Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant

4591 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego
(619) 255-0134

Recent Reviews

Madison Edwards

I had the best 2 meals of my trip at Thanh Tinh Chay! I got diagnosed with celiac disease 3 years ago and haven’t had great Vietnamese food since, but this place is incredible. Every single thing is vegan and gluten free, but you would never know because it is all so flavorful and delicious. As I was eating the Banh Mi sandwich I couldn’t believe the bread was gluten free, but our lovely server confirmed that it was a homemade recipe that took over 2 years to perfect. Many other items are made from scratch in house as well! The customer service is phenomenal as well, everyone is so kind and we were treated to complimentary desserts which were to die for! Especially the creme brûlée! I wish I lived in San Diego so I could eat here weekly, but I’ll be back every time I visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Custard, Soft Spring Roll

CA birds

Amazing restaurant? I highly recommend this high quality foods for everybody! Just try if you are not sure. You will never be disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Marina Donaldson

This place is AMAZING! The people who work here are all so sweet & the food is always delicious. I regularly travel to San Diego and this is the one place I have to go to every single time. 20/10!

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jaime B. Lynn

Super friendly staff and ridiculously good food. The kind that makes you smile when you eat because it's so good. They have so many options you can eat every day for a year and never repeat the same

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Soup, Vegan Pho

Joanne F

The food and service is superb. Even my meat eating husband loves it here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Thanh Toan Vermicelli Bowl Bún Thanh Toàn

Jonny Zakian

Delicious food and amazing company. The best vegan spot in San Diego!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Razeen Nasar

This is one of my favorite places ever. There is 240+ options but they manage to make all of them EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY! They make EVERYTHING there! Legit everything from the bread to the mock meats! Which is really unique since most places just use beyond or impossible, but they are really creative here. Each of the 240 options are unique from each other. They have bits and pieces from other East Asian cuisines! It quite literally would be impossible to not find an option you wouldn’t be happy with!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

N. S.

Whether you're in for a hearty lunch, a serene solo dinner, or a quick, wholesome bite, Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant is a must-visit. With its stellar five-star rating, it's clear I'm not the only one who thinks so. Here's to many more delightful meals at Thanh Tinh Chay!During my recent exploration for vegan eateries in San Diego, I stumbled upon a delightful discovery - Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant. Nestled at 4591 El Cajon Blvd, this restaurant is a sanctuary for those who cherish vegan Vietnamese traditional dishes, promising a unique dining experience that is hard to find elsewhere.The menu is a vegan's delight, offering everything from comforting coffee to healthy, organic options and small plates perfect for a quick bite or solo dining. What impressed me most was the dedication of the staff. Each team member is not only skilled in customer service but also well-versed in preparing all the meals and drinks offered.The culinary offerings are a testament to the restaurant's commitment to freshness and health. Opting for lunch, I was treated to a variety of dishes that were as nourishing as they were flavorful. Each dish spoke volumes of the meticulous care taken in selecting organic ingredients, presenting a perfect blend of comfort and health.Thanh Tinh Chay stands out not just for its unique positioning as a haven for vegan cuisine in San Diego but also for its impeccable service, diverse offerings, and inviting atmosphere. It's a place that not only caters to the vegan community but also invites others to explore the rich flavors of Vietnamese cuisine in a healthy, sustainable manner.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kim Fountain

The food at Thanh Tinh Chay is delicious. I have had the good fortune to enjoy food from around the globe from fancy tasting menus to hole in the wall joints. Thanh Tinh Chay is one of the best. The flavors, textures, and presentation are all on point. They started us off with the flavored water that is wonderfully refreshing- sweetened with apple juice and mixed with lemon, mint, strawberry, lychee and other ingredients that have been cooked and chilled. We ordered the Helen Pho Roll with tofu and could have stopped there, fully delighted and sated. But, of course we'd ordered other items from the extensive menu. They brought out our Banh Mi sandwich (crispy chicken), which was followed by ginger chicken with turmeric and rice and Dried Pho Noodles. We were over the moon. My favorite dessert is creme brûlée. I am not vegan, and, their creme brûlée was perfection-creamy, just the right amount of sweetness, and the satisfying crunch of melted sugar. In addition to a satisfying meal, the wait staff was really invested in the cuisine and the story of the restaurant- but only if you wanted to chat about it, and we did. They could tell us all about the food and the preparation and the history of it. What an all around great experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Daphne S

Trang and others gave us fabulous service and free deserts!! Best ever!!!Vegetarian options: Vegan

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jicama Roll Bò BÍA, Steam Rice Cake Bánh Bèo

Ava Sawyer

Amazing experience and authentic vegan food!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Also Joe

i can’t even explain how good this place is. the service is the perfect tempo - i never feel rushed or neglected. the food is unreal - everything is homemade. desserts are wonderful. don’t even get me started on the fruit water. Thanh Tinh Chay delivers a masterclass on what it means to be a 5 star restaurant. You could tell me they have a michelin star and I’d believe you. check it out and tell your friends. this place needs to be talked about more.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Paige Copenhaver

This place changed my life. I have never had a better experience. I did not know food could taste so good. The staff were incredibly warm and kind! 10/10, please do yourself a favor and go here and you'll see what I mean.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

David Ge

Easily one of the best vegetarian/vegan restaurants I have EVER been to. The vegan beef pho, fried rice w/ pineapples, spring rolls, banh mi, even the infused water were all house made, healthy, and mind-blowingly DELICIOUS. I can’t say enough good things about the food, the warm friendly service, and the overall experience. Definitely lives up to the hype as one of the best restaurants in the USA. MUST MUST go when in San Diego.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Steam Rice Cake Bánh Bèo, Vegan Pho, Soft Spring Roll

Kendra Michitsch

Tonight was our first time coming here and we had a wonderful experience. I haven't eaten meat in 10 years and have been on a gluten free diet since being diagnosed with celiac disease 5 years ago, so it has been many years since I've been able to go to a restaurant and be able to eat whatever I want on the menu. We spent about 20 minutes looking at the menu before we ordered because there was 200+ items on the menu and everything looked so good. I got the duck wonton soup, my boyfriend got Helen's buns, and then we shared Helen's tempura shrimp. All were very good, but our favorite was the tempura shrimp, it was amazing. It's been years since I've been able to eat anything fried, 4 hours later and I'm still raving to my boyfriend about how good it was. The servers were very kind and helpful as well. It's hard eating out due to my dietary restrictions, so I can't tell you how much I appreciate that all of the dishes are 100% gluten free and vegan. We can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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