Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Zab – San Diego
Zab - San Diego
Photo from Zab
Zab at a glance
San Diego Linda Vista
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 112 of the guests
#56 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#2 Thai Restaurant out of 26 in San Diego
Excellent
8.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
301
Reviews
90.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly staff
- Good ambiance
- Easy parking
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Service inconsistency
- No free rice
The restaurant Zab is a delightful Thai Restaurant located in the vibrant city of San Diego, specifically in the charming Linda Vista neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual and cozy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or just a coffee, Zab Linda Vista offers a welcoming spot for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Zab
Zab offers a generally delightful dining experience, with many appreciating the delicious food and the welcoming staff. Guests often find the atmosphere pleasant and parking convenient, contributing to a comfortable visit.
However, some experiences suggest a mixed perception of value, and there have been occasional concerns regarding specific service interactions or minor food details. These points are worth considering for a well-rounded understanding.
Excellent
8.8
out of 10
301
Reviews
90.7%
Satisfaction
20
negative
8
neutral
273
positive
Overall, Zab earns a strong 8.8 score, reflecting an excellent dining experience. Customer satisfaction is also notably high at 90.7%, indicating most diners leave pleased.
This positive outlook is based on 301 customer observations, with 273 positive remarks against just 20 negative ones. Digging deeper, the Food (9) and Service (9.1) both stand out as excellent, with Ambience (8.7) also scoring well.
However, Value (4.8) presents a more average picture, suggesting that while the quality is there, some find the pricing a bit high for what’s offered.
What people like
- Delicious Thai food
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Convenient parking
What people don't like
- Value perception
- Occasional service issues
- No rice with curry
With a strong recommendation score of 8.8, Zab is generally a solid choice for those seeking quality Thai cuisine and a pleasant dining experience. The strengths in food and service are clear, making it a worthwhile visit for many.
Just be mindful of the value aspect, as some find it a bit pricey, and be prepared for potential minor service quirks. If these aren’t major concerns, you’ll likely enjoy what Zab has to offer.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Thai Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
135
93.3%
- $$
- Torrey Highlands
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Thai Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
158
91.1%
- $$
- Egger Highlands
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Thai Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
591
88%
- $$
- North Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Thai Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
425
88.5%
- $$
- Pacific Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Thai Restaurant
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
514
87.5%
- $$
- Mid-City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Thai Restaurant
8.3
out of 10
out of 10
656
86%
- $$
- Oak Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Zab
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 94.7%, diners consistently rave about the delicious, authentic Thai flavor and generous large portions. Based on 161 positive remarks, the excellent food, including varied spice levels, clearly hits the mark.
However, out of 170 total comments, a handful of 7 negative remarks point to minor issues. Some found the Thai tea a bit weak, the boba hard, or wished for mango sticky rice when unavailable. There was also a comment about a side of rice not being included with a curry.
Food
170
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
161
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Thai flavor
- Excellent food quality
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Weak Thai tea
- Hard boba
- No free rice
Often praised
- foodWe love Zab Linda, it’s our go-to Thai spot. The staff is nice and the food is 10/10. We had a great experience with the service and the food quality.
- Foodit’s still my favorite Thai restaurant
- Thai teaI like the Thai tea. It goes down smooth
- Thai foodMy experience at Zab Linda was fantastic! They have great Thai food and have truly excelled since changing ownership from Sab E Lee. Everything I've tried has been really tasty.
- crab fried riceMy favorites were the crab fried rice
- flavorhas not lost its flavor
- fresh spring rollsfresh spring rolls...tasted very good!
- grilled beefgo again for the grilled beef
- menuThe decor throughout the restaurant further enhanced the feeling of being in Thailand. I highly recommend this place, and I believe everything on the menu is a must try!
- pad ThaiExcellent pad Thai
Frequently criticized
- Thai teaThe food was generally good, with my Penang curry being particularly tasty. However, the Thai tea was a little weak. The service was fast, and there was no wait time.
