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    Buvette

    3.5 (73 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Buvette Photos

    BUVETTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Turkey Club with frites
    Dave M.

    I have seen this restaurant as I've dined at others at the Marin Country Mart. For whatever reason, I've never taken the time to stop in Buvette. I do enjoy crêpes and croissants - so recently I stopped by for lunch. The atmosphere is pleasant inside, you order at the counter and are provided a number - they bring the food to your table. There is some counter seating available, some tables and comfortable chairs, with an additional option of outdoor patio seating as well. Wine by the glass and bottle is available, I chose Cremant Brüt Rosé. I ordered a turkey club sandwich, which came with frites. I felt like the wait for my food was a little longer than I would have expected for not being very busy at the time I visited. But, I was not in a hurry. Service was competent, not overly delightful, perhaps lacking a tiny bit of warmth. I definitely would have liked to have felt a little more welcome. My fries were just as I liked them, and the sandwich was made with what seemed like quality ingredients. I would have enjoyed a little bit more flavor, but all in all I would order this again. I didn't feel like the prices were out of line. I spent about $38 for my lunch, including the sandwich, the wine and even a tip with tax. I have read some of the reviews, and although I am not going to give five stars, this place more than earns four. I will be returning and have added this restaurant to my lunchtime repertoire when I work. I would like to try the crêpes next time as well as maybe pastries.

    Photo 1: Montage of images from Buvette du Marais
    Ed U.

    Except for the occasional scenic hike, you don't find me in Marin County much. Nothing personal. Just not my jam, at least in recent years. An exception was when Jamie W and I met up with longtime friends who live in Mill Valley for a much rescheduled holiday brunch. They recommended this spot in Larkspur Landing, and it was fairly crowded once we all arrived. It's an extension of Le Marais Bakery, which has two locations in San Francisco, both of which I've tried. I have to admit I was lukewarm about both places, and this spot didn't change my mind. There were five of us, so we had to wait a while for the counter to open up since they didn't accept reservations. When we secured our seats, we then had to take turns getting up to order our meals at the register. Jamie tried the $21 Soft Scrambled Eggs, which were mixed with chunks of smoked trout and chopped dill, and accompanied by mixed greens (Photo 9). He pronounced it "decent", and from the morsel I had, I agreed. I ordered the $17 Omelette Florentine made with spinach, crimini mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. It came with the same mixed greens (Photo 8). I thought it was marginally better than the scrambled eggs but not outstanding. The $5 Cafe au Lait provided some relief since the weather was quite chilly outside (Photo 10). So was the service. Take me back to the real Le Marais in Paris. FOOD - 3 stars...middling for French country fare AMBIANCE - 3 stars...looks like a Le Marais Bakery SERVICE - 2.5 stars..clipped TOTAL - 3 stars...not full of warm memories here RELATED - Exploring north of San Francisco? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/laNfqaNxek

    Chicken Cobb Salad is very good here at Buvette.
    Tracey A.

    There was a time when I half jokingly said that Marin County specialized in ethnic restaurants from developed nations. Specifically, France and Italy. Then some of the French places closed and I stopped repeating the gag but with the arrival, first, of Mill Valley's Le Marais Bakery, and now their sister outpost, Buvette, I might add it back to my repertoire. Though the space seems smaller than sister spot, Le Marais, the Larkspur Landing (aka Marin Country Mart) location expands on the offerings. Here, the full menu includes the Breton crepes that are also sold at their SF Ferry Building location. I skipped both the baked goods and the crepes, opting instead for a Chicken Cobb Salad that was rife with fresh and tasty ingredients. It was a satisfying lunch offering enjoyed in the charming French bistro setting that Buvette's founders seem to have mastered. Souvla, with it's perpetual long line, is at the other end of this outdoor, upscale shopping center, about as far from Buvette as one can get here. As much as I've always enjoyed Souvla's salads I'm happy to report: Buvette's are equally good.

    Nice spot for a cup of fancy Joe and pastry.
    Chad P.

