
Our Story
“As the name implies, you’ll find all things French and scrumptious here. Drop by for a decadent chocolate croissant, but linger for a heartier bite at the adjacent bistro.” — Food & Wine
Patrick Ascaso sought to recreate the boulangerie of his childhood in Arpajon, France, opening Le Marais Bakery in San Francisco in July 2013. Our family-owned bistro and bakery serves classic French dishes and pastries made with natural levain and long fermentation, with the very best organic and local ingredients. We now have five locations, with locations at 498 Sanchez in the Castro-Mission neighborhood, 250 East Blithedale in Mill Valley, and a commissary kitchen at 1138 Sutter Street. In 2022, we opened Grande Crêperie in the Ferry Building, serving traditional Breton-style sweet crêpes and salé galettes made with farine de sarrasin, organic buckwheat flour. In October 2022, we also opened a new Grande Crêperie outpost at the Sanchez location. In summer 2024, we opened Buvette du Marais at the Marin Country Mart, a traditional champagne bar and crêperie, a love letter to French cuisine for this wine bar that will feature a curated list of uncommon regional French wines.
In developing menus, Patrick works alongside his closest friend, Executive Chef Emmanuel Pradet. Trained as a young chef at Brasserie Flottes in Paris, then at classic Manhattan bistros Le Bilboquet and Le Zinc, Pradet was most recently at Barney's Beverly Hills restaurant.
Twice Oprah has placed Le Marais' goods on The O List, celebrating this "famous bakery" for their "slice of heaven" baked goods and "sinfully good croissants," shipping nationwide. @lemaraisbakery has 347K followers on Tiktok, and 110K followers on Instagram. Since January 2020, Le Marais Bakery's videos showing production at their Sutter Street kitchen have had 110+ million views.
“Amira Atallah first tasted a pain au chocolat on a recent trip to Paris with her husband. After returning home, she stumbled upon Le Marais and purchased the bakery's own version. ‘You taste it and you're mentally transported back’ to Paris, the 42-year-old says.” — The Wall Street Journal
“Shipped frozen, these sinfully good croissants can be baked at home whenever you feel like brunching on the left bank.” — Oprah magazine
“Le Marais might just be San Francisco's best French patisserie. The bakery is drawing attention for its delicious, authentic Parisian pastries… While enjoying Le Marais’ French treats, also take a minute to savor the charm of the shop. Stylish design details fuse the best of youthful San Francisco with old-world Paris.” — Condé Nast Traveler
“Best Breakfasts In San Francisco: The croissants here are incredible, and the granola with yogurt is our favorite in the city. If you want something more interactive, the breakfast board option lets you pick eggs, toast, fruit, lox and other fixings to create your own spread.” — Infatuation
“Everything going on in the Marina's Le Marais Bakery feels so perfectly San Franciscan; giving a nod to artisan techniques of the past while utilizing our local gems in an ingenious way.” — 7x7
“One of the most Instagrammable places in San Francisco, the Castro location is my favorite little French café and a great spot to sneak away for some decadent carbs. It has amazing pastries, delicious French breakfast spreads, rosé, healthy salads—the list goes on!” — TimeOut
“After moving to the U.S. for business school, Patrick Ascaso pined for the pastries of France. Two decades later, he opened up shop in SF, where the team has won endless accolades for their levain-based viennoiserie, painstakingly crafted from countless layers of fermented dough, cultured butter, and air.” — Bake magazine
“Since Le Marais Bakery opened its doors in the Marina, their Parisian style of baking has grown in popularity, featuring flaky croissants and pastries made using artisanal recipes from France.” — Eater.com
“San Francisco’s Most Instagram-Worthy Eateries: Few things photograph as well as French pastries. This adorable bakery cleverly adorns its brick-meets-tile storefront with fresh flowers and heavenly daylight is aplenty.” — SF Station
“Parisian inspired farm-to-table. You need to stop by and try their almond croissants.” — Thrillist
“An homage to the cafe culture of owner Patrick Ascaso's native France, Le Marais has made a name for itself as a bakery, bistro, viennoiserie, and patisserie. Le Marais replicates the light, leisurely brunches of Paris, and its flaky pastries stand out among the crowd.” — SFist
