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- Dine-in
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oChef » Sawaan Thai – San Francisco
Sawaan Thai - San Francisco
Photo from Sawaan Thai
Sawaan Thai at a glance
San Francisco Duboce Triangle
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 25 of the guests
#217 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 Thai Restaurant out of 46 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
142
Reviews
85.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great service
- Cozy ambiance
- Fresh food
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Flavor inconsistency
- Loud music
The restaurant Sawaan Thai is a delightful Thai Restaurant nestled in the vibrant Duboce Triangle neighborhood of San Francisco. You can discover authentic Thai flavors right here in the heart of the city.
Whether you’re seeking a casual meal or a taste of Southeast Asia, this spot offers a genuine culinary experience for you.
Overview: Introducting Sawaan Thai
Sawaan Thai offers a thoughtful dining experience where considerable effort is evident in both the culinary creations and the inviting atmosphere. Guests often praise the freshly prepared dishes and the adorable interior, which contribute to a welcoming and relaxed setting.
The staff consistently provides warm and friendly service, making for a pleasant visit. While many find the flavors delightful, some dishes have been noted for being a bit bland or having tough textures.
Additionally, the cost to portion sizes can be a point of consideration for some diners. The music choice has also been mentioned as occasionally intense, impacting the overall vibe.
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
142
Reviews
85.2%
Satisfaction
13
negative
8
neutral
121
positive
Sawaan Thai generally leaves a strong impression, reflected in its overall 8.5 score and a solid 85.2% customer satisfaction. This positive sentiment is built on a foundation of excellent Service (9.3) and a well-regarded Ambience (8.9), which many find comfortable and inviting.
These high points are frequently highlighted by patrons, contributing significantly to the restaurant’s appeal. The culinary offerings, or Food (8.3), also receive good marks, with many appreciating the thought put into the dishes.
However, the Value (5) aspect is more of a mixed bag, with some finding the portions a bit pricey for what you get. This assessment comes from a substantial body of feedback, with 121 positive remarks against just 13 negative ones out of 142 total pieces of feedback.
What people like
- Exceptional, warm service
- Charming, cozy ambiance
- Thoughtful, fresh dishes
What people don't like
- Pricy for portions
- Inconsistent dish flavors
- Loud music sometimes
Sawaan Thai, with a strong 8.5 recommendation score, is certainly worth considering for its inviting atmosphere and genuinely friendly service. If you appreciate a dining experience where the setting and staff make you feel truly welcome, this spot delivers.
It’s a place that aims to provide a comfortable and engaging visit. While the food generally impresses with its thoughtful preparation, be mindful that some dishes might occasionally lack boldness or have smaller portions for the price.
If you prioritize excellent service and a pleasant environment over strict value or consistently bold flavors, Sawaan Thai could be a delightful choice for you.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sawaan Thai
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're in for a treat! With a solid score of 8.3 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 81.8%, diners are consistently impressed. Out of 99 comments, a whopping 81 rave about the deliciousness, highlighting complex flavors, authentic Thai food, and a truly creative menu with generous portions.
Get ready for some amazing eats! However, a few of the 11 negative remarks point out some areas for improvement. Some found certain dishes bland, noted tough and dry meat in a few instances, or were surprised by the use of instant noodles.
Occasionally, portions were also considered a little light on actual chicken, so keep that in mind.
Food
99
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
11
negative
7
neutral
81
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Thai flavors
- Creative, unique dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Tough, dry meat
- Instant noodles used
- Bland dish flavors
Often praised
- foodhow much thoughts have been put into the food
- dishesI’m sure all the dishes are delicious
- FoodFood:5
- drunken noodlesdrunken noodles well cooked and sauced
- fried riceThe food was excellent, with generous portions. We particularly enjoyed the beef tongue, fried rice, and the standout purple wok. The service was good, and the atmosphere was also rated highly.
- fried shrimpfried shrimp, which was an absolute highlight
- lemongrass fishOverall, this is a hidden gem for anyone who loves real Thai cuisine—delicious food, great service, and a comfortable ambiance that makes you want to return. I also had the lemongrass fish with jasmine rice along with Hatyai-style crispy chicken. Every dish was freshly prepared and full of flavor.
- raw crabLoved the raw crab, tasted extremely fresh
- shrimp donutsI’ve never seen something like this. The donuts were so much more delicious than I thought it would be, with a thin panko layer, solid shrimp inside, and not oily at all. My favorite was the crab on rice.
- Avotumit was a new experience for me
Frequently criticized
- Dark Soy Dream noodle dishThe chicken in my Tom Kha soup was very tough and dry, and the soup itself was bland despite smelling delicious. The "Dark Soy Dream" noodle dish was also surprisingly bland, consisting mostly of noodles with few vegetables. My advice to the restaurant is to be bolder with flavors, using more fish sauce and spice to cater to adventurous palates.
