Absolutely outstanding, stunningly good restaurant. The interior was dark and cozy, with music at the right volume (not loud!). Perfect for intimate dinners with friends or a partner. The staff were friendly, lowkey, and not overbearing. The food was creative while maintaining cultural integrity and, above all, tasted great. Highly recommended. Definitely make a reservation, because they are popular (and rightfully so!)

I cannot recommend the yukhoe enough. Perfectly balanced with the pear slices and delicious slices of bread, the yukhoe was flavorful and had great texture. I still dream about it.

The chicken rice was a fun surprise, with the rice stuffed into the chicken. The chicken was tender and tasty. Paired with the well-seasoned and moist rice, it made the perfect dish.

I really enjoyed the mussels. They weren’t fishy and had the perfect bite. The broth that they came in was flavorful and light, which I had no qualms about finishing. The bread, which I loved, was crunchy without tearing the palette of my mouth, and was perfect for dipping in the broth.

The hot dog was delightful. The highlight for me was the toasted bread, once again. I could only eat one or two taro fries because I was so stuffed, but those had a perfect amount of crunch with fluffy interior texture. They were out of flan but offered us a tiramisu, which was heavenly. The tiramisu was moist, light, and creamy with a great espresso flavor.

Me and my boyfriend wished we’d gone with one more person so we could’ve ordered one more dish and not be so stuffed, but we powered through and cleared our plates. Final bill came out to $130 total, which was more than worth it if you’re looking for a high quality, delicious dinner in the greater Boston area. I’m already planning to go back!

We had a fantastic time at Merai Bar in Brookline! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was excellent, and the food and drinks were truly something special.

We ordered the Mussels, Taro Fries, and Merai Signature Hotdog, and each dish was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The Strawberry Cheesecake and Sorbet Opera craft cocktails were not only creative but also deliciously balanced—definitely must-tries!

A huge congratulations to the Merai team for being named a 2025 James Beard Foundation Award Semi-Finalist for Best New Bar in the U.S.! It’s well deserved, and we can’t wait to visit again!

— Jattalee

Merai has the vibes and drinks of a semi casual Thai fusion speakeasy, but the food is what truly stood out. The chicken stuffed with fried rice blew my mind, as well as the Tom kha risotto. Service and atmosphere were great for a date night or drinks and appetizers with friends. Plates are not huge but I absolutely loved it. Worth a go or two or three.

11/10. Wife has been wanting to try out this place knowing it shares the owner at Mahaniyom, which I thought it was pretty good. Merai doesn't told a candle to Merai. Fun atmosphere for the drinks. Music can be loud but still able to talk and socialize. Vibe is fun for a great date or to take friends when they come visit.
Food was very fun and unexpected. We ordered kale salad, taro fries, dumplings, and hot dog.
Kale salad was shockingly delicious with what tasted like a red curry dressing.
Taro fries are what I would have over steak fries any day, crispy and almost crunchy on the outside and soft texture on the inside - sweet Thai chili sauce paired was a good touch.
Dumplings were alright but somewhat overdone with the Sichuan chili oil sauce.
The hot dog, my wife and I will be dreaming over - sausage was plump but not too touch for the soft buttery roll - lots of flavor balanced over the pickled veggies.
We had sober opera and melon cocktails - very good!
This place will likely be a place we would go to for anniversary meals - portions and quality match the pricing and really feels worth it all together as an experience. Keep up the good work and keep doing how you are!

Dined on a Friday at that bar and had a lovely time!

From the moment we walked in we were warmly greeted and immediately sat for our reservation.

The bartender, Earth, is so attentive and makes the best cocktails - he goes above and beyond for those seated at the bar, and proactively serves those that are waiting for their seats by the bar.

The food was unreal - two of us ate enough for a family of four and were so satisfied by each dish. The mussels are a must try, taro fries are unreal, the hot dog is to die for and an absolute TREAT. You can tell the kitchen knows what they’re doing.

