With the Vegetarian Festival approaching (Oct 13-21), here’s where to find the best meat-free dishes in town. (*In no particular order.)

V = Vegan (no meat, dairy or honey)

R = Raw (prepared below 48 degrees Celsius)

J = Jay (strictly vegan and free of pungent vegetables like garlic and onion)

Note: These dishes are all vegetarian and served at restaurants with a solid range of veggies dishes. Some of these restaurants also serve meat.

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1. The Vegan Breakfast Special at Chomp (B170) V

2. The Pumpkin hummus at May Kaidee (B100) VR

3. The grilled shiitake stems and herbal sticky rice at baan Suan Phai Sukaphab (B50) J

4. The spaghetti pesto at Mango (B200) J

The massive menu at this one-year-old veggie addition to Khao San features dishes colorfully made and carefully packed with nutritious ingredients. And Mango successfully delivers its progressive take on vegetarian food with  possibly the most colorful pesto in town, combining basil, crushed cashew nuts, macadamia, kidney beans, water chestnuts and taro.

20 Tanao Rd., 082-457-9071, 084-908-4881

 

5. The spicy stir-fried wild boar at Loving Hut (B140) J

The huge menu at this branch of a global chain of strictly vegan restaurants covers Thai, Chinese, Western and even Japanese items like sashimi, sushi and katsu sets. The “wild boar” stir-fry replaces the meat with konjac and soya protein imported from Malaysia. 

424 Rama 3 Soi 20, 02-291-5074

 

6. The vegan pizza at Govinda (from B180) V

The homey, all-vegetarian Italian restaurant does all the classics. Worth a try is their version of pizza topped with vegan cheese—the texture’s surprisingly close to the real thing.

6/5 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-663-4970

 

7. The Vegetarian dinner set at Chakrabongse Dining (B2,000/person) V

In addition to rotating daily set menus, the riverside restaurant offers a delectable vegetarian set menu comprising three small appetizers, five main dishes and a Thai dessert. We especially like the corn fritter that has subtle curry paste flavors. Note that reservations  are required, at least two days in advance. 

396/1 Maharaj Rd., 02-222-1290

 

8. The Broccoli Burger at Broccoli Revolution (B220)

This talk-of-the-town dish takes the vegetarian burger to another level. The patty, made with broccoli and quinoa and bound together with quinoa powder, is firm and flavorful, nothing like the familiar mush you get from most veggie burgers. The cranberry-charcoal bun, mango salsa and dill spread make a perfect combination.

899 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-5002. BTS Thong Lo

 

9. The spicy tempeh salad at Joy Luck Club (B140) V

Homey, 20 years old, and run by a family who’ve filled it with their personal collection of old records and toys, there’s a lot to like about Joy Luck Club. The menu, while not strictly vegetarian, has got a wide range of healthy, meat-free dishes. One of the newer items here sees a fusion of Indonesian soybean and syrupy Thai sweet-spicy sauce joined by diced pumpkin, carrots, mushrooms, green peas and onion—simply some of the best tempeh we’ve tried.

18 Phra Sumen Rd., 02-629-3112, 086-081-4433

 

10. The deep-fried tofu finger with spicy sweet & sour dip at Anotai (B155) J

Coated in batter and seasoned ever-so-slightly with white sesame, this might be the city’s ultimate deep-fried tofu—neither bland nor oily. The fried basil and chili pepper, sweet and sour sauce and sesame powder sprinkles make for good accompaniments, too.

976/17 Soi Rama 9, Rim Klong Sam Sen Rd., 02-641-5366. MRT Phra Ram 9

 

11. The grilled eggplant, baba ganoush, kampot pepper and parmesan at Seven Spoons (B290)

This rustic-looking, Middle Eastern-influenced dish gets most of its serious goodness from the deeply flavored baba ganoush. The accompanying grilled eggplant, walnut, parmesan and pink pepper add texture and spice. Part of chef Somkiat Pairojmahakij’s special vegetarian menu, the dish is available throughout October.

22-24 Chakkaphatdiphong Rd., 02-629-9214

 

12. The baby carrot and avocado salad at Quince (B260) RJ

New head chef Cameron Barker has made plenty of vegetarian options including this simple yet so refreshing salad. The vibrant flavors of orange, coriander, fennel and lime juice complement the crispy baby carrot while the creamy avocado adds some richness.

Sukhumvit Soi 45. 02-662-4478

 

13. The tandoori creamy broccoli at Indus (B280)

Vegetarians don’t only have to stick to paneer (cottage cheese) when it comes to tandoori dishes. These marinated broccoli florets have creamy and flavorful stems, while barbecuing in a tandoori oven gives a pleasurable aroma and smokiness.

71 Sukhumvit Soi 26. 02-258-4900, 02-661-5279

 

14.The deep-fried home-made tofu at Din Tai Fung (B220) J

On top of the veggie version of xiao long bao (Shanghai dumplings) made with four mushrooms and truffle oil, this year’s special jay menu includes this flavorful fried tofu with water chestnut, black fungus and carrot.