“The bakery-restaurant is on the rise in San Francisco. It makes sense: We love handmade pastries. We also adore chef-driven restaurants.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“Le Marais has opened the doors to its newest bakery and cafe, bringing its buttery croissants and Parisian panache to the Tendernob. It’s the bakery’s third — and largest — location, serving as cafe, and a baking commissary and experimentation lab.” — Eater.com
“Flaky croissants, classic French nibbles and coffee are among the treats you’ll find in this charming cafe.” — Marin Magazine
“Most Instagrammable Hot Spots: It's amour at every last bite. The elegant cafe is a très parfait spot to rendezvous for breakfast, brunch (avocado toast), and lunch (croques)” — 7x7
“When is a jelly doughnut not a doughnut? When it's made by Le Marais, a micro-chain of bakeries named for one of Paris' coolest neighborhoods.... This is one fine pastry. The brioche dough is malty and airy, lofted with levain instead of yeast.” — Jessica Battilana, Edible San Francisco
“Le Marais is a really good bakery — you can tell by seeing the lines that form during the day. No wonder the place has been a hit since it opened.” — Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle
“Named after a stylish district in Paris, this bakery exudes French charm. It’s almost impossible to choose just one treat, with lush fruit tarts and buttery pains au chocolat all on display.” — WhereTraveler
“SF’s Most Instagram-Worthy: Le Marais has a sweet spot in Instagram influencers’ hearts.” — Haute Living
“At Le Marais, the beautiful artisanal bistro and bakery, the crowds come for many reasons. Some arrive just past dawn for the best Kouign-Amann and croissants this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The place is always humming with happy people.” — FoodNetwork.com
“Le Marais Bakery, named after a well-loved district of Paris, is already becoming a locals’ hangout. The bakery features a well-selected spread of Paris-worthy pastries, tarts, and croissants.” — Bay Area Bites, KQED
“Le Marais began as a bakery of the sort of pretty, polished French pastries one sees at better bakeries in Paris. Artful, restrained food that allows seasonal ingredients to shine in a rarefied light.” — SF Examiner
“Judging from the rave reviews from already repeat patrons, Le Marais has found a sweet spot on Chestnut to make a Parisian pastry lover’s dream come true.” — Marina Times
"San Franciscans looking for the classic French bakery experience should look no further than LeMarais Bakery, a welcoming gem.” — SF Gate
PRAISE FOR GRANDE CRÊPERIE
“There are one-million-and-one things to eat inside the grand hall of the Ferry Building. These crepes in the style of Brittany, France, with nutty, buckwheat flour folded over satisfying fillings, are the place to start. The forestiere, with rich mushrooms from nearby vendor Far West Fungi, tangy chevre and a strong dose of French butter, is a small marvel (and also gluten-free). Enjoy it on cafe tables outside, perhaps with baked goods from the pastry case — those come from owner Le Marais, a popular bakery chain. On Saturdays, you’ll look out on the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, a must-visit collection of the region’s best vendors established in 1993. You’ll spot some of the city’s top chefs by their special carts, racing for the finest produce around.” — “Top Pick” on SF Chronicle’s “What to Eat in Downtown San Francisco”
“Since the much-mourned departure of Ti Couz more than a decade ago in the Mission, there haven’t been many great crepes in San Francisco, at least not Brittany-style buckwheat crepes layered with good ham and gooey cheese, but Grande Creperie satisfies the craving, serving a combo of sweet and savory crepes with views of the Bay Bridge and ferry boats. A refreshing waterfront spot to have a crepe with a cafe au lait or a happy hour crepe with a glass of dry white, and you know the Le Marais family has other sweets in store. In the traditional Breton style, there are two batters, one sweet and white and one savory and buckwheat, the latter naturally gluten free. Given the proximity, bien sur, Ascaso says he’ll be sourcing from the farmers’ market, where he and his family have been regular shoppers for a dozen years. His daughter Aurelia rolls in on the cart on Saturday mornings, happily accepting strawberries from farmer friends.” — EaterSF
