Da Nang, a resort city in Central Vietnam, not only has a deep-rooted ‘Chay’ (vegetarian/vegan cuisine) culture based on Buddhist teachings, but has also seen a rapid increase in high-level plant-based cafes and restaurants in recent years, attracting digital nomads and health-conscious travelers from around the world.
This article introduces 5 carefully selected exquisite vegan and healthy spots in Da Nang that are highly praised by those with dietary restrictions (Halal, vegan, etc.), long-term residents, and local youth alike, who exclaim ‘It’s simply delicious!’ and ‘The atmosphere is amazing!’. Beyond just describing the flavors, we’ll also share practical tips unique to the local scene, such as how crowded places get and ordering advice!
AN MỘC NHIÊN VEGAN Nhà hàng thuần chay
📍 Address: 18 Trần Bạch Đằng, An Hải, Đà Nẵng 550000 Vietnam
This is a 100% vegan restaurant and bakery cafe located on a street near Da Nang’s coastal area. The interior is lush with greenery and exudes a calm atmosphere, serving as a haven for locals and nomad workers seeking healthy meals. With ample Wi-Fi and power outlets, it’s an appealing spot for extended stays while working on your laptop.
You absolutely must try their value-for-money ‘Combo Set’ and brown rice noodles. For dessert or a light snack, the ‘Energy Balls’ (such as sesame balls) served generously in coconut shells are incredibly popular. Though they might seem small, they are surprisingly filling and offer excellent value, enough to make you feel full on their own.
They also offer a rich menu of wellness-focused herbal teas and traditional medicine teas, such as ‘Blood-Nourishing Tea’ and ‘Cinnamon Chamomile Tea’. This is the perfect spot to stop by and refresh your mind and body during sightseeing or work breaks.
Roots Plant-Based Cafe
📍 Address: 266 Trần Bạch Đằng, Bắc Mỹ Phú, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000 Vietnam
Located in the heart of the An Thuong area, popular with Westerners, Roots Plant-Based Cafe is a pioneering Western-style vegan cafe in Da Nang. They offer a menu of fresh and colorful dishes made with pesticide-free organic vegetables, directly sourced from their own organic farm in Măng Đen, Kon Tum province.
Their ‘Smoothie Bowls’, packed with fruit, are overwhelmingly popular among travelers and local residents. Among them, the ‘Tropical Pitaya Bowl’, based on dragon fruit, features an exquisite sticky and rich paste. A thoughtful touch is serving it in warm wooden bowls, avoiding the scratching sound typical of stainless steel. With around 540kcal, it’s quite substantial, so sharing it between two people is also a great option.
The cafe is well air-conditioned, making it perfect for escaping Da Nang’s intense heat and cooling down. During breakfast and lunchtime, it can often be full of nomad workers and tourists, so visiting a little later can offer a more relaxed experience.
IVEGAN SUPERSHOP
📍 Address: Lô 31 An Thượng 4, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000 Vietnam
This is the Da Nang branch of ‘iVegan’, a popular health-conscious plant-based chain originating from Hanoi. It’s an open, three-story establishment where you place your order and pay at the 1st-floor counter before taking a seat (spacious seating and restrooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors).
The biggest appeal of this establishment is its incredible cost performance and high quality. A large acai bowl that would cost nearly 1,500 JPY in Japan can be enjoyed here for a mere 600 JPY (a very affordable price in Vietnamese Dong). The fruits are juicy, and the acai is thick and rich. Furthermore, their salad bowls topped with vegan meatballs, seasoned so exquisitely you’d mistake them for real meat, are also highly acclaimed.
Many foreign guests visit alone to quietly work or enjoy their meals, making the interior a very calm space. With an incredibly diverse menu, it’s a renowned spot where long-term students and workers can visit daily without getting bored.
KURUMI – Healthy Vegan Food & Desserts
📍 Address: 17/22 Mỹ Đa Đông 12, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000 Vietnam
Tucked away in an alley in the My An area, close to My Khe Beach, this is a 100% vegan restaurant and cafe. Its cute name, ‘Kurumi’ (walnut), which Japanese people would instantly recognize, serves as a landmark. The natural and warm space often sees digital nomads working on their laptops.
The food menu is exceptionally high-quality, with the ‘Burrito Bowl’ being a must-try. When you thoroughly mix the special green sauce and guacamole with rice, you’ll experience such satisfaction that you’ll forget it’s vegan. Their ‘Vegan Banh Mi’, which can be customized to remove herbs (like cilantro), and green curry are also popular.
While prices are slightly higher than local eateries, at around 120,000 VND (approx. 700 JPY) per meal, the service is exceptionally attentive, even by Japanese standards – staff promptly refill water glasses and maintain impeccable cleanliness. Be sure to try their exquisite vegan desserts after your meal, such as the mango passion cheesecake.
Nhà hàng chay Shanti Vegan Đà Nẵng
📍 Address: 31 Lê Đình Lý, Thanh Khê, Đà Nẵng 550000 Vietnam
Located in the city center of Da Nang (Thanh Khe District), this modern, sophisticated, and luxurious vegan restaurant boasts an elegant atmosphere suitable for entertaining foreign guests. Travelers are often surprised by its facilities, with restrooms so clean they’re compared to those in Japanese hotels!
The cuisine offers beautifully presented dishes that blend homely warmth with fusion elements, such as truffle pasta and sesame mushroom dishes. The seasoning is very refined, offering a quality that will fully satisfy even those unfamiliar with vegan food.
As a point of caution, even shortly after opening hours, some dishes might be ‘sold out’ or ‘unavailable’ due to ingredient sourcing or preparation time. If you have a specific dish in mind, it’s best to visit earlier or avoid peak dinner hours to ensure availability.
Local Tips for Enjoying Vegan Cuisine in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the ‘Chay’ (vegetarian/vegan cuisine) culture, rooted in Buddhist teachings, has been deeply ingrained for centuries. You can easily find local eateries serving ‘Cơm Chay’ (vegetarian rice) as you walk through the streets, but sometimes these dishes can be heavily seasoned or oily.
The ‘Plant-Based’ cafes, like those introduced in this article, cater to Western nomad workers and health-conscious youth, characterized by healthy seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. If you want to confirm whether a local eatery offers completely vegan dishes, free from dairy and honey, it’s useful to remember the Vietnamese phrase ‘Thuần chay’ (pure vegetarian/vegan).
Also, popular vegan cafes in Da Nang often have very strong air conditioning to help patrons escape the intense daytime heat. It’s common practice among long-term residents and nomad workers to bring a light cardigan or hoodie when visiting cafes. While managing your health, be sure to fully enjoy Da Nang’s unique healthy and rich food culture!
