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!

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!

BalaWOW! We came here as a group and ordered a few dishes from each section starting with appetizers, salad and then moved onto main, rice and noodles. Each dish had a different taste and was amazing. Truly a street food taste representative but much cleaner. I highly recommend one of the spicy salads, fried okra, either of the fishes and staples like fried rice or drunken noodles. And Ofcourse we went all out with each of their dessert option - loved both the shaved ice and coconut ice cream sandwich with sticky rice.

The place has a cute astronaut theme going around and played walkthrough of Bangkok on the tv for a nice feel.

Highly highly recommend to try this place.

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.

Fantastic stamp located here in Brighton! Cozy venue, awesome artwork throughout and the food is wonderful! Very pleasant accommodating staff as well! Available parking out front and you're welcomed with a smile upon entrance* If you're in Brighton, make sure to stop by BalaMao*

Parking: Parking out front and there's a parking lot behind the building

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Brighton, Balamao offers an enchanting exploration of authentic Thai flavors that is not to be missed. Introduced to me by a Thai friend, it indeed lived up to its reputation as one of Boston's top three Thai restaurants.

We came in for an early Sunday dinner and found the place serene and welcoming. This unassuming spot, popular with Thai locals seeking good food and bar experience, delivered a genuine Thai street food experience.

The meal started with crispy shrimp chips, paired delightfully with a prik pow dip that set the stage with an enticing burst of umami. The Hoi Ob, steamed mussels in a vibrant Thai basil broth and spicy lime sauce, added a zesty punch.

Our main dishes were equally impressive. The Moo Yang, featuring grilled marinated pork with a jaew sauce, offered a balanced mix of savory and sweetness. The Tom Yum Talay stood out with its light creaminess cutting through the soup's acidity.

However, the undisputed stars were the Pad Thai and the Som Tum Tod. The Pad Thai, reminiscent of the flavors I've savored in Bangkok, balanced sweetness with a touch of acidity for a satisfying bite. The Som Tum Tod, crispy papaya with a dressing that gave a sweet and sour punch, was exceptionally addictive, akin to a vegetable tempura but with a Thai twist.

While Balamao might not be deemed as gourmet, it surpasses the typical neighborhood Thai offerings with its authenticity and impressive culinary delights. Highly recommend it for a true Thai food experience in Boston.

Parking: Free parking lot in front of the restaurant (Space for 3-5cars)