What's better than a warm, toasty, perfectly chewy bagel on a chilly winter morning?! Nothing... nothing is better! :) Having heard rave reviews of Boichik from my girlfriends, I was thrilled to check them out myself! Came by on a Friday morning around 9:30a and was greeted by a manageable line out the bagel shop door. A short 5 min wait later, and I had ordered my everything bagel sandwich with garlic and artichoke schmear and ALL the veggies. Another quick 5 min later, and I was seated at the outdoor seating devouring what could possibly be described as the best bagel sandwich I have eaten to date! While the bagel itself is smaller than say Noah's, it is actually a very appropriate portion. The consistency of the dough was perfect, and the seasoning... DIVINE! No doubt, I'll be back! read more

Boichik Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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NYT said they have the BEST BAGELS in the country. I had much better bagels in NY but I would say they are pretty good for California. I drove 60 minutes up to Berkeley to have these but I won't say it's worth the drive. It's good but not worth the entire drive. I love the fact that they have the coffee cups that we used to get in NYC at the food trucks (don't get them anywhere else). read more

Among the very best bagels I've ever had. Welcome Boichik!! The lit BAGELS sign in the window means fresh bagels. I raced in and was greeted by a warm everything bagel possessing all the right textures you hope for in a bagel. Solid addition the the neighborhood. Can't wait to return once you're officially open! read more

Boichik Bagels - Partially eaten everything bagel. Couldn't wait! - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

Tried this place because of the NY Times article. Definitely a good bagel! A bit pricy but it is the Bay Area. They also had some adorable merchandise for sale. This place was super busy! We waited in line for about 90 minutes and we arrived at the place around 10am but it moved along fine. The cashier was very nice and funny. read more

Boichik Bagels - Plain bagel with plain cream cheese - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I guess I'm the voice of dissension. Grew up on NY bagels. My family had a bagel bakery. I've baked NY bagels in a commercial bakery, oven. My favorite is an egg bagel. I've heard about Boichik for years. Egg bagels are difficult to find in Bay Area... many places don't make them. That's why I tried Boichik Service was excellent. Convenient parking, not a long line when I went. I only tried 1/2 dozen egg bagels. Good color, good size. But not great taste or texture. Kind of crumbly. A little odd or sour tasting. They weren't terrible or inedible.. they just weren't very good. Egg bagels are a different dough. I will return and try regular bagels, like plain or sesame seed. Maybe they do a better job on those. read more

OMG, I love the bagel and cream cheese here, which makes it REALLY good as I hate most cream cheese spreads. We got here at 11:30 and was hoping that there were still everything bagels. It is a small shop (mostly kitchen space), but the bagels...so good. The line moves relatively quickly and for $3/each or $24 for a dozen, this place must be busy all the time. We got 2 everything, a salted and a plain togo along with a everything's with plain cream cheese. Also grabbed some egg salad and salmon lox (14.99). Everything was super tasty and worth the trip from Berkeley marina. read more

The best bagels I've ever had! You know they're good when you can eat them without toasting them. I advise everyone to pre-order. There's always a line here and you risk them being sold out of your favorite option by the time it's your turn. read more

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Boichik Bagels is good but not stand in line for an hour good. I would highly recommend ordering ahead of time, even if pick up is a few weeks out! That's what we did and it was way more enjoyable eating our bagels picking up at the front of the line than waiting around the block! It would be nice if they made bagel sandwiches but Boichik only offers bagels as is and you should eat them the day of! You can also buy cream cheese on the side, too. read more

"There are now good bagels in California!" That's a bold claim indeed, but Boichik Bagels in Berkeley definitely backs it up with their super chewy NY-style bagels! These are some of the best bagels I've had in the Bay Area--though this place gets busy, the service is super quick, and there's a nice variety of bagel and cream cheese flavors! On my visit, I tried the cinnamon raisin with plain cream cheese and the uniquely-named "Pumperthingel" (pumpernickel with everything topping) with roasted garlic & artichoke cream cheese, and both of these had the perfect consistency and density! The bagels are on the smaller side but come at a fairly hefty price tag ($3 a piece)--nevertheless, this place is definitely worth trying out, as it's as close as you can get to NY bagels without hopping on a plane! read more

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I had the everything bagel with lox spread, very nice. It's a nice chewy bagel, similar to those found in NYC but not quite as good. Line moved quickly, bought four plain for home. Tasty! read more

Great tasting - not "bready" like so many other bagel establishments.

