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oChef » 56 Thai – San Diego
56 Thai - San Diego
Photo from 56 Thai
56 Thai at a glance
San Diego Torrey Highlands
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#30 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#1 Thai Restaurant out of 26 in San Diego
Excellent
9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
135
Reviews
93.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant 56 Thai Cafe, a delightful Thai eatery in San Diego’s Torrey Highlands neighborhood, invites you to experience authentic flavors. You’ll find a welcoming, casual atmosphere perfect for any meal.
Whether you’re seeking healthy options, vegan dishes, or just a quick bite, this spot has you covered. They also offer a selection of wine, coffee, and beer to complement your meal, alongside tempting small plates.
Overview: Introducting 56 Thai
Excellent
9
out of 10
135
Reviews
93.3%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
126
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on 56 Thai
Food (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 94.4%, its clear diners are consistently impressed. Based on 84 positive remarks out of 89 total, guests rave about the "great depth of flavors" in dishes like "khao soi, " praising the "delicious Thai food" and generous "portion sizes.
"However, a few diners (4 out of 89 comments) did encounter some bumps. Concerns included "undercooked chicken" and even "eggshells" in one dish, alongside mentions of "watery curry" and "dry lean meat. " While these are isolated incidents, theyre worth noting for a complete picture.
Food
89
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
84
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Rich, authentic flavors
- Generous portion sizes
- Delicious Thai food
What people don't like
- Undercooked chicken
- Eggshells found
- Watery curry
Often praised
- foodThe Thai flavors were solid, and the portion sizes were more than adequate for the value. The service was very attentive, and the food came out of the kitchen promptly. It's a new, clean spot – I highly recommend you give it a go!
- FoodFood was all delicious
- Khao SoiI've only had this dish once before in Australia, and it's rarely found on other Thai restaurant menus. I was absolutely blown away by how good the chefs made it. It was truly awesome stuff.
- Drunken NoodlesWe ordered the Drunken Noodles
- Thai foodThis place is yet to be opened. However, I love Thai food and hence rating this place out of anticipation. I am anticipating a great experience with excellent food, attentive service, and a wonderful atmosphere.
- drunken noodlesdrunken noodles were good as well
- flavorThe flavor is amazing
- khao soiHad the tom yum, drunken noodle, larb gai, khao soi. All the dishes had a lot of protein
- portion sizesmore than adequate portion sizes
- 56 Fried Ricetried the Khao Soi and the 56 Fried Rice—both were flavorful
Frequently criticized
- currythe curry was rather watery
- eggshellsbunch of eggshells everywhere
- lean meatThe lean was very dry and unappetizing
- undercooked chickenMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. The undercooked chicken and the presence of eggshells everywhere were significant issues with the food. Despite these problems, the food itself tasted good, but unfortunately, I got sick afterward.
Overall, the food here is a definite highlight, with most guests loving the authentic and flavorful dishes. While there are a few rare reports of quality control issues, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests you're in for a delicious meal. Go for the rich Thai flavors, but be aware of minor inconsistencies.
Service (9.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.4 and a whopping 96% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 25 opinions, 24 rave about the friendly and helpful staff and employees, noting quick food delivery and minimal wait times, making the whole experience enjoyable.
However, even excellent service can have a tiny hiccup. There was just 1 negative opinion among the 25, specifically mentioning an issue with utensils not being provided when asked. It seems like a minor oversight in an otherwise stellar performance, easily fixable for an even smoother dining experience.
Service
25
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Quick food delivery
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Missing utensils
Often praised
- serviceThe service was very attentive
- staffMy experience at this great new Thai restaurant in the area was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the staff was very kind. อาหารอร่อยมาก (The food is very delicious).
- wait timethe food came in about 10ish minutes
- ServiceService:5
- employeesthe employees are super nice
- foodIt’s not too expensive, costing about $10-20 per person. The staff is also VERY kind, and the food comes in quickly! They offer a lot of vegetarian, vegan, etc options!
- friendly and helpfulThe staff was friendly and helpful.
- whole experienceenjoyed the whole experience from start to finish
- workersWorkers were really nice
Frequently criticized
- utensilswe asked for utensils we didn’t get any
If youre looking for a place with truly outstanding service, this spot is a definite go-to. The staffs kindness and efficiency make for a fantastic dining experience, with only a tiny, easily overlooked issue. You can expect to be well taken care of here.