“The wait can sometimes be formidable at this crepe shop, but standing there, listening to French pop music on vinyl while taking in the scent of warm butter isn’t the worst thing in the world. The naturally leavened crepes are crisp-edged and plush in the middle, and there are 16 varieties of sweet and savory ones to choose from. If you can’t decide, the hearty Forestière toes the sweet-savory line: the earthiness of the buckwheat flour crepe really complements the filling of goat cheese and sauteed mushrooms (from market neighbor Far West Fungi), while onion jam gives it a naturally sweet edge.” — Soleil Ho, SF Chronicle
“Assuages the craving for Brittany crepes — and French crepes overall. My all-time favorite, pure French classics are where it’s at.” — The Bold Italic
“Grande Crêperie brings us back to those cherished moments of our childhood, when we savored crêpes on a beautiful afternoon with the family.” — French Morning
“The Ferry Building becomes San Francisco's prime food destination during the Saturday morning farmers' market. Grande Creperie, serving sweet and savory Brittany-style crepes in a French café setting.” — Condé Nast Traveler, “The 24 Best Things to Do in San Francisco”
“A staple crop of Brittany, France, buckwheat makes an excellent savory crepe, especially when lots of rich French butter is involved. That’s the case at the Grande Creperie, a Ferry Building cafe from the owners of local patisserie chain Le Marais.” — SF Chronicle, “The best S.F. restaurants for gluten-free food”
“‘What matters is the quality of the ingredients’ insists Patrick Ascaso, explaining that he favors local products such as fruits and vegetables that he finds at the Farmer’s Market. Nevertheless, for the butter, he wants to respect tradition and concludes by emphasizing: ‘The importance of butter for galettes is paramount, and we will use Isigny butter.’” — MERCI
“The debut of this creperie from husband-and-wife duo Patrick Ascaso and Joanna Pulcini-Ascaso of beloved family-owned Le Marais Bakery created a buzz this spring. The venue, a celebration of naturally leavened-style crepes (a cornerstone of casual French cuisine), offers a selection of both savory and sweet crepes and artisanal all-butter croissants and pastries.” — San Francisco Magazine, “The Ultimate Guide To The Ferry Building Marketplace”
“A trip to the Embarcadero just isn't complete without a stroll through the vibrant shopping bazaar of the Ferry Building Marketplace, so why not just have breakfast here? Grande Crêperie is the newest concept by Le Marais Bakery and is brimming with numerous options for the freshest pastries and crêpes. Whether you prefer your mornings sweet or savory, definitely take a leisurely moment to enjoy the seaside with their outdoor patio accompanied by a hot cup of coffee.” — San Francisco Magazine, “Guide For A Perfect Day At The Seaside Embarcadero”
“Patrick Ascaso, Le Marais Bakery and Grande Creperie. Produce pick: Blueberries from Triple Delight Blueberries. 'For me, happiness is when blueberries come in. The best blueberries are crunchy—then the sweetness comes, blowing your mind. We serve them in a tart shell with a little lemon zest.’” — San Francisco Standard, “SF chefs on what to buy at the farmer’s market”
“Husband and wife team Patrick and Joanna Ascaso of the much-loved Marais Bakery opened this outfit in March, filling a galette-shaped hole in San Francisco’s pancake scene. Sweet and savory crêpes are served on black-and-white metal plates at pistachio-colored cafe tables that spill out onto the sidewalk, so you can take in your French food along with views of the Bay.” — San Francisco Standard, “Rebirth of a Foodie Crossroads”
“From the Le Marais Bakery team comes Grande Creperie, which is as sweet as it sounds: a sweet taste of Paris.” — 7X7, “The San Francisco Ferry Building at 125: A Complete Guide”
“For a quicker experience, try the Ferry Building’s sister location, Grande Creperie.” — EATER, “San Francisco’s Best Restaurants for Solid Weekday Breakfasts”
“For many breakfast options all in one place, look no further than the beloved Ferry Building, which turned 125 years old in 2023. Find a memorable breakfast at Grande Creperie.” — San Francisco Magazine, “The Ultimate Bay Area Dining Guide”
“S.F.’s Ferry Building is getting a French sourdough crepe spot: ‘The evolution of crêperies in France has been fantastic in the last 10 to 15 years, while I’ve felt the crêperies in San Francisco and the rest of the U.S. have been somehow neglected,’ Ascaso said. ‘It’s a social thing people have forgotten. I think that’s what I want to bring back.’” — SF Chronicle