Le Marais Bakery

An escape to Paris right here in the city, adorable! Beautiful interior and and plenty of seating. We had the chocolate almond croissant and a ham/mustard croissant - the sweet croissant had the perfect balance of almond and chocolate and paired well with their coffee. The ham/mustard croissant was also well balanced, although my partner thought there might have been too much mustard. I will return to try their breakfast and sandwich items! I love the open concept of their kitchen, you can see everything they prepare in house!

As a French person, I know what a real pastry should taste like. This... was not it. From the moment I walked in, it was clear this place was more style than substance and even the style was questionable. The pastries looked tired, dry, and frankly, neglected. Everything seemed like it had been sitting out for hours possibly the entire day. And rather than offering anything freshly made, they eagerly pushed what was obviously stale. The taste? Disappointing. Bland, lifeless, and lacking any of the finesse or richness you’d expect from a true French pâtisserie. Worse yet, there were flies hovering around the display : a clear sign of sanitary neglect. Who knows how long those poor excuses for pastries had been out? The general hygiene made me uncomfortable, and I left with serious doubts about food safety. The staff? Indifferent at best. Unhelpful, a bit pushy with upselling old stock, and not particularly friendly which didn’t help the already dismal experience. This place banks on the idea of French pastry, not the quality. If you're actually familiar with good French baking, you'll be appalled. I won’t be coming back and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you're nostalgic for stale food and subpar service.

Very cute neighborhood cafe and French bakery. They make everything fresh and from scratch. Best croissants in SF. You feel transported to Paris. The staff is very kind and friendly. Highly recommend.

We’re so lucky to have Le Marais in the Lower Polk neighborhood. Crêpes on weekends. Creamy quiche. Delicious pain suisse. La Colombe coffee. Friendly service.

The $22 Giant Croissant: Worth Every Flaky Bite Let me just say this: when a croissant requires a 2-day pre-order, you know you’re in for something special. Tucked in the heart of the Castro, Bistro Le Marais Crêperie isn’t just a bakery—it’s a vibe. Between the laid-back Parisian décor, sun-drenched café tables, and the so-SF-it-hurts soundtrack of quiet laptop clicks and oat milk lattes, it’s the kind of place you come to feel a little fancy and a lot full. Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: The Giant Croissant ($22 and worth every penny). This thing is a buttery beast—golden, glossy, and crisp on the outside with a warm, soft, laminated interior that dreams are made of. You can literally hear the flake crackle as you pull it apart. It’s not just a croissant, it’s an event. The staff? Lovely. Patient. Totally cool with my croissant enthusiasm. Watching them wrap this carb treasure felt like I was witnessing a delicate pastry ceremony. Also, major props for the space itself—airy, calm, clean, and filled with natural light. It’s the kind of place you could post up for hours with a friend, a book, or a hot gossip session over espresso and crêpes. Bottom line: Plan ahead. Order the croissant. Clear your morning. Your tastebuds will thank you.

Couldn’t be happier for having this spot in my neighborhood. They have buttery croissants, good coffee and cute atmosphere. The service sometimes gets slow if they have many guests. My favorite is the chocolate almond croissant. It is super rich and I usually finish it from two takes.

A true taste of France at Le Marais Bakery! I stopped by Le Marais and was instantly charmed by the warm, welcoming vibe and the heavenly scent of fresh pastries. I ordered the ham and cheese croissant and a cappuccino—both were absolutely fantastic. The croissant was perfectly flaky, buttery, and generously filled with quality ham and melty cheese. The cappuccino was smooth and well-crafted, with just the right balance of espresso and foam. It could have been a little hotter, though. Le Marais truly captures the essence of a Parisian café—an ideal spot for a cozy breakfast or a relaxing coffee break.

The best croissants I've ever had! Everything we ordered was amazing, but that morning bun is superb! Whenever in San Francisco, make sure you stop by!

Couldn't be happier for having this spot in my neighborhood. They have buttery croissants, good coffee and cute atmosphere. The service sometimes gets slow if they have many guests. My favorite is the chocolate almond croissant. It is super rich and I usually finish it from two takes.

