This place just opened up and is such a rare find. I saw it while running one day. At first, I was surprised that it was a restaurant cuz it looked more like an old, abandoned service station. I'm glad I didn't judge it by it's outwardly appearance because it was actually freaking tasty!!! The inside is ... also interesting looking. The service was fast but lacking enthusiasm and could have been a little more friendly and welcoming. The first time I tried it was in person ... inside the restaurant. I've tried it 2 more times since ... both UberEats. The first time really blew me away!!! I was ready to give this place 5 stars!!! The flavors were so perfect and unique. The downside was that the portions were extremely small ... like so small, especially for the price. However, it was so good that I ordered it via UberEats 2x after. The first time I ordered it via UberEats, it was ok, but the second time, it was just horrible ... like way too greasy with no flavor. Just grease and oil. For this reason, I give the rating I did. I really need to try it again because I have such hope for this place, but dang ... the consistency is just not there. Please work on portion size and consistency!!! I know this place has what it takes to be consistently amazing!!! read more

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For a weekend dinner my friends and I decided to try Balamao, having noticed its opening a few weeks prior. Arriving at 6, our party of 4 received seating immediately; the establishment only had a few other tables occupied (they did have a decent number of delivery orders). We ordered everything to share, I sampled the following: - Sai Oua | $10 - Crying Tiger | $16 - Kra-Pow w/ground Pork | $14 - Drunken Noodle w/Beef | $16 The Sai Oua, a Northern Thai style of sausage, had both strong lemongrass and earthy herbal flavors. This proved quite addictive; the plate emptied quickly. The Crying Tiger, a grilled steak, proved equally popular given the savory marinade's interplay with tangy dipping sauces. The Kra-Pow w/ground pork, an orthodox menu item representing ground pork sautéed with chili, garlic, basil leaves with hot basil sauce over rice, met expectations. The Drunken noodle with beef, another orthodox menu item, this time with sautéed flat rice noodles with egg, basil, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and onions in spicy basil sauce, also tasted decent. Notably, the spicy sauce actually had some heat and didn't just taste like soy sauce. Overall, I enjoyed everything. The starting 2 appetizers stood out compared to the mains mostly because of the novelty. The portion sized did seem a bit small, but given the quality, I can understand the establishment trying to maintain a certain price point. read more

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Dining method: Dine-in Item(s) ordered: Red curry, Veggie Pad Thai, Spicy Papaya salad, Peach jelly sake, Yuzu jelly sake Value: Pricing was pretty much the going rate, maybe slightly higher. Service: The staff was absolutely lovely, and the salad came out about 20 minutes after ordering, then the food 20 minutes after that. The review: It really looks like a party inside Balamao. Open until 1 am during the week, it basically is. The food was incredibly fresh, with modifications for many dietary needs, including gluten-free. Everything was full of flavor and even presented nicely. The sake was a bit weird, and I would have preferred something closer to the real thing, or nothing at all. Overall, I have tried a ton of Thai food in Boston and I think this place makes the top of the list. The flavors are honestly different and bolder than other local Thai restaurants. I spoke to the co-owner, who said they make the food as authentic as possible, more so than other spots. 5 stars for going all-out! read more

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First off, you should absolutely try this restaurant and give your own review, it's a new place so don't just make your opinion off of my review. Context: We went in and ordered takeout because we had to get back to work. The waitress was super friendly and greeted us and chitchatted with her for a bit. She did great. When we got home and started eating we realized that the food wasn't bad at all, it just wasn't amazing. I think for a new restaurant I expected the food to be really good, especially for 14$ per plate, but it was just ok. The chicken was a bit over cooked for both dishes. And the tomatoes in my yellow curry weren't wonderful. The curry itself was a good level of spicy and less sweet then most yellow curry that I have had in boston. It just didn't make me go "wow that was good". And the fried rice didn't taste greasy which was nice. It had a good amount of veggies, but the chicken was a bit over cooked like the curry. My wife and I typically get pineapple fried rice at Thai places and that is always wonderful, but they didn't have that, so I think it also just left us saying, "that was fine" So I hope you go and try out this place and try other dishes and give your opinion because this was just our opinion on two take out dishes that were on their street food menu. read more

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Real authentic Thai food.New location in Brighton,Allston. They present authentic Thai flavors, spicy and hot. So flavorful. You much try every orders in the menu. read more

