Le Marais Bakery is known for its assortment of delightful pastries in its sun-filled cafe in the Castro. Now, the bakery is serving something pretty unique; a massive croissant. Listed as the “Grand Croissant,” it’s roughly the size of your head and makes regular-sized croissants look tiny in comparison.
The giant croissant is priced at $22, which is fitting considering the size. You can order the pastry in advance online, but it can take up to 3 days to prepare the croissant, so the availability may change. Plus, you can only order two giant croissants per order (although one is enough to satisfy even the biggest appetite).
Le Marais is a family-owned business, created by Patrick Ascaso who was inspired by a boulangerie from his childhood in France. The bakery and bistro first opened in 2013, and 12 years later Le Marais has expanded across the Bay Area, bringing French charm to every location.
Le Marais has three locations in San Francisco, one in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, just a short walk from Dolores Park, a commissary kitchen near the Civic Center, and finally the Grande Creperie in the Ferry Building specializing in crepes. Mill Valley is the final location for the cafe and bakery. Currently, the giant croissants are only available at the Castro location.
Aside from their specialty croissant, the bakery offers an array of pastries, including scones, banana bread, morning buns, and more. You can also find sandwiches, soups, and salads on their bistro-style menu, which is complete with a coffee bar. The cafe also offers a selection of wines and cocktails, including “suze negroni” and a classic mimosa.
The cafe is popular (for good reason) and on weekends you can find it packed with people enjoying their outdoor seating. If you have your heart set on a massive croissant, we recommend ordering in advance. But, if they happen to sell out, there are still plenty of tasty pastries worth a try.
You can browse the menu or order your croissant from Le Marais Bakery here.