It's a pleasant enough French bakery cafe set-up, but I've held back on this review for a while. It's because in hindsight, I wish the staff was interested in having an interaction with their customers. Well, at least with this customer. Perhaps I would've discovered that their $16 La Complete was encased in a buckwheat crepe, an unfortunate discovery for me since I'm allergic. That's why I avoid Japanese soba noodles like the plague. In the description for La Complete, the menu mentioned French ham, gruyere, and egg but nothing about the buckwheat crepe (photo: https://yelp.to/VvV_RSMoAO). When my plate arrived, I was hesitant to touch it, but since I bought it already, I took a chance. Big mistake. My throat started to swell just as I was leaving the shop. I take responsibility for the mishap, but the indifferent service didn't help. I might come back for a croissant but I'm in no hurry. FOOD - 2 stars...overcome by the buckwheat AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...pleasant enough cafe SERVICE - 2 stars...not much offered on this front TOTAL - 2 stars...this buckwheat ain't 'o-tay' RELATED - Exploring Nob Hill? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB

This is one of them fancy pants French pastry places. And yeah I'll be honest, I do fancy myself a fancy pants pastry. Try and follow that train of thought. Been here a few times but didn't take too many pictures. I've had a twist thing, a chocolate croissant, this banana coconut croissant and a cookie I think. The best thing was the banana coconut one. Nothing blew my mind, but nothing was bad either. The SF bakery scene is so competitive. La Marais (whatever that means) is good but it's not punching up at the elites. Reliable though! What I want to know is how they are about 200 feet away from another French pastry shop (The French Spot). There has to be a story there. (4.1 Stars)

A very fresh place to step into! This place has great lighting! The modern look has always been my favorite and it's nice to see that all the pastries are made fresh daily! Great service with a smile! Appreciate you team thank you for a great coffee experience my vanilla latte was just what I needed!

Good vibes, good almond croissants, and good staff. Enjoyed my first time here. Also saw that they support the local community. Excited to come again.

walking into Le Marais, I felt a sense of peace and excitement for the holidays from its festive decor. it was so lovely and charming and the pastry display was so enticing, we had the hardest time choosing what to get. we were helped by the nicest staff, who was so patient and helpful. however, I felt a little disappointed with the food. I think maybe we just got a bad batch of the ham and cheese croissants... it was hollow, the ham sat in a ball in the middle of a huge air pocket. the kouign amann baton sounded really unique but fell a bit short of our expectations. it didn't really taste or remind us of a kouign amann. I also did not really enjoy the crust of the Parisian flan or the quiche. the flavors were alright but the crust was a deal breaker for me. I would say it's a good bakery with a variety of options but execution and quality wasn't extraordinary.

The best almond croissants paired with a caffe mocha or chocolate latte perfecto. The place is charming and the barista is always happy to see you. They also love my dog which is a plus no for sure in my book.

Saturday morning Commissary kitchen so you can watch bakers at work Service was ultra quick and friendly Excellent coffee (black), smooth and balanced Complimentary self-serve water Pastries were delicious, layers were on point Small tables and chairs for dine-in with french bg music Highly recommend the french ham and cheese croissant (has a smear of dijon mustard inside). It tasted damn good at room temp so it would've been a perfect 10 if it was warmed up. I can see how they received 2023 People's Choice for Best Croissant in SF.

The croissants are fresh and delicious. They are $4.50 not $8 like some fake poster mentioned. We especially enjoyed the pan suisse.

The Bouchon de Chocolat was such a wonderfully decadent, fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth brownie! It'a my favorite, followed by their Chocolate Croissant (but only the one that is shaped like a bar -- not the regular one with almonds), and then their Chocolate Chip Cookie. Their Baton, Pear Galette, and Mocha drink were delicious also. The Tigre almond cake (round like a macaron) and Chocolate Almond Croissant were so-so. Nothing special. I didn't try their regular kouign amman, but it didn't look good. Perfect amount of seating on a rainy afternoon. Nice and quiet. Complimentary water is available. Friendly staff.

Absolutely lovely. Good, genial service, delicious pastries, deeply satisfying drinks. Interiors and music choice were lovely. I had a matcha with oat milk and a pain suisse. Both were great!

Perfectly executed croissant. Crunchy outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. This is definitely one of the most decadent croissants I've had. Ambiance was also nice for cafe sitting.

