Serves meat, vegan options available. All vegetarian except for fish, with many vegan & raw options. Restaurant serves juices, raw food, Thai and Western, cakes, and more.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, Raw, Thai, Western, Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. All vegetarian except for fish, with many vegan & raw options. Restaurant serves juices, raw food, Thai and Western, cakes, and more.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, Raw, Thai, Western, Non-veg
7 Reviews
First Review by smithintaiwan
Contributions +175
Favorite place in Thailand! - Edit
Just to set expectations: you should come here for the atmosphere, location, and the extensive menu, not if you are looking for cheap eats. It's a beautifully crafted oasis, not a Thai food court. The portions are very generous and contain high quality ingredients.
.....
Nestled within some of the most peaceful and serene environments in Thailand, this restaurant, attached to some of the coolest accommodations on the island, is a must see for anyone planning on being in the south.
If you want an escape from the chaos of the world (or even of Haad Rin), this is the ultimate. Even the walk over the mountain from Haad Yuan adds to the feeling of being in another place, totally isolated and pristine. Definitely make sure to wander around the resort. It is masterfully constructed and nothing seems out of place.
The restaurant itself is large and beautiful. Right on the beach, you get the perfect breeze coming through as Bonobo and Thievery Corporation set the mood. The staff seem like the happiest people ever and it shows in the service.
The menu is similar to a lot of places in Thailand in that they do a little of everything, and it just seems to go on and on, page after page, but that is where the similarity ends. The difference here is that it's not just the same stuff you see everywhere else or a similar dish done with different combinations of ingredients. Apart from the Thai mainstays (which they do VERY well. The Massaman is some of the best), they have so many delicious and culturally encompassing options. From the Dahl, to the Hummus Wrap, HUGE miso soup, hearty breakfest, an unending number of drinks and smoothies, a gigantic dessert case and even a customized menu for those doing a detox/fast at the resort, it is like nothing we have seen anywhere else. I'm pretty sure you can't find the menu online because seeing it is part of the experience ;)
I think I have made my point. Just go if you have the option. You won't regret it.
Pros: Atmosphere, Location, EXTENSIVE menu with very generous portions
Contributions +1535
Unique - Edit
I've read mixed reviews about The Sanctuary's restaurant and accommodation. It's expensive for Thailand, but in my view it's worth it for a treat.
The staff are more knowledgeable than most in Thailand/Ko Phangan, they speak excellent English and are trained to ask for your name individually when taking orders. It's a nice touch.
I had two meals here. The veggie/lentil burger was disappointing; dry and a little tasteless. I also had a masaman (potato) curry which was one of the best Thai means I've ever had. It was very rich so no doubt not the healthiest, but soooo tasty.
The location is stunning, but you'll have to get a taxi-boat and hike up the hill to get here. You also have the cheaper Bamboo restaurant nearby.
Treat yourself. Just make sure you go for Thai food.
Pros: Tasty Thai food, Stunning location, Knowledgeable staff with great English
Cons: Expensive by Thai standards, Difficult to get to, Disappointing western food
Contributions +25
Best Vegan Food in Thailand! - Edit
The Sanctuary is one of my favourite places on Earth and their food is without doubt some of the tastiest and freshest vegan food I have enjoyed. They offer two menus- one is mainly vegetarian with seafood options, the other one is their cleanse and detox menu which offers a great variety of raw, vegan cuisine with items such as raw veggie burgers, nori rolls, falafels, raw soups, curries and fresh tasty salads. They offer raw and vegan breakfasts including chia seed pudding and raw granola with cashew milk. The staff are amazing and always willing to help with dietary requirements. The view is the best and the friendly, quirky vibe always makes for a positive experience. The dessert cabinet now has an extensive display of raw vegan cakes, bliss balls and slices and their updated drinks menu has new green smoothies and superfood smoothies! The menu is a little pricer than other places in Thailand, but the quality, portions, ingredients and atmosphere, plus the logistics of being in a remote Bay on a remote island, certainly justify the slight mark up. All in all, The Sanctuary is a must-visit if you are in Thailand!!!
Pros: Vegan friendly, Raw friendly, Great atmosphere
Contributions +40
Expensive, good food, poor service - Edit
The atmosphere is tranquil, the food was good albeit overpriced (for Thailand). The service was lackluster; the staff are friendly, but often unhelpful. You're left chasing them for menus and to place orders. I was disappointed with detox/cleansing programs there, which are expensive (relative to comparable programs on the islands), especially because the staff were uninformed and unable to answer basic questions. However, the Sanctuary's general facilities, are lovely and the beach is clean, quaint and serene.
Contributions +480
Overpriced - Edit
For Western food it is one of the better options, though only one of, but for Thai it is one of the worst. Been coming here for over a decade and it is certainly the most expensive place to eat on any of the three adjoining bays by far. The breakfast is recommended if you need a veg full English. The food generally tends to be quite bland. The hot'n'raw soup is something a bit special though.
Pros: Western dishes, Raw menu
Cons: Expensive
Contributions +60
A varied vegan experience - Edit
I stayed at the Sanctuary for a day, and ate regularly at the restaurant. Despite the fact that they advertise themselves as a "Vegetarian and seafood restaurant", I had mixed experiences in getting vegan food.
Some breakfast and desert options are marked vegan on the menu. I had a nice mixed grain porridge just before leaving, for example. Main courses, though, are not marked.
One senior member of staff was very understanding and helpful - she stood with the chef during cooking to make sure no mistakes were made. At the other end of the scale, another staff member abruptly ended a conversation by saying that they could not help me and maybe I should have a salad.
On another positive note, I left my laptop sleeve and the staff very kindly posted it on. When they are helpful, they are very helpful.
The food, once I got it, was good. I had a curry and some snacks. The juices were fantastic. But I was in an expensive (for Thailand) holistic detox resort which advertised a vegetarian restaurant, and had not expected it to sometimes require, say, the patience of an omnivorous restaurant.
Pros: Good food, Some very helpful staff
Cons: Pricey, Waiting for the very helpful staff, Vegan options not marked
Contributions +227
Great but expensive - Edit
The Sanctuary has a cool restaurant with great music and good food. Very good selection of vegan and vegetarian food, including a Sunday brunch. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive for those on a budget and can't compete with the wonderful Bamboo, just five minutes away.
Pros: Selection, Quality, Music
Cons: Expensive
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