Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Saffron Thai – San Diego
Saffron Thai - San Diego
Photo from Saffron Thai
Saffron Thai at a glance
San Diego Five Points
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 76 of the guests
#643 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#25 Thai Restaurant out of 26 in San Diego
Average
5.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
447
Reviews
47.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Clean atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Inconsistent food
The restaurant Saffron Thai is a popular Thai Restaurant located in the vibrant Five Points neighborhood of San Diego. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
They are particularly known for their great tea selection, offering a delightful experience for tea lovers. Whether you’re looking for healthy options or vegan dishes, this spot has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Saffron Thai
Saffron Thai generally offers a pleasant dining experience, often praised for its clean atmosphere and the efficiency of its friendly staff. Many find the setting comfortable and the service prompt, contributing positively to their visit.
However, some patrons have noted that portion sizes can be modest, and the spice levels in certain dishes might be quite intense. While the overall environment is welcoming, these aspects are worth considering before you visit.
Average
5.6
out of 10
447
Reviews
47.2%
Satisfaction
191
negative
45
neutral
211
positive
Saffron Thai holds an overall score of 5.6, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 47.2%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This divergence suggests that while certain elements are appreciated, other areas significantly impact the overall sentiment. Looking closer, Food (5.6) is a central topic, garnering 211 positive and 191 negative comments out of 447 total.
Service (6.1) and Ambience (6.3) fare slightly better, often described as quick and clean respectively. However, Value (4) is a notable concern, frequently cited as a drawback.
What people like
- Quick, friendly service
- Clean, cozy atmosphere
- Flavorful Thai dishes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- High prices, small portions
- Challenging parking
Saffron Thai presents a mixed offering. If you prioritize a pleasant setting and efficient service, and are willing to overlook potential inconsistencies in food quality or portion sizes, it might be worth a visit.
Given its 5.6 recommendation score, it’s a place that has its merits but also clear areas for improvement. Consider your priorities; for some, the positives will outweigh the negatives, while others might find better options elsewhere.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Saffron Thai
Food (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres a lot to appreciate, with 149 positive remarks out of 315 total observations. Many customers rave about the fresh ingredients and homemade sauces, especially the peanut sauce. Youll find praise for delicious items like Tom Yum soup, tender roasted chicken, and Drunken noodles, alongside a variety of healthy options and even some authentic Thai food experiences.
However, the experience isn't always consistent, as reflected by an average score of 5.6 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 47.3%. With 140 negative remarks, some diners have encountered dishes that were dry or bland, particularly chicken satay and certain noodle dishes. There are also concerns about inconsistent quality and a perceived lack of authentic flavors in some offerings.
Food
315
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
140
negative
26
neutral
149
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful ingredients
- Homemade sauces
- Healthy menu options
What people don't like
- Dry, bland dishes
- Inconsistent quality
- Unauthentic flavors
Often praised
- foodI've been going to Saffron for two decades and it never disappoints. The food is always awesome, and I especially love the spring rolls. One minor issue is that parking can be an issue.
- Thai foodToday was the first day i had Thai food, and saffron did not disappoint.
- chickenexperience chicken, chutney, Thai food as it is prepared here
- peanut saucepeanut sauce is the height of peanut sauces 😋
- spring rollsI've been going to Saffron for two decades and it never disappoints. The food is always awesome, and I especially love the spring rolls. One minor issue is that parking can be an issue.
- Cambodian saladthe Cambodian salad was equally impressive
- Drunken NoodlesVery good Drunken Noodles
- Drunken noodlesEven if you're not typically a fan of Thai cuisine, I'm confident you'll love their tender roasted chicken, which is my personal favorite. I also highly recommend the Shrimp Salad Roll with peanut sauce and the Drunken noodles. This was a take-out lunch, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- FoodFood:5
- Pad Thaithey loved it so much I had some and it was amazing
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a very clean atmosphere and an extensive multi-ethnic menu. However, I found that the food can be very spicy, and some of the portions were rather small for a regular eater.
- chickenThe chicken was about the driest and most overcooked chicken I’ve ever had.
- pad thaithe pad thai ( i have no idea how they got this taste, nasty)
- Thai foodbland, completely unauthentic Thai food that is super mediocre
- chicken satayJust got home and tried a few bites of everything and it is disgusting! The sauces, the chicken satay (terrible flavor and dry as the desert), the pad thai (I have no idea how they got this taste, nasty). It's all so gross.
- drunken noodlesended up trying the drunken noodles. Horribly dry and not well seasoned.
- portionsThis WAS my favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego, but it seems to have declined in quality under new ownership. I think the prices are higher, the portions smaller, and the wait longer. Our food was decent but not excellent, with the exception of a side of stir-fried vegetables that seemed to be seasoned with nothing but garlic.
- Drunken Noodlesnothing about the food was Thai like. We tried the Drunken Noodles
- Pad ThaiThe Pad Thai is dry noodles mixed with paste and hard egg. It’s awful.
- beefThe beef was too dry.
If you're looking for fresh ingredients and some genuinely tasty Thai dishes, it might be worth a try, especially if you stick to the highly praised items. However, be aware that the quality can be a bit of a gamble, with some experiences falling short on flavor and authenticity.
