Clamato
Behind these walls of misty green, lies a top pick for picky pescatarians. Septime’s petite little sister is a seafood-lovers jam, all wrapped up in the chic charm of a minimal hunter’s dream.
When the weather is hot, the city is teeming with tourists, and the locals are in need breezy refreshment and a light dinner caught straight from the sea, delivered to the table in style — they go to Clamato.
Brought to you by Bertrand Grébaut, this spot delights with daily deliveries from St Jean de Luz, Concarneau, l’Ile d’Yeu, and other sustainable sources — all of which determine its seasonal menu, which is hands-down as fresh as you can get in a land-locked city like Paris.
All produce is prepared with care and attention, and executed to perfection with simplicity and creativity. Expect shellfish towers, mixed seafood platters, cuttlefish tapas, small plates of fresh, marinated fish, silky crab fritters (accrabes) and super fresh oysters, which are wild or come from natural spat.
Refreshments come in the form of natural, well-selected wines, craft beer & cocktails, with Maple syrup tart and whipped cream for dessert.
The atmosphere is friendly, lively and inviting, despite its neat, no-fuss décor of bare, white-washed walls, plant-shaped lamps, soft lighting, a spiral staircase and wooden tables made from recycled wood. You probably won’t even notice that, because you’ll be too busy eating and enjoying every delectable mouthful to care.
This place is bistronomy at its best, on-par with its Michelin-starred sister restaurant Septime — and not to be missed if you love seafood.
They don’t take reservations though — so definitely go for lunch or dinner, but be prepared to leave your name at the door, then pop across the street and sit it out there with a wine at the bar across the street. They'll call you when your place is ready, and you won’t miss a beat on a balmy summer afternoon.
Guaranteed perfection.
Perfect for: A fresh, light meal on a hot day, when you’re stuck in Paris and missing the sea.
What to order: Either sit at the bar, and snack on any one of the tapas (the ‘Raw cuttlefish from Oléron, with sesame and chili which is ‘a la carte’ right now, is delicious!’); or grab a table at the back (the window in the back of the bistro provides a view of a cute little flower garden which makes you feel like you’ve escaped out to the country for a tranquil moment), order the shellfish tower which comes with a bit of everything, and settle in for a more hearty dinner.
Address: 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris (Google Maps)
Trading hours: Monday-Friday // Lunch // 12pm-2:30pm; Dinner // 7pm-11pm
Saturday & Sunday // 12-11pm
Website: http://clamato-charonne.fr/en/
Insta: @septimeparis