The waitresses running the food were so kind and attentive, bringing us everything we needed for each dish and informing us of how to best consume certain dishes for maximum satisfaction.

Excited to go back.

Great experience. Low lighting, attentive service, great drinks and food. Would return again!

Very reminiscent of their sister restaurant but lighter tastes and more sophisticated cocktails. More fusion than Thai.

Bathroom feels like you're being transported to a fever dream. Absolutely beautiful.

Fantastic: chazuke, curry pot pie

Great: plum cocktail, bori bori, kopimisu

Good: mussels, yukhoe, hamachi crudo

I recently tried a unique style of Thai food that stands out from other Thai restaurants, while still maintaining authentic flavors. One dish that impressed me was the Kra Prow Hot Dog, which tastes just like the traditional Kra Prow rice but in hot dog form. I want to commend the chef for creating such a delicious dish. The Beef Tartare was also noteworthy, as it had a wonderful freshness to the beef. For dessert, I enjoyed the Thai tea flan, which was perfectly balanced—not too sweet, that complemented the sweetness of the accompanying ice cream. If you get the chance to try it, be sure not to miss ordering the Kra Prow Hot Dog!

This meal was diabolically good. The service (Pom specifically) was TOP tier. So friendly and casual as others have mentioned. The food was so flavorful and complex, and excellent for sharing. I think we tried 7 or 8 different dishes total. I don't repeat many places but I'll be back, easily. For bevs I recommend the plum and the melon. The strawberry shortcake cocktail blew my mind. The taro fries were SO good we got 2. The ramen was also incredible and the mussels CLEARED. Oh lord I'll be back so quick.

The food is next level. The drinks are inventive. The team here is amazing. Will definitely be coming back

We had a fantastic time at Merai Bar in Brookline! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was excellent, and the food and drinks were truly something special.

We ordered the Mussels, Taro Fries, and Merai Signature Hotdog, and each dish was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The Strawberry Cheesecake and Sorbet Opera craft cocktails were not only creative but also deliciously balanced—definitely must-tries!

A huge congratulations to the Merai team for being named a 2025 James Beard Foundation Award Semi-Finalist for Best New Bar in the U.S.! It’s well deserved, and we can’t wait to visit again!

— Jattalee

Absolutely outstanding, stunningly good restaurant. The interior was dark and cozy, with music at the right volume (not loud!). Perfect for intimate dinners with friends or a partner. The staff were friendly, lowkey, and not overbearing. The food was creative while maintaining cultural integrity and, above all, tasted great. Highly recommended. Definitely make a reservation, because they are popular (and rightfully so!)

I cannot recommend the yukhoe enough. Perfectly balanced with the pear slices and delicious slices of bread, the yukhoe was flavorful and had great texture. I still dream about it.

The chicken rice was a fun surprise, with the rice stuffed into the chicken. The chicken was tender and tasty. Paired with the well-seasoned and moist rice, it made the perfect dish.

I really enjoyed the mussels. They weren’t fishy and had the perfect bite. The broth that they came in was flavorful and light, which I had no qualms about finishing. The bread, which I loved, was crunchy without tearing the palette of my mouth, and was perfect for dipping in the broth.

The hot dog was delightful. The highlight for me was the toasted bread, once again. I could only eat one or two taro fries because I was so stuffed, but those had a perfect amount of crunch with fluffy interior texture. They were out of flan but offered us a tiramisu, which was heavenly. The tiramisu was moist, light, and creamy with a great espresso flavor.

Me and my boyfriend wished we’d gone with one more person so we could’ve ordered one more dish and not be so stuffed, but we powered through and cleared our plates. Final bill came out to $130 total, which was more than worth it if you’re looking for a high quality, delicious dinner in the greater Boston area. I’m already planning to go back!

Great experience. Low lighting, attentive service, great drinks and food. Would return again!

Very reminiscent of their sister restaurant but lighter tastes and more sophisticated cocktails. More fusion than Thai.

Bathroom feels like you're being transported to a fever dream. Absolutely beautiful.

