Searching for vegan restaurants in Koh Samui? You’re in the right place! There are many vegetarian and vegan options on this beautiful Thai island, and we’re going to show you all the best vegan food in Koh Samui that you can enjoy.
We also have tips on how to order vegan friendly food if you’re a vegan in Koh Samui. Let’s explore some amazing Koh Samui vegan restaurants!
Note: We try our best to update our blog posts, however, restaurants may close or change their opening times. Please double-check GoogleMaps or their website before visiting any of these restaurants. Thank you and enjoy!
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How to find Vegan Thai Food in Koh Samui
The best way to find vegan Thai food in Koh Samui is to check out Happy Cow and Google Maps! Happy Cow is an amazing app that has recommendations from previous travellers and you can really find some hidden gems on there. GoogleMaps is simply searching the word vegan or vegetarian and finding what vegan restaurants in Koh Samui come up.
Sometimes these techniques don’t show all of the places to find vegan food in Koh Samui – as not all vegan restaurants appear. Thailand actually has a word for vegan which is โJayโ and it’s always Buddhist vegan food.
Look out for red and yellow signs with the Thai word (เนเธ) โ it looks similar to a 17! Sometimes the Chinese character (้ฝ) will also be the sign for a vegan restaurant.
There are only a few Jay restaurants in Koh Samui, but more may pop up in the future. Weโll show you our favourite places to find vegan Thai food in Koh Samui in this guide!
Another easy way to find vegan food in Koh Samui is to look out for vegetarian Thai food and ask them if they make the dish vegan. A few things to ask is no egg, no dairy/milk and no fish sauce.
Also check out our 3 Day Koh Samui Itinerary: The Best Koh Samui Guide!
How to order food in Koh Samui as a Vegan
When ordering vegan food in Koh Samui at any non-vegan restaurant, youโll have to let them know youโre vegan if they donโt have a vegetarian menu.
How to say Iโm Vegan in Thai? โ For โfemalesโ โchan ghin jayโ & for โmalesโ โpom ghin jayโ.
Vegan Thai Dishes:
- Thai Mango Sticky Rice (The best vegan dessert in Thailand)
- Thai Green/Red Vegetable Curry (with Tofu)
- Thai Massaman Vegetable Curry (with Tofu)
- Pak Boong (Morning Glory)
- Pad Phak (Stir-Fried Vegetables)
Thai Dishes that can be made Vegan:
- Vegetarian Pad Thai โ with no egg
- Pineapple Fried Rice โ with no egg
- Vegetarian Khao Soi โ no fish sauce (a Northern Thai dish)
- Vegetarian Papaya Salad โ no fish sauce
- Vegetable Fried Rice – no egg
There are many Thai dishes that can be made vegan, such as many soups, noodle dishes and vegetable dishes!
8 Vegan Restaurants in Koh Samui Thailand
More vegan restaurants are popping Koh Samui every year, which is amazing for the vegetarians and vegans out there (like us)! However the 8 vegan restaurants in Koh Samui in this guide aren’t fully vegan, some of them being vegetarian or a restaurant with amazing vegan options.
We’ve included these restaurants in our guide as we want you to find the best vegan food in Koh Samui – So here’s our list of 8 Vegan restaurants in Koh Samui, Thailand:
1. Pure Vegan Heaven
100% Vegan Restaurant in Koh Samui
Pure Vegan Heaven is one of the best places to find vegan food in Koh Samui! They serve mainly international food, but also have vegan Thai dishes on the menu. We tried sweet potato gnocchi here and fell in love and their burgers are amazing!
They currently have four locations in Thailand and are hoping to expand to other areas within the country. If you donโt get a chance to try Pure Vegan Heaven in Koh Samui, you can add it to your list for Phuket, Chiang Mai or Koh Phangan!
Price Range โ around เธฟ190 ($$)
Currently open Monday – Saturday from 8:30AMโ9PM (Closed Sundays)
Find the location here – Pure Vegan Heaven Location (Lamai)
Also check out their Facebook โ Pure Vegan Heaven
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2. Vegetarian Time
100% Vegetarian (Mostly Vegan)
Vegetarian Time is a little gem to have on the island, if you’re a vegan in Koh Samui you should definitely check this veggie restaurant out! Even though it’s called Vegetarian Time all food is vegan or can be made vegan.
Their prices are affordable and they have a big menu of amazing vegan Thai food! The portions are also very generous. We tried a few vegan Thai dishes in Koh Samui here at Vegetarian Time.
Every time we visited, we were served by an elder lady and she was so lovely! Always recommending dishes and giving us fruit to try. She made us feel at home in her small vegetarian restaurant in Koh Samui.
