LE MARAIS BAKERY
Le Marais Bakery is already on its third location in San Francisco with a fourth space set to open soon in Mill Valley. The French bakery and brunch spot is growing at a rapid pace and is a favorite among foodies. I’ve been to Le Marais Bakery a good handful of times, but these visits were more of a grab and go situation. A baked good or a cup of coffee here and there. Little did I know, there’s actually an extensive and delightful brunch menu, full of sweets but also amazing savory dishes, too.
So good, you would think it would signal the boujee brunch-loving scene, only there isn’t one. If you know SF, weekend brunch is a big deal and the wait averages 1-2 hours. Take it from a local native, skip the ridiculous lines and head here.
Staff is welcoming. Food is great. The space is a beauty and yes, it is just as Instagram worthy. To save you time scrolling through Yelp reviews and Instagram images, here’s exactly what to order.
ON THE MENU
My husband Chong and I visited the Sutter street location and ordered the full spread.
The Almond or Chocolate Croissant - Flaky on the outside. Soft and airy on the inside. The almond croissant is topped with a generous amount of almond cream and powdered sugar while the chocolate croissant is artfully done with sheets of chocolate folded into the dough. Heck, why not get both?
The Custom Boards - With 26 different options to choose from, you can sample a bit of everything. We went with 7: the smoked salmon, avocado, levain bread, homemade granola, seasonal fruit, jam and butter. We created a spread from the avocado and placed it over the bread with the salmon. Delicious. We were also unexpectedly blown away by the fresh granola. It’s almost as if it’s roasted and coated in some sort of glaze, caramelized even.
Croque Monsieur - When you really want to treat yourself, this open-faced sandwich with thick crispy toast, melted gruyere cheese, ham and topped with a sunny side up egg is just the thing to get.
Wash all that down with a latte made from Verve coffee.
Le Marais bakes its artisan pastries in-house while every dish is made fresh and carefully plated. From a lite bite to heavy and hearty plates, there is something to meet any craving.
AT THE MARKET
Next door you’ll also find Le Marché, its French marketplace. Open only on the weekends, discover a collection of goods from local artists to include straw totes, jewelry, kitschy mugs and tees with French phrases. This special space is about supporting small businesses and connecting communities.
Admittedly, I am a snob when it comes to bakeries in SF. With a select few on my short list, Le Marais is definitely one that’s memorable and I look forward to visiting them again and again.