Fantastic: chazuke, curry pot pie

Great: plum cocktail, bori bori, kopimisu

Good: mussels, yukhoe, hamachi crudo

Delicious food, great music, awesome service!

The ambiance was nice… I would saw I prefer Mahaniyom’s menu more for thai food (comparing because they are beside each other). They have a more extensive menu and the dishes I tried tasted overall better.

Impeccable service and ambiance.

However, their shrimp tempura was perfectly crispy and battered, and the sauce for it was impeccable. My favorite dish. Taro fried is a close second!! Everything else tasted good but didn’t amaze me. Pork dumplings weren’t hot and was warm/cold and the sauce was over powering which threw me off.

Dined on a Friday at that bar and had a lovely time!

From the moment we walked in we were warmly greeted and immediately sat for our reservation.

The bartender, Earth, is so attentive and makes the best cocktails - he goes above and beyond for those seated at the bar, and proactively serves those that are waiting for their seats by the bar.

The food was unreal - two of us ate enough for a family of four and were so satisfied by each dish. The mussels are a must try, taro fries are unreal, the hot dog is to die for and an absolute TREAT. You can tell the kitchen knows what they’re doing.

The waitresses running the food were so kind and attentive, bringing us everything we needed for each dish and informing us of how to best consume certain dishes for maximum satisfaction.

Excited to go back.

The servers were super nice until u tip them well. I saw an asian middle aged woman chase a customer down and cuss them just cz they didn’t tip well. The food was really good but the service? Miserable. Wouldn’t go back

The server haggled about the tip, as the bill was $93 and we gave a $8 tip as that’s all the cash we had, as we are students.She asked us for a bigger tip, we apologised, yet when we were about to go out, she ran behind us with and wanted us to take it back, eventually we walked away and she threw the money on the ground. My friends who are also students from out of state had to be embarrassed because of it, and had a bad impression of Boston.

Phenomenal drinks, outstanding service, amazing experience!

Amazing cocktails(get the Plum and Sober Opera). Food is on point, best hot dog in town.

Service was attentive filling our waters at every turn, offered fantastic recommendations and extremely friendly.

Overall place is a vibe and worth it.

Found this new place nearby and decided to check it out. It is a Friday evening night so I expect to wait but the wait staff was rude and their attitude really makes us feel not welcomed. We finished our drinks at the bar and then decided that there is not reason to spend time at a place that we are not welcomed.

The service here is disappointing, and the waitstaff’s attitude makes customers feel unwelcome. I recommend spending your money at a place that values and respects its customers

Literally the best place for cocktail service ♥️♥️♥️big fan

Very interesting and tasty drinks, great food, and exceptionally hospitable staff!

food was great - mussels and hot dog were our faves! music was more of a club vibe which we werent expecting but still had a good time

Tight music, curry chicken pot pie top tier. Drinks are great

This meal was diabolically good. The service (Pom specifically) was TOP tier. So friendly and casual as others have mentioned. The food was so flavorful and complex, and excellent for sharing. I think we tried 7 or 8 different dishes total. I don't repeat many places but I'll be back, easily. For bevs I recommend the plum and the melon. The strawberry shortcake cocktail blew my mind. The taro fries were SO good we got 2. The ramen was also incredible and the mussels CLEARED. Oh lord I'll be back so quick.

The food was sooo good! We tad taro fries, hotdog, chazuke, and fettuccine and they were all so so good. Cocktails were amazing as well

Fabulous food and service!

The risotto and pasta is a must try. Drinks are good too. Worth a visit

If you like Mahaniyom, this is their sister restaurant down the street. My friend ordered us the taro fries. I’m not sure how they achieved that spongy yet crispy texture but it’s super unique and came with a sweet chili sauce. The kale salad was also very tender and dressed in a light Thai curry dressing. The cold noodles had a lovely brine reminiscent of crushed dried shrimp. We finished with a Thai tea flan with coconut ice cream. All in all, a lovely date spot and fantastic food.

