MarieBette Café and Bakery — Restaurant in Charlottesville

Order: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quiche , Atlantic Salmon Baked Egg (we also ordered a bunch of bread but that isn’t included in the price) Price: $38 Positives: The bread and pastries were absolutely phenomenal. Negatives: Lots of waiting, took time to get our seat, then took a really long time to get our food tldr: Amazing food and pastries that are well worth the pretty long wait.

Thoughts: When we pulled up there was already a line of people out the door, which in my experience normally indicates a place is worth waiting for. We grabbed some nearby parking and piled out of the car to get in line. It only took about 5 minutes to get inside and then we realized that there were two lines happening; one for the pastry counter, and another for the very small restaurant attached. At first we thought we would have to stand in line to order our bread and pastries and then go get in line for the restaurant but after asking a few questions they told us we could get in line to be seated, and then order our bread and pastries at the table. This is super helpful because the line to get bread and pastries was long, and the seating area only has room for maybe 30 people so the wait for that was about 20 minutes too. Its wan’t absurd but if you had to wait in both lines it would have felt maddening.

While waiting to be seated we took a glance at the pastries on offer and picked a few that we would order once we got to the table. We also grabbed a menu so we could decide what we wanted before we sat down. Eventually we were seated and placed our orders and waited for our food. And waited, and waited, and waited. I think it genuinely took over 45 minutes to make our orders, and get them to the table. I can’t be sure of the exact time, but I know that it was long enough enough of a wait that I flagged down our server and asked if she had placed our orders, or if there had been a mixup. She said no but there were people that had been seated after us who had already received their food, had finished eating, and were now working on leaving before we ever got our food.

While it’s definitely something that I would keep in the mind in the future, the size of the restaurant and the excessive wait times were really the only negative. This could also easily have been a one off too, maybe we just got unlucky and ended up the exception to the rule. Regardless, the food, pastries, and bread were all exceptionally outstanding. The pastries all had that light, buttery, flaky consistency that you look for in a good pastry. They weren’t overly sweet, and they were filled with just the most wonderful fruit and chocolate.

Both the quiche and the pancakes were amazing. The eggs in the quiche was light and fluffy, had a ton of flavor packed into them, and the fillings weren’t such large pieces that it overwhelmed the quiche. The lemon ricotta pancakes were everything you could possible want from lemon ricotta pancakes. Fluffy, a little sweet, that light tartness from the lemon. Absolutely outstanding.

The baked egg was a very unique dish I’ve never had before. They bake an egg in the small clay dish with other ingredients, but they only bake it for a short time. The egg is still very runny and comes with pieces of bread so that you end up eating it almost like a dip. It was unique and fantastic but a bit on the small side. It would make an amazing appetizer or small plate, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a full meal.

Overall this place was a little slow and very packed, but if you have the time I definitely think it’s worth the wait. Even when we weren’t planning on stopping to eat food I could absolutely see my wife and I swinging by this place from time to time just to get bread and pastries, assuming we lived in the area, which we unfortunately don’t. So I guess for now I’ll just have to be super happy that I got to experience such an awesome restaurant and bakery. But if you live in the area you definitely need to make this a...

As the sun reached its zenith and Charlottesville's streets hummed with midday energy, I found myself drawn to the inviting warmth of Marie Bettes. Nestled amidst the bustling thoroughfares, this hidden gem beckoned with promises of aromatic coffee and an array of freshly baked delights. Today, my experience at this charming establishment surpassed all expectations, leaving me with a heart full of contentment and a palate tingling with delight.

Upon entering Marie Bettes, I was enveloped in a cozy ambiance that immediately set the tone for a leisurely lunch. The upbeat melody of "Steal My Sunshine" by Len filled the air, adding a lively rhythm to the relaxed atmosphere. The décor, with its rustic wooden furniture and soft lighting, exuded a comforting charm that instantly put me at ease.

I settled into a table across from large windows, offering a picturesque view of Charlottesville's side streets bathed in the afternoon sunlight. It was the perfect spot to unwind and indulge in a moment of tranquility amidst the city's hustle and bustle.

Approaching the counter, I was greeted by the friendly smiles of the staff at Marie Bettes, whose genuine warmth and enthusiasm added an extra layer of hospitality to the experience. Their passion for their craft was evident in every interaction, as they guided me through the menu, emphasizing the delectable baked goods on offer.

I placed my order—a refreshing iced latte to beat the midday heat, paired with a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich nestled between layers of flaky croissant—and eagerly awaited the culinary delights that awaited. As I took in the sights and sounds of the bustling café, I couldn't help but admire the seamless choreography of the kitchen and the attentive service of the staff.

Minutes later, my order arrived, presented with care and attention to detail. The iced latte was a cool, invigorating treat, perfectly complementing the warm, buttery layers of the croissant. The sandwich, a savory masterpiece of fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, was a delightful symphony of flavors that left me craving more with each bite.

But it wasn't just the impeccable craftsmanship of the food that impressed me; it was the passion and dedication that infused every element of the experience. From the locally sourced ingredients to the meticulous attention to detail in the presentation, it was clear that each dish was crafted with love and care.

As I savored my meal at Marie Bettes, I couldn't help but reflect on the simple joys of life—a delicious lunch shared in good company, surrounded by the warmth of a welcoming environment. In an increasingly fast-paced world, places like Marie Bettes serve as havens of comfort and relaxation, where time slows down and moments are savored.

In conclusion, my experience at Marie Bettes was nothing short of exceptional. From the delightful ambiance to the impeccable service and, of course, the mouthwatering culinary offerings, every aspect of my visit exceeded my expectations. If you're ever in need of a little slice of heaven in your day, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Marie Bettes—you won't be...

DON'T GO FOR TAKEOUT. The pastries are delicious, always. And that is the only reason I'll give this place a good review. The breakfast sandwiches are subpar (small, too expensive for what they are, and surprisingly very little flavor for an andouille sausage). And the service is terrible. I placed an order for takeout. And waited until the estimated time the order would be ready before heading in. The site is clear that some things will take longer, and because I ordered hot sandwiches, I anticipated it taking a bit longer and wasn't really bothered by it. However, when I went in, working my way past the line outside, I ended up in a packed room with no obvious place to pick up my to-go order (that I had already paid and tipped for, btw, as one does when online ordering). So I asked one of the employees as she was walking by. She said she'd be right back. She was not. I asked another employee several minutes later. He said "oh well, you can wait in line or you can call in and we'll bring it out curbside". So I said, "oh, I guess I should call then, because I'm not waiting in that line when my order was supposed to be ready 10 minutes ago". Cue shocked Pikachu face! And then a rather snotty retort of "hang on one second" as he walks a very short distance away and grabs a bag with my food off a table and hands it to me. So it was ready that entire time, but no one could spare a minute to help clear out to-go orders?! I would highly suggest that management either 1) actually setup a system for their online, to-go orders that is managed more efficiently or 2) just stop taking online orders all together. They were very busy, and I get that, but I didn't pay online and wait 30 minutes just to be told that I needed to wait in a 30 minute line while my...