When you walk into MarieBette Café & Bakery, the scent of fresh bread and espresso greets you before the door even closes. Tucked into Charlottesville’s Rose Hill neighborhood, this cozy café has become a gathering spot for families, students, and professionals alike — a place where European pastry traditions meet the warm hospitality of a small Virginia town. Behind the cases of croissants and the clatter of coffee cups are two dads, Jason Becton and Patrick Evans, who built MarieBette on equal parts experience, creativity, and love of community.
The Founders’ Story
Jason Becton came to food through design. With a background in art direction and training at New York’s International Culinary Center, Jason brought an eye for detail and refinement honed at iconic kitchens like the Four Seasons Hotel and l’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. At MarieBette, his influence shows up in everything from the delicate lamination of a croissant to the café’s clean, welcoming aesthetic.
Patrick Evans grew up on a farmhouse in North Garden, surrounded by gardens and family meals that taught him the importance of fresh, local food. After a detour in the New York art world, Patrick’s culinary training led him to Blue Hill and eventually to artisan bread baking, where he rose to Executive Baker at Choc O Pain in New Jersey. Today, his passion for bread is at the heart of MarieBette’s daily loaves, pastries, and the bakery’s beloved quiche and tartines.
More Than a Bakery
MarieBette is named for the couple’s two daughters — a detail that captures just how family-rooted the business is. Patrons come not just for flaky croissants and brioches, but also for the café experience. They lattes at sun-lit tables, enjoy a leisurely brunch of tartines, or grab a baguette to share at home. The menu shifts with the seasons, reflecting both French inspiration and Charlottesville’s farm-to-table spirit.
For many, MarieBette has become a weekend ritual. It’s a place to meet a friend for coffee or to linger with kids over pain au chocolat. The cafe is a testament to Jason and Patrick’s vision: a neighborhood hub that blends European quality with Central Virginia charm.
A Charlottesville Favorite
Charlottesville’s café culture thrives on places that feel personal and community-centered, and MarieBette embodies both. Locals stop in before work. Visitors seek out “the bakery everyone talks about.” The café has become a touchstone for daily life in Charlottesville. It has earned loyal fans not only for its bread and pastries but also for its welcoming atmosphere. It was even voted a CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Breakfast Spot by our readers.
Planning your next brunch outing? Don’t miss our guide to the Best Breakfast Spots in Charlottesville, where MarieBette proudly shines alongside other family-friendly favorites and for dinner ideas check out these family-favorite restaurants. And MarieBette isn’t the only dad-founded bakery delighting local families. Just across town you’ll find Sbrocco’s Donuts. This family-favorite spot was opened by these two entrepreneurial dads and partner Melissa Portera (née Sbrocco). It has quickly become a must-visit for its inventive fritters, seasonal flavors, and warm, community-focused vibe. Together, these family-run spots showcase the best of Charlottesville’s food culture: creativity, quality, and a sense of belonging. Jason and Patrick’s combined talents — one steeped in culinary artistry, the other in bread and farm traditions — make MarieBette more than a café. It’s a story of family, craftsmanship, and what happens when two dads pour their whole hearts into feeding a town. Find favorite fun for families littles all around Charlottesville! Explore music programs, arts & crafts, sensory-friendly activities, birthday parties, and indoor active fun for rainy days. Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag for weekly event highlights and family fun ideas. And be sure to meet our valued partners who serve local families. JENNIFER BRYERTON, M.A.ED., is the co-founder and publisher of CharlottesvilleFamily. A mother of four, she delights in sharing seasonal traditions and community happenings with local families. When she’s not editing, you’ll find her hiking area trails, tending her garden, or reading a good book by the fire.