What is it?: A lovingly restored classic Thai wooden house from over 100 years ago with colonial influences, featuring a Thai fine dining plant-based menu not unlike that you might find in one of Bangkok’s wonderful heritage 5-star hotels.
Why we love it: Vegan Mahanakorn fills a distinct gap in the market for plant-based dining in Bangkok. The beautiful white abode stands out distinctly from the surrounding shophouses and long-standing business establishments that serve the local community. Take your shoes off, put on provided slippers, and be greeted bychong kbon-clad wait staff to cross the teak floors to your table. Drinks are imaginatively presented and even those familiar with traditional Thai dishes may have to ask questions of some of the menu items. Heritage Thai dishes are all here with any meat component changed for a plant-based alternative. Somehow the chefs maintain the textures and attributes of food that would expect meat to be the central feature. The appetisers are all noteworthy and a sample plate offers a couple of each of the six items on the menu. Curries can be ordered according to spiciness preference.
Time Out tip: If you have guests in town wanting to visit Wat Arun, take them to the temple around sunset and then head nearby to Vegan Mahanakhon for an encore of Thai classic fine-dining vegan experience. Reservations advised.