Got toasted sesame with chive cream cheese, lox, tomato, and cucumber. A delish bagel sandwich, but it did NOT need to be 16 dollars....

Pretty much as advertised and appropriately hyped. It's a perfect bagel. The lox, cream cheese, veggies, etc are all spot on. There was a pretty long line on a Sunday, but from the time I got in line to actually getting my three-bagel order was around 10 minutes. Can't beat that. Highly recommend. read more

Boichik Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

The bagels are tasty but overpriced. I've had comparable or better bagels at much cheaper places

I love this place, pricy but worth it. I especially love the pumpernickel salt Caraway bagel. The pink label cream cheese is buttery and I liked the egg salad, though not seasoned, very plain. read more

The seasonal chili olive cream cheese might be the best thing I've every tasted!!! I will change my review to one star if it ever gets taken off the menu read more

Everybody in NYC was big mad when The NY Times said this place had the best bagels in the country, so obviously that kind of hype and controversy needs to be investigated. It's .., not cheap, but then again it's fancy location in Rockridge could've told you that. Coming from downtown, that neighborhood has an almost eerie Stepford wife vibe BUT I DIGRESS. I got 6 different bagels to taste a good range, including the extremely delicious "eggything" which is exactly what it sounds like: egg + everything. All the flavors I got (pumpernickel, egg, salt, eggything, Pumperthingel, everything) were delish when fresh, and I probably could have easily eaten all of them in one sitting if I didn't have witnesses who would be horrified. I'd definitely get some again, especially when my NY friends come to town, so they can enjoy a good kvetch. read more

Easily the best bagels I've had in...ever. I don't know if I'm qualified to comment on the NY-ness of these goods, but they are delicious! They are chewy with just the right amount of crisp vs give on the outside, and fabulous flavor throughout. I tried every bagel flavor - honestly, I can't choose a favorite bc they are so good. I can say, don't miss out on the pumpernickel flavors with that scallion cream cheese. The cream cheese - even just the plain stuff - it's so good!!! What is this magic? You know the kind of food that just sort of hugs you and makes you feel loved? That's these bagels. And we all need a little of that, right now. read more

Bagels and all the varieties of cream cheese are amazing and I don't even mind standing in line, BUT I'm giving three stars because I am so sick and tired or anyone ringing you up, but especially that one older lady (and I say this being a middle aged woman myself) yelling out: "DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE A TIP?!" 1) it's rude 2) it's awkward 3) if i want to leave a tip, i'll leave a tip. yelling it in front of everyone and guilting you into it SUCKS. SO RUDE AND AWKWARD (yes, redundant on points 1 and 2)/ Your bagels are great, but they're not inexpensive. I hate being guilted into tipping and I think you should think twice about almost shaming people into paying even more for your product in the form of a tip. IT'S RUDE, AWKWARD and SUPER LAME. read more

I ordered a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and Nova Lox. Overall it's ok but doesn't standout. The bagel doesn't feel like toasted to me, so maybe I should order it in dark toasted next time. There was a long line in front of the shop and it moved pretty fast. They offer take away only and the food was put on a table in front of the shop when ready. read more

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These bagels are... fine. They are really nothing special and definitely not like New York bagels. The only redeeming thing I can think is that the bagels themselves are kosher, although the sandwiches and spreads are not. But overall these are average bagels that are not worth the hype or price. read more

So I'm still grappling with the decision that led to my spending 37$ on three bagel sandwiches. Granted, the classic everything bagel had tons of lox in it so I'm feeling a little better about that but still. 37$. The last time I had a bagel that cost that much was in NYC at Russ and Daughters and *that* was a righteous bagel. They don't take same day orders, don't care if you've never been here as your indecisive self tries to leisurely peruse the menu--be prepared to know your order and get out of the insane line. Yes, even at an hour before closing, lines are long. read more

Oh, Boichik, how we loved you... But, sadly, you have declined in quality as of late. Your bagels are no longer soft and fluffy and warm, but hard and hollow and sad. We miss your old ways. read more