    May 18. 2025 3.5 Stars Stopped by on a Sunday. They close at 3PM so if you're visiting from out of town, please don't dilly-dally getting there. One time my wife tried to buy a to-go croissant at 3PM. The place had open doors and diners yet she was figuratively thrown out on her ear. "WE'RE CLOSED!". Four stars for the taste of the food. We shared a Banana Flambe with chocolate sauce and a Forestiere which is a savory shitaki mushroom and grilled onion dark thin pancake delight. We also had a tiny bottled cola and a regular cup of coffee. We took a croissant home. These with tip- $50. 3 stars for the experience. You order and pay at the counter. Then take a number and the food is brought out to you. We sat outside. When the food was brought out with one fork for two diners at the table, any wait person worth their salt would ask if another fork was needed. Didn't happen. I got terribly thirsty and wondered why everyone has a water caraffe at their table but us. Oh. Water is self service. Go back inside the cafe. This place is Dog Fiendly. This means Out Of Luck if you don't want to eat with fur baby dander dogs. Only God and their owners know what is on their paws and mouth and the last time they were washed. The owner of a large lab graciously apologized when her hound brushed up against my bare leg. Five minutes later I see a waitress is bent to the ground to fondle someone's lap dog. Dirty. So happy my wife with cynophobia didn't see and experience this. We would never be able to come back. Someone with a small broom should walk around to clean up napkins, sugar packets and bits of trash and stirring sticks left around tables. Another napkins flys to the breeze swep floor. Nice enough place but didn't quite live up to the $$ this time..

    Bar area
    Julie T.

    Buvette du Marais is such a cute neighborhood find! They have a location in Mill Valley so I wanted to try this location at the Marin Country Mart. We went on a cold rainy day and it was so cute and cozy inside. Food was excellent!! I got an omelette which was delicious and had a side salad. My partner got a croque madame, which was honestly to die for. It was rich, flavorful, and a perfect texture. I'll be dreaming of it for a while. We tried a pain au chocolate which also did not disappoint. You order when you walk in and seat yourself- so if you're looking for full service, this isn't it. It is a more casual bistro vibe. I only gave 4 stars out of 5 because I wish there was more seating inside. We'll be back soon!

    Dharma M.

    Pretty new French bakery at Lakspur. We came here for the giant croissant. It was busy when we arrived. You order at the cashier and get number. The place is notvthat large. It has indoor and outdoor seating. We order latte, mocha, cappuccino, the big croissant, almond chocolate croissant, ceuf broullies and jambon come. The big croissant is interesting and good but not all fluffy. I wish itvis like regular croissant. The crepe is ok. The ceuf brouilles is yummy. My latte is abit bitter but ok. Overall it is nice visit. .

    Spicy Crab Benedict
    Jennifer E.

    We have been looking forward to trying this place as they have a gigantic croissant. So when we finally got a date down, we immediately visited Buvette with my brunch girls. There were not so many options of croissants/pastries left and to our disappointment the giant croissant is already out of stock (we went at around 11:45am). My good friend recommended the spicy crab Benedicts so I did because I love crab! And i got a chocolate croissant and chai latte. The crab Benedict was amazing! Its on a bed of croissant and not English muffins. Its not as spicy as it claims to be which is great for me bec I can't handle super spicy! Its light and airy and it doesn't make you feel bloated after eating it. The latte is smooth and silky and the pastry is amazing! A bit crumby but a good mess! The place is so nice and well decorated. Pretty wallpaper, love the color of the mugs and the pastry boxes. Downside, they don't accept reservations but plenty of seats outdoors and inside. We ended up eating at the bar which is not bad! The service is great! The lady in the counter is so friendly and cheerful! They recognized my friend who visited a few weeks ago and to me that is amazing! The other lady also noticed that my other friend has a birthday present and asked if we are celebrating a birthday. We said yes and she gave our friend a pastry on the house! Also, everyone in the counter spoke french! So cool! The line can get very long and not much space to line up so plan ahead! Ended up buying a chocolate chip cookie and raisin pastry to bring home and they were both delicious. My husband commented on the cookie and said "if anything, i'd say its perfect!" Will definitely recommend!

