One of my favorite Thai restaurants in Brooklyn! Super hidden, this spot transformed from an old school cinema to a retro street food bar. Enjoy old movie seat style seating, low lighting, chill vibes, and vintage Asian films that create a magical sensory experience. The wait staff have always been super on top of our orders. Food comes out relatively fast and hot. Their tofu and noodle dishes are so delicious. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Don't forget to get a cocktail! They have so many yummy choices I always try to get a different one each time I go! Definitely a late night date spot or friends' night out! read more

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food was so good, also did not come on paper plates! one of the best papaya salads i've had. super yummy. the curry chicken with noodles was also pretty good. we got 2 mixed drinks (a mango one, and i think blood orange one? cant remember the names), both of the mixed drinks were SO delicious but kind of weak on the alcohol. also got the Crouching Tiger herbal alcohol. it had notes of ginseng and maybe anise? tasted like alcoholic herbal medicine B) service was kind, we arrived around an hour before closing. Mo Mo's exterior is very unassuming, but the interior of the restaurant is curated so beautifully and cinematically. reminded me of wong kar-wai era/80s east asian film set & viewing. good food and atmosphere-- would come back! read more

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Coming into this restaurant I wasn't sure what to expect as I walked in no one was there to greet me (that's ok ) I was more shocked at how cool this restaurant looks like a movie theater after being greeted it felt like I was transported with thai movie posters on the wall and flickering lanterns to mimic being in Thailand . The food was good I'd recommend any of the entrees but the portions can be shared between two people ! We had the stomach to try more! For the three dishes we got : The shrimp appetizer (would skip) Tom yum (small portion) Pork noodles (super tasty) Total:57$ read more

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Visited Mao Mao while on a recent trip to Brooklyn to visit some friends. Mao Mao has such a unique vibe that I think exists only in Brooklyn. In an old school converted movie theater, this bar/restaurant utilizes old movie seats and continues to play stuff on the big screen while you eat. The ambiance is just so unique, it alone is worth a visit. Their food options are really good focusing on Southeast Asian cuisine. There are plenty of options to try including the massaman curry which I thought was delicious. We also ordered several appetizers to share which I highly recommend. The portion sizes are decent but coming from the Midwest, the prices in Brooklyn are always steep! This place was no exception, but was well within normal range for Brooklyn. The servers were all very kind and offered us helpful recommendations for what to order in terms of both food and drinks. read more

Mao Mao - Massaman - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Quirky restaurant in Brooklyn made up like a movie theater with a big screen playing Asian movies on the main wall and theater seats at the tables. The food and the service were good. We ordered several dishes like the noodles and curry as well as appetizers like the fried chilis. Kudos for having unique dishes. Everything we ordered was good. The place was a little dark which I get being a movie theater but it made seeing what you're eating a little hard. Cool place to go with a few friends. read more

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Second time coming back here purely for the vibes and convenience. Confirming the seating is as uncomfortable as all the other reviews mention unfortunately. I recall leaving my first visit a little disappointed with the food's taste, and this time was no different. Wish these palettes showed up with the bright and bold Thai notes I love. I did ask for additional spice to plus up my dishes--they didn't have chili oil but I settled for green chilis and red chili flakes. Super fun interior but wish the food matched it. read more

Mao Mao - Goong Sam rot, Pla nin ma nao (Tilapia Spicy & Sour Salad), khao krapow moo - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Overall rating: 4.8 Price: $24 pp w/ tax & tip (total of 2x) I saw this place pop up on my TikTok and have been wanting to try it for awhile.Admittedly I thought they had like movie nights but realized it's just old Thai movies. It's a super cute spot, but wow the seats are so uncomfortable. They serve on paper plates which is fun. I really like that the menu is easy to understand. And when you don't drink, it's actually pretty affordable. Items my friend & I ordered: - Curry Puff chicken: 5/5 very good, def recommend - Sai Krok Isaan: 4/5 not sure what I was expecting but nothing special - Khao Kaprow Moo: 6/5 so simple, yet so good. A tad spicy, but not too much. There were a few large parties here & I don't know how they do it. I could only come here on a date or with a friend. The seats are not comfortable, but that shouldn't stop you from grabbing a snack. read more

