06
Pros: Pom (Owner/Operator), Atmosphere, THE FOOD!
Cons: GOOD FOOD - NOT FAST FOOD
Guest
aspara-gus
Points +176
strange place with decent food - Edit
This place was a bit difficult to find and looked more like a small shop than a restaurant. It was the first time I had been to a restaurant with only a small table. The owner/manager gave us a cold welcome but ensured us that everything was vegan when we asked. Although he came across as slightly different he took his time with the meals which were beautifully presented. We both liked the cold food although we never went back as I am a big eater and would have to spend too much on getting full.
Read morePros: vegan, good taste, healthy
Cons: slightly unfriendly, expensive, small portion size
Guest
Oslo
Points +68
Juice - Edit
West side of the street just north of western entrance to night bazaar. Tasty juice, semi-friendly proprietor.
Read moreGuest
Gudrun
Points +4887
Raw vegan in Chiang Mai - Edit
A very nice place with a friendly owner who speaks English perfectly. Everything looks superclean. The place could be anywhere else in the world where they sell good raw vegan food, so if you are a traveler with not so much time in Chiang Mai looking for some local flavor the place is probably not your first choice.
Read moreI had walnut "sushi" and "lasagna" and a fresh juice. Everything was freshly made and that took some time which is perfectly ok for such a place.
The food was very tasty. I just found it a bit too cold. I am not sure if there is a way to prevent this. I went there only once and there was only one other customer so I guess at least that day (especially since they have quite a variety of dishes) they needed to store the ingredients in the fridge until someone placed an order...
Pros: fresh, healthy, tasty food, friendly owner
Cons: food can be a bit too cold
Guest
robbie5050
Points +102
Great Wonderful Perfect in everyway - Edit
This is a must try.
Read moreFood excellent . portions big (not sure what others mean when they say small), maybe compared to USA "super sized" portions.
Prices cheap for what you get .
Juices amazing
Owner nice guy
I had Pesto Pasta which was excellent and a few juices all excellent.
Hard to find but worth the effort
Pros: Food, Juices , Owner
Cons: Toilet behind counter
Guest
samden
Points +934
Alien place whit teasty food - Edit
I went there on a stormy evening. Outside the street lights where turning on and of an the wind was hauling. I was sitting in a refreshing cool room whit dimmed light under the horns of some wired creature. Soft relaxing music was playing. It felt relay alien and out of this world. But the food was down to the ground testy and healthy. A amazing place!
Read morePros: great food, ambiente, freindly owner
Cons: pricey
Guest
lordnose
Points +33
Eat it...RAW - Edit
Lots of good raw food menu choices, carefully prepared by restaurant owner. Owner speaks good English and is very friendly. Prices a bit higher than some veggie restaurants in the area, but still reasonable
Read morePros: raw, friendly service
Guest
travellust
Points +67
Grateful for the great food here! - Edit
I found Giva to offer remarkably tasty and nutritious food in a nice atmosphere and at a reasonable price. The food is carefully prepared, so it takes some time. So if there are a few people ahead of you, bear that in mind. However, when I was there, it was not very busy and the wait was not long. But I would much prefer to wait, knowing that the food is prepared freshly. I found the owner to be a gentle and caring person who loves to serve healthy food. He is very conscientious about what he does. I observed the food being carefully washed, as well as the dishes. I am confident that hygiene is very good. If someone observed a lapse of hygiene, I am sure the owner learned from the negative review and made an adjustment. He is an intelligent and sensitive man.
Read moreRegarding one reviewer's comment about her companion needing to go to the hospital, I'm sure there is another side to the story. I ate there many times and the owner is far from being cold or rude. I observed a warm feeling between him and everyone who ate there.
Come, relax, enjoy the soothing background music, and delight in sampling the many tasty dishes. Try to leave room for dessert! I look forward to returning next year.
