A new French cafe called Au P’tit Bonheur has opened in Manatee County, offering classic French dishes and pastries.
The owners arrived in Florida earlier this year and turned their dream into reality after a three-month renovation in downtown Bradenton.
FULL STORY: New Bradenton restaurant serves ‘a little taste of France.’ Take a look inside
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Au P’tit Bonheur, 312 12th St. W., Bradenton, serves French classics including Croque Monsieur, Quiche Lorraine, Sandwich Parisien and croissants. “All our recipes are simple,” Fanette Maquet said. “It’s simple … if you came to our family, you can eat this in our home. It’s a family recipe.”The Maquets came to Florida from French Guiana in South America. Fanette is originally from the Brittany region of France, while her husband is from Guadeloupe and spent 21 years in the French army’s marine troops. They initially settled in Miami with their five children before moving to Bradenton after one month.Pastries mostly cost between $4 and $7, and main courses range between $9 and $16, with each main course served with a house salad. Offerings include almond croissants, pain au chocolat, crepes, madelines and macarons supplied by French company Franck Deville.The specials menu features drinks like the Breton Latte, made with espresso, milk, caramel and cookie syrups, caramel sauce and shortbread cookie crumbs, and the Antillas Latte with banana and coconut syrups topped with chocolate drizzle and coconut flakes.The cafe is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and was recently approved for outdoor seating. The Maquets originally planned to open as a franchisee of Sarasota’s Merci Cafe but chose an independent route.
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A new French cafe, Au P’tit Bonheur, has opened in downtown Bradenton. Owner Fanette Maquet, who owns the business with her husband, fills a case with pastries. Shown on August 12, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Dining and Cooking