Boteco Vila Mada: the must-visit Brazilian tapas bar in Paris's 9th arrondissement - permanently closed

All aboard for Brazil without even leaving Paris! To take advantage of this great deal, head for Boteco Vila Mada, the excellent Brazilian tapas and cocktail bar in the 9th arrondissement.

Tapioca cubes, matured beef picanha, pastéis de queijo, bolinho de bacalhau and caipirinhas in all their forms... since the opening of Boteco, a pleasant Brazilian wind has been blowing through the capital.

Behind this sunny, gourmet concept are Franco-Brazilian duo Nicolas Delauche and Ricardo Lopes. Together, they brought Brazilian ambiance and gastronomy to the capital when they opened Boteco Lapa in the 10th arrondissement in 2017. And it didn't take long for Parisians to make this spot their HQ, so much so that the two acolytes inaugurated Boteco Vila Mada a year later.

For this second Brazilian tapas bar, opening this time in the 9th arrondissement, Nicolas and Ricardo plunge us into the Vila Madalena district of São Paulo, with its raw, green décor. In summer, the establishment welcomes its customers on the terrace. Thanks to the extension of Parisian terraces authorized by the City of Paris, Boteco Vila Mada has a lovely terrace right in the middle of Trudaine Avenue. And you'd be wrong not to make the most of it!

Once you've settled in, it's time to take a trip, with a menu full of colorful tapas and specialties to share that make your mouth water just by reading them.

While homemade guacamole is a big hit that evening, we turn to the delicious white bean hummus for more originality, accompanied by manioc chips. We also fall for the crunchy pastel de queijo with cheese. These masterful recipes inevitably take us on an exotic journey to the other side of the Atlantic.

We continue with the octopus salad (rather firm) garnished with pommes grenailles and pomegranate.

For the rest, we can only recommend you try the Bolinho de bacalhau: delicious, traditional codfish accras with aïoli sauce. A great success! If you prefer meat, then go for the Coxinha de Frango (beautiful croquettes of shredded chicken) or the Picanha Fatiada (thin strips of beef picanha, matured and just seared with a virgin sauce), which are truly worth the detour.

Another favorite is another classic: diced tapioca cheese roasted with cured ham and biquinho pepper. Simple and effective!

Not only gourmet, the plates are also very generous, so don't hesitate to share them for even more conviviality.

And what better way to accompany these delicious specialities than with a range of sophisticated beverages, all made with cachaça, the national spirit. In fact, the establishment has produced its own handcrafted Gaya cachaça, which is featured in its cocktails.

A la carte? The emblematic caipirinha in all its forms. Discover the Mulata (cachaça infused with tonka bean, passion fruit and bitter cocoa syrup), the Caipi-Mate (cachaça, iced mate, lemon juice and rosemary lemon) or the Caipi with watermelon juice and ginger syrup.

If you prefer signature cocktails, Boteco also has plenty to surprise you, including the highly acclaimed Punch Carioca (cachaça, yellow lemon, white crème de cacao, mint, egg white and Proseco) and the gourmet Coco Lulu (tonka bean-infused cachaça, coconut puree, bitter cocoa syrup and toasted coconut), ideal for ending the evening.

After that, all you have to do is close your eyes and imagine yourself on Paulista Avenue or in Ibirapuera Park!

Boteco Vila Mada has undoubtedly become one of the best-known tapas bars in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, not only for its atmosphere but also for its Brazilian specialities. And if you live in eastern Paris, the good news is that the fine team has opened a third establishment in the capital. Boteco Comptoir is the latest addition to the family, opening in early 2020.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.