Price Range โ around เธฟ70 ($)
Currently open Monday – Saturday from 9AMโ7PM (Closed Sundays)
Find the location here – Vegetarian Time Location (Lamai)
3. Greenlight Cafe
Vegan Friendly Restaurant in Koh Samui
Greenlight Cafe has an amazing range of vegan food in Koh Samui, and if it’s not the food that tempts you, it will be the swimming pool. Yes, if you’re a customer here, you get full access to their swimming pool! We ordered two delicious smoothie bowls and took a dip to cool down whilst waiting for the food.
They’re in a great location right in Bophut / Fishermans Village and it’s the perfect spot to relax in the afternoon or brunch! Head over here if you want your fix of healthy fresh vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free food in Koh Samui.
Price Range โ around เธฟ220 ($$-$$$)
Currently, open all week from 8AMโ9PM
Find the location here – Greenlight Cafe Location (Fishermans Village)
Check out Greenlight Cafe’s Website for more details!
4. Jay Tamachad Vegetarian
100% Vegetarian (All vegan food)
Have you ever visited a Jay restaurant in Thailand? They serve Buddhist vegan food in the form of a buffet and it’s so delicious! The people here are so lovely and will help you know which dishes are spicy or not.
When we visited we loaded up a plate of rice, veggies and protein and enjoyed a seat watching the ocean waves! It was lovely.
It’s best to eat at Jay Tamachad Restaurant when you visit the Big Buddha. So you should plan your visit around morning or lunchtime as they are closed in the evening. (Jay food should not be confused with the Jain food from countries in South Asia)
Price Range โ around เธฟ60 ($)
Currently, open Monday – Saturday from 7AMโ5PM (Closed Sundays)
Find the location here – Jay Tamachad Vegetarian Location (North-East)
โค Check out our 1 Month Thailand itinerary to plan your trip!
5. Lamai Veggie
100% Vegan Restaurant in Koh Samui
Lamai Veggie is one of the few fully vegan restaurants in Koh Samui. Although their menu is small, it’s exactly what it needs to be. They offer a Daily dish which usually consists of rice or noodles and various vegetables, served as a thali.
They also have a vegan burger and many types of vegan cakes (which is great to find if you’re a vegan in Koh Samui). Located near the busy strip of Lami Veggie – it’s a great spot for lunch!
Price Range โ around เธฟ80 ($)
Currently, open Monday – Saturday from 10:30AMโ4PM (Closed Sundays)
Find the location here – Lamai Veggie Location (Lamai)
Also, check out their website – Lamai Veggie Website
6. ANNIE Sweetery & Eatery
Cafe with many vegan options in Koh Samui
Annie is an amazing cafe in Koh Samui and they offer an amazing variety of wraps, burgers, smoothie bowls and vegan desserts. It’s definitely the deserts that tempted us to Annie’s to begin with but then we started seeing how good the wraps looked.
It’s in a great location in Koh Samui and right around the corner from Pure Vegan Heaven. It’s a lovely little vegan area on the island. When we visited it looks like the perfect place to get on with work or read a book, out of the hot sun. Annie’s Cafe definitely has to be on our list if you’re a vegan travelling to Koh Samui!
Price Range โ around เธฟ200 ($$)
Currently, open all week from 9AMโ8PM
Find the location here – Annie Sweetery & Eatery Location (Lamai)
Also check out their website and full menu – Annie Sweetery & Eatery Website
Also planning on going to Phuket? Check out our Ultimate Vegan Guide for Phuket!
7. Wild Tribe Cafรฉ
Mostly Vegetarian Restaurant in Koh Samui
Wild Tribe Cafe is located right next to Lamai Beach and serves a huge menu of many types of food. You’ll find anything from vegan Thai food to smoothie bowls and burgers to tofu scramble.
It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the Lamai area and you can even pair it up with visiting the Na Muang waterfalls.
Price Range โ around เธฟ200 ($$)
Currently, open all week from 8:30AMโ8:30PM
Find the location here – Wild Tribe Cafe Location (Lamai)
Check out their website and menu here – Wild Cafe Tribe Website
8. Vegan Khunnay
100% Vegan Restaurant
Vegan Khunnay is a must-visit if you’re in Koh Samui! They offer an all-you-can-eat vegan buffet – this sounds like heaven! They also offer specific vegan Thai dishes such as curries, soups and noodles.
They’re located in the busy area of Koh Samui in Bo Phut, near Chaweng Beach. So it’s the perfect location for you to visit whilst enjoying the beaches. We recommend visiting on an empty stomach, the food is delicious!
Price Range โ around เธฟ120 ($-$$)
Currently, open all week from 9AMโ7PM
Find the location here – Vegan Khunnay Location
Check out their Happy Cow page here
Other Restaurants to find Vegan Food in Koh Samui, Thailand
- The Hungry Wolf
- Life Cafe
- Chau Tear Vegan Restaurant
- Banana Leaf
Things to do in Koh Samui
We have a full 3 Day Koh Samui Itinerary: The Best Koh Samui Guide – check this out to plan your days on the island.
