Great pastries. Very flaky and tasty and lots of options. Huge line but service was faster than expected so it was very nice.

Syndicate makes me happy. I feel blessed and proud to have this wonderful spot in my town. The staff is friendly, helpful, and quick. The lattes are phenomenal and I love how they provide a variety of pastries. The real quicker? Their mood ring lattes! The first time I ever went my mood ring was a churro latte and ever since I've been hooked! Thank you Syndicate :) read more

Heard about this place in a quaint neighborhood so had to go and check it out. The pastries are all beautifully displayed and are even more beautiful to look at! I consider my 17 yr old to be a croissant connoisseur, and she loved them! *Chocolate- has the right amount of chocolate, perfect consistency, and flaky buttery crust. *Almond- perfectly sweet, not too much, and sprinkled with the right amount of almonds *Gluten Free quesadilla cake!- so unique, light, fluffy, and wonderful nuances of Parmesan flavor * Black tea- I originally ordered the Buddha one, but they ran out and gave me something that was similar. I have no idea what it was called but it was wonderful. The temperature was perfect, subtle, and not bitter. Safety note: They only allow 3 patrons at a time, staff had masks on properly, social distancing markings, and outdoor sitting had plastic dividers. Great place to enjoy your morning.. we will definitely be coming back! read more

If you're looking for health food this is not the place for you. If you're looking for Heaven on Earth in pastry form, step right in! Everything about every delectable delicate pastry is delicious! And the coffee is to die for. Can not recommend enough! read more

Lovely spot for a bakery with a beautiful interior. Sadly a little inconsistent in quality. I've had terrifically buttery croissants here possessing lovely and flakey texture but also exceedingly mediocre pastries lacking in texture and flavor. I love the owner and wish they would do better. read more

You get what you ask for coming here. Crowded. Decent coffee, decent food after you wait 30-40 minutes.

Stopped by this morning and had an Americano. My wife and I want to open a coffee shop so we are very particular with our coffee. This place has good coffee and helpful staff. read more

The food is very delicious and the people are so friendly! this is my favorite coffee shop in Sierra Madre.

Syndicate is without a doubt one of my new favorite coffee shops! I go to sleep dreaming of a Honey Latte so I think it is safe to say, I am an addict! Everyone I have taken here is also now a Syndicate addict. Pros: The coffee is truly to die for. It is so smooth that you can almost chug it (I pretty much did chug my first Honey Latte). I also am obsessed with their pastries. I have tried a bunch of them and every one has been truly phenomenal - you cannot go wrong! Cons: Sadly... tragically... they open at 7AM weekdays and are CLOSED ON MONDAYS!!! I start work at 7AM so I rarely make it here in weekdays - AKA the days I need coffee the most. Also, there is hardly any seating so it is not really a place to go and hangout. Tips: Don't go on Monday (yet) as you will be so sad and disappointed to find they are closed. Parking is tricky but there is a big lot down Baldwin near the post office and there is also a large lot behind Taylors Meat Market. read more

While the Syndicate does everything well, today's discovery bears mentioning. Check out the Bee's Knees scones-- absolutely delicious. Scones flavored with lavender and honey: exquisite. So crumbly-- just perfect! read more

I've honestly never been to a coffee shop that takes as long as this place does lol I am local and live 2 blocks away and everytime I come in there's only one person making coffee. The person making the coffee normally goes as slow as a sloth.. not just one of them, all of them. The coffee is good but not worth the wait so I always end up going to JPG coffee a block away. read more

Plenty of cute and tasty pastries to choose from, but the Americano I got was just okay. The place is small, cute, and relaxing, with 2 tables inside that have outlets that you could study at if the tables aren't being occupied. read more

