Free Bird Cafe CNX Donation Center and Thrift Store

One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to! The food was incredible and catered to my and my wife’s dietary needs. The restaurant and food told a story so not only was the food delicious, but it was also a great leaning experience. The staff was so kind and took good care of us. We were so full after eating!! Great sized portions and so many yummy choices. We will definitely be back when we return to Chiang Mai!

We visited in October 2025 as a couple. The place has good vegetarian, gluten-free, and non-spicy food options. The price is decent for the quality and quantity offered. The service can be improved as we have to order and pay at counter, but the ambience is charming. Its located on a main street, and so there is easy access to taxi and parking. There are also games to play in indoor sitting area and shop to buy near the cash counter. It is a romantic family-friendly and cat-friendly place to eat authentic Thai food.

Free Bird Cafe is a landmark for expats and tourists alike here in Chiang Mai and has been for many years now. If I said ALL of the positive things that I would like to say about Free Bird you would be reading something akin to War and Peace! In a nutshell, the food is healthy and fabulous - And I am not a poster child of healthy food! The wait staff are friendly, helpful and efficient... and you will enjoy heaps of beautiful Burmese smiles from the moment you walk through the gate. The atmosphere is retro Thai/Burmese "Summer of Love" hippie... so get ready to relax and enjoy the complete Free Bird experience! And DO NOT FORGET to visit the "pre loved clothing" area inside the shop! I can't tell you how much of my favorite clothing and boots and shoes that are in my closet came from Free Bird! And if you want to clean out your own closet before you go, please do! The items sold/purchased there help keep the Burmese refugee lifeline Free Bird runs ongoing❤️💕! And lastly please note that during The Thai " high season" Free Bird also has an "Open 🎤🎙️ mic" on Friday night. Enjoy some talented locals as well as tourists who are singers 🎶, stand up comedy, musicians 🎵🎶, poetry and dancers!! (High Season: November through April) Hope to see you soon at this!💕

We had a disappointing dinner there recently. We ordered the lentil soup, chickpea curry, a potato appetizer, a roti, and rice. The potato dish was not bad, and was the best value as the portion size was reasonable. Unfortunatly, the rest of the food was not good. We did not enjoy the flavors at all. We rated the food low because the portion size was very small, and the cost was much higher than what we pay for larger portions of better food elsewhere in Chiang Mai.

I am vegetarian and my wife has celiacs, and it was nice to eat at a place where we could both trust that we wouldn’t get sick from the food. The food was wholesome, healthy, and delicious. It was also nice to read about their mission and know that by eating delicious food we were also supporting a humanitarian and eco friendly cause. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

I loved this cafe! The staff is super friendly and nice, the environment is very cozy and comfortable, and the food is delicious!! I totally recommend the Rainbow Pad Thai - so far, it's the best pad thai I've ever eaten. It's so good! I also recommend the Energy Burst (a smoothie made with mango, lime, banana, and pineapple!) - it's delicious and refreshing! Not only is the food good but also very beautiful! They really put an effort in delivering the best service! And they offer both breakfast and lunch options! The cafe also has a little book in each table where you can write and see what other people have written, creating a sense of community. And they also have a thrift shop where you can buy products and souvenirs! I got myself a straw cleaner. The cafe is also work-friendly. Their tables are large and are great to work on a laptop or take notes in a notebook. Even though not all tables have power outlets, it's fine because you can leave your computer charging where there's an outlet while you eat and appreciate the food! They also offer outdoor seating where you can lie down. I haven't tried it myself yet, but it seems very comfortable! I'll definitely check those seats when I come back! I had a great experience at this cafe, and it's one of my favorite cafes in Thailand. I would totally recommend visiting, trying their delicious food and drinks, and enjoying the cozy environment!

The Thai chickpea flour omelette is delicious 🤤 The thrift store is full of options (clothes, books, household items, etc.) Lots of seating options "inside" and out. Good, chill music and vibes. Yes, prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, but it's going to support living wages for staff as well as (displaced) people in need/refugees, etc. Hopefully they will accept card payments in the future, but for now it's cash or Thai bank transfer only to my knowledge.

Great cafe with a great mission. We shared a pennywort salad, which was very nice, and a fritter dish. I also liked the peanut butter chili noodles. My son enjoyed the vegan grilled cheese. Lots of people socializing during our visit and there is a mix of inside and outside seating. Small play area for kids and some games available. Good wifi. Nice place to grab a vegetarian meal. Would love to eat here again!