Zab Linda Vista — Restaurant in San Diego

Zab Linda – Our Favorite Thai Spot That Tastes Just Like Thailand

My wife and I have been coming to Zab Linda – Best Thai Food for quite some time now, and we can say this without hesitation: the food here is as authentic as what we had in Thailand — maybe even better in some ways.

From the very first bite, we were transported back to the streets of Chiang Mai and the food stalls of Bangkok. The flavors, the ingredients, even the way dishes are presented — Zab Linda gets it right every time.

Our Go-To Dishes

After trying much of the menu, two dishes have earned a permanent place in our hearts (and stomachs):

Pad Thai with Duck: The dish that keeps us coming back. The noodles are always cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of sauce — not too sweet, not too dry. But it’s the duck that takes it to the next level: crispy skin, tender meat, and so much flavor in every bite. It’s exactly what we remember eating in Thailand, just without the jet lag. Chinese Sausage Fried Rice: Pure comfort on a plate. Wok-fried rice with slices of sweet, smoky Chinese sausage — simple, satisfying, and absolutely packed with flavor. It’s the kind of dish that you find yourself craving out of nowhere, and nothing else will do. Atmosphere & Experience

The staff know us now — we’re regulars — and they always greet us with warm smiles and friendly conversation. The vibe is relaxed, welcoming, and perfect whether we’re popping in for a casual dinner or enjoying a longer, slower meal.

Why We Love Zab Linda

The food is fresh, authentic, and full of love. Every bite reminds us of the real Thailand — not just the touristy stuff, but the meals we had in little family-run spots and night markets. Zab Linda has captured that magic, and it’s something we’re so grateful to have close to home.

If you haven’t been, treat yourself. And if you see a couple happily digging into duck Pad Thai and fried rice with big smiles on their faces — that’s...

Updating my review,

I have been here many times since. Everything I have tried is very good. I really like the panang curry. Their Pad Thai is also good.

I have always been served quickly. Sometimes we order pickup or delivery and the wait is very reasonable.

Full disclosure, I have only been here once with a couple of friends. We each tried something different. I was a little disappointed that all of the soups came full size. I got Tom Yum and while the soup tasted pretty good, I would have preferred it as a side with something else. I also didn’t find the vegetables added cooked as well as I would have liked. One friend tried a baked fish that she said was very good. We also shared some egg rolls that had a good flavor. I felt it was a bit overpriced, but overall not bad. I really enjoyed the mango...

This week we visited Zab Linda because we were craving Thai food and boy it didn’t disappoint 😍

We started with Tofu Spring Rolls and had Tom Ka Soup, Drunken Noodles, and Cashew Nut for our mains with a Thai Iced Tea and Chang Beer to drink. We left SO full and raving about the Tom Ka! It was so fresh and the mushrooms were perfect (I usually don’t like mushrooms but the mushrooms they use are cute as a button and not slimy.) Everything was so tasty and they have a pretty large menu so it was hard for us to decide on what to eat. The decor inside was so fun and helped make our little lunch date so cute and fun.

There’s plenty of parking and the employees are super helpful and kind. It is a busy place for lunch, be...