Wow!! Best coffee and pastries anywhere (and there's a Starbucks across the street and Poppy cake one minute from my office). *** NOTE: You MUST go in and try their Jalapeno and Cheddar Scones!! Oh-me-oh-my!!! I'm there on a daily (sometimes twice) just to grab that scone...NO LIE! They have this almond cookie with a chewy apricot center that is heavenly! Syndicate has some Vegan and Gluten Free pastries, so there's a little something for everyone. They will handcraft any kind of drink you like into a decaf version, and they put a cool design on EVERY drink - even if it's in a to-go cup. The barista mentioned that she wants to make sure that all of the drinks are treated with they same love and attention, so even if you're on the run, your coffee will look just as pretty as the ones served in the big ceramic mugs. Service is GREAT! Such friendly and helpful staff too! Oh! And they open at 6:30 a.m, and are beginning their happy hour promos! So don't miss out! read more

Great little coffee shop! Slayer machine is cool for espresso geeks! So nice to see Alex take over good coffee in the area!

Introduction: I happen to stumble upon Syndicate while driving past it during my search for parking. I decide to give the establishment a try because I need a break and alternative from my usual spot, Bean Town. In total I have visited the place three times because of the quality of their pastries, services, and ambiance. Food: Butter croissant: It is hard to find a good croissant that is legitimate; many establishments either don't use enough butter or worse, they use margarine instead of butter in making the croissants. One can tell if a croissant is properly made by the number of layering/sheets that are found on the croissant. I have spoken with a French baker once and according to him, every time the dough is folded [in pastry term it's called "turning"], three to four sheets/layering are produced. The dough of real croissants is folded at least three to four times thereby creating the many layering that's found on an authentic croissant. If a croissant were made with margarine, it'll be easy to tell because the croissant will not smell like butter and it's devoid of flavor. In addition, croissants made with margarine tend to leave an aftertaste resembling plastic in one's palate: it's disgusting. The butter croissant at Syndicate is legitimate: it bears sufficient layering, it's flaky, and it's made with adequate amount of butter. One knows this because it's hard to eat two all-butter croissants in a row. Ham and cheese croissant: I like the ham and cheese croissant here; at Poppy Cake Baking Company their ham and cheese croissant incorporate dijon and unfortunately it interferes with the taste and flavors of the ham and cheese. At Syndicate their ham and cheese croissant is simple, rich, savory, filling, and well-done. Espresso chocolate cupcake: When it comes to chocolate cakes I don't like the light or weak stuff: I want the chocolate to bear the color of darkness and when I bite into and swallow it, I want the chocolate sugar rush to hit me in the head. The espresso chocolate cupcake here fulfills both criteria. The texture is moist and goes great with their espresso. Advice: ever thought about infusing Guinness chocolate stout into the cupcakes ? Drink: Espresso: I have had their espresso three times and each time it tastes different. This shows depending on the barista, the quality of the espresso is not consistent. The first time the espresso is the best experience out of the three: it's smooth with no bitterness and little acidity. The second time the acidity is stronger. The third time the espresso tastes very acidic to the point it's almost bitter. A good espresso should be smooth and bears a tang in terms of aftertaste; the tang I am speaking about is the tang one gets while biting into an orange. An espresso that's acidic means it has gone past the tang spectrum in terms of taste. It takes skill to make a good cup of espresso which is why I usually get it to test the quality of a coffee shop. In order to make a good espresso, the beans should be arabica beans vs robusta. In addition, the barista needs to know how to work with the machine as well as the beans he's given. Ceremonial Matcha: The ceremonial matcha is good. One can taste the grassiness, richness, and depth of the matcha. Unlike other establishments, Syndicate does not dilute their matcha with excessive amount of water. Syndicate is one of the few places that offers ceremonial grade matcha; the other locations being Maru Coffee in Los Feliz and Tea Master Matcha Café and Green Tea Shop in Little Tokyo. Ambiance: Quiet and contemporary in its décor. Service: From the staffs to the proprietor/manager everyone is upbeat, pleasant, and polite. Price: The price here is reasonable considering everything is made fresh and the culinary execution is on point. read more