- Tom Yuma bit too sore and could have used some more sweetness
- bobathe boba was a bit hard
- green curry with tofuNote to the owner: If you charge $18 for green curry with tofu, it needs to come with a side of rice. No Thai place charges for rice.
- mango sticky ricewish they had mango tonight for their mango sticky rice
- side of riceNote to the owner: If you charge $18 for green curry with tofu, it needs to come with a side of rice. No Thai place charges for rice.
If you're craving truly authentic Thai food with excellent flavor and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor drink issues might pop up, the overall culinary experience is overwhelmingly positive and highly recommended.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and a fantastic 93.1% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 58 comments, a whopping 54 were positive, frequently praising the "friendly staff, " "quick service, " and "no wait" times.
Many highlighted how accommodating the team is, making for a smooth and enjoyable visit. However, its not entirely without its bumps. A few of the 4 negative remarks mentioned issues like a rude waitress or feeling not checked on during their meal.
There was also a specific instance where extra napkins werent provided. While these are isolated incidents, they suggest theres still a tiny bit of room for improvement in attentiveness.
Service
58
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- No wait times
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Lack of check-ins
- Missing napkins
Often praised
- serviceThis is our favorite Thai place. We experienced fast service and a courteous staff. Aside from that, they serve great Thai dishes.
- ServiceService and atmosphere are great too
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was truly transporting, taking me back to Thailand. The welcoming and friendly staff created a wonderful atmosphere, and the delicious food and beverages were exceptional. The decor throughout the restaurant further enhanced the feeling of being in Thailand.
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- Wait timeWait time: Up to 10 min
- Easy parkingEasy parking
- Kid-friendlinessDishes can be tailored to be less spicy
- No waitWait time:No wait
- customer serviceThe place truly delivered! I was impressed by the super, super friendly staff and their attentive customer service. The food was on the spicier side, but in a good and yummy way – what I would consider medium spicy here is more like hot spicy.
- everyoneEveryone is so nice
Frequently criticized
- waitressshe responded with, “Do you not have a phone?” She then cursed at me in Thai
- checked on usnobody checked on us once to ask how the food was
- extra napkinsWe were never given extra napkins
Overall, if youre looking for a place with top-notch service, youre in for a treat. The staff is overwhelmingly friendly and efficient, making for a very pleasant dining experience. Don't let a few minor hiccups deter you; this spot is definitely worth trying for its excellent customer care.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a winner! With a fantastic score of 8.7 and an excellent 90.3% customer satisfaction, it's clear most diners adore the atmosphere. Out of 62 comments, 56 rave about the cozy ambiance, beautiful interior decor, and unique artwork.
Plus, the convenience of plenty of free parking is a huge bonus! However, a few of the 62 opinions, specifically 4, mentioned some minor hiccups. Concerns included the restaurant feeling crowded with tables packed together, and some finding the music choice (rock and country) not quite fitting the mood.
Accessibility was also noted as not being the best.
Ambience
62
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, beautiful ambiance
- Plenty free parking
- Great for kids
What people don't like
- Tables feel crowded
- Limited accessibility
- Music can clash
Often praised
- atmosphereGood atmosphere, not too loud not too quiet
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- decordecor throughout the restaurant
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- ambiancethe ambiance was wonderful and the restaurant is beautifully decorated.
- cozy environmentThe service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I really enjoyed the cozy environment, and the convenience of lots of free parking was a huge plus. The menu offered a nice variety of selections, complete with photos.
- free parkingThe service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I really enjoyed the cozy environment, and the convenience of lots of free parking was a huge plus. The menu offered a nice variety of selections, complete with photos.
- interiorthe interior had beautiful decorations
- placeclean and nice place
- restaurantthe restaurant is big and clean
Frequently criticized
- accessibilitynot the best for accessibility
- atmospherethe restaurant is crowded and tables are packed together
- dirty spoonOne of the spoons they brought us was dirty
- musicthe music was rock and country music which did not lend itself very well for the occasion
If youre looking for a place with a great vibe, lovely decor, and easy parking, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that it can get a bit crowded, and the music might not always be to everyones taste, especially if you have accessibility needs.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found the prices to be really good and quite reasonable. Despite an average score of 4.8, a couple of comments out of 11 total highlighted the appealing cheap price point, suggesting that for some, the cost was a pleasant surprise. However, the overall customer satisfaction for value is quite poor at just 18.2%, with 5 negative remarks among the 11 total.