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Went here with my friends on a Sunday evening because my usual spot wasn't open. Unfortunately the food here is nothing amazing and the cocktails aren't either. To feel full and Satisfied, you have to spend at least $100 here. And even then, I left wanting more. The portioning could've been bigger and better, and the cocktails could've not tasted watered down. On a good note, the service was friendly and attentive though! I think if it weren't for the awesome retro movie-themed Thai vibe, this place would not be as poppin'. I would only recommend that you come to this spot if you're desperate for a late night out to eat Thai food past 10pm. It shouldn't be this expensive here, definitely more than a bar than it is a restaurant. Won't be back... read more

the design and vibe of the restaurant is sick and fun and there are always new details to discover so I always bring visiting friends here the food is great and spicy I love the laab so much drinks are very expensive for what you get though, even the beer cocktails are small and are mild and whatever I would normally knock a star off for that but I feel like despite being such a unique and fun place in a sea of boring ass options, this place has a way lower rating than it should on yelp so I'm fiveing it read more

So many good things I can say! First the vibe and ambience was perfect! Such a cool unique spot. Food was delicious - the curry was so flavorful and fresh! Drinks were dangerously good! (Lychee cocktail was lovely) most of all the customer service was incredible especially Angie! She was the SWEETEST so fast and helpful! Definitely recommend this spot! Thank you Mao Mao! read more

Mao Mao - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Food was delicious, service was excellent, ambiance is cool -- but I have to agree with the awkwardness of the seating. The best way to eat is to pick your plate up to your face. It feels like you're eating in a college living room. Not for everyone. But they do have real plates/flatware now, not paper/plastic. We had the chicken curry puffs, the papaya salad with shrimp, and the Haianese poached chicken. Nice blend of flavors. Also had the Maomao medicinal drink, and Leo beer. I'd come back if in the neighborhood. There's a lot more on the menu I want to try. read more

Broadway is one of the few truly interesting streets left in Brooklyn. I never fail to find surprises when I get off at a new station along the J-Z lines, it has brought me such finds as Masquerade, Santa Panza, and Ornithology. Add to that mix the vintage kitschy (perhaps gaudy) Thai restaurant-cum-club-cum-cinema you didn't know you needed in your life. I'm no expert on vintage Thai cinema, but the soundtrack appears to be the Thai equivalent of Nazia Hassan and 80s Lata Mangeshkar. The vegetarian options are not that plentiful. And you come here more for the vibes than the food. But I did enjoy the snacking peanuts, and the chive dumplings - for pak mor, one of my favorite sweet-savory Thai snacks, the version at Chiangmai Diner is more delicate. read more

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Mao Mao has a really cool atmosphere. You walk through the door and down the stairs to be seated. The seating is eclectic and it is hit or miss if you get a comfortable seat or not. One time we were sat in the theater seats and those were comfortable but not within good reach distance to table for eating. The second time we were sat in uncomfortable metal chairs. The food isn't anything special to me but I think that might just be my personal preference. It is all cooked well and authentic - but I am not a seafood lover and most of their food tastes like it is cooked in fish oil or fat. The stars are mostly for atmosphere and the staff is super friendly and attentive. I don't plan to go back. read more

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Mao Mao is a fun bar in Brooklyn that transports you to Thailand! From the decor to the smell, it felt authentic. I came here with a party of 6 and we squeezed into one of the corner tables downstairs. I loved the giant projector that played various vintage videos of Thailand and the music was on point. We only ordered drinks since we already had dinner down the street. We got the Ma Kratheup Long to share, which had about 10-12 shots worth of alcohol in the glass flask. The taste of that was a lot better than the smell! I also ordered myself a cocktail with soju, but can't remember the name of it. It was pretty good and I had a good buzz by the night we left. All in all, a fun bar to check out! read more

Mao Mao - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came with a group of four and were sat down immediately. The place itself is very vibey, as it has a lot of old school Thai decor, which really made the place feel unique. They have chairs that are from the movie theater and project videos above. The food itself is also really good, definitely have a lot more Thai dishes offered here that aren't offered in other Thai restaurants in America, which is refreshing. The food is well flavored and you really can't go wrong. Will say a lot of the chairs, while very aesthetic for the space, are pretty tall in comparison to the table and can make eating a bit uncomfortable. read more

