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    Absolute Bagels

    4.3 (1.9k reviews)
    ModerateBakeries, Bagels
    Closed 6:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    Recommended Reviews - Absolute Bagels

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    Justin S.

    It says "2788 Bagels" outside, and used to be called Absolute Bagels, and on Google it's called "New Absolute Bagels", so I'm not quite sure what this place is called now. But what I am sure about is that the bagels themselves are pretty good and the cream cheese and lox are exceptional. Put all of that on a sandwich together (e.g. order the nova and plain cream cheese and add everything), and you've got an extremely solid bagel sandwich. The staff are extremely friendly and patient, and the updated interior is beautiful. I don't think it's the best bagel in NYC but it's really good and I'd eat it again.

    Tomato basil cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel
    Tamara L.

    WELCOME BACK! Your long awaited return was well worth the wait! The bagel was fresh and pillowy. The basically tomato cream cheese was amazing. The basil was potent and the tomato balanced really well. Will be back! And glad they take card now too! Now if only they had seating...

    Egg and cheese on everything
    Udochi M.

    Popped in during an early Sunday Morning and some things never change. The long lines for bagels are back, so I was eager to see if absolute bagels still stood tall as the best bagels in the uws. The shop is definitely so updated from how it used to be, but unfortunately the bagels don't taste as good and flavorful. Not bad at all, just not the wow that I used to get every time. And at that point you might as well consider going to their competitor a few blocks away for quicker lines and an even cheaper bagel. Regardless i'm glad that they were able to come back to the neighborhood!

    Receipt

    Absolute Bagels is GONE or under new ownership. This is a new bagel shop called 2788 Bagels. The bagels were delish and were served warm. I ordered 2 plain, 1 cinnamon bagel and a side of peanut butter. When I looked in the bag, I found cream cheese. I went back to the register but the workers did not speak English. I gave up and left.

    Bacon egg cheese
    Ange C.

    If there's a line out the door, I'm going to be curious and want to see what's happening! Naturally, busy weekday morning with students, professors, general public waiting in line. It's cash only so have some green on you: I ordered an everything bagel with bacon egg and cheese. The bagel had a good little crunch but nice and soft. I like how the egg was cooked, square.

    Sesame bagel with strawberry cream cheese (left), everything bagel with scallion cream cheese (right)
    Sophia Y.

    Whenever my partner is in NYC, we always stop at this bagel shop--it's been his favorite for decades, and I can see why! This place has that cozy, Asian mom-and-pop vibes. The bagels are soft, chewy and flavorful, with none of that bitter taste you sometimes get from over-proofed dough. The cream cheese is top-notch and made fresh in-house. You can even see big chunks of strawberry in the strawberry cream cheese. And they don't skimp on the filling! Our go-to orders are the sesame bagel with strawberry cream cheese, and the everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. And, yes, the lines are often long, but if you go after 10:30 am on a weekday, you're golden. Cash only.

    Outside
    Jeffrey T.

    This is a cute little hole in the wall type bagel place. Gave off very mom and pop vibes. The bagel came out crispy and chewy without needing to toast it. The scallion cream cheese was lit very oniony but still a good spread and good value bagel. I think they were cash only and the staff was all very friendly and welcoming. The egg bagel was also really good with a slightly sweet flavor and chewy texture. I think this one would be great to take home for sandwiches and flavored spreads.

    Hillary P.

    Located on the north end of Central Park. Prepare to wait in line and don't expect much organization once you get in the door. We waited in line about 40 minutes outside on the sidewalk as we are on the mission. Seems like sheer chaos behind the counter once we got inside and it's a bit difficult to place orders through the plexiglass. Make sure you have your cash as there are no credit cards taken at this business, which does make it less expensive, but there are also no ATMs on the premises to accommodate the situation. There are also no tables or chairs on the premises so everything is to go. Honestly, I was expecting a lot more from this business based on the reviews of the bagels. We have been on a tour of a number of bagel shops throughout the city and try to different every morning. This one while good, was not great. The shop was actually a little shabby and they really wasn't sure how the bill was calculated because everything is done on a notepad behind the counter. Bottom line, cheaper, but, not very clean, not very good, l and not worth the wait. Sorry, Ess and Russ are both way better.

    Jenny Z.

    Came on a Sunday at noon and the wait was only around 10-15 minutes. They are a cash only shop with no seating inside, but the service is fast and the people are really nice! Was fun to take to central park to eat since it is really close byz. Got lox and cream cheese on an everything bagel, toasted, and paid an extra $3.65 for tomatoes, lettuce and onions. Paid in total $16, which is not too bad, but the bagel itself is definitely on the smaller side. The bagel was delicious though! The bagel was VERY toasted for sure and almost crunchy if you like that, and the veggies added a nice touch of freshness to the bagel. Only wish the bagel was seasoned a bit more, but loved it!

