Septime in Paris

Paris' dining scene has been reshaped by a wave of new restaurants that respect culinary discipline while treating tradition with irreverence. Few places capture this spirit better than Septime, where chef Bertrand Grebaut and his team cook with a confidence that is playful, yet deeply ingredient- focused.

Located on Rue de Charonne, the restaurant embodies modern Parisian cool. Its loft-like space, with wooden tables and exposed metal rafters, feels both industrial and elegant. Service is polished yet relaxed, though getting a table requires patience - reservations typically disappear weeks in advance and are handled exclusively online.

Grebaut trained under Alain Passard at Arpege, and that background shows in his meticulous attention to seasonality. The menu shifts constantly, reflecting what is season's freshest. A chilled veloute of green beans with white peach demonstrated the Parisian preference for subtlety, while the crisp caramelised pork belly with carrot puree is rich, balanced, beautifully executed.


For dessert, just stick to two slices of perfectly ripe French cheese: a melting Reblochon and a pungent tomme. Their purity sums up restaurant's philosophy - great ingredients when handled with care need little embellishment.