TLDR: A cute bakery with more seating inside that most bakeries seem to have. Come here for the amazing flan, but I'd say try another place if you want croissants. The pain suisse was an interesting new way for me to try a pain au chocolat and I liked it! I came about an hour before it closed, so possibly these items are all better when fresh. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] Flan Pâtissier (5/5) - What can I say, it was perfectly baked, vanilla-y custard with a delicious crust. I loved it. 2. Pain Suisse (4/5) - I thought it would be different from a pain au chocolat but I think it's pretty much the same, just with a different shape and powdered sugar on top. I was told that sometimes these also have a layer on cream in the middle which is why I ordered it, but these did not. Still good though. 3. Croissant (3/5) - Hmm, we did the classic test where you split the croissant in half and check for its air bubbles and ability to bounce back when squished slightly. This croissant was on the softer side, but I recognize that maybe it's much better when fresh in the morning! ------ ENVIRONMENT: * Super cute interior with lots of seating making this a nice place to meet up with friends to chat over a slice of flan :) Not like a lot of other bakeries that only have a handful of small tables to sit at, if any * I'd say there's plenty of street parking in the few blocks around here, but whether they're open will be another question. We were able to find parking on a Saturday around 2 pm within 5 minutes. * You can get metal utensils if you ask for it at the cashier but there are also plastic utensils at the side of the bakery. You can also get water there.

The croissants are delicious. Been coming here since they opened. I'm sorry, but $8 for a croissant is ridiculous. Inflation is real.

This is a darling coffee spot with incredible pastries. The interior reminds me of a summer some years ago when my wife and I stoled through the streets of Paris. This was my favorite cup of coffee I have had in San Francisco. We ordered the pain chocolat (chocolate croissant) and the pain suisse (croissant with vanilla crème pâtissière and chocolate ). Wow! Just Wow! My wife also had a Lorina blood orange soda which she loved. The staff was friendly and kind. We first stopped here on a lovely rainy morning and it was the perfect place to be.

We went back recently to try a few other items and we chose a regular croissant, a spinach and cheese pinwheel, the kouign amman baton plus what I originally thought was maybe a chocolate variation on a madeline but I now know is a tigré gâteaux aux amandes. All were outstanding but the regular croissant and the tigré gâteaux were my favorites. Really, really lovely. I'm so glad we tried again and I'm sure we will return.

a friend told me this bakery had better croissants than arsicault which really had me intrigued the creme brûlée croissant was a stand out - just so creamy with that classic torched sugar flavor and then the crispy butter crust recommend if ever in the area!!

Our first run and a pleasant experience! We had a raspberry tart, strawberry tart, almond croissant, and cafe. It was delicious and a sweet way to start our day.

So many delightful choices. My favorites are the bouchon de chocolat, tigré gateaux, pain Suisse and the forestière crêpe. Service was good although there was only one person taking orders, making coffees, serving them, and bussing the table. And it was a Sunday morning. The atmosphere was very french, chill, and ideal for a Sunday brunch.

My aunt who used to live in France said that the coffee served from Le Marais reminds her of being in Paris. I have yet to visit and try for myself but I enjoy bringing her coffee and treats from this bakery and sharing them with her.

It's been so long since I had a proper French croissant! This place really has the feel of a Parisian cafe. My friend and I enjoyed breakfast here and each ordered a few things. I ordered their jambon & fromage (ham & cheese) croissant which was SO good. For my latte I ordered a Pain Suisse aux chocolat which is my favorite pastry to order at any French cafe and it was delicious!! I should have got another one to-go! All the pastries we ordered and the lattes were great! I would definitely come back!

I went here for the first time They have so many different kinds of pastries and they all look delicious. I only wanted a cold americano . I asked for a small americano with ice . The cashier charged me 5.25 and the cup almost only ice and 1/4 empty . I said I am just curious why you charged me this high ? You charged me for a large ice coffee . And she said that's what you wanted . I said no I asked for a small americano with ice . She said oh I am sorry if you want I can add another shot for you and I said no . I was just wondering my order was different from what I got . She said sorry I left because I had to leave for my appointment. But that was not cool to pay more for what you didn't order and plus the cup was empty . In another word I paid higher but I received less .

Kouign Amann baton is to die for. Trust me, you won't regret it. Staff is also very nice!!