Several guests were put off by being charged for rice, and a QR code offering free Thai tea for reviews felt questionable. The tableside payment device and confusing tip screen, along with an unusually high bill, also left a sour taste.
Value
11
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
5
negative
4
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Charging for rice
- Confusing tip screen
- High final bill
Often praised
- cheap priceThe price was also very reasonable
- pricesthe prices are really good
Frequently criticized
- billthe bill was unusually high
- free Thai teaQR code offering free Thai tea in exchange for a good review, which already felt questionable
- riceNote to the owner: If you charge $18 for green curry with tofu, it needs to come with a side of rice. No Thai place charges for rice.
- tableside payment deviceInstead of a check, the waitress brought a table side payment device
- tip screenThe tip screen was confusing — I tapped my card and it asked me to tip
If you're looking for a bargain, you might find some dishes reasonably priced. However, be prepared for potential surprises on the final bill, especially regarding extras like rice or confusing payment processes, which could make the overall value feel less appealing.
How are the prices at Zab?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 112 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Thai Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 31, it’s interesting to see that a large number of diners actually spent less, with many prices clustering in the $11–$30 range. This suggests a good mix of options, catering to different budgets, even if some higher-end meals pull the average up.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 112 most recent reviews.
Here’s how this Thai restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Diego when it comes to value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Thai spot in San Diego. There’s a good range of options, so you can find something that fits your wallet.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Zab
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
My Favorite Thai Spot!
Zab Linda is my favorite Thai restaurant. I tell this to everyone all the time. I love the food, the staff, and the atmosphere.
It's so good!
- food10
- staff10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Thai Tea and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was very good. I particularly enjoyed the Thai tea, which was smooth and refreshing. The services were also great, contributing to a positive overall experience.
- Thai tea9
- services9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Friendly Service!
Upon arriving from San Francisco and feeling super hungry, I went straight to this restaurant. The place truly delivered! I was impressed by the super, super friendly staff and their attentive customer service.
The food was on the spicier side, but in a good and yummy way – what I would consider medium spicy here is more like hot spicy. The portions were good and hearty, and the food was amazing and delicious. Having imitation mock duck as an affordable option was much appreciated.
The green bean dish with mock duck was particularly good, with lots of chili oil and a generous amount of duck. It was so good that we cleaned out our plates! I will definitely be back next time I'm visiting San Diego.
- staff10
- customer service9
- food9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great Lunch Spot with Awesome Seasonal Options
My experience at this restaurant was great for lunch. The seasonal options were awesome, and the restaurant itself was big and clean. I had a wonderful time enjoying the food and the atmosphere.
- seasonal options9
- restaurant8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Awesome Place, Highly Recommended!
My experience at this restaurant was pretty awesome! I would recommend anyone to come here! (•̀ᴗ•́) The food received a perfect score of 5, and the service and atmosphere were also rated a 5.
It's a great spot for dinner with no wait time and a price range of $20–30 per person. The kid-friendliness was also noted as 'Awesome sause! ❤❤'.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
What Zab offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is parking available at Zab Linda Vista?
Yes, you’ll find convenient parking options when you visit Zab Linda Vista. There’s free street parking available, as well as a free parking lot. You can usually expect to find plenty of parking, making your visit hassle-free.
What dining and accessibility options does Zab Linda Vista offer?
Zab Linda Vista offers lunch, dinner, and dessert with comfortable seating and table service. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for all guests.
What do customers appreciate most about Zab?
Customers frequently praise Zab for its delicious Thai food, the welcoming and attentive staff, and the pleasant dining atmosphere. Many also appreciate the convenience of easy parking.
Are there any common concerns at Zab?
Some diners have noted concerns regarding the perceived value, occasional inconsistencies in service, and specific food details like the absence of complimentary rice with certain curries.