As a Jew - I am an expert on all topics - but bagels in particular afford my people and I, a particularly unique pedestal of authority. These are entirely fine bagels- no complaints by any means - save for price (yeah, the stereotype is true, but come on my gentile brothers and sisters $3 for one bagel?!? - even you non-Jews have to grimace). The big problem here is, they're just entirely fine. Noah's bagels are better. Period. They're also bigger, come in more styles, don't require a long wait or special ordering ahead and are a lot cheaper. Anyone gushing about these is merely afflicted by the placebo hype emanating off of their overpriced Supreme branded hat, glasses, shirt, belt, pants, socks and underwear. Bottom line: let the schmucks wait in line for the next few months until the hype dies down and there's no line, then roll through, buy one bagel - take a bite, be shaken to your core with a nothing special, perfectly acceptable bagel and come back to this review and toss me a like for the rock solid I just did you, by saving you a few hours worth of your time waiting in line. Shalom!! read more

I am not a morning person. Their 1 pm closing time is a serious challenge for me. They are so worth that challenge. After the disappointment that was Schlocks, I was wary about trying another of these neo-bagels. I needn't have worried. As always, my first test of a bagel place is a plain bagel served plain, with nothing on it. A good bagel doesn't need anything; if you add anything, it's because you want to use the bagel as a palette, but it has to be a great canvas to begin with. Boichik Bagels' bagel is that beautiful canvas. When I bit into it, I was instantly transported back to when I was 5 years old and my parents and my aunt and uncle would get bagels and whitefish for Sunday brunch. It was both authentic and excellent. That feeling lasted through the entire bagel. I look forward to painting some cream cheese as well as some sable or whitefish on that canvas. read more

Best bagel on the west coast, hands down. We got up at 6:30am just to get bagels day one of the soft opening - Friday, Nov 29th. (Open all weekend!) The hours are either 6:30am or 7:30am to 1:30pm or 2:30pm. Early! We arribed and there were mahbe 30 people already in line. When the door opened, the line moved quickly. The plain bagel, my benchmark and fave, was slightly sourdough which isn't my ideal. However, it was direct from the oven, hot and perfect bagel texture. All in all, we got three dozen - plain, salt & pepper, sesame, and finally, onion. For schmears, we got plain, olive, horseradish with cheddar and scallions, and artichoke with (garlic? Not sure). They have other bagels, including a few whole wheat. Standouts: onion bagel. Tons of onion, declared "the best onion bagel I have ever had!" by a former NJ resident. S&P bagel - just darn good, and the pepper was a great addition Schmears: olive schmear, artichoke schmear, horseradish w/cheddar & scallions. The horseradish was argued over at home, one person said they wanted more heat, I thought the balance was just right. Coffee - wowza, a great cup. Coffee oils creating great flavor in their neato vacuum system. Decaf probably coming soon, I hope. Tisanes of herbal tea also available, as well as Yoohoo, and New York Seltzers. We brought a mixed bag (we asked the employee picked the mix at their discretion) and some plain schmear to an evening gathering of friends, so 12 hour old bagels. High marks from everyone, including the borm and raised in NYC or NJ people. Heartily recommended. read more

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Always excellent! Highly suggest ordering ahead in the website so you don't have to stand in that line.

Ok listen we live two blocks away and NYT has ruined this place. Yes bagels are good, but for 4 bucks each I'm not gonna wait in line for 2 hours. And now even preorders are two weeks back logged. If you want bagels better, cheaper and faster just order from Russ and Daughters in NYC and have it shipped. read more

Obsessed with their everything bagel with lox spread. Ive been eating bagels on a semi-regular basis these days and nothing compares. They are so chewy and easily the best bagel of my life! I've been getting the 6 pack frozen from Berkeley Bowl when I don't make it there during opening hours. I pop them in my air fryer for 5 minutes and they're just as good! Debating on getting them delivered to my house for a $14 delivery fee. Don't be turned off by the line, it moves fast and worth it! read more

The cashier has no patience for children. We decided to treat the kids overpriced bagels for Saturday breakfast ($3 per bagel and $1.5 per the cream cheese spread). They were a little slow to decide the type & spread choice, and the cashier wasn't kind about it. Very unpleasant. read more

I lived 10 minutes away from this place finally I decided to give a try since a love bagels This place it's very busy I wait on line for one hour that's it was okay for me. Bagels are okay but nothing different from other bagels. I have had better bagels in San Francisco The lady who took my order she was yelled at me and she took the wrong order. I'm sure that they need a new cashier. read more

Just wanted to say that the new spring herb cream cheese is SO GOOD!! Wow I will be buying a whole tub of this because it is bursting with flavor. Thank you for creating such a gem read more