- Tom Kha soupdespite smelling delicious the flavor was pretty bland
- actual chickenMy one nitpick would be the cost to portion sizes are a bit pricy. The noodle and chicken dish we got tasted great but was a little light on actual chicken. The tea cups are also super small, and while staff fills it with water for free it’s a hassle to refill more than once.
- chickenDespite the strong reviews, my experience was disappointing. The chicken in my Tom Kha soup was very tough and dry, and the soup itself was bland despite smelling delicious. The "Dark Soy Dream" noodle dish was also surprisingly bland, consisting mostly of noodles with few vegetables.
- drunken noodleinstant noodle for drunken noodle
- food texture😬 I also tried the Lemongrass Fish and the Grilled Tongue of the Gods, which were just okay. It's important to eat the food quickly as the texture changes when it gets cold. I would like to come back to try other menu items.
- instant noodlesThey use instant noodle for drunken noodle
- medium spice levelMedium spice level is firey
- saucethe sauce did not work for me
- tea cupsThe noodle and chicken dish we got tasted great but was a little light on actual chicken. The tea cups are also super small, and while staff fills it with water for free it’s a hassle to refill more than once. That aside, 5/5 flavors, good service, would recommend trying it out.
Overall, the food here is a definite highlight, offering a fantastic and often authentic Thai culinary journey. While a couple of dishes might miss the mark on flavor or texture, the vast majority of offerings are celebrated for their creativity and taste. If youre looking for exciting and flavorful Thai cuisine, its certainly worth a visit!
Service (9.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
Wow, talk about stellar service! Based on 20 glowing remarks, the service here is truly something special. With an excellent score of 9.3 and a perfect 100% customer satisfaction, guests consistently rave about the amazing service, great staff, and the warming up reception that makes everyone feel right at home.
Whats truly remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback. Out of all 20 comments, not a single one mentioned any issues with the service, indicating a consistently flawless experience for every guest. It seems theyve truly mastered the art of hospitality.
Service
20
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing service
- Friendly and attentive
- Great staff
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceEvery bite was full of aroma and excitement, making it one of the best versions of this dish I’ve had. The service was warm and friendly, with staff who made the dining experience feel welcoming and relaxed. Combined with the inviting atmosphere of the restaurant, it’s the kind of place where you can enjoy not just the food but also the overall experience.
- ServiceService:5
- amazing serviceamazing service!
- great staffI stumbled onto this gem and am so glad I did. This place not only has an extensive creative menu but also an adorable interior with great staff. We had the drunken noodles, coconut shrimp donuts, and papaya salad.
- large groupMy experience at the restaurant was very good, with excellent food and service. They were gracious enough to accommodate our large group just a few hours ahead of time. The raw crab was addicting.
- staffEvery bite was full of aroma and excitement, making it one of the best versions of this dish I’ve had. The service was warm and friendly, with staff who made the dining experience feel welcoming and relaxed. Combined with the inviting atmosphere of the restaurant, it’s the kind of place where you can enjoy not just the food but also the overall experience.
- warming up receptionwarming up reception during Sunday lunch
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where youll be treated like royalty, this is it. The service here is consistently outstanding, making it a definite must-try for anyone who values top-notch hospitality.
Ambience (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.9 and a fantastic 95.2% customer satisfaction, its clear guests adore the setting. Based on 20 positive comments out of 21 total, people consistently praise the inviting atmosphere, adorable interior, and overall cute vibes.
Many appreciate the thoughtful design, from the general ambiance to the unique plates and utensils. However, its not entirely without a note of discord. The single negative comment points specifically to the music, describing it as intense with club/disco vibes.
While this is a minor point among overwhelmingly positive feedback, it's something to consider if you prefer a quieter or different musical backdrop.
Ambience
21
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting atmosphere
- Adorable interior
- Thoughtful design
What people don't like
- Intense music
Often praised
- atmosphereWhile the food received a score of 3, the use of instant noodles significantly detracted from the overall dining experience. The service and atmosphere were rated a 4, suggesting these aspects were more positive than the food itself.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceCombined with the inviting atmosphere of the restaurant, it’s the kind of place where you can enjoy not just the food but also the overall experience. Overall, this is a hidden gem for anyone who loves real Thai cuisine—delicious food, great service, and a comfortable ambiance that makes you want to return. I also had the lemongrass fish with jasmine rice along with Hatyai-style crispy chicken.
- adorable interiorI stumbled onto this gem and am so glad I did. This place not only has an extensive creative menu but also an adorable interior with great staff. We had the drunken noodles, coconut shrimp donuts, and papaya salad.
- ambiencehow much thoughts have been put into the ambience
- climateGreat atmosphere—music, climate, service.
- interiorGreat interior and the vibes are so cute
- menu designhow much thoughts have been put into the menu design
- musicGreat atmosphere—music, climate, service.