Came here on a Sunday morning and it was pretty empty! The lady at the counter was super friendly and offered to answer any questions we had. They had a variety of different pastries, but I decided to try the plain croissant - it was buttery and flaky! I loved the ambience of this bakery - the marble tables, cool artwork, colorful walls all felt so inviting! This is definitely a nice place to read or catch up with a friend! Would definitely stop by here again!

Ham and Egg Croissant; Homemade Granola; Croque Monsieur (not pictured) Loved this place! So cute, super tasty, reasonable prices. My friends loved their granola and yogurt, and their croque monsieur. I think we all strongly agreed this place deserves a much higher rating than what it currently has on yelp. Such a brightly lit, aesthetically pleasing bakery cafe.

Outstanding bakery! These were good: -almond croissant -tea Notes: -they. Have good WiFi and power outlets -only have crepes on certain days of the week (Wed-Sun) -this was a "nudge" recommendation

What can I say? There is a big "Crêperie" sign outside and the place doesn't even have crêpes!!! They only have pastries... :(

pretty solid ham & cheese croissant, I liked the flavor of the pastry and that it wasn't too flaky but still crisp. not the lightest/fluffiest croissant but I'll take it

Amazing food great service! I got the chocolate tart it was fantastic! I can't recommend this place enough

Their Sutter Street location is down the block from where I work, so I end up at Le Marais at least once a week. This is a counter service place, and the folks who work there are kind-hearted. The coffee is great (but I wish the had a larger iced coffee), and I have not had a disappointing pastry yet. The only thing I do not care for is the flan; I love flan but everything else here really stands out and the flan is just sort of blah. Their savory pastries and crepes are delicious, as are their sweet ones. This location is in a bit of a rough neighborhood and I have always seen the staff treat people with compassion while also creating some form boundaries. I appreciate that they share their day-olds with people who receive less compassion elsewhere. The music here: I just sort of want the playlist. It is very very French in all the right ways.

I love the European ambience, and there's real French bakers working at this place! The coffee is great and always comes with latte art

A little embarrassed to admit I order from this location at least once a week- it's become a weekend necessity. The croissants are delicious. One of the very few spots in SF with pastries that rival those I've had in Paris. Perfectly flaky on the outside with many rich, buttery layers. We prefer the plain butter croissants but everything we've tried here has been delicious, with the cinnamon bun being another favorite. The breakfast boards are delicious as well- always with fresh fruit and great portion sizes for a reasonable price.

I happened to be walking by on a Sunday afternoon, and couldn't pass up the opportunity for a pastry. I asked the person behind the counter what their favorite was, and he recommended the chocolate almond croissant. It was flaky and delicate, and still so fresh (I wasn't expecting it to be since it was the afternoon). I'm looking forward to coming back to try more!!

Loved the flakiness, lightness and salted butter in the croissants!. The chocolate croissant was just right. Very generous portions for the matcha latte and quiche. My friend thoroughly enjoyed this savoury dish. Vegetarian quiche are only available on weekends apparently due to low demand. Our server was super helpful and recommended the quiche. Will definitely visit again.

Stopped in for an almond croissant and did not disappoint. The place was cute and quiet in the morning. Only had the croissant but loved it! Good service at the counter too.

Great French bakery - good food and great service at a reasonable price. The atmosphere and layout of the place is very nice. The pastries were so elegant and tasted great.

In one word this place is incroyable. It is hard to find a good pain au raisin and even harder to find pain suisse. Le Marais executed both of my favorite pastries perfectly. Not too heavy for breakfast and not overly sweet. The portion sizes were also worth what I paid. I have not tried any of their croissants yet. I will have to make another trip!

The place is super cute and the guy behind the counter is super nice! I bought a plain croissant and was in heaven, it was perfect! I'll be back for more, next time maybe one with a filling.

3/5/22 This place is going downhill! My partner went down to the bakery this morning to pick up a assorted selection. When received and I took a bite out of each of the pastries he brought home I realize that these have been chilled they were cold and soggy. The only thing I ate was the Kouign-Amann, However that too was cold and not fresh . The almond croissant is soggy and very eggy ! Tried to call the phone number and it went to voicemail that was full. Very upset, as this is the place that I frequent. I hope the management gets this message.