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Best bagels I've had in the Bay Area. The special today was honey walnut + Nutella. I got toasted cinnamon raisin with pink label cream cheese. It was great! Other comments say the bagels were really small - they seemed normally sized to me. If you're between plain or pink label cream cheese, I'd go pink label. It has a little more of a kick to it, and plain was bland, IMO. We got in line at 10:20 on a Saturday, and got our bagels within 10 minutes. I think we just hit it right, because by 10:30 the line had begun wrapping around the building. I recommend bringing your bagels over to the Safeway. There's lots of seating and it's sunny. read more

This is hands down the best bagel in the Bay Area. You better get there early cuz the line builds up, it moves deceivingly fast though don't worry! We got an everything classic and a pumperthingel with chive cc, and you can't go wrong with both! I'm originally from the east coast and this is the closest thing I've found to a proper east coast bagel. It's thick, it's crusty and they aren't skimpish on the spread!! We were wondering why so many people in line were getting dozens to go until we bit into our bagels. Highlyyyy recommend going...maybe even getting a dozen while you're there ;) They're only doing take out right now, but there's plenty of seating near the Safeway read more

The bagels are great. No worries there, hence the 4/5 stars. It's been great to finally have a good bagel and understand how bagels should taste after being a little one growing up with Sarah Lee bagels. Sarah Lee bagels are not even in the same league (but I'll eat any bread) . I've had the lox, the horseradish cream cheese (wish it was more horseradishy) and the roasted strawberry cream cheese so far. Everything is good. I usually can't choose my bagels so I end up with everything. My new fave is the caraway and salt one. Service wise it's a bit tough. I get it's covid times and we have to line up but I find that the line is set up only for those who know their order. While in line it's hard to figure out what I want to get because there isn't a menu till right before you're about to order. This last time it went so quickly. I got the same person at the register as last time and I was stressing. I've always had difficulty ordering here and practically have to yell my order several times for them to hear which isn't really fun . At one point I asked what the cream cheese flavors were because they weren't listed. The cashier said there was a print out but I couldn't find it anywhere. It took them a bit to realize I was right and that there wasn't an addition sign till they finally read out the cream cheeses to me. I feel very rushed and light weight stupid when I order here which sucks. So maybe try your best to know what you want or it'll be a wild ride. Eventually I got my bagels and the stress went away. I learned the other cashier had a print out of the cream cheese flavors taped to the wall next to the menu and bagels. Why can't the other side have it too? Why are the menus not consistent? Is it that bad that I'm asking what my options are? Am I supposed to know everything before I go? All questions I ask myself after coming here. The bagels are worth it but maybe it's a good thing I'm scared of the stressful ordering ambiance. It'll prevents me from coming here too often . I would just feel bad for any shy soft spoken people. Maybe just order online for pick up. Lol. I searched the key word "yelling" on boichik and feel really validated by all the other reviews. Still won't stop me from getting bagels but I will pray that I get a different cashier read more

Boichik Bagels - The menu! - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

DIsappointing bagels. These are not what I consider NY-style bagels. While the flavor of the everything bagels is good, they are way too big and too puffy. They are not very dense and there is no distinctive chew. The bialys however are excellent. read more

The most scrumptious bagels I've had in California. Not quite the same tier as Ess-a-bagel as The NY Times suggested, but Boichik bagels will leave you wondering when you'll get another chance to come back for more. We ordered on their website for delivery a couple weeks in advance. There was an error in the delivery but they quickly rectified the issue after I emailed them. Couldn't be happier with both the quality of bagels and the customer experience. When we visit in person, I will certainly try one of their bagel sandwiches. So happy the NY Times alerted us of Boichik! read more

I finally tried Boichik and it lived up to the hype! Lines have been long ever since The NY Times article, but the bagels are worth the wait. The staff is efficient and very friendly. The line moves quickly, even when it wraps around the block on weekend mornings. I ordered their daily special with veggies and horseradish cream cheese on a salt bagel. The horseradish cream cheese had a nice kick to it! The bagel had big salt crystals and an amazing texture. I also tried the chocolate malted iced coffee and loved it! It was rich and sweet. Boichik is definitely worth a visit if you're a bagel lover!! read more

Bagels are great; the line not so much. Be prepared to wait or have a fallback plan. But, where else is one to go for bagels? read more

There was a line but the staff was moving quickly and very friendly. Delicious bagels! Glad they finally opened! read more

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