Chilam Mexican Restaurant at Bastille

The Chilam restaurant, which I already mentioned on the blog here, has closed its doors in the Marais (rue des Écouffes) to open a larger address near Bastille in the 4^th arrondissement of Paris.

This second venue offers a new menu and a cocktail bar themed around the Mexican icon Frida Kahlo, taking us on a journey to Frida’s Blue House in Mexico.

Interior of the Mexican restaurant Chilam: customer being served near a Frida Kahlo neon sign.

Customer photographing a Chilam Mexican dish with a Modelo beer on a table. Person's hand picking up a tortilla next to a Modelo beer and guacamole.

Interior of the Chilam restaurant with a smiling woman and a Frida Kahlo painting.

We were truly thrilled to rediscover this wonderful spot, which allowed us to relive a bit of our 2016 trip to Mexico, especially since the establishment specializes in cuisine and products from the Oaxaca region, where we actually traveled with our favorite photographer during our journey!

Interior of the Chilam bar: black counter, stools, drink dispenser, Licence R poster.

On-site, you can enjoy small plates like the famous “Mole Oaxaqueño” sauce with its cocoa notes, which is the signature dish of the new Chilam, and more importantly, the signature of the Oaxaca region.

To taste:

To start, I recommend getting a Platter to share (€12) with quesadillas, artisanal tortilla chips, and pico de gallo, accompanied by homemade guacamole seasoned with “Tierra de Cebolla y Jalapeños” and a typical Mexican red bean puree.

Quesadilla, guacamole, and black beans served with salad on a table at the Chilam restaurant. Quesadillas garnished with marinated red onions, guacamole, and black beans. Woman eating guacamole and tortillas at the Mexican restaurant Chilam.

For the main course, I recommend the “Al Pastor” Prawns (€25), marinated, finely grilled, and served on a roasted pineapple salad, accompanied by guacamole, red bean puree, Mexican-style rice, and homemade blue corn tortillas.

Spicy shrimp tacos, pineapple, rice, black bean puree at Chilam Bastille.

Another very nice meat dish is the Cochinita Pibil (€17), tender pork seasoned with annatto (a type of tree or shrub from tropical American regions), colored with lemon and oregano marinated onions, and served with white rice and homemade tortillas.

Woman wearing a hat enjoying a Chilam Mexican dish with a Modelo beer. Chilam Mexican dish: corn tortilla, spiced shredded meat, and marinated red onions, with rice. Mexican dish from Chilam: shredded meat, rice, guacamole, and marinated red onions.

For dessert, if it is still on the menu, I recommend the Pastel de tres leches (€7), a delicious cake soaked in milk and flavored with vanilla, it is absolutely to die for!

Slice of white cake with frosting, pomegranate seeds, and chocolate topping. Woman eating a Mexican dish at Chilam with a Modelo beer.

At happy hour, Lucia and Juan have made a curated selection of Mexican drinks, such as beers (Modelo for €5) as well as a non-alcoholic Mexican drink from the brand Buho (€5).

Bottle of Búho Limón-Menta sparkling soda, Mexican refreshment. Bottle of Modelo Especial beer and a beer glass on a wooden table.

The venue also offers Mezcal-based cocktails primarily, that famous distillate with a smoky flavor made from agave and born on the lands of Oaxaca (which I have already talked about quite a few times on the blog, because I’ve been a fan since my trip to Mexico). The restaurant partners with Bruxo, a Mezcal brand originating from Oaxaca and Mexico City.

Two tequila shots with salt, lime, orange, and a Modelo beer. The tip:

an After-work special for €11 from Wednesday to Friday from 7 PM to 8 PM, including a beer or a glass of wine and a house specialty, or €12 with a Mezcal Margarita.

Bonus: a Tacos Night once a month with live entertainment and experimental tacos starting at €3.50.

Thanks to Melody and Chilam for this lovely invitation.

Facade of the Chilam Mexican restaurant in Bastille with a car parked in front.

Chilam Bastille

4 rue de Brissac, Paris 4
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 7 PM to 11:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM
Update August 20, 2022: this location has unfortunately now closed permanently...

Find all my articles about Mexico and restaurants below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My Mexican restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My articles about my 2016 trip to Mexico

MY ARTICLES ABOUT MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
⇒ Chilam
⇒ La Mezcaleria, cocktail bar
⇒ LITo Mexican Food
⇒ Le Festival Que Gusto
⇒ Les tacos de Cantine California
⇒ Bocamexa

MAP OF MY FAVORITE FOOD SPOTS IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION

Restaurant Bar Pastry / Bakery Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch Ice cream shop

Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
Photos not copyright-free, photographer's authorization required before any use

Chilam Mexican Restaurant at Bastille

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