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I really like this newish coffee spot in Sierra Madre. Great space, nice indoor/ outdoor seating options and the honey latte is really, really good. I thought the staff was exceptionally nice and welcoming. I would just suggest that they invest in a small toaster oven or something where some of the savory pastries can be warmed up. Cold ham and cheese isn't the greatest. Perhaps there is a larger reason for this? Definitely recommend! read more

I live in the area, grew up here, and it's so refreshing to have a legit option for coffee. A few other cafes have popped up, too, but when I was growing up, we had two options: Starbucks and one other place that was mostly only good for the ambiance. This is by far the best cafe in downtown Sierra Madre these days. Syndicate has super friendly employees, delicious pastries and desserts and they also hold the key to my heart: Oatly. read more

Best Morning Bun in town! Plus excellent coffee beverages and other baked goods. A favorite stop whenever I'm cycling through Sierra Madre, or want to share a mid-day treat with my wife. Sidewalk tables under the trees are a particularly nice place to enjoy the small town atmosphere while sipping and snacking. read more

Syndicate - Chocolate chip cookie and a breve latte. Life is good! - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

Wonderful coffee and food! Found this place while driving through the neighborhood. Exactly what we were looking for.

After passing by this place a couple of times I thought I'd give it a try one day. Unfortunately, it was my first and last time coming here. I originally wanted to order a pastry with my coffee but as I was looking at the selection I saw a fly on one of the bakery items. I should've taken that as a sign to leave. Anyways, I place my order for a iced plain jane and a iced coconut head. As I wait patiently for my drinks, I start to notice customers that ordered after me got their drinks almost instantly. About 10 minutes have passed and I was the ONLY person in the coffee shop waiting. The baristas didn't even bother to ask if I was waiting for anything instead they just chatted with each other. It wasn't until I went up the the cashier to tell her I haven't gotten my drinks. Less than a minute later my drinks are rushed and ready. The plain jane was ok, but the coconut head didn't have ANY coconut flavor. What a disappointment. read more

TBH the main reasons I go to coffee shops is 1. Enjoy a beautiful design in my latte 2. People watch 3. Journal in a chill atmosphere. Syndicate has checked off all of these boxes for me. Thank you for the beautiful latte designs every time. read more

Syndicate - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

Wow! Amazing place. My wife has been trying to get me to drink coffee for 4 years and I never could get into it - just didn't like the taste. Out of the dozens of cups she had me try I only liked 3 or 4 (cappuccinos). Apparently I have a "super snobby" coffee pallet. Needless to say I was a little precarious when the barista Erin took up the challenge to make me a cup I would like in early December 2019... but I liked it!! And I've been hooked XD My wife and I have since made it a tradition to come every weekend for their delicious cappuccino delicacies. They've also got an AMAZING little bakery there. My wife is gluten free and their gluten free brownies are fantastic! (Even compared to regular brownies). I tried the Cinnamon buns today as well- mm! Delicious. They put a hint of citrus in it and it really rounded out the flavor read more

Came to Syndicate and fell in love with it! Drove 40 minutes to come in the following day (NYE) and get some more coffee. Arrived before they closed early at 1pm. After standing in line for a couple of minutes they told us we had to leave because they closed even though we were in line before 1pm. What's worse is that they let a ton of people stay in line who were also there before they "closed" ... great coffee can't overcome bad treatment. Do better. read more

Went here last week for the matcha. It wasn't bad! It's not sweet and they have their own vanilla flavor. The wait was kinda long on a Saturday rainy morning read more

Love their iced coffee! I've been here a few times and only one time the coffee was a miss. Every other time the coffee has been creamy and just sweet enough Their pastries are delicious as well! read more

We are staying at City of Hope for treatments and we are checking out coffee places in nearby towns. This coffee place does not have a lot of vegan options. Even their mocha latte is not vegan. We ordered a lavender latte and it was delicious. read more