The Big Buddha
In the northeast of the island, you’ll find the Big Buddha, one of the best things to do in Koh Samui! It’s also known as Wat Phra Yai. The area is surrounded by beautiful views of the ocean and island and it’s much larger in real life compared to photos!
The Bid Buddha is very close to Jay Tamachad Vegetarian so it makes the perfect place to visit in the morning or at lunchtime. You can also find lots of shops selling clothes and various items.
Tip – Remember to cover up and respect Thai culture.
Visit Wat Plai Laem
Close to the Big Buddha is Wat Plai Laem, featuring a colourful temple and two big Chinese statues. They are beautiful to see in Koh Samui, and you can even feed the huge fish nearby. It’s great to do at the same time as the Big Buddha. Just remember to be respectful with clothing.
Na Muang Waterfalls
There is Na Muang Waterfall 1 and Na Muang Waterfall 2 – both are very different but in a similar location! It’s best to visit in the morning or late afternoon as it can get very hot here. But we do recommend visiting both on your trip to Koh Samui. If you don’t have the time to visit both, then Waterfall 1 should be your first choice.
Na Muang Waterfall 1
An easy waterfall to find on the southeast of the island! You have to pay a small fee to park your car or motorbike and then it’s only a 5-minute walk. The best part about visiting here is that you can jump in the deep pool of the falls and refresh yourself.
Na Muang Waterfall 2
If you want to visit both, we recommend visiting this one first as it is a short but slightly challenging hike up to the waterfall. The falls aren’t as impressive as Waterfall 1 but you’ll be greeted with impressive views of the jungle in Koh Samui and you can still swim up here too!
The Beaches
As Koh Samui is an island, it’s surrounded by the most beautiful beaches! You can beach hop all over the island and enjoy the white sand beaches and palm trees. A few beaches you can visit are:
- Lamai Beach
- Silver Beach
- Lipa Noi Beach
- Choeng Mon
- Maenam Beach
- Bophut Beach
- & more!!
One of the most popular and also our favourite beach in Koh Samui is Silver Beach! It’s the one we recommend most and you can hide under the shade of the palm trees when you’re not swimming in the crystal waters.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
The most popular area to stay in Koh Samui is by Chaweng Beach. This is where most things are happening and you’ll find a lot of guesthouses, hotels and hostels near the beach. We found a lot of budget accommodation near Lamai Beach.
Private Lodge Beachside Samui (Lamai)ย – We stayed here and had the best time! You can find them here on Booking.com.
Choeng Mon Beach and Bo Phut Beach also had a lot of amazing-looking accommodations in great areas. If you’re staying on the west side of the island you’ll be close to the main attractions, whilst also being close to the best vegan food in Koh Samui.
The best way to find accommodation in Koh Samui is on Booking.com or Agoda.com, you can find places to fit your budget and in the area, you want to stay.
Check out our other Thailand Posts:
- The Best 2 week South Thailand Itinerary
- 3 Day Koh Samui Itinerary: The Best Koh Samui Guide
- Ultimate Vegan Restaurants in Phuket โ Vegan Food Guide in Thailand
- The Best Krabi Itinerary: 3 Days in Krabi, Thailand
- 3 Day Koh Tao Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- The Best 4 Day Phuket Itinerary: What To Do
- Volunteering at Lanta Animal Welfare: Thailand
- 3 Day Koh Lanta Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- 11+ Best Thailand Travel Tips: Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand
- Koh Lanta Vegan Guide: Best Vegan Restaurants in Koh Lanta
- 3 Day Bangkok Itinerary: Best Things To Do
Or browse our travel blog for more inspiration!
Thatโs the end of our Top 8 Vegan Restaurants in Koh Samui! Enjoy the best vegan food on the island! If you need any help planning your trip, or more vegan travel tips – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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Wow the food looks amazing! The pancake stack, cheesecake, burger and curry. Lots of choice. Love the Buddha photo and waterfalls. ๐
Aww thank you so much!! We could eat pancakes everyday haha.
this is great thank you so much!
Thanks for reading! ๐
Nice helpful blog. Unfortunately, both Annie’s and Wild Tribe are now serving Salmon. They are not even Vegetarian anymore. Seems like many restaurants struggled during the slower 2+ years and tried to find new customers that way. They don’t seem to appreciate that this will turn off others.
Will add some other nice vegan places as we come across them.
Oh no! That’s a shame ๐ We did visit both this year when they were vegetarian & vegan and definitely saw how tough it’s been for all these restaurants. Thank you, we appreciate it!