By Dan Zisko
The Best Thai Restaurants in San Diego
Because of its closeness to
Mexico,
San Diego is primarily known for its excellent Mexican food. However, because of its size and the renaissance the downtown area underwent, there are many additional cuisines from which to choose. There are several good Thai restaurants located in or near downtown San Diego.
Royal Thai Cuisine
The Gaslamp District's first Thai restaurant was Royal Thai Cuisine. This restaurant, a holdover from the mid-1990s, offers patrons great food for a reasonable price.
The menu features just enough spice to make even the most scrutinizing Thai fan happy. Appetizers include summer rolls, vegetarian satay and yum nuah (grilled beef or chicken in a spicy lime sauce). Each entree can be prepared in various ways with choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, calamari, duck or mixed seafood. The restaurant offers several specialties such its Crying Tiger, which features medallions of prime cut spicy beef intertwined with greens, and Volcanic Chicken, which is a Cornish hen wrapped in herbs, deep fried and served with a plum sauce and mixed vegetables.
Royal Thai Cuisine
467 5th Ave.
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 230-8424
Lotus Thai
In the East Village section of San Diego's downtown is Lotus Thai. This restaurant, open since 2004, won Zagat's Gold Medal in 2008. This restaurant presents a regional menu from Bangkok, Chaing Mai and Southern Thailand.
Its menu has many familiar and popular Thai dishes such as Chantaburee Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Lotus Fried Rice and Crab Fried Rice. There are also specialties that the chef of the downtown location prepares just for the restaurant such as Emerald Noodles and Roasted Half-Duck Curry.
Lotus Thai
906 Market St.
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 595-0115
Rama
Located at the foot of the Gaslamp District is Rama. Rama, which has been named San Diego's best Thai restaurant by San Diego Magazine and the San Diego Reader, offers guests an extensive menu that features fresh meats and the finest spices.
In addition to usual classic Thai fare, Rama offers guests a selection of specialties. These dishes include a version of Thai fried rice, Kra Pao (garlic, chili and basil topped with mint), and several curries.
Rama
327 4th Ave
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 501-8424
About the Author:
Based in California, Daniel Zisko has been a writer since 2008, penning articles for a variety of online publications. Before he started a writing career, he spent several years traveling and working as a hotel manager for several different hotel properties. Zisko holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from National University with a minor in biology.
Photo Credits:
fbld2008.com/images/downtown_sm.jpg
