Not everyone decides to stop in cute little city of Thames, situated in the southeastern corner of the Firth of Thames, not far from Coromandel Forest Park, but you should. We spent the night here after a day spent on the eastern coast near Cathedral Cove, before we drove to Hamilton for our Hobbiton tour. I loved the main street with quaint cafes, shops, and even an old-school movie theater, and it was convenient for both of us to get a night’s rest before the driving we had to do the following day. And while the town doesn’t have vegan or vegetarian-only establishments, you will still be able to find vegan food in Thames.
Here are a few of the places where you can find vegan-friendly food and drink options in Thames.
Stop & Eat
According to a review on HappyCow, Stop & Eat is a cafe that serves good coffee and good food, with several plant-based milk options for drinks (soy, coconut, almond, and oat) as well as a vegan cheese toastie (sandwich) and a few vegan baked goods, including a chocolate chip cookie, on rotation. Apparently, they are only open some Sundays so check their Facebook page in advance.
Kebab Express
If you’re looking for more Turkish flare, check out the fast-casual spot Kebab Express. They’re open seven days a week from 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and you can ask the staff about their vegan options as the menu isn’t clearly labeled. They do have vegetarian kebabs, and their falafel and chips are fried in their own vegetable oil so there’s little risk of cross-contamination.
Nakontong Thai
I’m very partial to Thai food and I don’t think you can ever really go wrong with a Thai spot. And this spot provides an entire vegan menu upon request! Located in the heart of Thames, Nakontong Thai should be your go-to for Thai food, and their vegan menu includes crispy spring rolls, vegetables with cashew nuts, and more. You can check out their Facebook page for the most up-to-date operating hours.
Coco Coffee Bar
My cousin and I stopped here early to get coffee before we hit the road the next morning. It’s located right on the town’s main street, they have non-dairy milks, and there was a line to get in. They have a sign on a takeout window that says, “We make coffee for the town that loves to drink it” and that couldn’t be more accurate. It felt like a community spot with the amount of people that were outside. They do have outdoor seating, so you can stop for a bit and enjoy people-watching with your breakfast with the rest of the locals.
The Junction Hotel
The Junction Hotel isn’t a hotel, but a restaurant. It’s also located in central Thames, and while the HappyCow reviews are mixed, you won’t have any trouble finding a vegan-friendly option. According to those reviews, they should have a vegan-friendly salad, burger, and pasta dish but you will have to very clearly specify that you are vegan and can’t consume any animal products or byproducts.
Royal Kitchen
If you’ve read ANY of the other vegan food guides on my blog, you’ll know I don’t like recommending Punjabi or Indian food establishments (because I can’t judge them without a bias). However, you will have any easier time finding vegan-as-is options or options that can be modified to be vegan much easier at these places. Royal Kitchen is one of those places. This one has a vegetarian menu, with a few dishes that can be veganized, so talk to your server to see what’s possible. In another post, I shared that you should avoid any dishes that include the following words: paneer, makhani, malai, etc.
Re-store Eco Market
Not quite a restaurant, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include it. If you’re looking to stock up on groceries before you hit the road, be sure to stop by the Re-store Co Market. It’s a locally owned and operated zero-waste store that sells grains, dry pasta, legumes, cosmetics, and raw vegan desserts.
Did I miss any spots where you can find vegan food in Thames? Let me know below!
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