Happy Green Review

Happy Green

Address: 4/3 Moo 3 Pa Daet Rd, Tambol Pa Daet, Amphur Muang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100

Phone Number: 085 598 9010

Website: https://www.facebook.com/HappyGreenCNX

Opening Hours: 07.30AM-6:00PM (Tuesday to Monday)

Cuisine: Thai, Northern Thai

Happy Green is one of the most unique vegetarian/vegan restaurants I have found because it is in the style of both a Thai restaurant and a foriegner restaurant. Although they don't sell much western food, in other respects you are getting the best of both worlds. In some ways it is geared towards tourists with an English menu, vegetarian and not completely 'jey', (see the language pages for an explanation) as egg is optional in some dishes. Unlike the typical Thai stores it is open beyond lunchtime (until 6:00PM and I have been and ordered even later) and open every day. This is also a place where you sit and order rather than just picking out what you want from a tray, although they do offer pre-made buffet style dishes to choose from as well. They also have drinks that you can order such as fruit shakes, teas and coffees.

Everything else about it is Thai. Thai staff who speak little English, Thai customers, Thai style decor, Thai signage, Thai menu, no alcohol. In true Thai style the service is not always efficient, however the staff are always so lovely I find it all adds to the charm. Anyway, all of this might be unecessary for you, what you want to know about is how the food is.

Happy Green offers good sized, great tasting traditional Thai and Northern Thai food. The menu is quite varied and they do offer dishes with egg. They have tofu and also soy textured protein if you want it, but this is clearly identified in the menu. The restaurant is large and quite rustic in a tranquil setting overlooking the river and their vegetable garden, which is where most of their ingredients come from, as well as their own organic farm in Lampang.

The kitchen is all open right in the middle of the restaurant. They also have a produce section with fresh fruit and vegetables available for purchase as well as soya milk, almond milk and more.

Food is cheap here as it is priced for the Thai community. This was once quite undiscovered by foreigners but recently that has changed. During the Thai Fruit Festival Happy Green hosted events almost every night and introduced a raw menu. This food seems to be continuing which is a great bonus for Chiang Mai since the only raw restaurant, Giva, sadly closed down some years ago.

They are also one of the most environmentally friendly restaurants I have found. All of their food is organic and they also use organic cleaning products. They try to use as little plastic as possible and do not even use straws. If you want to take away your food please bring your own tupperware and they will give you extra or a price reduction. Rewards for saving our earth - we love it.

Happy Green still remains to be completely unpretentious as they are not trying to be anything in particular. It's basic, plain but genuine and the food is unique and delicious and the portion servings are generous. Khun Ae is a wonderful chef and wonderful host. With the river setting, this is a nice place to sit and while away an afternoon.