+1 434-218-3310
Chimm - Thai & Southeast Asian Restaurant in Charlottesville, VA, offers a vibrant and authentic journey through the rich flavors of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Nestled in the inviting setting of Merchant Walk Square, Chimm is a culinary gem that balances traditional recipes with a modern touch, making it a haven for both adventurous eaters and those seeking comfort in familiar Southeast Asian tastes.
The menu is a celebration of diverse regional Thai cuisine, crafted with care and genuine expertise. Start your meal with the Fresh Vegetable Rolls paired with tantalizing dipping sauces or savor the warming Shrimp Wonton Soup, known for its perfectly seasoned broth and tender seafood. For noodle enthusiasts, the Kua Gai Chicken Noodle Stir Fry delivers a harmonious blend of savory and slightly smoky flavors, while the iconic Beef Pad Thai shines with its balanced sweetness and subtle heat.
Chimm truly excels with its curries, showcasing vibrant colors and complex layers of taste. The Massaman Curry, a rich, mildly spicy dish infused with fragrant star anise and cumin, is a must-try for curry lovers, and being both gluten and vegan friendly, it can accommodate many dietary preferences. The Panang Curry boasts creamy coconut milk enriched with kaffir lime, delivering a silky and aromatic experience. Those craving a spicier adventure can dive into the Drunken Noodle with Fried Tofu or the fiery Green Curry, which highlights fresh herbs and balanced heat.
Beyond entrees, the thoughtful inclusion of authentic Thai desserts like Sweet Sticky Rice & Mango and Coconut Pudding, both vegan and gluten-free, provide a refreshing, luscious finale that lingers delicately on the palate.
Dining at Chimm is more than just eating; it’s an experience infused with warmth and engagement. Customers frequently praise the lively atmosphere where friendly staff add personality to every interaction, and communal laughter from nearby tables fills the space with a cheerful vibe. Dishes arrive presented with care, signaling the kitchen’s pride in its craft. For instance, the Satay comes with a richly flavored peanut sauce that customers rave about, and the pork belly has been lauded for its tender texture and caramelized depth.
While some guests note the portion sizes and pricing as considerations, the majority appreciate the authenticity, depth of flavor, and the genuine regional variety brought by cooks specializing in different areas of Thailand. This diversity ensures that each bite transports you to the bustling streets of Bangkok or the fragrant markets of Chiang Mai.
Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of Boat Noodle Soup, the zing of a Papaya Salad Thai Style, or the cooling sweetness of Thai Tea with Coconut Milk, Chimm offers an elevated Thai dining experience in Charlottesville. It’s a destination for those who yearn for well-executed, authentic Southeast Asian cuisine served with heartfelt hospitality.
Ready to indulge? Call +1 434-218-3310 to reserve your table or order to-go from Chimm at 365 Merchant Walk Sq. Your taste buds will thank you for the flavorful adventure ahead.
Grabbed a To-Go of the Green Curry w/ Jasmine Rice. It was Okay especially for the price and portion sizes...the Rice was a overcooked and more sticky then I preferred and of course to me Thai Hot could have been Hotter. So it was Good not Great but would definitely come back to try the Pad Thai
Friendly service with lots of laughs coming from the other tables. I highly recommend the wonderfully seasoned shrimp wonton soup and my wife spoke highly of the pad Thai. The chicken garlic stir fry was amazing in both presentation and taste. We will be back again.
NO MILITARY DISCOUNT Food was very very good. The satay was very flavorful with a great peanut sauce. I enjoyed the pad Thai chicken with only a level 1 spice. The pork belly stole the show! Loved the flavor and the pork was cooked to perfection! Overall a very good experience.
This restaurant is epically good. There are many options to choose from on the menu and you can’t make a bad choice. The dishes are quite authentic and they have some items I haven’t been able to find at other restaurants. The cooks are legit and from different regions of Thailand. This is important because the different regions have their own cuisine and getting them right is what Chim does well. The staff is friendly, helpful and provide excellent service. The restaurant is clean and brightly decorated. I recommend the drunken noodles and if you can take spice, the Chim chili oil is packing heat!
2 of us came here on a Friday night and we were immediately seated. The food was great, but we thought the price was too high for the portions. Not sure if we would come again for that reason, but I would definitely recommend the cashew stir fry.
TL;DR: Well-designed restaurant, friendly servers, interesting food presentation. Thai food is decently good but some of the dishes are a miss. The $1-3 premium they have on their prices is unnecessary for the level of their food. When the food came out, black flies followed (not on the food) Specific Foods: Basil Fried Rice: 5.0/10 Red Curry: 7.3/10 Pork Belly Garlic Stir Fry: 5.5/10 (I may be biased on this one since this was my first time eating pork belly outside of kBBQ, but I was also not a fan of steamed broccoli as an accompaniment) Basil Stir Fry: 8.2/10 Tom Yum Soup: 8.0/10 Summer Rolls Tofu: 8.0/10 Tea: 9/10 Special Attention: Probably about 35 actual seats inside but was not busy during peak Saturday afternoon. General Wait Time for 1/2 dishes: 30 min General Comments: For some reason, when the food came out, we started getting annoyed by regular black house flies. Not sure what was going on with that. Room For Improvement: 1. Flies
Lunch at Chimm and ordered papaya salad, green curry with tofu and red curry with tofu. Was very pleased with the flavors and mix of vegetables in my curry dishes. The green curry was my favorite because I love the complex flavor profiles. Papaya salad (Thai style) was also nice. Red curry was delicious. Service was fast and polite. Great selection of dishes. I will return soon and try more entrees. Returned today for lunch and again ordered the papaya salad and green curry with tofu. Also ordered the stir fried eggplant with mixed vegetables. My favorite is the green curry because it is so fragrant and I love the mix of veggies they include. The stir fried eggplant with basil and mixed veggies tasted awesome. Love the flavor profiles here. This time, I took a few photos. Also seated immediately, no wait time. Same friendly waiter as last time, great service. Overall a relaxing and flavorful experience.
This was our first time trying their food as we were out on a date night, and I can confidently say we highly recommend this place, especially for high tea. We tried the papaya salad, drunken noodles, and Thai basil fried rice, and every dish was bursting with flavor. I also tried the chicken satay which was flavorful but a lil dry for my liking (it was not chewy but just a lil on drier side). Our server was incredibly accommodating and went the extra mile to enhance our experience. Before I ordered the papaya salad, she kindly let me sample the fish sauce, the salad’s base ingredient, to ensure I would enjoy it. That thoughtful gesture really stood out and made our evening all the more pleasant. Throughout our meal, the staff frequently checked in to ensure everything was perfect. For dessert, we had the mango sticky rice, which was absolutely delightful—a perfect end to an amazing meal. The ambiance, service, and food were all excellent, making our evening truly memorable. I rarely write restaurant reviews, but this place genuinely deserves the recognition. It’s a hidden gem, and I can’t wait to come back (our server also recommended me what dishes to try for next time) and explore more of their menu. If you’re looking for flavorful dishes, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere, this spot is a must-try!