This review was made in connection with a Toast promotion.

Great spot for drinks, the bartender, Earth, is extremely friendly and cute

I recently tried a unique style of Thai food that stands out from other Thai restaurants, while still maintaining authentic flavors. One dish that impressed me was the Kra Prow Hot Dog, which tastes just like the traditional Kra Prow rice but in hot dog form. I want to commend the chef for creating such a delicious dish. The Beef Tartare was also noteworthy, as it had a wonderful freshness to the beef. For dessert, I enjoyed the Thai tea flan, which was perfectly balanced—not too sweet, that complemented the sweetness of the accompanying ice cream. If you get the chance to try it, be sure not to miss ordering the Kra Prow Hot Dog!

Probably the worst over priced food I’ve had in Brookline. Everything was bland, portion sizes were small. Wish Matt Murphy’s would open up instead :(

The dumplings were good but extremely spicy, and the kale salad was barely edible, soggy and overdressed. We did not eat it and the bartender didn't ask why it was barely touched.

The atmosphere and service was nice. It's a great place to hang out with friends and have drinks but the food portions are rather small and not very filling. The fettuccini is their fusion take on Khao Soi which is spicy curry over with egg noodles but they use fettuccini instead of egg noodles. I find it surprisingly good especially the curry flavor and the chicken was tender but too bad the portion was small. Cold noodles were fine but I didn't know they would serve it cold broth and shaved ice which made it extra chilly.

For drinks I recommend the sober opera and I disliked the Hojicha. Hojicha tasted like seltzer water.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate and drank, and the lovely ambiance. That Thai tea flan may be the perfect dessert!

I had such a lovely dinner at Merai. The food was incredible, the service was impeccable, and the interior was inviting. Definitely better to come with a group so that you can try more dishes, as the plates are like tapas.

- Taro Fries ($8): How did they get these so crispy? I feel like I prefer these over potato fries now. The sweet chili sauce paired nicely.
- Risotto ($21): The oyster mushrooms didn’t add much for me tbh, but the risotto was cooked well. Very creamy and unique because of the tom kha flavor.
- Chicken Rice ($17): The embedded rice was an interesting concept, but I feel like the chicken alone would have been fine because the flavor was mostly in the chicken skin. The taste was reminiscent of Vietnamese fried chicken (cánh gà chiên nước mắm) because of the fish sauce, so I liked it.
- Hot Dog ($18): Unanimous favorite of the night. Every element—bun, sausage, and sauce—was delicious.
- Mussels ($18): Great portion size, and the mussels were plump. The sauce was flavorful but not overwhelming. (Thanks again, Boong!!)
- Flan ($9): Favorite dessert of the night because it’s the only dessert on the menu, but I’m sure if there were others, this would still win. The flan melted in your mouth, and the ice cream was so smooth and flavorful.

Can’t wait to try more dishes, as well as visit Merai’s sister restaurant down the street!

The best! Flan dessert is one of the best
Desserts I’ve ever had!

We had a great dinner experience - as expected from the owners of “Mahaniyom”! Food was super creative with great flavors, amazing drinks paired with perfect service and a fun throwback playlist in the background! We’ll come back

Unique Thai-inspired food. Modern Thai. Delicious. Good cocktails. Nice people. Shareable plates.

food and cocktails were absolutely exceptional!!! Obsessed with the cold noodles and hot dog, and the strawberry cheesecake cocktail to top off the night. Vibes inside were also spectacular - great place to sit at the bar and enjoy the moment. 10/10 no joke one of the best restaurants i’ve been to lately in the boston area (and i’ve been to quite a few!)

Very loud. Pretty good food and drinks but some dishes were better than others. Long wait even though we had a reservation. The reason we won't be back is how noisy the place was. Very loud music, which made it hard to talk to others and created additional noise because everyone had to shout at each other. We felt exhausted by the time we were done.

Merai: A Thai Treasure with Cocktails to Die For!