7/F, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd. BTS Chit Lom 

 

15. The khao pad nam liab at Na Aroon (B210) J

Though fried rice with Chinese black olives is a restaurant staple, it doesn’t make it onto many veggie menus—perhaps because of all that salt and oil. Here, the chef manages to pull off the dish while sticking to a health-friendly concept, washing the saltiness from the olives and restoring flavor with condiments like lime, chili, pan-fried tofu and pickled vegetables. 

65 Sukhumvit Soi 1, 02-254-8880

 

16. The Detox Antioxidants at Dressed (S: B189, L: B239) R

A lot of the salads and wraps on Dressed’s menu can be pretty bland. But not this one. The Detox salad combines some of the best veggie items from the list of more than 50 customizable items. The bold characteristics of roasted beets, baby spinach, roasted garlic and sundried tomatoes provide flavor, while carrots and broccoli add crunch, sunflower seeds provide some crispiness and  the blueberry pomegranate vinaigrette jazzes the whole thing up with some fruitiness. An easy choice for the lunch rush hour. 

G/F, Mercury Ville, 540 Phloen Chit Rd. 02-658-6688. BTS Chit Lom, Sathorn and Paragon branches

 

17. The yum saab gai gorb at May Veggie Home (B159)

Chef Pornnapat Lawasut’s creations are solid proof that vegan food doesn’t have to be tasteless. Among all the flavorful dishes, the yum saab gai gorb (Thai-style deep-fried vegetarian-chicken spicy salad) stands out with its bold, spicy, sweet and sour sauce; and the fried chicken made from Spa food’s premium-grade soy product.

8/3 Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-118-2967. BTS Asok

 

18. The Jay fried chicken at Demi (B200) J

Demi is a vegetarian force striking out against fake-tasting faux meats that does a really good job at recreating vegetarian versions of typical Taiwanese food. The fried chicken, made from lion’s mane mushroom, reaches very close to the real thing—juicy and flavorful.  

21/15 Sukhumvit Soi 49,  081-890-7787. BTS Thong Lo

 

19. The club sandwich at Bonita Social Cafe (B290) J

Recently reopened after a four-month break (the owner was running an ultramarathon across America), this quaint vegetarian cafe still nails the signature club sandwich, in which a mix of tofu and turmeric replaces the typical boiled egg, served with veggie bacon, lots of crispy iceberg lettuce and avocado.  

56/3 Pan Rd., 02-637-9541. BTS Surasak

 

20. The Gaeng Kua at Khun Churn (B150) J

Hailing from Chiang Mai, the vegetarian restaurant serves up a varaiety of meat-free Thai food. The curries served here are made with cereal cream instead of coconut milk, making them more creamy while still keeping the authentic northern flavors. 

G/F, Bangkok Mediplex, Sukhumvit Soi 42. 02-713-6599. BTS Ekkamai

 

21. The hummus at Nadimos (B140) RJ

Simple, mellow and one of the best in town. Just this, some tabouleh and a pita bread makes a fine meal.

Baan Silom, Silom Soi 19. 02-266-9081. BTS Surasak

 

22. Pumpkin Tagliolini at Luce (B240) RJ

In this pasta dish, the taglioni is substituted for strips of thinly-sliced semi-dried Japanese pumpkin. A little chewy, a little crisp and deliciously sweet, well complemented by the aromatic basil truffle pesto and black truffle slices. Part of a raw, vegan menu running through the end of Oct.

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, 33/1 Sathorn Rd. 02-210-8100. BTS Surasak

 

23. The Mangalore masala dosa at Dosa King (B195) V

The specialty here is Southern Indian dosa—giant rice crepes with various curried fillings—and they don’t disappoint. The Mangalore-style dosa crepe, made from fermented rice and lentil batter, is a real highlight, stuffed with mildly spiced mashed potato and onion. Served with a coconut and chives dip and sambar soup. 

153/7 Sukhumvit Soi 11/1, 02-651-1700. BTS Nana

 

24. The Avocado Inside Out Roll at Veganerie (S: B145, L: B235) RJ

Bangkok’s favorite vegan bakery takes a walk on the savory side with three Japanese-inspired sushi options, all of which come in two sizes. 

4/F Mercury Ville, Phloen Chit Rd. 087-443-3728. BTS Chit Lom

 

25. The King of Tofu at Sustaina Organic Restaurant (B230) RJ

Made with four different soy products, namely yuba (tofu skin), kinu tofu, gomu dofu (sesame tofu) and soymilk, this cold dish radiates goodness. Even for those who aren’t fond of tofu and soymilk, the side kombu shoyu adds a complex flavor and makes it that much easier to enjoy.

1/40 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-258-7573. BTS Phrom Phong

 

26. The Hawaiian pizza at Rasayana Retreat (B170) RJ

Also operating as a retreat and spa, the “raw living food cafe” serves up strictly raw vegan dishes. Though it looks unconventional, the toppings of tomato, pineapple and macadamia-nut sauce do evoke the flavors of a typical Hawaiian pizza, while the crispy base, made from sunflower and flaxseed, is tasty and packed full of minerals. 

57 Soi Prom-mitr, Sukhumvit Soi 39. 02-662-4803. BTS Phrom Phong