Bhan Mae Vane — Restaurant in Alameda

This vibrant Lao eatery has become a favorite spot for my family and me, offering bold flavors that resonate with our Filipino palates. The liberal use of fish sauce in their dishes creates a delightful umami-rich experience.

Standout dishes: Pad See Ew Beef: Perfectly balanced savory notes complement the soft, wide rice noodles. It's not overly sweet, allowing the flavors to shine. Crispy Eggrolls: Served with fresh veggies and herbs for wrapping, these crunchy rolls are elevated by the accompanying dipping sauce.

Pros: Quick, attentive service Accommodating of dietary restrictions (gluten-free options available) Authentic Lao cuisine

Cons: The space gets quite noisy when busy Parking can be challenging

The restaurant tends to be packed during dinner hours, which contributes to a somewhat loud atmosphere. The high ceilings, while visually appealing, do amplify the noise.

One unexpected touch is the single TV in the dining area, which adds a casual element to the ambiance. During our last visit, it was showing the Olympics.

Overall, this place offers a solid dining experience with excellent Lao cuisine. If you can manage the occasionally hectic atmosphere and potential parking issues, you'll be rewarded with flavorful dishes and efficient service. It's a worthy destination for those seeking authentic Lao flavors in a lively...

Absolutely stunning. I think this may be the best Laotian/Thai restaurant in the Bay Area. If you're in the mood Laotian/Thai, and in the mood for something special, stop reading and just go to Bhan Mae Vane (BMV).

The food is authentic, flavorful, and simply heavenly. If you've never been, try the Sakoo. These are chewy taro balls with savory meat - sort of like a mochi ball with meat. This will blow you away. The chew into this ball will literally open your eyes, both literally and figuratively.

The larbs are also wonderful. Fresh mint, onion, scallions, fish sauce and we had chicken meat. Again, they open up a difference sense of harmony in your mouth. Marry this with a clean crisp lager and once again, you're glad you're sitting at BMV.

The crispy pork belly was a bit of a disappointment, just because we were so astonished by everything we tasted. It was really crisp, but had no flavor. And with the thickness of the meat, we would've appreciated some type of marination.

Pad Thai was again a smash hit, without saying. Chicken Satays also very tender with thick peanut sauce.

With the super friendly staff, and an unassuming interior that stays focused on food and service (it feels a bit like an upscale food hall), you have one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area.

I do live far away from Alameda. But BMV will be a...

Feels like home. Lao home.

Bhan Mae Vane isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a memory you can eat. The name means “Mom Vane’s House,” and that’s exactly what it feels like. It reminds me of weekends growing up in a loud Southeast Asian household—my aunties playing cards, telling ghost stories from Laos and Thailand, and feeding the entire extended family with enough laab, mok pa, and papaya salad to feed a village.

The food here is Lao soul food: funky, herbal, spicy, deeply comforting. The kind of flavors that make you sweat a little and smile a lot. And like any true Lao kitchen, it’s about more than the food—it’s about community, storytelling, laughter, and love.

The owners, Bebe and Thip, are the daughters of my late Auntie Mae Vane, who came to the Bay Area from Laos in 1978 and fed our entire family with her heart and her hands. They’ve carried on her legacy with so much pride and flavor. Bebe’s the host who’ll feed you and make you laugh till you cry. Thip’s the strong, steady cook and businesswoman behind the scenes.

If you’ve never had Lao food, come here. If you have had it, come here and...