Pros: healthy food, delicious food, reasonable prices
Cons: none
Guest
Manimal
Points +59
Quiet, Friendly, and Good Food - Edit
Today I went to Giva and as soon as I ordered another staff in training appeared to help prep the food so it appears as if the owner has built in some scalability of service for those who have complained in the past.
Read moreThis was my second time to go and I plan to go again. The food is a bit rich if you are eating mainly fruit as I do, but filling and delicious. I would not go everyday, but this is definitely on my list of places to eat at as often as I can.
Pros: Can call ahead to place orders, English speaking and friendly, Delicious
Cons: Small
Guest
iknowfood
Points +20
A real raw food restaurant - Edit
Very nice restaurant, proper raw food without too much oil and nuts. I've been there a few times now and I'm always surprised by the tastes the chef proposes to me. Almost every dish can be accommodated if you have special dietary request.
Read moreIt can be busy and can take some time to have you food prepared, but you will never regret the choice.
If you like spicy food, try the papaya salad or the pad-thai, they are both absolutely delicious.
Very recommended.
Pros: healthy cuisine, big portions, very clean place
Guest
msvegan
Points +377
Only raw food rest. in Chang-Mai. - Edit
If you are a purist and only eat at raw food rest. then this is your only option in Chang Mai. The main dishes arent impressive or complex and overpriced considering the quality and portion.
Read moreAlso, when the owner was prepairing my salad (cutting the veggies) I noticed he kept running his hands through his hair which really grossed me out. Then he asked me why I didn't eat it all? What more can I say.
Pros: raw, juices
Cons: sterile space, limited menu, overpriced
Guest
aquarinna
Points +19
Lovely food - Edit
It is some of the best meals I have had
Read moreGuest
NikolaHooks
Points +38
Fantastic Food and Smoothies.. - Edit
I felt refreshed and satisfied after eating here.. Raw food can be surprisingly filling.. I didn't wait very long for my food / drink to arrive.. The cantalope, passionfruit and mango smoothie was so tasty! All food is made fresh and it tastes it too. :-)
Read morePros: fresh healthy raw food, air con, friendly staff
Cons: not enough background music
Guest
eatinggreen
Points +608
Don't come here hungry - Edit
We spent an hour and a half in this shop and only ate one salad and a smoothie. It's a very small operation - just a few tables. When we got there there was a couple sitting there with no food, looked like they had been there for a while so we assumed they had finished eating. Not so. After we ordered we waited and waiting.. and when a dish finally came out it was served to the other couple. And then another one, and another one, all a really long time apart.
Read moreIt took about 45mins to get one smoothie and at least another 45mins to get a salad. We had ordered lots of other things but after the first salad my husband had to be taken to the hospital because he was so famished - no joke! The heat of Chiang Mai had been a bit too much for him that day and he really needed some good, nutritious food to fix the situation. This was not the place to come for that.
When I asked for an ambulance the guy's response was "you're going to have to pay for the food you ordered, I7ve already started making it". Umm... after 1.5 to 2 hours you kind of forfeit that right I'm afraid. My husband threw some money at him, eager to just get out without causing trouble, so as it was he was paid.
The salad we did try was very average. In fact it was after eating it that my husband started fresking out and heading for the emergency room... didn't hit the spot it seemed.
All in all, a disappointment after having experienced great raw food in Bangkok at Rasayana... and without the two hour wait!
Pros: raw food - a pro in itself, aircon, clean shop
Cons: WAY too slow, service problem, average food
Guest
Robertasg
Points +24
Raw Giva Cafe - Edit
One of the only true raw food cafes in Thailand! Only one other that is in Bangkok. This is a new cafe that offers great quality raw food. The main focus is on entrees, salads, raw pastas. There are few dessert options as of febuary 2011. However, the main dishes are more then filling!
Read morePros: Fantastic quality, Accommodating, Raw food experience
robbie5050
there is one place in Pattaya now , excellent food
Read moreGuest
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