I came in this morning to grab a coffee (first time here) I was greeted by I believe the owner not sure though. He was very friendly and described all his special drinks that they make from scratch. I loved my drink it was amazing couldn't complain and the hint of sea salt at the end for sure really perfected this coffee. I will be for sure coming very often as I love the vibes of the staff and the coffee is amazing. Thank you Andrew and I am assuming owner ( I didn't catch your name sorry.....) I highly recommend! read more

Syndicate - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

The very best chocolate croissant I have had the pleasure of eating . Fresh, soft and flakey! They bake in house and replenish everyday so pastries are always fresh. Also, a delicious Matcha Latte made with oat milk, which enhances the matcha. And a very well made chai latte with oat milk. The atmosphere is open and full of natural light. The staff is very welcoming and attentive. They also have outdoor seating which I love so I can bring my dog along. read more

Syndicate - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

The baristas here all know the coffee and how to make it well, and their suggestions are always helpful when deciding what to get. The location is quiet and peaceful, and I feel like I can sit comfortably and enjoy my morning here. But most outstanding of all are the pastries. They are unbelievably amazing. Every time I go in, I feel like I see them making new batches of things. The first time I went, my mom and I had the ricotta peach pastry and looked at each other wide-eyed and laughed because it was so amazing. Can't go wrong with any baked good here, so don't let yourself walk out without at least one. read more

Syndicate - Raspberry cream danish and latte with almond milk. - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

Decent coffee, no restrooms for paying customers. They tell you to go to Starbucks. Not really an acceptable option after you have ordered a 40 dollar meal. read more

This coffee shop is located in downtown Sierra Madre. It's pretty busy in the mornings on the weekends! I had the opportunity to try the Carmel latte hot, it was pretty good. It's a nice place to meet up with a friend or loved one and chat. If your looking to grab a quick coffee and have a coffee date. It's a good location for that. read more

I ordered their Coconut head coffee & their new chocolate vegan muffin. I'm Obsessed.

Scones are absolutely amazing! So was the peach morning bun! Definite must try. Not a quick stop, so make sure you aren't in a rush.

Best nitro cold brew I've ever had. I drive to Sierra Madre from Glendale specifically for Syndicate. The prices are a little higher than most places, but the quality is worth it. The owner is a great dude too who has a really nice staff. read more

The baked goods are very hit or miss. It is often the case that they are underbaked, so you have the chance of biting into raw dough if you choose wrong. When they are baked through, every pastry is delicious. The espresso is good too, but their drip coffee is not very good. I would rate this place higher, but I just had the strangest experience here. We've all had the misfortune of accidentally spilling a drink - you immediately start to clean it up and usually someone who works at the establishment will come over to help with cleaning supplies, often telling you not to worry about it and that they will replace your drink. I spilled my drink at my table here (accidentally of course), and none of the five employees came over to help me or said anything at all about it - despite it being very quiet with almost no customers. I got down on my hands and knees to clean it - using a ton of napkins. I realized I'd need something better to clean the last of it off the floor or it would be sticky, so I went up and explained that I spilled my drink, and asked if there was anything I could use to wipe it up. The barista replied, "Oh, yeah... here." And handed me a dirty wet rag. He didn't tell anyone else, and none of the employees made any move to help me. They just stared at me wiping their floor. No offer for a replacement, no kinds words to make me feel better about the whole thing - nothing. And the store was very quiet - hardly anybody in there. The staff watched the whole thing. I've never experienced something like that before. Now I'd like to clarify some points: I'm a semi- regular here (come once every couple weeks or so). I make a point of being polite to everyone in the service industry and treating people with courtesy and respect. I also understand that this place may be seen as a "small business" and profits matter a lot, so free food and drinks can't just be handed out easily. But the only words I can use to describe the whole experience are "ungracious" and "unfriendly". If I ever treated a customer this way at my own work, I would have been scolded for sure. It certainly made me feel awful. It's really too bad, but I don't know how I'll feel coming here anymore. Especially considering they are on the more expensive side of coffee. I hope this review is seen in the light it's meant - not to villainize anyone, but for the business to consider their customer service and improve. I've heard other people call this place unfriendly before, but didn't experience it until today. read more