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
Based on 53 customer remarks, the service here gets a 6.1 score, landing it in the average range, with a 50.9% customer satisfaction that's a bit mixed. Many of the 27 positive comments highlight the incredibly friendly staff and their super fast, quick service, often noting that orders are on time. It seems like when things go well, they go really well!
However, the 17 negative opinions reveal some bumps in the road. Customers have experienced long waits, rude server interactions, and frustrating instances of wrong orders, especially since the new ownership. There are also mentions of having to wipe off their own tables, which definitely detracts from the experience.
Service
53
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
17
negative
9
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Long waits
- Wrong orders
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceThe yellow curry and chicken sate were absolutely amazing. If you're looking for delicious Thai food, a great atmosphere, and awesome service, I highly recommend this place. Please, please go here; they are so good.
- staffWhile there's not a lot of seats inside, you can easily get your food to go. The staff is super nice. It's one of my favorite Thai restaurants 😋
- ServiceService Fast and friendly.
- BrendaBrenda makes everything so easy for us
- friendlythe staff was very friendly
- on timeare always on time
- ordersOur orders came out incredibly fast
- peoplethe people were so nice
- quick serviceHowever, the service is nice, and you get your food super fast! If I had more time, I might choose another restaurant, but the quick service is a big plus.
- super fastyou get your food super fast
Frequently criticized
- servicediscriminated against when visiting here, and refused service
- waitThis WAS my favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego, but it seems to have declined in quality under new ownership. I think the prices are higher, the portions smaller, and the wait longer. Our food was decent but not excellent, with the exception of a side of stir-fried vegetables that seemed to be seasoned with nothing but garlic.
- Servicethey wouldn't serve cauliflower rice
- dishShe did not offer to change the dish or correct the flavor
- managerreached out to our manager several times with no response
- napkins and utensilsThe pad Thai and healthy fried rice were great. It would have been nice to have napkins and utensils for takeout, but I'm unsure about California's policies on that.
- new ownershipSince they have new ownership things have gone down hill.
- order accuracygave my friend something completely different than what we ordered
- order has been wrongI'm honestly surprised this place is still open. This is the third time my order has been wrong. It's disappointing because it's in my neighborhood and I've recommended it a lot in the past.
- serverThe server stared at me as if I had two heads and did not even reply. Rude.
If youre looking for quick, friendly service, you might just find it here. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience, especially if youre getting takeout or if the new ownership issues persist. It's a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 59.6% and an average score of 6.3. Many guests, accounting for 31 positive remarks, truly appreciate the clean and cozy atmosphere, often highlighting the pleasant outdoor seating and nice views. It seems the environment is welcoming, especially for families, making it an excellent place for some.
However, not everyone is thrilled. Some 16 negative comments point to concerns like sound carrying inside, loud music, or a cafeteria-style feel that detracts from the overall experience. There are also mentions of a weird vibe and issues with single-use plastics, suggesting there's room for improvement in creating a consistently enjoyable ambience.
Ambience
52
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
16
negative
5
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, cozy atmosphere
- Pleasant outdoor seating
- Family-friendly environment
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Sound carries inside
- Cafeteria-like feel
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a very clean atmosphere and an extensive multi-ethnic menu. However, I found that the food can be very spicy, and some of the portions were rather small for a regular eater.
- locationSuper cute location as well
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- outdoor seatingthey have some outdoor seating
- placeThe place is nice and clean
- ambienceThe ambience was good
- cleanThe restaurant was clean
- cleanlinessvery clean
- cool areaIt’s a nice restaurant in a cool area
- cozyit was cozy
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking is also hard to come by
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- authentic restaurantIt is really sad to see this authentic restaraunt become what it has.
- bathroomstwo single room bathrooms and one was labelled men and the other was unisex
- cafeteria styleWas like a cafeteria style
- drilling in the walldrilling in the wall while we were there
- musiccrank up the music. It is offensive.
- single-use plasticsuse a lot of single use plastics
- soundMy experience at Saffron was overwhelmingly positive. The only minor drawback was that sound carries inside, but thankfully, they offer outdoor seating. I must say, we absolutely love this place!
If youre looking for a clean spot with potential for a cozy outdoor experience, especially with family, it might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for a potentially noisy environment or a less intimate cafeteria-style' feel, which could impact your overall enjoyment.
Value (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners have found some bright spots, noting great food and value for money and even Muy buenos precios. Some appreciate the reasonably priced options, suggesting that for certain dishes, you can still find good prices here. These positive sentiments, though fewer, highlight that not everyone feels the pinch.
However, the overall sentiment leans heavily negative, with many feeling its a waste of time and money and frequently describing items as expensive or overpriced. ' Out of 27 total comments, 18 were negative, leading to an average 4 score for value and a rather poor 14.8% customer satisfaction, suggesting pricing needs a closer look.
Value
27
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
18
negative
5
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Overpriced items
- Waste of money
Often praised
- authentic Thai placesmore authentic Thai places cheeper than this place
- priceReasonably priced
- pricesMuy buenos precios
- value for moneygreat food and value for money
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was not as good as I remember, and it was more expensive. I ordered the rotisserie whole chicken but was given grilled pieces instead.
