Picasso’s Pastries and Cafe

I’ve been back in Chicago for 6 months and every pastry shop is a disappointment compared to Picassos. I’m ruined for life. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.

Literally my favorite pastry shop in the area!
SWEET. POTATO. DOUGHNUT.
Thank me later.

I love Picasso’s! When I lived in Westcott, I would walk around the corner to pick up coffee and pastries on a Sunday morning. Their savory cheesy scones are to die for, and for something sweeter, try a macaroon or homemade donut. There are a few indoor tables and outdoor seating for nicer days. Picasso’s is a magical alternate universe from which we can escape the world we live in. Pop in for a made-​from-​scratch pastry and you’ll thank me.

It’s a cute little bakery that makes everything fresh. The people at the counter are really friendly. They serve Kubal coffee and tea. I’m personally not a fan of their donuts because they are too sweet for me but I really like a lot of their other pastries. I haven’t tried a croissant yet, but my co-​worker says they’re the best.

Absolutely adore all of your pastries. Some of my favorites include the double chocolate donuts and the cinnamon buns. I love seeing new cakes each day. Your staff is incredibly friendly, I only wish you stayed open later than you do.

Perfect perfect perfect!
I love this place. The second you walk in the door, you will be in love with the smell that hits you right away.
Go early! They have fresh baked goods each day. There is one section of croissants, donuts, muffins and things you may want to just grab and go. There is another section with all fresh pies and cakes — they are different each day. They have coffee from Café Kubal. The seating is limited, but I always see spots available if you want to stay.
My favorite is definitely the pistachio croissant. It’s so good and made with real pistachios. The pies are real fruit — not a bunch of sugar or fake flavors used.
Favorite spot in Westcott.

Best pastry/​bakery shop I have been to in a very long time. Everything freshly baked from scratch, the smells as you walk in are heavenly, and there is not a single thing I have ever had from here that did not taste like the most delicious mouthful I ever had! Owners and staff are super friendly and sweet, and it is always a pleasure to drop in (killer Café Kubal coffee too!!)

I will buy all my baked goods here and not feel guilty about it. That’s right, Danny Wegman, your petite pastries can suck it, I’ve found a real scratch baking, bakery. Nothing here is fried, so get over the donuts now. They’re like the good part of a muffin, baked and dense. I almost feel healthy eating them. The ginger peach pie was soo good! As was the blueberry cobbler and pecan tart. Pecan pie is not my favorite and I always thought it was like snot, but it’s not. They make it with natural ingredients from scratch and it’s amazing. Chocolate chip cookies are DAMN GOOD. Bring cash, leave a tip and don’t dump your drink in the garbage because some righteous customer will backhandedly admonish you for it after the fact and make you feel like an inconsiderate moron. That’s right dude, I’m talking to you curly laptop man. MESSAGE RECEIVED. I digress. You play sorry, I play chess. Kings pawn to B3, checkmate!
Go get some pastry. Hahahahah!

Warning: the following review contains honest descriptions of an actual experience and is not influenced by fond memories of previous visits or the accomplishment of going to that trendy place or even having had the opportunity to go to someone else’s favorite place.
The sweet potato donuts are not donuts. Nor are they dough nuts, nor donuts. The are shaped like donuts (or small bagels) but are more accurately described as fried yam cakes. The are cake-​like in their interior consistency, (and before I hear crap from people about cake donuts, — just sit down and shut up) these things are very dense and very very moist, like undercooked cake, with so much sugar that there was a actual grittiness in each bite. Many people may find this sweetly delicious, many other may spit it out and say WTF this is undercooked cake with sugar sand.
The breakfast rolls, aka cinnamon rolls, are truly huge and they have an excellent balance of firmness to soft chewiness that presents a great texture. The cinnamon is well mixed and evenly dispersed throughout the roll, very nice. The roll itself actually lacks sweetness, and certainly is not as sweet as most all other cinnamon rolls, which may be disappointing depending on one’s expectations. If you could get them without the icing that might be worth considering. While some may like the cream-​cheese icing. Others, myself included, not so much. I found the juxtaposition of the strong cream-​cheese flavor to the icing (it was more cheesy definitely not a sweet icing) to the cinnamon roll to be so odd that I cut the top of the roll to salvage the parts untarnished by the cheese icing.
The counter service was very friendly and efficient. If you are in the neighborhood, it appears to be a good option, it certainly appears popular. But I can’t recommend making a trip here as a destination.

Good place to grab coffee and donuts. We didn’t stay I so cannot rate on that. I liked that there were also some outside tables so people can have their dogs too. I had an iced latte and a box of a few different donuts so we could try them. The maple was my favorite. I also tried the blueberry muffin, brioche, cinnamon roll. The cream cheese icing on the cinnamon roll is good. They’re big too. The blueberries are fresh. The brioche was just ok, not bad but not awesome, but good. Overall I give it four stars for the taste of the donuts. I hadn’t tried others like the popular sweet potato one though. I’m not a coffee connoisseur but liked the coffee. Compared to Starbucks quality slightly better for me.

Great hot chocolate, the sweet potato doughnuts are incredible, and I love their blue cheese and chive scones but they keep changing the days when they make them!

