marché maman

"Maman is a cafe and a bakery, and there are a few different locations around the city. The one in Soho feels like the kind of place where you’d sit down and plan a summer wedding in the Catskills with a seersucker-and-khaki dress code, and there’s also a back patio with strings of light bulbs and patio furniture you wish you owned. Not too many people know about their backyard, so it’s great for a quiet coffee with someone, and you should order at least one cookie when you come here. They’re very good. Even Oprah thinks so." - hannah albertine

"COVID-19 update: Open for browsing. Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall–founding partners behind the charming, chic, and decadent Maman cafés (and one of our all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies)–recently opened this marriage of a marketplace, café, and boutique in the heart of Soho. Stocked with coveted French brands, from eclectic Jamini textiles to Bastide botanical creams to Merci Bisous wears for littles, this is one of those shops we can spend hours in–literally. Bonus: It's an ideal spot to grab a housewarming, birthday, host, anniversary, you-name-it gift–and there's a gorgeous West Elm-clad patio out back where you can take a respite and enjoy Maman's incredible menu. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."

"Maman’s Centre Street location has a whole range of seating options. There’s a full-service indoor cafe space, an outdoor patio with big umbrellas and tables, and a back room in the coffee shop area with mismatched wooden chairs and tables that are definitely described as “distressed” online. So whether you’re meeting up with an ex and don’t know how it’s going to go, or just a friend that you pretty much only see in the context of drinking coffee, Maman is a great place to sit and talk over cappuccinos and gooey chocolate chips walnut cookies." - Hannah Albertine

"Maman has a few bakery/cafe locations around the city, and the one in Soho is a great spot to grab a coffee or a sandwich and have a quick meeting with someone. It feels kind of like a small-scale farmhouse, and there’s a quiet little room in the back as well as a hidden patio that looks like somewhere you’d want to throw an outdoor dinner party. Have a quick lunch back there, and don’t leave without eating at least one cookie." - Bryan Kim

"You may think Soho is all just clothing stores and boutiques that sell things like designer bathrobes and candles that match your aura, but there are some good places to eat and drink, too. Maman’s Centre Street location is a nice little spot where you can order a cup of coffee and sit on some vintage-looking chairs in a back room that could plausibly exist in a farmhouse. If it’s nice out, get a table in the backyard, and no matter the weather, order at least one cookie." - Bryan Kim