The buzz: Located in Khao San, Mango is dedicated to healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes. Owned by devout vegetarian Wachiraya Suebsang and sculptor Wonlop Nimesanong, the restaurant is already packed with tourists in search of a healthy meal and the homemade kombucha (tea fermented with yeast and bacteria).
The décor: The revamped shop house is quite casual and homey: you have to take off your shoes and sit on cushions at low tables. White brick walls, staff wearing fisherman pants, and art on the walls (next up is a take on Buddhism by Attaset Sanchan) complete the hippie chic vibe.
The food: International comfort dishes using organic produce whenever possible. Popular dishes include the homemade fried tempeh served with mango and pineapple sauce (B100), falafel burger (B160) and guay tiew maprao (B105) which uses the natural sweetness of its vegetable stock and young coconut shavings instead of noodles. Breakfast is also served here, with dishes like multi-grain pancake with strawberry and coconut cream sauce (B130) along with a dessert of tofu cheesecake with blueberries (B125) and banoffee pie (B125). Those who need spiciness in their dishes can also try the pad khee mao (B105) which is seasoned with natural salt and palm sugar.
The drinks: The drinks are as healthy as the food, such as the homemade kombucha (B65-B120) with flavors of lychee, lemon and hibiscus. Beers are Beerlao (B70) and Heineken (B85) or stay pure with the lassi (starts from B70) and fruit juice (B60).
The crowds: Throngs of tourists and some Thai families who eat vegetarian on Buddhist days.