Just a quick one… that’s what he said.
Picasso’s used to be named Pic Ass O’s, because the original owners would look at pics of… well, you know. And have O’s. You didn’t hear it from me. Okay you did, but let’s keep it between us okay and not post it on Unilocal or anything. Thanks. Luckily the new owners are not into that. Not into bottoms, anyway. Who knows what they’re into. When you come in to get a croissant, you should ask them.
What to get: A Croissant, definitely.
What else: Not a fan of the Apple Donut
What else: Nothing
What else: Dude, this is like a broken re…
What else: I’m going to leave if y…
What else: …
(Leaves)
I came here as part of my Syracuse food tour a coupe of weeks ago. It’s really awesome here! It’s a lovely little bakery with wonderful servers who are super friendly, and a few tables to hang out and chat or do your work or whatever.
I ordered a croissant and an apple donut because Unilocal told me to. The apple donut was like a 3. It was like a whole wheat brown bread donut but was a bit soggy and chewy and, well, I dunno. It didn’t really do it for me. It was like eating bread, but with a few bits of apple in it. Not sure what it was, but it’s not my thing. It might be better hot, I don’t know.
The croissant on the other hand, is why this place scores a 5. It is literally one of the best croissants in America. I’ve had about 1,301 croissants in the US and this is top 10. Actually 1,302 (I just ate another one. Damn it).
It’s just so buttery and fluffy and tastes so… baked. I’m so refined at describing these things. «Buy this croissant because it tastes baked.» But it’s baked to perfection. Slightly crispy where it needs to be, fluffy and perfect on the inside. So French tasting. So delightful and delectable. And nice and affordable.
And there was one other thing about this place other than the croissants… the server! Oh. My. Goodness. Well there were a couple of servers but the one who served me is a total beauty queen. And not in the «mean girl» way, but in the «I’m so nice and also the prettiest girl in history» sort of way. Which was really… well… distracting. I am sort of, well, a fan of hotties if you didn’t know. Like, if she would have told me the apple donut is actually way better than the croissant, I’d be writing that right now (swoon). Luckily, she didn’t. So I can tell you the truth… the croissant is *the* way to go here. I’ll be trying other things next time I’m in here.
I’ll also be trying to get this girl’s phone number.
Okay, I’m kidding. Don’t think I’m weird, please.
Well I mean, I am totally weird, but don’t think I’m weird enough to talk about getting a girl’s phone number in a Unilocal review and then actually doing it. That would just be creepy.
If I wanted her number, I’d just go through her trash, duhh. Oh wait, did I say that out loud. I meant, I’d just umm… well… write it on Unilocal that I was gonna ask her, and then…
Damn this is getting awkward. Look, I’m not gonna ask for her number okay. She’s probably married.
(Someone yells «she’s not married»)
Okay well, she’s probably er… into girls. Not boys.
(Someone yells «Fox you look like a girl so what’s the issue»)
Okay well… really? Thank you! That’s so sweet of you! (Tosses hair)
That really made my day. I’m so glad I wrote this review. You guys are so nice.

Delicious, fresh food– relaxed atmosphere in an artsy neighborhood. Coffee was amazing and the pastry offerings were abundant. If you are a health-​nut, not too many options, but the desserts and pastries are heavenly and worth a calorie splurge! Definitely would recommend– the only thing I’d like to suggest some sort of crowd management! People know this place is great so it became a little bit of a wait in the long line! Well worth it though.

Everything — from their bread to donuts — were delicious. Real baked goods done well.

WOW! Their sweet potato donuts are no joke! Do yourself a favor and buy several– they melt in your mouth and keep well in tupperware for a few days. The banana dark chocolate donuts were also very decadent! Even if you are not a donut person, give these a shot– they taste more like a muffin than a donut. We also had a French macaron, which was decent, as was the almond croissant — but they likely didn’t blow my mind because they paled in comparison next to the donuts! This will definitely be a regular stop when we are in the area!

Great little spot with lots of yummy treats. Bread loafs are delicious and are a regular weekend purchase in my house. One of the best americanos I have ever had! There is a nice sitting area to read or catch up with friends. Desserts are lovely and it is always a challenge to select one.

Delightful treasure on Syracuse’s historic Westcott St.
Take a bite of any of their savory or sweet baked goods and you’ll be transported to that special place reserved for high end patisserie patrons.
Owners are extremely friendly and genuinely warm.
Assortment of baked goods vary from savory — cheese rolls, broccoli and cheese, Bleu cheese and chive scones — and sweet — pistachio or almond croissant, or pan au chocolat or traditional plain — Tartins of Apple, chocolat-​caramel, berry, or Apple — and cream puffs laden with rich and luscious creams infused with fruit or generously scented with vanilla — macarons, raspberry oat bars — and fresh baked breads. But, savor the donuts — sweet potato, Apple, dark chocolate banana and chocolate. One of each!!!

Going to miss the french cheese rolls. But you two deserve a little time off. See you in a week. Happy New Year !

Amazing pastries! Was in town for my brother’s graduation and this is his favorite pastry place. The staff is as friendly as can be and the pastries are fantastic. I had a raspberry crumb cake and also sampled the caramel cinnamon bun, lemon cake and apple donut. The caramel cinnamon bun was out of this world. My brother also raves about a goat cheese scone.

It’s worth it to get a pastry/​coffee to sit next to their doggy! I can’t wait to go back and get another treat!
EDIT!!!
my landlord is incredible and keeps on bringing me pastries and pie slices from picasso’s and I have absolutely fell in love. Their pies are INSANELY delicious!!! Try this place, love this place!!!