Delicious baked goods! Came here a couple weekends ago and got various kinds of croissants, a morning bun, and a cookie. They were all very good. The croissants were of the style where it was crispy/crackly on the outside but soft on the inside if that's the type you're craving (vs. crispy everywhere). My family devoured them! Unfortunately I had some issues with the customer service. I'm all for supporting small businesses so I was debating whether to say anything about this, but this kept bothering me and hoping it helps the business to know of any issues with customer service. While I was ordering I asked which seasonal drinks the cashier recommended and she turned to the person making drinks and asked if everything was in stock. She said yes. After hearing the cashier's recommendations I ordered The Tourist (in addition to the Lavender Lemonade which was tasty and pretty!) and specifically got the Tourist because the sign that is next to the cashier lists one of the ingredients as ginger beer, which I was in the mood for. I watched the staff member make my drinks while I stood nearby. When they were ready, she called my name, and then told me at the counter that the Tourist drink is a little different today. That they ran out of ginger beer so she used just tonic instead and if I didn't like it to let her know. I was surprised she was just letting me know at that point, and disappointed to not get a drink with ginger beer, but thought I'd be open minded in case maybe it was good. Since masks have to be worn inside (understandably) I went outside and took a sip after putting down my box of baked goods. I'm sorry to say, the drink was not good. It was overly bitter due to not having ginger beer to sweeten it. I looked back into Syndicate to let them know, but there was a long line and they were fulfilling a big drinks order. I contemplated going back in but that would mean I would have to wait to get assistance and I had young kids waiting for me and was on time crunch. I thought this through wondering if this was okay since at least she said to let her know if I didn't like it...but despite that offer, I don't think the work and time should be put on me to try a drink I didn't order and have it be changed/refunded. There were two instances where she could've mentioned they ran out of ginger beer: 1) when the cashier asked her if everything was in stock; and 2) when she was making the drink (if she didn't realize before they were out of ginger beer), she could've called my name and told me, asking if I was okay with that or if I wanted a different drink. For her to executively decide that she is going to make the drink different than what was clearly advertised on the sign and then put the work on me to drink it and let her know and wait more is not good customer service. I should've got what I ordered, and if they didn't have all the ingredients in stock, she should've told me as soon as she realized and checked if that was okay. I know this is just one staff member's actions and doesn't necessarily reflect on the whole business, but I felt it was worth a mention in case it is something that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, I would be happy to come back and try more of their baked goods and their coffee if I don't encounter any such an issue with their service. Thanks for your time. read more

Went to syndicate last weekend and it was excellent. Delicious food and great coffee. Went back again today, ordered the same breakfast sandwich on a croissant that I got last weekend. I don't know what happened this time around but my $12 sandwich was depressing as hell. On the plus side, my coffee was still good. read more

Syndicate - Sad. - Bakeries Near Me - Sierra Madre, California

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I wanted to love this place, my first experience was amazing. My second time I waited for 30 min and now my third and last time the drinks just taste like milk. No flavor. Totally different than my first time. I'm sad. I really wanted a delicious coffee. read more

Delicious! I had an iced latte'...it was the most delicious one I ever had! The gluten free brownie and cinnamon roll were out of this world! They offered little samples of the lemon pound cake! Omg! To die for! I will be back to try the blueberry muffins and the croissants. They are still in their soft opening so they have limited furniture right now. read more

Great little coffee shop - nice decor, cool vibes, great coffee and amazing chocolate croissants! Also the team are friendly which makes coming here a nice little break. Keep up the great job Syndicate! read more