If you haven’t stumbled upon Merai yet, you’re missing out on one of the best-kept secrets in town—a Thai gem that’s as vibrant as its flavors and as unforgettable as its cocktails. Tucked away like a hidden oasis, Merai brings a whole new level of excitement to Thai cuisine. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be booking your next visit before you even finish the first!

Let’s talk about the food: picture this—a cascade of aromas wafting from the kitchen, where the chefs work their magic like culinary wizards. The Yukhoe It’s a spice-laden dance party for your taste buds, with just the right amount of kick. And don’t even get me started on the cold noodles just the right spice, aromatic, and balanced to perfection. Every dish bursts with the kind of fresh flavors that make you close your eyes and savor each bite just a little longer.

Now, let’s dive into their cocktail program, which is nothing short of spectacular. The mixologists behind the bar craft their cocktails with the precision of alchemists and the flair of showmen. If Earth is there you’re going to love what he makes you.Whether you’re sipping on a basil-infused gin concoction that’s as refreshing as a Thai beach breeze or a silky sweet strawberry cheesecake libation that’s all decadence in a glass, each drink is a little masterpiece. It’s not just a bar—it’s a full-on cocktail experience that pairs perfectly with the dynamic menu.

The vibe at Merai is equally on point—think chic, cozy, and undeniably cool. Old school tracks that are always a good vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back with friends and lose track of time over plates of deliciousness and cocktails that make you say, “Just one more round.” The staff are like good friends you didn’t know you had, guiding you through the menu and making every visit feel special.

So, whether you’re a Thai food fanatic, a cocktail connoisseur, or just someone who loves a great night out, Merai is the spot you need in your life. Go for the food, stay for the cocktails, and let the good times roll.

Walked by this place many times, and I knew I had to give it a try after seeing the concept and some of the other reviews. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype.

We tried the hotdog, the mussels, the risotto, and two cocktails.

The hotdog was not far from an elevated take on a hotdog I’ve had at other restaurants — the hint of Thai was lacking for me. The thought behind the risotto was great, and the flavours were quite nice but, already quite rich, the amount of (chilli?) oil added made the dish greasy and heavy. The mussels were great. Lastly, both cocktails (sober opera and silky way) were just okay.

I think the concept is excellent, but the execution fell a bit flat. Perhaps we got unlucky but, if so, that would speak to a lack of consistency.

11/10. Wife has been wanting to try out this place knowing it shares the owner at Mahaniyom, which I thought it was pretty good. Merai doesn't told a candle to Merai. Fun atmosphere for the drinks. Music can be loud but still able to talk and socialize. Vibe is fun for a great date or to take friends when they come visit.
Food was very fun and unexpected. We ordered kale salad, taro fries, dumplings, and hot dog.
Kale salad was shockingly delicious with what tasted like a red curry dressing.
Taro fries are what I would have over steak fries any day, crispy and almost crunchy on the outside and soft texture on the inside - sweet Thai chili sauce paired was a good touch.
Dumplings were alright but somewhat overdone with the Sichuan chili oil sauce.
The hot dog, my wife and I will be dreaming over - sausage was plump but not too touch for the soft buttery roll - lots of flavor balanced over the pickled veggies.
We had sober opera and melon cocktails - very good!
This place will likely be a place we would go to for anniversary meals - portions and quality match the pricing and really feels worth it all together as an experience. Keep up the good work and keep doing how you are!

Went here for my wife, Mya's birthday and we had a wonderful time with our friends. We ordered the entire menu and not one dish was bad. Our server, Muk was amazing!

The service was impeccable. We ordered everything on the menu and there was not one bad dish.

Merai has the vibes and drinks of a semi casual Thai fusion speakeasy, but the food is what truly stood out. The chicken stuffed with fried rice blew my mind, as well as the Tom kha risotto. Service and atmosphere were great for a date night or drinks and appetizers with friends. Plates are not huge but I absolutely loved it. Worth a go or two or three.

