While there are plenty of Thai restaurants to choose from throughout San Diego, not all of them are the same. Each establishment offers its own unique twist that makes it stand out from the rest of the competition. Here are the top 5 Thai restaurants in San Diego County.

Amarin – Hillcrest

Courtesy of Amarin

Established in 1993 by business woman and chef Nok Suree, Amarin in Hillcrest offers both traditional Thai and Thai-inspired vegetarian cuisine. Chef Suree got her start at age 7, when her mother gave her a challenge: to prepare a meal for the entire family on her own. Going to the market and choosing tender meats and fresh vegetables gave her tremendous pride and left an impression on her throughout her adult life that she carried into her profession. Thanks to her lifelong experience in cooking Thai cuisine, guests can also enjoy traditional culinary dishes that Suree has perfected, as well as the ambiance and presentation that make the dining experience at Amarin unique.

Bahn Thai – University Heights

Courtesy of Bahn Thai

Family-owned and operated, Bahn Thai gives visitors authentic Thai cuisine “cooked fresh to order with only the finest ingredients and no MSG added.” Its casual atmosphere compliments the small-town feel of its location in University Heights. The restaurant’s most popular dishes include Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, Panang Curry, and the Papaya Salad. Notices of their monthly specials are presented to their Facebook followers. Outdoor dining is also available at this pet-friendly restaurant. 

Kinaly Thai – San Marcos 

Courtesy of Kinaly Thai

Thai food is never boring at Kinaly Thai in San Marcos. If you sit down to dine, an Iron Man image is bursting forth from the brick wall to greet you before your meal. The owners encourage photos with the Marvel characters, understanding that viral marketing is just as important as their quality ingredients, and Kinaly has proven successful at both. Whether you order online, call for pickup, or dine in, their quality never lacks in their dishes. Their menu includes popular items like angel wings, cream cheese wontons, and drunken noodles with tender chicken.

Sab-E-Lee – Linda Vista

Courtesy of Sab-E-Lee

Since it opened its doors in 2008 in Linda Vista, Sab-E-Lee has “offered fresh, tasty, healthy food in the neighborhood.” They boast that their “casual family style will remind you of the Siam far-east country” with their authentic Isaan (northeastern) Thai cuisine. Sab-E-Lee, which was listed in Zagat’s Top 50 Restaurants in San Diego in 2015, offers an expansive menu featuring popular items like Morning Glory, Tom Ka, Pa-nang curry, and Namtok. Sab-E-Lee now has a location open in Rancho Penasquitos as well. 

Supannee House of Thai – Point Loma

Photo by Rob Andrew Photography / Supannee House of Thai

Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma offers farm-to-table Thai cuisine. The owner and creator, Supannee, grew up eating fresh fruits and vegetables on a farm, and wanted to duplicate that experience with her restaurant. She grew her own vegetables in her two gardens in Point Loma and El Cajon, and obtained locally sourced fresh fish as well as  grass-fed beef for her own restaurant so her diners could enjoy healthy Thai dishes. The menu frequently adds an extra flair to traditional Thai dishes, such as mango curry and Japanese Eggplant Delight with Thai basil and chilies.