The architecture of cruelty! Seating like a medieval torture device. Most uncomfortable seating in the universe. I don't understand why they seat people with super low tables and high chairs which are not compatible? The only way to consume the food was hold the bowl directly under my chin because I could not hunch over and leave the bowl on the table and have it reach my mouth. WTF? The food, coconut milk soup with chicken, was delicious which is unfortunate I must rate it one star. The infestation of flies made it unappetizing, not sure if they're going for the authentic third world vibe or what that was all about? Swatting flies is no fun. It's not a pleasant place to eat food, though the food I ordered was tasty and wonderful. A real toss-up! Come on guys, get your act together? Invest in some proper tables and seating, your guests are worth it! I feel you're trying to cause spinal injuries in your customers and this is not cool. Nothing attractive about the seating arrangements! read more

Decor is absolutely amazing. Very uniquely decorated, small inside with unique seats with low tables. Definitely a more casual spot though. Food menu was small but unique dishes. I had a pork dish over rice. Sauce was not my favorite but still good, paired with cucumbers. Small serving of pork. But would definitely recommend the shrimp tempura. Good friendly and fast service. The best thing about this place is definitely the ambience. Suggest making a reservation. read more

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The seating was very uncomfortable, firstly. The waiter never brought us water until at the very end right before the bill. The water was the tappiest tap water I've ever tasted. It was so bad, I couldn't swallow it. Ordered a soup, that was lukewarm and the noodles tasted sour. Would never go here again and would not recommend. read more

Such a COOL restaurant. It prides itself in its authentic thai food and eclectic aesthetic. All the tables are mismatched retro chairs, which is really what the place is about. Theres an array of lights all over the walls and a movie that runs- adding to the vibe. The food itself had big portions for a reasonable price with super fun unique drinks (i.e., the soju coffee one was delicious!) The service was quick and casual. Don't come here looking for the fanciest dining experience, but it is definitely an eccentric one! read more

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Go for the vibes, not the food. I would come back for a light snack and some wine / beer. Came for dinner on a saturday night and suddenly it made sense why it was so easy to get a table. Stay away from the khao soi. Watery flavorless and expensive. Pickled mango was fun. Roast pork over egg noodles was solid, just reminded me of Chinese food. Great NY noodletown does it better. Sausages were extremely dry and demanded sauce. Fried chicken laab was v strange. Breading no bueno. Would come back if I eat before, truely a cool space and nice server. No liquor license. Soju cocktails not my cup of tea. read more

The main draw of this place is the decor and atmosphere for sure. It's a very quirky, unique spot that transports you into another world and time, which is nice to do in the middle of NYC. The biggest 'complaint' which seems to have already been discussed at length in other reviews is the unconventional/uncomfortable seating. This only really becomes an issue in my opinion if you're planning on eating. This seems like the perfect place to mostly drink but maybe have a snack to nosh at. It's definitely a bar that has food, and not the other way around. That being said, I did actually enjoy the food we got. We shared: - PRIK BREAK TEK (crunchy fried chilis- delicious!) - KHAO KRIAP GOONG (shrimp chips with chili paste- also very good and addictive) - GOONG SAM ROT (good, only comes with 4 so better to split between 2 ppl) - UI CHAI (THAI-CHINESE CHIVE DUMPLINGS) more glutinous than I was expecting but good - KHAO KRSPOW MOO SUB (MINCED PORK WITH THAI CLASSIC BASIL SAUCE SERVE WITH JASMINE RICE) tasted like a classic dish, very flavorful and decent portion - KHAO MUN GAI) HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE: really good flavor - Mango sticky rice: so delicious and the perfect ending to the meal Drinks were decent. Overall, a cool spot worth checking out. read more

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I'm giving 4 stars for atmosphere. I'd like to give 3.5. It's a fun and interesting place to be. In terms of dining the chairs are old theater seats and the tables are short. It's very uncomfortable to try to sit and eat. The food is very basic and there's better Thai all over. Food is served in all disposable paper products like styrofoam plates. In short, have a nice couple of drinks there and move on for dinner. read more

The food is delicious! I love all the fun medicinal shots. The names are all iconic. I also like the cinema atmosphere and overall theme of the spot! My one feedback is - if you are charging so much for a drink - I'd love it in a glass cup and with delicious garnish. Cheers! read more

Mao Mao - POV my seat - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

OMG I can't recommend this place more!! The food was amazing, the staff was so nice and the atmosphere was perfect!! shout out to the bar tender Angie!! She was perfect!! read more

obsessed with this Thai restaurant! The food is delicious, affordable and authentic street food. the aesthetic inside the restaurant is so unique, it feels like an adorable thai village inside. Love that you can't tell what you are walking into from the street. Makes bringing new people here a cute little surprise! Also they screen movies on their big screen which is also such a vibe. HIGHLY recommend this spot. read more