    Was so excited that Absolute reopened! We went last week & honestly the bagels are not the same. They are sort of flat with the top being a bit twisted & the bottom very dark. We purchased 4 to go. So we didn't notice this till we got home. The taste was fine but they do t look the same. I may try again.

    plain on everything
    David Y.

    I swung by Absolute Bagels after seeing it on list after list of top bagel places. And I quite agree with those assessments. I got an everything bagel with plain cream cheese, which I really enjoyed. It was simple, but that allowed the quality of the bagel and filling to shine. This was the most flavorful bagel I've ever had, with just the right amount of chewiness to boot. As a visitor, I think this is the perfect place to start a day in NYC, from the variety of freshly made bagels down to the gruff service (I was lightly scolded for not being quick enough at one point, haha). You won't regret it!

    Outside front, short 15 minute wait on a Saturday 10:30 AM 9.0/10
    Jennifer H.

    9.0/10 Finally tried New York-style bagels at Absolute Bagels and I can confidently say that these are absolutely the best bagels I've ever had. J. Kenji Lopez-Alt raves about this spot, so it was a must-visit during my stay from Orange County. My boyfriend and I got: Blueberry Cream Cheese on Egg Bagel $5.50 | Bacon & Eggs on Everything Bagel $6.95 Cheese +50¢ | Toasted +10¢ Each. Both were amazing, couldn't pick a favorite. I'm a bit ashamed to say that all the many times I've visited New York, this was my first time trying NY bagels from the place itself. Their bagels have a thin, shiny, crackly crust. When you bite into it, it's dense and chewy but tender and easy to bite through, the perfect texture. The Egg Bagel was amazing and Blueberry Cream Cheese was rich and fruity. The Everything Bagel was a flavor bomb with its malty base and generous toppings. The bacon, eggs and cheese inside complemented the bagel well. These might be some of the best eggs I've ever had, never seen something like this inside a bagel or sandwich before. They're possibly scrambled and then baked or steamed, which reminded me of Korean steamed eggs (gyeran-jjim). I learned that a quality bagel shouldn't need toasting; its freshness should ensure crispness and chewiness. Next time, I'll resist the urge to toast and enjoy them in their pure form. The bagels are huge, I saved half for the next day, while my boyfriend managed to devour his in one go. These are better than any bagel I've ever had in Socal, but maybe I haven't had that many. The only other bagel I had time to try was Bagel co in North Bergen, NJ and these were so much better. I wish I could find bagels like these in LA OC. Though I didn't spot any specific sustainability practices or see mention of them, I hope Absolute Bagels considers eco-friendly initiatives in the future. They're located on a main busy street in Manhattan Valley, Upper West Side. I took the train and walked a few blocks to get here. If you drive here, I'm not too sure about parking but looks like there's just paid metered street parking. The interior is casual, no-frills, small, no inside or outside seating, just a grab-and-go type of spot, a hole in the wall. Service efficient, albeit minimal. Being cash-only, there's a Chase Bank nearby for convenience. I came on a Saturday around 10:30 AM and was surprised by the short wait time, only 15 minutes. They open early for the breakfast crowd. Prices are reasonable, especially given the quality and big portions.

    David Y.

    Came here on Sunday afternoon. Found this place through Yelp, saw reviews and pictures and decided to give this place a shot. There was no line luckily and placed my order in front of the bagel spread. I ended up getting an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese with bacon. My friend ended up getting an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. The total came to $16 and some change.. bagel with scallion cream cheese was $5.50ish.. so adding bacon with scallion cream cheese bagel is close to $10.. bagel was good. Solid bagel spot. * Cash only

    Sausage, Egg, and Cheese on Everything Bagel

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    3 months ago

    The best bagels in Manhattan are once again available at Absolute..welcome back. It was worth the wait. The new store is beautiful.

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    3 months ago

    Screwed up my order, bagel itself pretty average in my opinion. Cream cheese nothing special either.

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    Page 1 of 49

    Absolute Bagels Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Absolute Bagels

    How much for a dozen bagels?

    $21 for a baker's dozen. Cash only.

    Do you ship to California?

    Yes they ship.

    What percentage of whole wheat flour is used in the whole wheat bagel? Asking for someone with dietary restrictions.

    Is absolute open on thanksgiving day?

    How much is it for just a bagel no cream cheese or anything?

    $1.5

    Is there an end of day discount?

    No end of day discount.

    Are their bagels eggless?

    nope

    Is Absolute Bagels open on Christmas day?

    They've been open on Christmas Day previously, so it's very likely they'll be open again this year.

    When is the bagel served to? one time I went in the evening and they said it's not served then

    They serve throughout the day but since they are made fresh daily if you get there late they maybe sold out. So, try to get there earlier in the day.