- plates and utensilsplates and utensils feel unique and high quality
Frequently criticized
- musicMusic was intense, club/disco vibes
If youre looking for a place with a truly delightful and well-thought-out atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth trying. The overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely enjoy the inviting interior and overall vibe, though be prepared for potentially energetic music.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems there isnt much positive buzz, with no positive opinions recorded among the 2 total pieces of feedback. The overall score for value sits at an average 5, which isnt bad but certainly leaves room for improvement. Customer satisfaction, however, is quite low at a poor 0%, suggesting that guests arent feeling they get their moneys worth.
On the flip side, one key area that customers have pointed out as a concern is the cost to portion sizes. Specifically, the sentiment is that the cost to portion sizes are a bit pricy, indicating that guests feel they're paying too much for what they receive. This single negative opinion really highlights where the restaurant could improve.
Value
2
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Pricy portion sizes
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- cost to portion sizescost to portion sizes are a bit pricy
If youre someone who prioritizes getting a lot of bang for your buck, this might not be your top choice. The feedback suggests that the portion sizes dont quite justify the cost. So, if value is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to consider other options.
How are the prices at Sawaan Thai?
You’re looking at roughly 32 per person – reported by 25 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Thai Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits here, we see a good spread of prices. Many diners spend a bit less, in the $21–$30 range, but a fair number also opt for slightly higher-priced options, reaching up to $41–$50.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 25 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Thai restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, catering to both those looking for a slightly more budget-friendly meal and those willing to spend a bit more for the experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sawaan Thai
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Food and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was very good, with excellent food and service. They were gracious enough to accommodate our large group just a few hours ahead of time. The raw crab was addicting.
- food9
- service9
- large group8
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Vibrant Flavors, Small Portions
I had a great time at Sawaan and I’ll be coming back. The flavors of the food were great, and definitely more vibrant than most other Thai restaurants I go to. The mango sticky rice tea was also really good; it somehow replicated the flavors without having sugar.
My one nitpick would be the cost to portion sizes are a bit pricy. The noodle and chicken dish we got tasted great but was a little light on actual chicken. The tea cups are also super small, and while staff fills it with water for free it’s a hassle to refill more than once.
That aside, 5/5 flavors, good service, would recommend trying it out.
- flavors of the food10
- mango sticky rice tea9
- service8
- cost to portion sizes4
- actual chicken5
- tea cups4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Creative Thai with Delicious Surprises
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was impressed by the creative and different Thai dishes. The flavors were excellent tasting and so well balanced.
I particularly enjoyed the strawberry salad, which was unlike anything I've had before and unexpectedly delicious. The Tom Kha was also so good, and the drunken noodles were well cooked and sauced. Overall, a highly satisfying meal.
- Thai dishes9
- tasting9
- strawberry salad10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Food, Will Return!
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, primarily due to the delicious food. Everything we got was fantastic, especially the chewy fried rice with its spicy sauce, and the Tom Kha Glow, which was nice and refreshing. The crispy tamarind was also a standout.
I'm already planning to be back to try some other dishes. The food quality was rated a 5 out of 5, and the overall experience was great.
- fried rice10
- Tom Kha Glow8
- crispy tamarind9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Best Thai Food in SF!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I found the Thai food to be the best in San Francisco by far. The flavors were incredibly complex, and the spice level was amazing.
The service was also outstanding, making me feel like I was back in Bangkok. I highly recommend this place!
- Thai food10
- complex flavors10
- amazing spice10
What Sawaan Thai offers
FAQs
What type of cuisine can you expect at Sawaan Thai Kitchen?
At Sawaan Thai Kitchen, you can indulge in authentic Thai cuisine. This Thai Restaurant brings you traditional flavors and dishes, offering a true taste of Thailand right here in San Francisco.
What service options are available for you at Sawaan Thai Kitchen?
Sawaan Thai Kitchen provides flexible service options to suit your needs. You can enjoy a comfortable dine-in experience, conveniently pick up your order with takeout, or have your favorite Thai dishes delivered directly to you.
How is Sawaan Thai rated overall?
Sawaan Thai holds a strong overall score of **8.5** with **85.2%** customer satisfaction. Its **Service** (9.3) and **Ambience** (8.9) are particularly well-regarded, while **Food** (8.3) is good, and **Value** (5) is considered average.
What makes the dining experience at Sawaan Thai stand out?
Guests frequently highlight the **warm and friendly** service and the **charming, adorable interior** as key elements. The comfortable atmosphere and attentive staff contribute significantly to a welcoming and relaxed visit.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Sawaan Thai?
Some patrons note that the **cost to portion sizes** can be a bit high, impacting the overall value. Additionally, a few dishes have been described as occasionally bland or having tough textures, suggesting some inconsistency in flavor.