Septime

Septime is the restaurant of chef Bertrand Grébaut on Rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement, opened in 2011 with his business partner Théo Pourriat. It quickly became one of the best-known addresses of the modern Paris bistronomy movement, combining serious cooking with a relaxed, unfussy setting, and it has received a Michelin star and regular places on international restaurant rankings. The dining room is simple, with wooden tables, an open kitchen and industrial touches.

The cooking is built around seasonal produce, much of it from small farms, fishermen and growers, and the menus change constantly. There is no à la carte choice: guests are served a carte blanche tasting menu at both lunch and dinner, with the chef deciding the dishes of the day. Vegetables play a central role, often presented with fish or meat in light, precise combinations. A wine pairing focused on natural and low-intervention wines is available, and the staff are knowledgeable about the producers.

Septime suits food lovers and couples looking for a special but relaxed meal, and diners who are happy to trust the kitchen. Dietary requirements should be mentioned when booking, as the menu is fixed. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday and is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Reservations are the main challenge. Bookings are taken online only and open every day at 10am for the following 21 days, and tables go quickly, so be ready at the moment they are released. Lunch is generally easier to secure than dinner and is a good way to experience the cooking. Allow two to three hours for the full menu. If you cannot get a table, the same team runs Clamato, a seafood restaurant next door that does not take bookings, and Septime La Cave, a small wine bar a short walk away on Rue Basfroi.

Charonne station on metro line 9 and Ledru-Rollin on line 8 are both about five minutes' walk away. The surrounding streets of the 11th, around Rue de Charonne and Rue Keller, are full of independent shops, wine bars and cafés, and the Bastille and the Marché d'Aligre are a ten-minute walk.