Excellent bakery for coffee, croissants, and other delicious things. The service is great, the people that work there are very accommodating and friendly, the baked goods are delicious, the coffee is great, and the atmosphere is lovely. Try the chocolate Kouign-Amman (which, I discovered is actually pronounced "Queen Ya Man," not "Coogan-Amon," as I had been saying before being gently corrected by the very nice guy behind the counter.) I have always had very pleasant interactions with the staff, and never am disappointed. I only wish they'd bring back their full menu so I could get an egg breakfast meal and get my protein on for the day. Overall though a lovely place with good food.

the matcha was so bad like i physically gasped, look at the photo, the matcha is the same color as the table. The crepe was good but nothing crazy

I really wanted to support a small family owned business that had just been burglarized. So I placed an order for galette des rois. The galette was the worst I have ever had (I am French, so I had quite an amount). 1/The galette was 100% not fresh. I was mortified because I picked it up on Saturday and I had guests over the day after. If it's fresh, 1 day is fine. If it's not, it flakes terribly and flaking it did.... How embarrassing!!! 2/ The cashier found my order quickly. When he brought a white box full of oily fingerprints I was in disbelief. Imagine my reaction when he pulled out BLUE MASKING TAPE to close the box! (Photos) What's next? Duct tape? Better put no tape at all!!! 3/Also, when you place an order online it won't go through unless you click the mandatory tip and you cannot elect "other amount" as it is disabled. Is it even legal? Tip for what? The masking tape? See comparison of last year galette and this year.Sorry le Marais you just lost a client pour toujours.

GREAT CROISSANTS! There's never a long line and basically ever pastry is delicious. The pastries are handmade and made fresh. I recommend the chocolate almond croissants and the financiers :)

Really cute spot but very busy so hard to find seating! The food 8/10 Service was a bit unfriendly but would still come back because the pastries are pretty good

I have seen this place on Instagram and accidentally went into this shop without knowing it was Le Merais! We mainly went in for coffee. Then, we saw the delicious pastries and had to get one even though we were holding a box of Mr.Holmes. More pastries the better! I got a Pain au Chocolat and it was VERY airy soft, flaky, and delicious! I definitely recommend trying their pastries. Such a cute French bakery! I love the decor and great lighting for your Gram pics!

A small airy, light-filled space with a few booths. Decor has been carefully chosen. Very friendly and informative customer service. Bonus: watching pastry production for all their locations. I am familiar with their Chestnut Street location where I've ordered lovely cake slices. The first time I ate here I had a seasonal pastry, a peppermint baton, with subtle peppermint flavor. Hot chocolate is very good. On the second visit I ordered avocado toast. I received a meal, nice salad greens, with an egg on top. It was made quickly, and is delicious. I recommend you visit for pastries and food. I'll be back.

Clean comfortable location. Got a chocolate croissant. Very good. These are just nitpicky areas for improvement: * layers/lamination very good * Inner layers pleasantly tender * dough a bit bland--perhaps more salt, sugar...and more fermentation for more acidity * I would prefer the outermost layer(s) to be a bit drier/flakier

My friend and I passed by this bakery on a Friday afternoon and decided to stop by. This place is super cool because you can see the bakery and see the bakers at work. We decided to order a chocolate chip cookie. It was pretty good, just like your standard chocolate chip cookie. It was pretty crunchy and we were expecting it to be soft and gooey. Although, it was still good! This place is super cute. There is lots of seating area. There are a lot of people on their laptops working and other who are just catching up with friends and family. This location is right around the corner from Holmes.

Lovely decor and service! Cutest space and feels like a French patisserie. Lots of seating outside and booths inside. Light and airy. I tried the ham and gruyere croissant as well as the strawberry scone. Both were very good though not the best in the city when you compare to Tartine, Arsicault, Jane and Mr. Holme's. I would say the croissant was lacking in the flaky/buttery layers I've had at some other places in the city. The scone was better and tasted fresher (maybe it was just out of the oven). Prices comparable to other higher end bakeries. They are right around the corner from Mr. Holmes but have a more extensive menu and seating. In pre-COVID times, it would likely be bustling with tourists and Instagram foodie influencers but when I went it was quiet and empty. If you live in the TL, check it out! (Not sure why their website doesn't mention it's located in the Tenderloin and calls it the "Commissary." If you're gonna be in the nabe, you gotta embrace the nabe!) On the fence about whether I'll come back especially given that Jane and Mr. Holme's are within two blocks but the space would be nice for sipping a coffee and reading a book on a nice day.