Circo's Pastry Shop — Restaurant in New York

Disappointed by the Hype — An Honest Review of Circo’s Pastry Shop, Brooklyn

After seeing Circo’s Pastry Shop all over social media, I was genuinely excited to finally make the trip. The vintage charm, family legacy, and traditional Italian desserts looked like something right out of a culinary time capsule — and who doesn’t want to support a multi-generational, family-run bakery that’s stood the test of time?

So, I made the drive — over an hour, thanks to New York traffic — with one goal in mind: to get their famous Easter Marzipan Lamb centerpiece, a cherished Italian tradition in many households.

Unfortunately, the visit fell flat from the moment I walked in.

Customer Experience: First impressions matter, and this one was disappointing. As I entered the bakery, I noticed three employees engaged in an enthusiastic conversation with two event promoters. Their focus was completely on the event — laughing, chatting, even discussing invites — rather than on the customers walking in and waiting for assistance. In a time when small, family-run bakeries are becoming rarer, personal service and a warm welcome should be a cornerstone of the experience.

Product Quality: The marzipan lamb centerpiece I came for? Yes, it was cute and charming with its old-school adornments — but visually, it lacked the intricate detailing you’d expect from a bakery that prides itself on tradition. It felt a little rushed, a little too simple for the price point and for the legacy behind it.

I also picked up two Pane di Pasqua (Easter egg breads), hoping for that slightly sweet, festive flavor paired with a nostalgic softness. Sadly, both loaves were visually unappealing — pale, bland-looking, and not exactly something you’d proudly place on an Easter table. Still, I gave it a chance. The verdict? Dry There was very little flavor, no real aroma, and the texture was dense enough that you’d definitely need a generous glass of wine just to get through a piece. And in Italian baking, where simplicity is supposed to shine, dryness is a real disappointment.

Final Thoughts: I truly wanted to love Circo’s. I wanted that old-school Italian magic — the feeling that a recipe had been handed down for generations and perfected over time. But the lack of customer service and the underwhelming quality of the products I tried left me feeling more disappointed than delighted.

I still believe in supporting family-owned businesses, and I hope Circo’s can refocus on what once made it special: not just tradition, but attention to detail, warmth, and care — both in service and in flavor.

Until then, I’d think twice before making that drive again.

“Food that feeds the soul, beauty that speaks volumes, and travel that tells a story always through the eyes of Italy Loves India.” —...

My aunt passed away in June of 2021 and left behind a foster child whom she loved with all of her heart. Days before she died he graduated from middle school.

To celebrate his achievement and to honor how she would do things, the family planned a graduation party. The day of the event we were scheduled to pick up a cake from BJs but when we arrived the bakery was mobbed with people waiting on cake orders. I left without my order. So I headed to BK to find a bakery that may have a cake with the colors of the party's theme.

We headed to Circo's because that is where my family often bought cakes for events. When I asked about the cakes on display I was told majority were for scheduled orders. The others had colors that did not go with the theme of the party. After about 10 minutes, because there were no other cakes with the colors I desired, I picked a random cake and asked that the fruit be removed. I then asked if the trim could be removed and replaced with the colors I desired. Although appearing annoyed, the rep took the selected cake in the back and to my surprise the owner offered to assemble a cake for me on the spot. I was shocked and gladly accepted the offer. The cake was made to perfection! I paid for the cake and started to walk out but then I stopped, I turned around and asked for the owner. He came out moments later and I began to reiterate the story behind why it was so important to have a cake with these specific colors. As I am telling the story, I break down crying. He expressed his condolences several times through my sobbing and tears.

I could never nor would ever forget Circo's kindness during that trying time. That small gesture will live in my...

So dissapointed in this company. Never again. So many things wrong with this cake I purchased. First, the decorator didn't follow any of the instructions. I purchased a picture cake... i said I wanted green frosting, flowers around the cake and specific words written on the cake- she even included these instructions on my order form.... yet when my order was ready, I recieved blue frosting (later i was informed they couldnt do green, yet no one informed me during the process), no flowers, and the words I specifically instructed to write was misspelled and incomplete and the handwriting was so sloppy and unprofessional, they did however add the pearl trim that was requested but only that. When I arrived I informed a baker of how sloppy the work was and the missing flowers (they took the cake to the back and added 4 flowers). There was also a dent in the cake. Oh also, I requested only vanilla no fruit filling but turns out the cake was Lemon favored filling and the cake batter was superrrr dry , it reminded me of a sponge cake. Horrible. I was so embarrassed at the event I presented the cake to , many people didnt even want to finish the cake and only half was eaten. For $98, I expected better quality. I literally researched this company from Google reviews to instagram and compared them with so many other bakers in brooklyn and had high hopes but i see the pictures they advertised were all for show because the actual product is nothing like what you ask for. I really want a refund. This ruined the whole moment. I was better off going to...