Ambience (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.6 and customer satisfaction at a solid 88.2%, it's clear most diners love the atmosphere. Out of 17 comments, 15 rave about the family-run place feel, quiet atmosphere, and clean, homey spot that makes it easy to relax and chat.
While overwhelmingly positive, a couple of comments (2 out of 17) did touch on some minor concerns. One mentioned an issue with people smoking weed right outside, which could detract from the overall experience for some guests.
Ambience
17
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet, easy talk
- Clean, homey feel
- Family-run place
What people don't like
- Smoking outside
Often praised
- atmosphereanticipating a wonderful atmosphere
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- family-run placeCute family run place
- spotNew clean spot
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. The undercooked chicken and the presence of eggshells everywhere were significant issues with the food. Despite these problems, the food itself tasted good, but unfortunately, I got sick afterward.
- smoking weedpeople smoking weed right outside
If youre looking for a cozy, clean, and quiet place to enjoy a meal and conversation, this restaurants ambience is a definite win. Just be aware that some guests have noted issues with people smoking outside, which might be a minor detractor for you. Overall, it's a great spot for a relaxed experience.
Value (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Guests consistently mention that the price is just right, often around $10-20 per person, and the food is definitely worth the value. With a solid score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction of 75%, its clear people feel theyre getting adequate portion sizes for their money.
These positive sentiments come from 3 glowing remarks out of 4 total comments. Interestingly, there are no negative comments about the value, which is a great sign! Out of 4 total comments, zero expressed any concerns about the pricing or portion sizes.
This suggests that the restaurant is consistently meeting expectations in terms of what you get for your money, leaving customers feeling satisfied with their experience.
Value
4
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Good portions
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceIt’s not too expensive, about 10-20 per person
- valueadequate portion sizes for the value
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Customers consistently praise the fair prices and generous portions, so you can expect good bang for your buck without any unpleasant surprises.
How are the prices at 56 Thai?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 24 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Thai Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others spent, most prices cluster nicely around this average, with the majority falling within the $11–$20 bracket, though a handful of diners spent a bit more in the $21–$30 range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Thai Restaurant, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good mid-range option, and the slight spread in prices suggests there might be options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about 56 Thai
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Exceptional Khao Soi with Unique Condiment Bar
My wife and I had lunch at Thai 56 Cafe on December 18, 2025. We both ordered the khao soi, with my wife choosing chicken breast and myself opting for tempura shrimp. Both dishes offered such great depth of flavors!
A unique aspect of this restaurant is the small plate of add-on condiments provided on the side, allowing customization. The contrasting texture of crispy and al dente noodles was fantastic, and the flavor of the soup base was unforgettable. We will definitely be back.
- khao soi9
- great depth of flavors10
- add on condiments8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Kai Soi & Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant was overall great. The food was great, the service was great, and the atmosphere was also enjoyable. It's important to note that it's not a large restaurant, so it might not be suitable for large group or team gatherings.
However, the service is top-notch. The Chef's special, Kai Soi, is delicious 🤤. They also have a large selection of drinks.
I will definitely come back.
- food9
- service9
- atmosphere8
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
6
Watery Curry, Missing Utensils
My experience ordering takeout was mixed. While everything I ate tasted solid, the curry was rather watery. : / Additionally, even though we asked for utensils, we didn't receive any.
: / This was a bit of a letdown.
- everything8
- utensils2
- curry3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Delicious Food, Kind Staff, Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was SOOOOOO delicious! I highly recommend dining in here. The quality of the food is just so flavorful and rich!
It’s not too expensive, costing about $10-20 per person. The staff is also VERY kind, and the food comes in quickly! They offer a lot of vegetarian, vegan, etc options!
I DEFINITELY recommend!
- food quality10
- price9
- staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Delicious Food, Friendly Staff!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was really tasty, and the employees were super nice. I regularly get the Mango Galaxy and Drunken Noodles, at least once a week.
I highly recommend this place.
- food10
- employees10
- Mango Galaxy10
What 56 Thai offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and dietary choices are available at 56 Thai Cafe?
At 56 Thai Cafe, you’ll find a casual dining experience with diverse offerings. They provide healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, catering to various dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, small plates, or a full meal complemented by wine, coffee, or beer, you’ll find satisfying choices.
What service options and accessibility features does 56 Thai Cafe offer?
56 Thai Cafe provides flexible service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You’ll also appreciate their excellent accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restroom. Dogs are welcome outside, and you’ll usually find plenty of free parking available.