5 Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Phuket

Vegan restaurants in Phuket tell a quiet story about the country we all know and love.It’s fair to say that tourism has played a massive role in shaping the Kingdom into what it is today, and nowhere is that more obvious than in Phuket.

But there’s another side to the Land of Smiles that most visitors never get to see. It’s authentic and utterly delicious, but can appear somewhat inaccessible. Yet it is very much open to us all. It’s my goal to share a piece of it with you today.

At the same time, however, I’ll also be unashamedly celebrating some of the island’s most popular tourist hotspots. Because what they may lack in authenticity, they make up for with incredible vegan food and a vibrant community.

Vegan Restaurants in Phuket: The Best of Both Worlds

There are two types of vegan restaurants in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other tourist hubs.

The first caters to visitors. The portions are big and the food is wonderfully tasty. The menu is familiar, in English, and often packed with dishes from across the world. Although these places may seem cheap to you and me, they are not an option for most locals.

At the second type of restaurant, on the other hand, you can get a life-changing plate of rice and curry for less than $2. They’re rooted in culture and tradition, and are my favorite places to eat.

Named after the religion they follow, Jay restaurants are the missing piece to a perfect, vegan adventure in Thailand.

Let’s explore both styles as we dive headfirst into the top five vegan restaurants in Phuket!

Just a stone’s throw from the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea sits SOUL, a restaurant that very much lives up to its name. Delivering gorgeous vegan food and an atmosphere as good as anywhere else on the island, SOUL should not be missed on a day out at Karon Beach.

Their menu perfectly blends comfort and creativity. It’s packed full of dishes that are thoughtful, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. You’ll find everything from superfood smoothie bowls to big breakfasts adorned with juicy plant-based sausage bits and fluffy scrambled tofu. And just as the Thai sun shines above, the smiles of the staff light up the whole restaurant. Customer service is generally good all over the country, but I was especially impressed by the staff at SOUL.

From just one bite of the mango pancakes, I wondered if I’d ordered the wrong dish. Then, after another mouthful, I was politely instructed to stay away. But that disappointment quickly disappeared when my meal arrived. Stacked high, my vegan cheese and plant-based bacon burger with hash browns was absolutely boss.

As usual, I probably ordered the most calorific item on the menu, yet I didn’t feel sluggish or tired at all. The portions are large and filling, but everything is fresh and super high quality. It’s a treat for your taste buds and body alike.

They do have Thai dishes, too. And I’m sure they’re delightful, but again, I’d personally stick to their international cuisine. During your stay on Phuket, you’ll struggle to get a better combination than beach, SOUL, beach. It’s as close to perfect as they come.

The second and final Jay restaurant on the list is an absolute gem. Ironically, it’s almost next door to Jia Chai, also in Phuket Town. But Luk To offers something rather distinct and should not be missed.

To the unassuming eye, there’s nothing standout about it. It’s not dissimilar to the thousands of Jay restaurants you see from Chiang Rai to Hat Yai. And only with some understanding of Thai culture and cuisine will you understand exactly why it’s so memorable. Allow me to explain.

In Phuket, there are two traditional styles of cooking. You have southern Thai cuisine that stretches all across the region and is characterized by spice among other strong flavors. And then there’s Phuket food culture, which is influenced by the island’s Chinese heritage. Dishes are milder, more focused on noodles and soy sauce, and are absolutely incredible.

Of course, it’s not difficult to find Phuket food on Phuket. What is challenging is finding vegan versions of those famous dishes. Luk To is the solution. I absolutely loved their Hokkien mee with thick yellow noodles, dark soy, cabbage, tofu, and mushrooms. Again, for less than $2, you simply can’t go wrong. But there’s so much more on offer, including traditional rice and curry alongside their more unique dishes.

For true southern Thai dishes, you have Jia Chai. For original Phuket style cuisine, you have Luk To. But these two aren’t the only Jay restaurants on the island. There are plenty more. Just keep an eye out for the familiar yellow banners and red symbols for a cheap, local, and delicious vegan meal.

Considering my severe lack of a sweet tooth (mango pancakes aside), EatWise making it onto this list means it must be doing something very special. Around forty minutes’ drive north from Phuket Town and ten minutes inland from Bang Tao beach, it’s a great option for anyone staying further up the island.

Despite its name, EatWise Vegan Cafe is actually vegetarian. The majority of their menu is already fully vegan and almost every dish can be made that way. There is one part of their menu, however, that does seem to be exclusively plant-based. It’s raw, vegan, gluten-free galore when it comes to desserts. If you like sweets, you’ll be in heaven at EatWise.

I’d just stopped for coffee somewhere I knew would have oat milk. The rest was history once I’d seen what was on offer. Tahini Zebra Cake caught my eye then absolutely blew me away. It was like no other dessert I’d ever had. Nutty, zesty, creamy, addictive.

After skimming through the whole menu, I already had plans to come back the next day.

And I wasn’t disappointed. To start, the locally farmed tempura mushrooms were light, fragrant, and earthy in the best possible way. I’ve eaten my fair share of pad Thai over the years, but their reimagining of it with chia seed noodles was something I didn’t know I needed. Then, of course, passionfruit cheesecake to finish.   

Arguably worth a trip up from the south, but certainly a must-visit if you’re staying north or central, EatWise offers amazing food and the best desserts on Phuket.