    Matcha latte
    Nicole L.

    I'm a big fan of Le Marais and was so excited to see this open! My friend and I went on a Saturday and it was very busy. The indoor area is cute but very small, so most seating is outside. The staff seemed to struggle, maybe because it is so new, but the manager was very sweet and helpful when we needed her. Our sweet crepe was soft and yummy, but we thought the savory crepe was dry and lacking flavor. I plan to return to try more sweet crepes and pastries!

    Bree G.

    We stumbled upon this French bakery on a Sunday morning. There weren't many breakfast options in the area and we chose this spot based on the possibility of gluten-free options. I found the man working at the register to be slightly curt. Not much warmth, curiosity, or patience. Like maybe I was inconveniencing him in some way. I survived, don't worry. We tried one of the gluten-free buckwheat crepes and an omelette. We added meat to everything because, protein. I enjoyed both plates and my decaf latte (and my liver was excited to see the arugula, iykyk) and I probably wouldn't go back unless it was just for a warm bevy.

    Croissant. Savory Pain Swiss. Omelette with pesto and vegetable. And side salad.
    Lianni C.

    A French style cafe that delivers true FRENCH eats!? SAY LESS! They also have a GIANT CROISSANT. And a variety of delicious fresh made pastries that not only taste delicious but look gorgeous! The brunch offerings are awesome. I have yet to go for dinner but I was impressed with the omelet and salad that I had. The only complaint I had is about the salad dressing - it was heavy on the mustard flavor. Definitely a flavor explosion but the bite and mustard flavor was a little strong for me. That will not keep me away though! The ambiance feels so Parisian Cafe! I love it! So glad that this place opened and I look forward to visiting more!

    Chocolate cream things, cherry tomatoes  crepe, berry scone, blueberry  & lemon  crepe-baton at the lower edge

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    8 months ago

    Was driving here for 30 minutes walked in to open door and they told me they are closed when it says they open till 9 pm

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    The service was amazing specially the girl when bring the food with a big smile also the food was delicious

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    Le Marais Bakery - Chocolate chip cookie

    Le Marais Bakery

    3.7(58 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Le Marais Cafe is one of the few spots in my regular rotation because it consistently hits every…read moremark. The Castro location is beautiful with its clean, ocean-blue French decor and relaxing, cozy vibe. It is always busy on the weekend, but the quality makes it worth the wait. Everything I have tried there is top-notch, from the perfect croissants and lattes to the savory mushroom crepes, French onion soup, and grilled tuna sandwich. The Larkspur location in the Marin Country Mart has a slightly different, less urban feel that I really enjoy. It feels a bit more intimate, cozy and has a much bigger outside seating area. It seems to have an even wider selection of great entrees. Whether you are grabbing a quick salad or sitting down for a full meal, both locations offer an authentic French experience that is hard to beat. Highly recommended.

    It was so cold and damp on Saturday and I was driving north from SFO craving a warm beverage. Marin…read moreCountry Mart and Le Marais Bakery to the rescue. The long line was a good sign. As I waited inside I admired their beautiful decor (especially that green wall!), and peeped all the equally-beautiful pastries on display. Oh la la! It took all my post-Thanksgiving self-control to resist a sweet treat (next time!). I satisfied my craving with a hot latte. I ordered and paid at the counter/register and was greeted with a lovely French accent. I assumed that my order would take awhile given the bustling crowd inside and outside. But it was ready within minutes - a hot, smooth latte hit the spot and powered me for the remaining drive north. Le Marais is easy to find at the far end of the Marin Country Mart - abundant parking is all around. Before I got back in the car, I took a quick walk through the shopping center. A must-stop if you're in the area, whether you need to shop, to eat, or to simply grab a drink. So charming and can't wait to return!