Every single dish was exceptional. We eat out often and love different cuisines. I knew it would be good because their other restaurant is so good but this was even better. Kale salad is next level, mussels were amazing and I hate hot dogs, their hot dog is other worldly and not a hot dog but more an artisnal work of art. Of the six dishes tried, I would order each one again. Wonderful drink menu, creative , well thought out and balanced.
Finally, great staff which just makes the entire experience so lovely.
You have to love when a restaurant tries hard, they do and it shows

Merai in Brookline is an absolute treasure for cocktail lovers! Their drinks are truly phenomenal, hitting every single taste bud with each sip. From the refreshing flavors of plum liquor to the playful foams and textures, every cocktail is a sensory delight.

My personal favorite is the Plum Cocktail—it’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just a hint of saltiness. Every sip screams umami, making it an unforgettable drink that pairs perfectly with their Yukhoe. This dish is spiced to perfection with Thai-style Larb seasonings and topped with a fresh egg yolk for added richness. The julienned Asian pear and cucumber add a refreshing crunch that complements the tender hanger beef, creating a dish that’s both bold and light in flavor.

The bartenders, Moy and Earth, are absolute masters of their craft. Their energy and mixology expertise elevate the experience even further. They bring a personal touch and incredible vibes that make each visit feel special. Whether you’re a cocktail aficionado or just looking to try something new, these two will take care of you and ensure your drink experience is unforgettable.

And a quick tip: don’t get lost in the bathroom—the quirky design will have you doing a double take!

Merai is a true gem, and if you’re looking for incredible drinks, amazing food, and an unforgettable night, this is the spot to be.

Good food, good drinks, great service and atmosphere. We got the risotto (3/5), chicken rice (4/5) and the bao buns (4/5).

We love Merai's sister restaurant so we definitely had to come try this place out. The space is trendy but still comfortable and intimate. The music never got too loud either.

The two of us split the Taro Fries, Cold Noodles, Bao Bun, and the Hot Dog. Standouts were definitely the fries and hot dog. I loved the crispy textures of the fries and hot dog bun.

Service was friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. I would definitely come back! Probably best for parties of two since the portions are meant to be shared.

The food was ok, but the service and atmosphere were not. The place is really loud, which is fine, but I couldn’t even hear my friends that were right next to me talking. The worst part of it all is that the waiters rushed us to leave by quickly taking away the plates of food that we ordered even when we weren’t done eating - we had to ask them to leave it on the table. But then they came back 5 minutes later to take away the plates again. At one point, when one of the waiters was taking away the plates, she WAITED for me to take out the last piece of chicken before taking the plate away. The whole experience was just very bad. It was very rude, given that the restaurant didn’t have anyone waiting for our table and we had just been there for less than an hour. Highly do not recommend going - you can also find better fusion food elsewhere in Boston.

Food and drinks are so good and service is fast! I love the hot dog best. Excellent addition to mahaniyom

Bold thai flavors in classic foods

Best meal I’ve had in a long time in Boston!! We ordered literally everything but two things from the menu and some items we ordered twice… didn’t even have time to take any photos of food because as soon as everything came out (so quickly, too!) it was gone. Our favorites were the hot dog and dumplings. The Thai tea flan was also mind blowing. The staff is also amazing and so friendly, service is speedy and efficient. Will be back IMMEDIATELY!!!

Excellent food. Creative and delicious cocktails. Friendly service. Cozy atmosphere.

Place deserves a Michelin ⭐. Nuff said.

Visited the restaurant/bar in the evening for dinner and drinks. Very nice cocktails, an interesting menu of small plates, not really Thai food, but rather “Thai-influenced”. Everything we had was delicious and the service was very attentive. However, cocktails are the stars - the food menu is rather small (but really fun). All in all a nice place, but the space is pretty cramped and noisy, and it’s popular . Probably a good idea to reserve…

The hospitality is impeccable!!! Visiting from out of the states and it is amazing here!!!!
The vibes, the music, the people and just everything here feels like super welcoming. I’d definitely recommend this place if you’re having a long day of touring the city. Don’t forget to stop by here! MERAI!!! 🙏🙏🙏
MOOK! You are amazing!!!!!
MELON MELON MELON!!!!
Try it out!
Thank you again!!!