My favorite thai spot in New York that doesn't have pad thai. Step into a 1980's/90's Thai movie theater, sit on repurposed movie seats to have a slow poached chicken with rice and soup and wonder why you haven't been coming here sooner, and why no one told you about it. It's me, im telling you about it. Get the old school drinking snack, the roast pork over egg noodles, and an old school traditional thai libation Ya Dong. A Moaning Mistress perhaps? Maybe a Hard Dick or Crouching Tiger. I don't know what's in it, i don't want to know, i just want to drink it. 5/5. go here before everyone knows about it. read more

Only ordered two things (the Thai Wings and Sake drink) but I'm glad I didn't waste anymore money there. The wings tasted frozen with sauce and seasoning added and the drink was not good for $11. Very surprised they got Bib Gourmand. read more

Amazing food. I had the lemon chicken vermicelli. Never had anything like it and skeptical but it blew my mind. Chicken tasted amazing. And I asked for peanut sauce in the side and it's the best have tried to this day. 10/10 will be coming back again read more

i love mao mao with my entire heart, the food is always delicious, the drinks are good and the ambiance inside is unmatched!!!

Came on a Sunday evening around 6:45pm and the place was quite empty. Ambiance was pretty dim with a huge projector screen for movies. The movie theater seats were very uncomfortable where you had to sit on the edge of the seats to reach the table to eat, so your back would eventually ache by the time you're done. Food and drinks were served in plastic plates/cups. Drinks tasted like juice more than alcohol. Didn't stay long enough to watch a movie. The place is cool to checkout as there isn't many places like it and there's also a live dj playing music otherwise, not missing out on anything. read more

one of the standout restaurant experiences of the area. dimly lit movie theater style setup with quirky decor and vintage thai cinema playing on a big screen. the food is solid, simple and authentic with no frills, wish the portions were larger! standouts are the fried chili peppers (when they have them) and the fish cakes read more

I would rate this place for the amazing decor like a museum. I enjoy the naughty calendars in the wash room(men), the chicken wings esp the slaw mix it came with. Andddd the main show was the fried chili, the app blew our table away. :) read more

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i love this place. i had the kao mun gai. it was fresh and filling. the old movie theatre style seating while the old thai movies are playing. the cocktails were delicious & the lychee beer i had to take a photo of because it was so good. great date night spot or somewhere to go for a chill solo dinner. definitely coming back. read more

Mao Mao - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

4 & 1/2. Loved it... I absolutely adored the late Lamoon Restaurant in Elmhurst, likely my all time favorite NYC Thai resto. While I was obviously devastated by it's mid-Covid era closure I was thrilled and intrigued to hear they had opened a new, much more elaborate spot smack on the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy, aka the current geographical center point of BK hipsterdom (or whatever it's referred to as nowadays). I certainly was not disappointed, this was one of the most original, vibrantly decorated interiors I've seen. Sort of a dream state hybrid of a Thai cinema and disco, with some def island full moon-party thrown in the mix, it took me vividly back to some of the more wild freewheeling locales I came upon during travels through Thailand. When we arrived on the earlier side on a Saturday evening, but there was already a DJ energetically providing some banging Thai electronica, audibly complementing the visuals of the old school Thai films being projected on the screens above us and further enhancing the gleefully psychedelic vibe and energy. I was happy to see the place rapidly fill up, suggesting the place is really succeeding and getting the following it deserves, hopefully insuring it a much longer lifespan than Lamoon. I've seen some grouchy yelpers whining about the cinema style seats, I would argue with them that this only further enhances the decor and vibe. Are they the most comfortable dining seats imaginable? No, however judging by the average apparent age and flexibility of the young and svelte clientele I don't think it would bother many, and I suspect it's some random crotchety yelpers in my middle-aged demographic behind these complaints. Thrillingly, the food was just as exciting and mind-bending as the setting. Befitting both it's location and decor, the food has a more Thai-drinking food focus than Lamoon. Everything was uniformly delicious but the highlights of the meal for me were no doubt both the Leng Zaab, a beloved holdover from Lamoon, and an exceptionally rare Thai delicacy in NYC. It's a astonishingly complex, devilishly spicy and sour, slow cooked pork neck soup. While I can't remember the last time I paid $21 for a soup, this was well worth in both in terms of the incredible flavor and the large portion which was more than enough to satiate our table of 4. The other highlight I would have to declare the Laab Gai Krob, an equally vibrantly flavored Northern Thai style Fried chicken, another relative rarity in NYC, which as well as hitting the sour and spicy notes thanks to a heavy infusion of lime and chilis among other deliciousness, also achieved a unique crispiness holy unlike most any of the countless other styles of fried chickens found across the city. Also of particular yumminess were the Kung Sam Rot some perfectly fried yet wonderfully light and addictive shrimp w "Triple Flavors" (obviously again including sour and spicy, but this time also sweet), as well as a textbook perfect papaya salad, another longtime Lamoon fan favorite. Definitely can't wait to return, with the largest groups possible for peak sharing and fun possibilities, and eventually knock out the entire menu. One final note; if the owners are by chance reading this, if you ever happen to bring back my beloved Pearl Pad See Ew from Lamoon, either as a regular menu item or even just a special, even better! read more