    Photos
    Le Marais Bakery
    Le Marais Bakery - Mussels in Cider Cream Sauce

    Mussels in Cider Cream Sauce

    Le Marais Bakery - Outdoor dining.

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    Outdoor dining.

    Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

    Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

    3.6(812 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    A girlfriend and I have just finished a nice hike nearby and I wanted to treat her to a nice lunch…read moreto celebrate her birthday. Left Bank turned out to be the perfect choice. From start to finish the service was top notch. Our server was Josephine, who was utterly delightful and had a keen sense of humor, which we enjoyed. We started off with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc that was quite nice and then each ordered soup, I had their famous French onion soup, which certainly did not disappoint in any way, and my friend had the Soup de Jour which was a shrimp bisque and she thought it was incredible (bursting with flavor). The accompanying baguette reminded me of those I had enjoyed in Paris- paired with real butter. We had a salad, and they were both sensational. I had the blood orange salad with the most tasty vinaigrette dressing. As I had mentioned, as it was my friend's birthday, sweet Josephine, surprised her with a birthday cream puff, which we shared & devoured . As it was a lovely day, we sat outdoors, imagining we were at a bistro in Paris. Oh la la

    We were very disappointed. My tuna tartar was mostly the avocado bed that it sat on and had too…read moremuch lemon and balsamic on it. Couldn't taste the tuna. My salad was over dressed and the spinach that was added to the frisée was not crisp. I choose thus salad because of the runny egg. It wasn't. My husband said his steak was good. The waiter never asked us if we wanted a second drink. He also came by to see how everything was after we were done. Not the personal attention we expect. A busy Saturday night. Nothing to write home about.

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    Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur
    Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur
    Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

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    Amélie Café and Wine Bar - Amelie Burger

    Amélie Café and Wine Bar

    4.5(172 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    Amélie Fairfax is such a gem in the neighborhood. The food is consistently excellent,. from the…read moreperfectly crispy frites and rich French onion soup to the fresh bread and thoughtfully curated wine list. Everything feels authentic and made with care. But what really sets this place apart is the people. The team is warm, welcoming, and genuinely makes you feel at home every time. It's my go-to for dinners with friends, special occasions or just when I want a solo night with my book. So lucky to have this spot nearby!

    Only half-jokingly I used to say that Marin excels in ethnic restaurants from developed nations…read more If asked for specifics my response was France and Italy. Whatever we lacked in Korean or Ethiopian fare we made up for with an abundance of restaurants specializing in food from France and Italy. Amelie Cafe and Wine Bar continues the tradition and I'm not mad about it. With outposts in both San Francisco and New York City, Amelie sports a nice pedigree. The Fairfax location is dialed down a bit - perfect for the neighborhood it serves - and makes for a comfortable place to enjoy any meal however you might happen to appear that day. It's a simple cafe and, though not inexpensive, certainly less so than a trip to Paris. Two of us recently dined here, late afternoon on a weekend, sharing a burger ($23; comes with fries and a salad), a lager ($8; they have no IPA), and boquerones, the latter of which I fully regretted having to share. Whenever I see boquerones ($12) on a menu I cannot look away and in Marin, finding such an offering is a unicorn. Delicious; I might sneak back over solo just to enjoy them again. The burger and fries were also good, with a profile a bit different than what one would get at a non-French-centric spot. Amelie is a good place to drop in before or after a movie or a show in Fairfax and equally wonderful to pop into for a morning coffee drink or an afternoon glass of wine. It's a casual and a perfect fit for Fairfax.