- expensiveIt was expensive
- pricesThis WAS my favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego, but it seems to have declined in quality under new ownership. I think the prices are higher, the portions smaller, and the wait longer. Our food was decent but not excellent, with the exception of a side of stir-fried vegetables that seemed to be seasoned with nothing but garlic.
- $20 for this$20 for this was laughable
- foodFor the price the food was a disappointment
- high priceFor the high price, I expected so much better
- overpricedfood has become a little inconsistent and overpriced
- valueNeither foods were a good value
- waste of moneyIn the trash! Total waste of money! The only reason it got the stars it did is because the atmosphere was clean and the service was fine, but nothing extraordinary by far.
- waste of time and moneyA waste of time and money
If youre budget-conscious, be aware that many find this place expensive and overpriced. While a few positive comments mention value for money, the overall sentiment suggests you might be disappointed by the cost. Its probably not the best choice if you're seeking a great deal.
How are the prices at Saffron Thai?
You’re looking at roughly $23 per person – reported by 76 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Thai Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits in the $21–$30 range, a significant number of guests actually spend less, with many prices clustering in the $11–$20 bracket. This suggests a nice mix, offering options for various budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 76 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Thai restaurant in San Diego. It offers a good balance, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank, while also having options if you want to treat yourself.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Saffron Thai
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Authentic Thai Food Gem!
My experience at this restaurant was outstanding; they consistently deliver great food and value for money. They truly make the best fresh and authentic Thai food I've had outside of Thailand. My usual order, the Drunken Spicy noodles with shrimp, never disappoints.
I highly recommend it – bring your friends!
- food10
- value for money10
- authentic Thai food10
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Food, Old Charm Gone
I used to come here before when a lady owned it and it was delicious. I went again today and everything is different, so she obviously sold it since it has the same name. The vibe is more franchisey.
And sadly. I was so so hungry and ordered three things to have for the next few days. Just got home and tried a few bites of everything and it is disgusting!
The sauces, the chicken satay (terrible flavor and dry as the desert), the pad thai (I have no idea how they got this taste, nasty). It's all so gross. The only reason I'm eating it is cuz I'm famished.
I won't be eating the rest though. In the trash! Total waste of money!
The only reason it got the stars it did is because the atmosphere was clean and the service was fine, but nothing extraordinary by far. So so sad. I'm not sure how a place like this stays in business.
- atmosphere7
- service5
- food1
- chicken satay1
- pad thai1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Mixed Experience with Salad Rolls
I used to order from here all the time, but it's been a while. I decided to try again and ordered the shrimp salad rolls and the Cambodian salad. The salad was great – fresh and tasty!
However, the salad rolls were not so good. The shrimp was way overcooked, and one of them had black stuff on it. I couldn't even finish the last roll.
I'm giving 3 stars because the veggies in the salad rolls still tasted fine and the salad was good, but the shrimp was awful.
- Cambodian salad8
- veggies7
- shrimp salad rolls2
- shrimp1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Reliable Spot for Fresh, Flavorful Curry
We've eaten here for years and it's a great place to stop if you've just landed at the airport and want to grab a quick bite on the way home. The food is fresh and flavorful. We both had the special, Panang Beef curry.
It was delicious and lots of beef in the curry. This dish came with rice and a side of stir-fried green vegetables - green beans, broccoli, onion, mushroom, and garlic. I would order this dish again.
- food9
- Panang Beef curry10
- beef9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
3
Disappointing Decline in Standards
This restaurant, once an old standby in San Diego, has unfortunately seen a decline after a change of ownership. While the food quality remains decent (rated 4/5), the experience has been marred by increased prices and a noticeable drop in standards. The atmosphere is now negatively impacted by excessively loud music, which I found offensive.
My attempt to address this with the server was met with a rude and unresponsive stare, reflecting a poor service experience (rated 2/5).
- food quality8
- prices3
- standards2
- music1
What Saffron Thai offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dietary options are available at Saffron Thai?
At Saffron Thai, you’ll find a variety of dietary choices to suit your needs. They offer healthy options, along with dedicated vegan and vegetarian dishes. You can also enjoy a quick bite, complemented by their selection of wine and beer.
Does Saffron Thai offer outdoor seating and is it accessible?
Yes, Saffron Thai provides outdoor seating for you to enjoy your meal. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall impression of Saffron Thai?
Saffron Thai receives an overall score of 5.6, indicating an average experience. While Service (6.1) and Ambience (6.3) are generally well-regarded, Food (5.6) is a mixed bag, and Value (4) is a significant concern for many patrons.
What do customers appreciate most about Saffron Thai?
Many customers highlight the restaurant’s clean atmosphere and the friendly, quick service. Specific dishes like spring rolls and certain noodle preparations also receive positive remarks for their flavor.
What are the main criticisms regarding Saffron Thai?
Common complaints revolve around the high prices and perceived small portions, leading to concerns about value. Some also note inconsistencies in food quality, with dishes occasionally being dry or bland, and parking can be challenging.