Koh Phangan is a beautiful island in southeast Thailand. It is a popular destination for vegan travellers seeking delicious and healthy plant-based options. With an abundance of fresh produce, tropical fruits, and a thriving vegan community, Koh Phangan has become a vegan paradise.
The island is known for its monthly Full Moon parties, but what most people don’t know is that in the north-western parts of the island, specifically the area around Srithanu beach, you can find a beautiful community of conscious yogis, expats, travellers, and locals that have created a vegan paradise on the island.
If you’re a vegan looking to explore Thailand, Koh Phangan should definitely be on your list of must-visit destinations.
WHAT TO DO ON KOH PHANGAN
In addition to the vast jungle and beautiful palm trees, the beaches on Koh Phangan are idyllic. The best thing to do on Koh Phangan is to rent a motorbike and explore the island.
One of our best memories of the island is the cooking class that we took at C&M Culture Center. Taking a cooking class is a fantastic way to learn more about Thailand’s food culture. They showed us how to cook traditional Thai dishes in a vegan way.
Koh Phangan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, with crystal-clear waters and white sand. Some of the most popular beaches include Thong Nai Pan, Zen Beach, Haad Yao, Salad, and Bottle Beach.
If you like to party, then you have to attend a Full Moon Party. Koh Phangan is famous for its Full Moon Party, which takes place on Haad Rin Beach every month. It is known for music, dancing, and colourful atmosphere. On the other hand, if you miss the Full Moon party, there is also a Half Moon Party.
Koh Phangan’s lush jungles are home to stunning waterfalls, hidden lagoons, and breathtaking views. For example, some of the best jungle hikes on the island include the Mae Haad Trail, the Than Sadet Waterfall Trail, and hike to the Bottle Beach.
WHERE TO STAY ON KOH PHANGAN
We visited Koh Phangan twice and both times we stayed near Srithanu beach. Without a doubt is this our favourite part of the island and most of the vegan restaurants are in this area.
There are many different types of accommodation such as affordable hostels or fancy private pool villas. You can check all the best accommodations here.
HEALTH RETREATS
Koh Phangan is home to some of the best yoga, detox, and meditation centres in Thailand, making it the perfect place for health-oriented people. The island is home to yoga studios, wellness centres, and other health-conscious businesses.
For those looking for a unique experience, Koh Phangan is also home to a number of vegan and raw food retreats. These retreats offer visitors the opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and reconnect with their body and mind through, for example, vegan cuisine, yoga, and meditation.
If you want to experience everything the island has to offer you could stay, there for months. As a result, it is a very popular destination among digital nomads.
WHERE TO WATCH THE SUNSET
Watching the sunset every evening is a must on Koh Phangan. If you really want to experience the heart and soul of Koh Phangan watch the sunset at Zen Beach. The Zen Beach is a popular spot for yoga and meditation enthusiasts, who come to practice as the sun sets over the horizon. The stunning views and tranquil ambiance make it the perfect place to be.
Our favourite sunset was at the 2nd Floor-Sunset Bar. It is just above the beach with a beautiful view directly at the sunset and with great cocktails.
420 Club is one of the places where you can watch the sunset from the top of the hill. The place offers a unique experience that combines stunning views with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The 420 Club is a popular spot for travellers and locals alike to gather and enjoy the beauty of the sunset.
VEGAN FOOD ON KOH PHANGAN
Koh Phangan has a growing number of vegan restaurants that offer delicious and healthy options for plant-based eaters. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a full meal, there’s something for everyone on this beautiful island.
WHAT’S CUP
Was our favourite breakfast spot on Koh Phangan. It has a big terrace with an amazing view. The restaurant is very popular therefore sometimes you will have to wait a little bit for the table.
On their menu, you can find different types of smoothies and smoothie bowls. You can have a porridge bowl, or granola with coconut yoghurt, avocado toast without egg, and a fruit bowl. I really loved their smoothie bowls and coffee with oat milk.
JAJA’S VEGAN
It is a small vegan stand located on the side of the main road. It offers a variety of Thai dishes for affordable prices.
FRIENDSHIP CONCEPT – MEATLESS GRILL
It is a very popular vegetarian burger restaurant where every burger can be made vegan. We tried two different burgers and they were the best vegan burgers that we have ever tried.
The restaurant also has a great atmosphere and live music in the evenings.
KARMA CAFÉ KOH PHANGAN
Karma Kafe is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant. Their menu features a variety of vegan dishes, including salads, wraps, burgers, and smoothie bowls. My favourite was their sushi.
They also have a selection of desserts and drinks, including smoothies and fresh juices. The restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere and is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner.
STREET VEGAN HOUSE
It is a well-known restaurant on Koh Phangan. The restaurant offers a wide range of vegan dishes, including gnocchi, lasagne, poke bowl and our favourite Northern Thailand dish called Khao Soi.
Everything tasted delicious.
DELI DEVI
Is a vegan café that makes its own plant-based cheese. It is one of the best breakfast spots in Koh Phangan.
We did not have a chance to try their vegan cheese, but we definitely will the next time we are visiting. I had a great smoothie bowl for breakfast.
EAT.CO ON KOH PHANGAN
Is a vegan restaurant on Koh Phangan. We have mixed feelings about it, because the place looks really nice, and the loaded fries were delicious, but the ramen was not our favourite. If you like the menu, you should definitely give it a try.
PURE VEGAN HEAVEN
Pure Vegan Heaven is a restaurant chain with locations in Koh Phangan, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. In pure vegan heaven, you can have a smoothie bowl, breakfast burrito, poke bowls, wraps, sandwiches, and Thai food.
They have two locations on the island, we visited the one in Phangan food court.
ORION CAFÉ
Orion Cafe is located inside the Orion Healing Center. The cafe offers smoothies, fresh juices, elixirs, and dishes made with superfoods. The cafe is known for being vegan-friendly with raw and gluten-free options.
Their menu is wide with different breakfast options like chia pudding, smoothie bowl, oats, pancakes, and tofu scramble. For lunch, you can have a salad or a healthy veggie bowl. Their main dishes include ravioli, ramen, pesto pasta, and many more.
These are just a few of the many vegan restaurants. Whether you are a vegan or simply looking for healthy and delicious food options, Koh Phangan has something to offer for everyone.
In conclusion, it is not a surprise that Koh Phangan is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. It is really a destination you have to put on your bucket list. It has everything a perfect tropical destination needs: a beautiful jungle, turquoise beaches, and numerous vegan restaurants.
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Find Out About the Best Vegan Restaurants on Koh Samui! The Ultimate Guide for Your Perfect Vacation