    Photos
    Amélie Café and Wine Bar - Decor

    Decor

    Amélie Café and Wine Bar - Ravioli with Truffle Sauce

    Ravioli with Truffle Sauce

    Amélie Café and Wine Bar - Croque Madame for lunch

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    Croque Madame for lunch

    Petite Left Bank - Tiburon - Mussels

    Petite Left Bank - Tiburon

    4.2(162 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Casual dining

    Petite Left Bank manages to make you feel well-fed, well-informed, and a bit disappointed in most…read moreplaces you've been to before. We had the escargot, steak tartare, sole, clams, skirt steak, and hanger steak--purely for research purposes, of course--and every dish was excellent, each clearly doing its own thing. The steak tartare was confident and restrained, seasoned with intention and balance, letting the quality of the beef speak for itself. The sole was delicate, the clams briny and assured, and the steaks were distinct enough that you could actually taste why both cuts belong on the menu. Mike, our server, was the best part of a great night. A connoisseur without the snootiness, he offered nuanced, genuinely helpful descriptions of every option we asked about, all delivered with obvious enthusiasm. Attentive, personable, and truly good at what he does, he made us feel like today's special. Great food, great drinks, great people. Petite Left Bank doesn't just serve dinner; it quietly upgrades your standards.

    TL;DR: food was ok, prices for happy hour were good but service was all over the place!…read more We were walking around Tiburon, and stumbled upon this place when I spotted the sign that said that they have happy hour everyday. We were seated outside where it was windy but there was a heater above the seat thank goodness. The prices on their posted menu have not been updated, and food prices have gone up since. Fries - came with three sauces, the dijonnaise was ok but the bearnaise was just ok. The portion was really tiny for $7, which was a little unexpected. The fries tasted like they had been fried again before serving. Not sure I'd order this off the happy hour menu again Mussels with Pernod garlic butter - this was good! We ordered two servings. The bread was alright, it's a little disappointing since SF has such good bread everywhere. The mussels were fresh and the delicious sauce was not too buttery. The drinks were ok - they can do any cocktail with their well alcohol for $8 which is a good deal. Service was all over the place. The server was very nice but everything was extremely slow. When we arrived they weren't busy at all so it was very puzzling why everything took so long. They also forgot an order of the french dip sliders we placed when we ordered another round of mussels. When they started to get busy for dinner, we gave up and just walked in to ask for our check. I think it was a pretty good deal overall, but with the ups and downs with service, I may not go back.

    Photos
    Petite Left Bank - Tiburon - Main dining room

    Main dining room

    Petite Left Bank - Tiburon - Hanger Steak

    Hanger Steak

    Petite Left Bank - Tiburon - Cassoulet - duck confit, pork belly, garlic and Toulouse sausage, breadcrumbs

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    Cassoulet - duck confit, pork belly, garlic and Toulouse sausage, breadcrumbs

    Madcap

    Madcap

    4.5(436 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$$
    Takes reservations
    Fine dining

    I had the pleasure of dining at Madcap last year for my birthday. I'd been eyeing the restaurant…read morefor a while, intrigued by their fusion of French and Japanese cuisines--because honestly, who doesn't love that combination? What I didn't realize at the time was the sheer pedigree behind it. It turns out Madcap is Michelin-rated, and Chef Ron Siegel is a celebrity chef. A Top Chef alum who headlined at legendary spots like The French Laundry and Michael Mina. Ironically, I didn't learn any of this from a food blog or Yelp. I heard it from my dentist in Vallejo. Talk about a random convo! As for the food, Chef Siegel's creations are pure joy--a celebration of culinary genius that feels genuinely divine. It's the kind of meal that evokes deep emotion; it really is magical. I can honestly say it's the best restaurant in Marin, Point Reyes included. We paired our meal with a beautiful bottle of sake by Pharrell Williams (yes, you read that right), and to top off an already incredible evening, we got to meet Chef Siegel and take a group photo with him. What a cool dude! Inside the restaurant, the decor was refined and classy, featuring rich dark wood accents and curated artwork. My only minor complaint was the seating - the wooden chair, while stylish, could have been a bit more comfortable. Overall, it was a truly lovely experience.