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Balamao has amazing and authentic Thai dishes, with great service and a really clean and fun interior. I would highly recommend the dishes we got: Tom Zaap Pork Rib soup (a great mix of sour and spicy), Kra Pow, and Pad See Ew. The Nom Yen (pink drink) was a great addition as well and was wonderfully sweet. I'm excited to know that I now have a really great go to for great Thai food in Brighton! read more

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Best and most authentic Thai food in the area. Their spicy is actually Thai spicy not toned down for Americans. Every ingredient is fresh and you can taste the tamarind & lime etc. they have the best kra pow. The larb nachos are delicious as well. so sad because they're closing temporarily while they find a new location, I just hope it's close by read more

Excellent! My favorite is the crying tiger. I am working close by and order it a few times before I go home. I love the pink milk. It's a delicious change from the Thai iced tea that I normally get. Both are great: this is just different. read more

This is my new go-to place!! They still have the Bangkok Bistro sign up, but they actually owns by new owners! If you want to have an authentic Thai food, this is the place for you. I never had this kinda experience from another Thai places in town before. As a Thai, I'm so impressed!! Recommends : Crying tiger (super duper good), Tom yum, Tom sap, crispy papaya salad(Som tum tod), garlic pepper. SPOILER : They will alcohol soon, too!!! read more

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Great thai food with north Eastern style focus. Great service. Food amazing. Ambiance is really cool

Must try their Crying Tiger! I wasn't expecting anything at first but when I tried, it surely made me come back to eat here for 4 days in a row. It was delish!!!!!! Be ready for a flavor bomb when eating here. Tom Yum soup was sour, savory, spicy and a little sweet. Just hits you on every direction. So happy that this place is only 5 mins away. Yummmmm.. read more

This restaurant is absolutely amazing! The service was good, and our server was very sweet and accommodating. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious and very authentic. This is a must have if you are in the Boston area! read more

Amazing food, good service. It's small and kinda quiet but the dishes are on fire, the seasoning is on the heavier side so prepare for a lot of impact! read more

Best papaya salad I've had in a long time. Highly recommend the garlic fried fish and crying tiger steak. I usually get takeout, but the inside is very clean and the staff is very professional. read more

It s the best food I never had before specially the crying tiger appetizer its delicious!!!!!I recommended my whole friends and people to go try it !!! read more

It was Friday night at 7:30pm and the restaurant was empty. Unfortunately I found out the reason why. Food was bland and tiny portions. There was no flavor in either house fried rice or basil fried rice or the pad see ew. Chicken was dry and had no flavor. Thonglor restaurant down the street has much more tasty Thai food. The service was good and vibe was hipster. But the food was very disappointing and more expensive than other Thai places. Rod Dee restaurant is another better option. read more

Authentic Thai taste that is hard to find in the Boston area. Loved the ambiance with the wall decors. Food is a straight 10/10 with good portions. Would definitely come back again. read more

This place is amazing! Super authentic and delicious. It might be our favorite Boston-area restaurant. They even have a free parking lot in front for convenience. The prices are good, too. Definitely give it a try, you won't regret it. read more

Have only been here twice but so far we have loved the dishes we have ended up with. We liked the Pad Thai and Mongolian beef. We ordered the spring rolls one of the times and as a happy mistake end up with the fried okra. It was our favorite of the order by far! We will be back to order again! read more

Delicious food! I ordered the drunken noodles, pad thai, and vegetable egg rolls. I am going back again!

Best thai food around Boston. If you are in the mood for Thai food this place is a must. Nothing bad on the menu. Their thai ice tea had the best sugar level. read more

Food was uninteresting. How did this restaurant get so many stars when the food is so average?

There is nothing I can think of negative about this place. Other than sometimes it's difficult to get parking. This is one of the most authentic Thai restaurants in New England. My fiancé is from Thailand and it's been in the restaurant business her entire life. This is the closest to Thai Street food that you can get in every person that we know in the Thai community raves about this place. Unfortunately, the landlord turned out to be a jerk and is selling the building and they need to relocate as of dec 2023. Go on their website and tag them and when you see that they're reopening please go there, the owner is personable and wonderful, excellent high-quality fresh food and Thai style dishes. You will not find anywhere in Boston area. Fun, vibrant atmosphere just excellent food. FYI, if you like spicy, this place is excellent, I can eat raw chili peppers by the handful. I'm such a spicy nut and this place satisfies my cravings. read more