New bar from the Mahaniyom team offering excellent drinks and Thai-infused fusion dishes.

Been waiting for months for this place to open. After some delays and teasing us with pop-up events, Merai finally opened with a concept of global cuisine infused with Thai elements. It's a slightly different take from the modern Thai tapas bar at Mahaniyom, and while they call themselves an “elevated dive bar,” that felt like an understatement. The restaurant's aesthetics outshined most of the cocktail bars I’ve been to in the city. It was like they’ve taken a dive bar and given it a first-class upgrade.

Here, Thai spices work their magic to subtly enhance the umami and aromatics of each dish. Prime examples of this were the onigiri and cold noodles. By incorporating shrimp paste and caramelized pork into the rice, the onigiri turned into an umami explosion. The cold noodles, which initially looked like the ones I grew up with in Seoul, had a broth that was anything but traditional. Instead of the usual sweet and tangy punch, they brought in a fusion of sweetness and umami from tom yum and chili jam, creating an umami-rich aftertaste that played surprisingly well with the cold broth. Another surprise was the Yukhoe—strikingly close to the real deal. Just like the authentic Korean version, it was drizzled with sesame oil and mixed with a cured egg yolk. The Laab spice was subtle, keeping the spice level tolerable while adding a touch of Thai flair.

Merai also spiced up some of the most common Italian dishes—like Risotto and Steamed Mussels—by seamlessly weaving in Thai aromatics. At first bite, you might not notice the difference right away, but then a subtle hint of spices sneaks in at the end. This made both dishes unique and strangely irresistible.

We also tried a couple of the most hyped dishes—the Hot Dog with basil-embedded Krakow sausage and the Shrimp Tempura. While they didn’t top my list for the evening, they were still pretty impressive. The Krakow sausage was studded with caramelized basil onion, which added a subtle heat and a fragrant finish that lingered nicely. As for the Shrimp Tempura, the Topo Chico-infused batter delivered an extra crackle and pop, while the mix of chili oil and Karee aioli gave it a satisfying umami boost.

Overall, Merai feels like a step up from Mahaniyom, a perfection that the team has been crafting for years. Among Asian fusion restaurants in the Greater Boston Area, Merai easily ranks in the top three I’ve experienced so far. Will definitely back to try everything else on the menu.

非常棒，每道菜品都很满意。需要提前订位啊，上一次没订位，吧台需等座近一小时，我们离开了。用餐之后，觉得这样专程来第二次，值！

Wow. Everything is on point from the food to the drinks to the service. The hot dog is a MUST as well as the cold noodles! Thank you for the best dinner!!

We had a perfect meal at Merai. Dishes were creative & delicious, drinks were on point, and the service was immaculate. Can't wait to come back.

An upscale Thai fusion restaurant. The flavors and presentation are there but it missed on some basic things

Cold noodles were a bit firm and didn’t have that soft, bouncy chew. The rice in the risotto was also firm for my preference. Overall, portions were small

The main focus seems to be the bar

Super YUM! Kitchen closes at 11:45pm which is very nice. We got the risotto, fettuccine and cold noodles, ALL REALLY SOLID. I would say cold noodles were the top for our table, very unique fusion between korean naemyong and thai flavors. My friends also got the hojicha and the sober opera cocktail, lychee honey foam goes crazy. Over all a little expensive and portions a lil small, but the food was good enough that i did not mind 🙂‍↕️

Food comes out quickly, it's tasty and unique, decent nu metal subdued club late night vibe, but the food, as delicious as it is, is just way too overpriced.

It is just overrated. Their cocktails were just decent and we have been asked several times if we ordered food although we were sitting at the bar and we mentioned at the beginning that we were there just for a couple of drinks.

I just love this place! Their cocktails and food are so delicious!