    What a delightful fusion experience--not only of French and Japanese ethnic cuisines, but also of…read moreartistry. Unlike the dictionary definition of "madcap" -- wildly impulsive or chaotic -- the exquisite dining experience at this Michelin-starred restaurant is anything but. My experience was calm, intentional, playful, and deeply refined. After living in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2005, I had just learned about Madcap and was thrilled to celebrate a friend's birthday there. From the moment we were greeted by Kim at the host stand -- warm, poised, and genuinely welcoming -- we felt special. Anticipation built immediately. Our four-course prix fixe menu was printed on artisanal, handmade-feeling paper -- textured, elegant, and thoughtful. With a minimalist design aesthetic, every detail serves a purpose and is beautiful in its restraint. The luxury here is subtle but palpable. Large, colorful, whimsical paintings line the walls -- one even reminded me of Jane Fonda as Barbarella. The chopsticks and flatware are distinctive and sculptural. Nothing feels accidental or unintentional. From a 15-page beverage menu, I selected a 2023 Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Cava from Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalunya. Crisp, celebratory, and the perfect opening note. If you might assume "small courses" won't satisfy, think again. I left completely full. Welcome Snacks Before the first official course, we were surprised with a small welcoming assortment. I couldn't name each component, but they were colorful, beautifully balanced, and layered in flavor and texture -- playful yet precise. A lovely crescendo into what followed. First Course Nicasio Valley egg, lemongrass spuma, pine nuts. We chose to add the optional Black Périgord truffle. When pierced with my spoon, the bright yellow yolk blended like a brushstroke into the white of the egg. The spuma (an airy, savory foam created by aerating a sauce) added a delicate citrus-herbal lift to the richness of the egg. The pine nuts brought delightful contrast texture. Oh, and that exquisite toast! Elegant and harmonious. The delicately-shaved truffle provided a heavenly mouth-feel. Second Course Winter salad, shima aji, orange olive oil or Sunchoke tortelloni, spinach, shiitake, thyme jus One companion chose the vibrant winter salad -- stunning in color and textures including shima aji, a premium Japanese fish. I chose the sunchoke tortelloni. Although I'm usually not a fan of al dente pasta, here it worked beautifully to contrast the creamy filling. The green-tinged spinach tortelloni were visually striking and balanced by the earthy shiitake and fragrant thyme jus. Third Course Mount Lassen trout, abalone & carrot risotto, lobster cream or Flannery beef ribeye, artichoke, Banyuls, black garlic We all chose the trout. The fish was executed perfectly -- caramelized, crisp exterior, yet it flaked effortlessly into large, tender pieces with the fork. The carrot risotto leaned slightly sweet for my palate, though beautifully textured. The tiny slivers of abalone, however, were surprisingly overcooked and chewy. The lobster cream had a thinner, almost broth-like consistency and didn't meaningfully elevate the dish. For reference, Banyuls (used in the ribeye preparation) is a French fortified wine like port from the Roussillon region that creates deep, slightly sweet reductions that complement richer meats. Fourth Course Shiso panna cotta, pineapple vanilla gelée. The panna cotta was softly set, cool, and subtly sweet -- a lovely, light finish. The Japanese mint herb of shiso was subtle. The crumble beneath added wonderful contrast and texture. A small piece of pineapple was firmer than expected, though the overall composition remained balanced and refreshing. With it, I had a decaf Americano. It was so smooth and flavorful I drank it black -- and enjoyed every sip. Post-dessert course We were pleasantly surprised with a pearlized white box of what appeared to be handmade confections: caramel, a sugar-dusted berry gelée, and a ganache-filled chocolate truffle. The unexpected welcome bites and post-dessert confections made the four-course prix fixe feel even more generous and thoughtfully orchestrated. Madcap is an experience of delightful visual artistry and intentional composition. The overall execution, ambiance, and hospitality created a memorable evening. P.S. While I typically eat gluten- and dairy-free, making those substitutions would have fundamentally changed the menu. For this celebratory evening, I chose not to alter the chef's composition. We visited on 2/26/26.

    Photos
    Madcap
    Madcap
    Madcap

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    Buvette - french - Updated May 2026

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