When friends visited Paris, we managed to snag a coveted table at Septime—a bucket-list spot for many American travelers and a staple in countless travel and food articles. A table for six, it turns out, is easier to book than for two. Known as one of the city’s most talked-about dining experiences, we were curious: does it live up to the hype? The verdict? Let’s just say we left wondering if exclusivity is the only thing Septime has to offer.
Septime’s lunch service is a set menu, designed to showcase their seasonal, minimalist approach to food. The dishes are restrained and carefully plated—if not exactly memorable.
The meal began with a cabbage broth, followed by a scallop soup, then a mushroom soup. While we can appreciate subtlety, the sequence of three soups felt repetitive and each course felt muted to the point of being dull and lifeless. There was nothing bold or exciting, just a series of quiet flavors made with seasonal produce that didn’t leave much of an impression.
The main course was trout, either poached or confit—we’re not sure because it didn’t make enough of an impact to care. Our friend joked about the absurd amount of butter packed into the fish, which somehow still managed to taste dry and uninspired. The plating was no better, another dull presentation that seemed like an afterthought.
The bread course was disappointing, consisting of tiny, lackluster breadsticks instead of something thoughtful or substantial. Then came the cheese course, which might have been the low point of the meal. It was literally a basic grocery store selection of three cheeses we always have on hand in our fridge, with zero creativity or presentation—a true letdown for a restaurant that has attracted this much hype.
Dessert was a berry soup with sorbet, which was light and refreshing, but not enough to redeem the weird experience that preceded it.
Then there were the wine pairings, which we had high hopes for as fans of natural wines. Unfortunately, every glass felt uninspired and one-dimensional. We also found it odd that all the pairings were pre-poured before they reached the table. The final two pairings weren’t even wine—they were beer and cider, a choice that might have been quirky and fun if the rest of the meal had been more compelling.
The one bright spot? A Mauro Vergano vermouth with soda, served as an apéritif. But here’s the thing: you can find that same Vergano vermouth at Clamato, Septime’s sister restaurant, without the hassle of a reservation or the disappointment of the set menu.
After finishing lunch, still hungry and a little let down, we headed to Les Enfants du Marché for a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board. It was a satisfying, unpretentious follow-up to a meal that left us wanting more.
Would we recommend Septime? Not really. There are far more interesting places to explore in Paris, and you’ll find them in our Paris Black Book—places that deliver on flavor, creativity, and experience without relying on hype.
If you do still want to go, there are two bar sets that are never reserved that you can try to snag as soon as it opens if you can’t get a reservation.
Septime, 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France