Wonderful new spot by the team behind the stellar Mahaniyom, also located in Brookline Village. The setting is gorgeous - they hired a Thai artist to paint the walls and each of the key members behind Merai is depicted within the art. Drinks were created by Earth and are delicious. The meloma, sober opera, and silky way were my favorites, and I also really appreciate the little description that is under the ingredients of each beverage which gives you an idea of the flavor profile and format of the drink. We tried the yukhoe (beef tartar) dish, their spin on a hot dog (a bar staple forever from here on out), and the khao soi fettuccine. For dessert, the Thai tea flan, topped with Thai tea ice cream! And of course, the hospitality by Boong's team is top notch. You won't find friendlier faces anywhere!

Amazing new restaurant in Brookline, refreshing, super fast high quality service, and DELICIOUS food!

Chicken thighs, fries, and Bun were amazing!

The dessert also super special!

Fabulous drinks. I highly recommend the strawberry cheesecake drink for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The Thai tea flan was an innovative and excellent dessert.

Extremely welcoming service.

Perfect place to celebrate or have a casual drink.

Congratulations on your opening! You have a bright future ahead. We will be back!

Cocktails are exquisite (get the Wonka's Ticket for dessert!), food is brilliantly well executed. The "hot dog" is a rich, snappy, umami treasure.

Mindblowingly good - i can’t recommend this spot enough
The dishes were so experimental and delicious while the drinks still took our breath away

Highly recommend the risotto, fettucine, hot dog, and flan
Perfect blend of thai fusion

This restaurant is absolutely excellent, and in many ways, even better than its predecessor up the street, Mahaniyom. The menu is inventive and thought-provoking without compromising taste or coming off as pretentious, the service is friendly and prompt, and the vibes are great (the bathroom! the art in the bathroom! seriously, check it out!). Our fav dishes were probably the cold noodles (perfect for a humid day, I think the noodles themselves were buckwheat/soba, thinly sliced shrimp, an exquisitely-cooked egg, with a tom-yum-style ice on top) and the hot dog, but everything was divine. And don't skip dessert! I'm not a huge lover of flan but I was floored by how much Thai tea-flavor they were able to pack into the flan and the scoop of ice cream on top.

Got three drinks, one dessert, the taro fries / mussels / cold noodles / hot dog / khao soi-style fettuccine and the house comp'd us the spicy pork dumplings, and the total came out to $65 per person.

This place is fire ❤️‍🔥 amazing food , Definitely good place for drinking and parties. FYI the size for the dishes is like a bar food smaller size. It’s good to order and share. It’s gonna be my top one late night spot.

Cool new spot from the Mahaniyom team. Great cocktails and delicious bar snacks with a Thai twist. Don’t sleep on Brookline village.

Love this place already! Strawberry Cheesecake drink is a must. For food we got the bao bun, hot dog, risotto, and taro fries. Everything was amazing, and service was great as well. Definitely lives up to the hype. We'll be back soon.

Their drink is amazing. It is the new flavor in town! I have tried most of their drinks like Silky way, Lucky sunny, Wonka’s ticket, and etc. I like them all!.Hot dog is a must!! They add the Thai note in the sausage perfectly with pickled banana pepper. Thai style Yokhoe also really good. My guess is this dish is inspired by Larb.

Merai lives up to the standard first set by Mahaniyom. Creative and delicious cocktails (like the Strawberry Cheesecake and Wonka's Ticket) reflect years of refinement and expertise. Well-prepared Thai-inspired Asian fusion entrees feature Japanese, Chinese, and Korean influences in a novel way. I particularly enjoyed the Yukhoe hangar tartare and the Cold Noodles. Great food and drink, the friendliest staff you'll ever encounter, and a cozy, yet refined vibe make this an instant Brookline mainstay. And in a personal first, I must recommend the hot dog. Yes, you read that correctly. Yes, at a Thai fusion bar.

Dope new addition to Brookline. Creative cocktails and elevated fusion Thai food. Steak tar tar and mussels are a must get