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When I heard there was a restaurant nearby with Thai street foods and movies playing, I knew I had to go. When we got there, we waited at the host booth upstairs for a while before realizing that nobody was coming so we went downstairs and were quickly seated. The seats were very low and leaned pretty far back which made it a bit difficult for conversation since we had to lean quite far forward to be able to hear each other. It also made it difficult to eat once we got the food, so I think I would have preferred a more normal table and chairs for eating, although the setup they have may be nice for just relaxing. I found the food quite pricey and to be honest the taste was a bit underwhelming to me as well. I had really looked forward to going here, but sadly I don't think I'll be back. read more

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The quirky seating and amazing music separates Mao Mao from the other places we visited... AND the food was yummy and the drinks were very good. I'll be back the next time I'm in NYC. read more

Mao Mao - Thai Shrimp Chips and Curry Puff Chicken... and to drink Sombut and Jarunee. - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The ambiance and decor of Maomao is cool, artsy and authentic like you were in the 60s or 70s in Thailand. It's definitely worth a visit for it's unique environment. They named their traditional medicine alcohol with special & funny name like Kneeler, Falling in the bed...etc and the drink is healthy, but the taste wasn't our type. We had a couple of small plates, which included Fried Chicken Wings, Papaya Salad, Fried & Steamed Dumplings, Squid and Braised Pork Leg Soup to share with a group of friends. The food wasn't the best and the price was little high compared to Thai restaurants in the neighborhood. However, the reason why we would still recommend Maomao is because of their lively & cozy vibe. read more

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MAO. MAO. I LOVE YOU. Get in my belly everyday. vibes 10/10. food 11/10, made me close. Beer, get in my belly. Yummy yummy yummy. YES. and all the people are so happy. yes. read more

The ambience reminded me of Thailand. The vibe, the room, the decor, the dishing, and other small details. This is an experience. It seemed a hole in wall place and once you enter it takes you directly to Thailand and makes you forget that you are in Brooklyn. I love that The seating could be uncomfortable at first, but if you have been to Thailand before then you would know it makes you feel like it. So you will slowly adapt to it and get comfortable with time According to the waiter the food should emulate Thailand spiciness. I only felt the spiciness from the Tom Yong Gong. Everything else was normal. I gotta say the food seemed normal, there was nothing peculiar nor wonderful about it. A bit disappointed considering the ambience rocks I am giving this place 4 star review because of its ambiance and the place offers you a different experience compared to other places. If I review this place with the food in mind then I wouldn't give this place 4 stars, perhaps less. I'll just leave it as is... at the moment :) read more

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This restaurant is so damn cool!! When you get here, you're escorted down to a room that looks like a theater with a giant screen, but there are tables and chairs instead of rows of seating. It was a really great spot to share some small plates and share drinks with a group. We started with ya dong- a special Thai liquor Mao Mao is the only place in nyc to serve. It's definitely different; very herbal or syrupy but really smooth to shoot. Our server was so friendly and very helpful making recommendations. We also shared a few different small plates and appetizers; the curry puffs and chicken dumplings were standouts (we had to order second rounds!). If you're looking for a lighter drink, I recommend the lychee beer. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying some of their entrees! read more

Mao Mao - Seating area - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York