    View All 14 Questions

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    Salswee - Mushroom, Banana &Cloud pastry

    Salswee

    4.3(408 reviews)
    4.4 miFlatiron

    I feel like I bought a truly ridiculous amount of petit gateaus here to try out and share with…read morefriends and we wound up enjoying most of them, some enough to buy twice. Went to the Flatiron store both times and didn't have to wait long to order. The staff were great and packed all of the little cakes nicely so that they survived the trek back to our condo. Mango--all around favorite, wound up buying like 4 of these cause half my friends preferred it and I liked it a surprising amount Blueberry--very mild, no tartness, not too sweet with good blueberry flavor Orange--fresh and orangey in the middle, loved this one Pear--reminds me of cinnamon apples (I guess this was cinnamon pears), which isn't my favorite flavor but others enjoyed Banana--made me sad cause I LOVE banana flavored stuff and this just... wasn't? It had old tasting banana paste in the middle assuming because it's real banana and not artificial, is tiny, and didn't taste good Yuzu--nice yuzu flavor and disappeared fast Cloud--forgot the actual name and apparently didn't take a picture, it had chocolate/hazelnut mousse with some sort of caramel and something crunchy, also delicious All of the petit gateaus were on the mild side which is a big plus for me. Appearance was top notch and the balance of cream to filling on point. I'd like to try some of the other pastries next time for sure.

    Bread treats were decent not too different from other bakeries. The fruit and mushroom cakes were…read moredelicious, I enjoyed a lot more than I expected. Not too sweet and a good balance. Not too sure if I would say it's a must stop at but it's a great choice if you've never had these type of desserts before. The inside doesn't have many tables and it was pretty busy when I went, so I wouldn't expect to get a seat every time you come here.

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    Mushroom and Yuzu

    Salswee - Mont Blanc, so good.

    Mont Blanc, so good.

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    Daily Provisions - Union Square - Donut. IG: @_emwong_

    Daily Provisions - Union Square

    4.3(673 reviews)
    4.6 miGramercy, Flatiron
    $$

    Great coffee and sandwiches. Small space for eating but it's fast and simple…read more Really good sausage egg and cheese. Their baked goods are also top notch, but could use more sugar. Their house made hot sauce is delish!

    Sometimes a plain, room temperature English muffin is not going to do it for breakfast. Today was…read moreone of those days that I need subsistence to get me through the morning. Something with eggs, and meat, and a hot beverage as winter is fast approaching. Anything else would do fine, but the first two were an absolute must. Daily Provisions fulfilled those obligations. Though pricey, and probably why I will not return, they make one tasty breakfast sandwich. It might even outdo Panera! If only I could see how it is made rather than just wrapped and packaged for me, with me assuming they just took a pre-packaged sandwich and heated it up. I really hope they do not do that. The taste of it tells me they do not, but I have to surmise. I also got a hot chocolate, which is super rich. It is not super hot, but if you are not careful you could have an accident on the sidewalk because of the milk they use. Drink it slow and steady. Or pace yourself between sips. Do not let the body recognize this is full of the things that make bowel movements happen. Thankfully, I held my ground. They also sell crullers. I love a good cruller. Choux pastry donuts full of rich flavor, without all the density of an actual donut. This one may be too rich. It is also quite expensive. Nearby Donut Pub does a better job with them. I had to be careful eating this. Being careful and knowing how much it cost to get a breakfast here are what keep it a three star review. However, their offerings will keep you out of the cold and give you strengths on days you need to be picked up.

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    Daily Provisions - Union Square - Baked treats display

    Baked treats display

    Daily Provisions - Union Square - Cinnamon cruller

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    Exterior

    Levain Bakery - Levain Bakery Flatiron interior showcasing cookie menu, drinks, fresh-baked goods, and branded merchandise on wooden shelves.

    Levain Bakery

    4.4(146 reviews)
    4.6 miFlatiron

    I ordered ahead of time since there was a bit of a line and the store was on the smaller side. Got…read moremy cookie right away when I came into pick it up. Guys... I will say that I didn't think I would like this cookie at all since usually I like thinner crunchier cookies. But holy cow!! I was blown away by the crispy edges and the interior wasn't too soft gooey either. The chocolate and walnuts added to the cookie enhanced the flavor even more! For such a big cookie the middle was cooked perfectly. Very chunky and sizable cookie too so I ate it throughout the day rather than one sitting!!

    The service was excellent; everyone in there was so friendly! I got to warm up a few of the cookies…read moreI ordered and WOW. They are on the thicker side yet so incredibly soft on the inside and have a perfect crisp on the outer edges, top, and bottom!! Demitri was so kind and accommodated for my complicated and long order! I definitely recommend the Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie, it was so rich in flavor! The Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie was not too sweet as the walnuts were the perfect balance! I think this is for people who are not too big on chocolate chips in their cookie. The Coconut Caramel cookie reminded me of a Samoa! You can taste all the coconut in the cookie and it was delicious! The Sticky Bun was so soft as well! 10/10!

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    Levain Bakery - Close-up of Levain Bakery's iconic cookies, rolls, and pastries in a glass counter at the Flatiron location.

    Close-up of Levain Bakery's iconic cookies, rolls, and pastries in a glass counter at the Flatiron location.

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    Black and White Cookie

    Absolute Bagels - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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