Le Relais de l'Entrecôte is among the most disciplined restaurants in Paris: there is no menu. Every guest receives the same meal — a walnut-dressed salad to start, followed by an entrecôte steak sliced and served in two turns, accompanied by the restaurant's closely guarded secret sauce and unlimited thin frites. That is all. No choice, no substitution, no negotiation. The formula has been served at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés location on Rue Saint-Benoît, in the 6th arrondissement, since 1959, and it has never needed revision. The secret to the address's enduring success is the sauce: an herbed, buttery preparation whose recipe is genuinely not known outside the family. Countless chefs and food journalists have attempted to reverse-engineer it; none has published a version the restaurant acknowledges as accurate. The steak itself is competently prepared entrecôte — not exceptional by the standards of Paris's dedicated steakhouses, but the sauce transforms the experience. Frites arrive first in one portion and then topped up when the second steak service comes; they are consistently good. The fixed price (€28–€32) includes everything except beverages, making it one of the better value meals in the neighbourhood. No reservations are accepted; the queue on the pavement moves steadily. Turnover is fast — plan for 45–60 minutes — and multiple locations exist across Paris, but Saint-Benoît is the original.
Signature dishes
- Entrecôte steak with secret Relais sauce and frites (unlimited top-ups)
- Walnut salad with Roquefort dressing
Good to know
- Known for
- One formula, no menu: walnut salad starter, then steak with the legendary secret-recipe sauce and unlimited frites; simple, repeatable, excellent
- Hours
- Daily 12:00–14:45, 19:00–24:00
- Reservations
- No reservations — walk-in only; queue expected; turnover is rapid
Location
20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris, France
48.8548, 2.3265 View on map
Highlights
- Single fixed menu for all guests: walnut salad, then entrecôte with secret sauce and unlimited frites — no alternatives
- The secret herb-butter sauce is the defining element; the recipe is a closely held family secret that has never been published
- Fixed all-inclusive price (€28–€32); no reservations; fast turnover of 45–60 minutes
- Operating the same formula at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés location since 1959
Tips for visiting
- No reservations accepted — queue outside; the line moves faster than it appears as turnover is rapid
- Arrive before 12:00 or 19:00 to avoid the main queue; arriving at 19:15 typically means a 20–30 minute wait
- The steak is served in two rounds; wait for the second service before requesting additional frites
- The fixed price covers everything except drinks; budget €38–€45 with a glass of wine
- Multiple Paris locations exist; the Saint-Benoît address in Saint-Germain is the original and most atmospheric
Accessibility
The restaurant entrance is at street level with no steps. The dining room is arranged efficiently and wheelchair access is possible, though the space becomes densely seated at peak hours. Walk-in access with mobility equipment is feasible.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there really no choice at all?
Correct. Every guest receives the walnut salad, then the sliced entrecôte in two services with the secret sauce and unlimited frites. There are no other options on the menu.
What is in the secret sauce?
The recipe is a family secret that the restaurant has never disclosed. The sauce is herbed and butter-based; various chefs have proposed approximate recipes over the years but none has been acknowledged as accurate.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
The restaurant serves one dish. Vegetarians, vegans, and those with significant dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated; this is not a suitable address for those who cannot eat beef.
Are there multiple locations?
Yes. Several Relais de l'Entrecôte restaurants operate across Paris, including locations in the 8th and 17th arrondissements. The Saint-Germain-des-Prés address on Rue Saint-Benoît is the original.