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    Ess-a-Bagel

    4.0 (5k reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Ess-a-Bagel Takeout or Delivery

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    ESS-A-BAGEL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    bagel
    Christine C.

    This place is a new york staple! good bagels, so don't let the long line scare you because it goes by pretty fast! The bagels are great size and they put the right quantity of spread and lox inside. There is a great selection of cream cheeses and the bagels are very fresh. I had the lox and scallion cream cheese on mine and it was sooo yum. I wish it was toasted just a little bit more.

    Jhonny T.

    If the line wraps around you could pass, but if the line isn't too bad jump on in. Ess-a much like most bagel spots in New York is quite good, but just like most spots, there are so many great bagels in NY you don't need to be waiting 40 to an hour for a bagel. They have a location in Dumbo at the time out market which I was a frequent visitor to, and it was just as good with no line ever. But that location doesn't have the charm that this particular location holds. So for visitors I do get the pull to wait in line here. I was taking my parents who've never been and they very much enjoyed the chaos and charm on the inside. I personally stick to the signature favorite as is, and it never fails me. My parents who aren't big on lox, did the egg sandwiches, which they liked but I would say if you're having to wait in line and you're planning on getting the egg sandwiches maybe wait for a time where the line is much more manageable.

    Signature Favorite ($17.85)
    Elena N.

    Date: Thursday, March 5th, 2026 Time: around 11:45am Party of: 3 Meal: Breakfast / Brunch *LEO ($13.25) *Morning Classic ($10.50) *Signature Favorite ($17.85) *Small 12oz Regular Brewed Coffee ($3) x2 *Tax ($4.22) We had time to kill until checking into the next hotel. Decided to drop to grab a bagel. I ended up getting the lox everything bagel which is their signature favorite. I went to go find some seating while the boys went to order. Eventually I saw a group leaving and grabbed their table. Honestly there isn't much avail seating here, so I got lucky. My bagel was delicious. Sliced nova, scallion cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, capers. What's not to love? I mean I could have used more lox and more cream cheese, but I like A LOT of stuff on any carb item, so I am a lil extra. The boys were a little confused when ordering. I think they tried to go to the cashier and order? I believe you order at the counter then walk over to the cashier. I wasn't paying attention so I wasn't exactly sure. Great spot to grab a bagel to go. Wished they had more seating for dine in tho. REVIEW #4016

    Shealyn M.

    Awesome breakfast sandwich here. I got an egg and cheese on one of their rainbow bagels. It was delicious. The bagel was toasted perfectly and the egg and cheese were good! I also tried a latte which was awesome as well! Solid place for a quick breakfast.

    Toasted sesame with scallion cream cheese, lox, and tomatoes = heavenly bagel magic
    Kiki H.

    It pains me to write this, but did Ess-a-bagel fall off?? I've come here many times and always remembered the bagels to be to die for. However this time they really disappointed. Chewy but also not tasting very fresh. "Everything" was not very "everything" either. The scallion cream cheese and lox were still good. Talked to others who had the same opinion. What happened?? Hopefully they fix whatever is going on and return to making the best bagels in NYC.

    Sesame seed bagel with scallion cream cheese and matcha latte.
    Yolanda S.

    Long line but it moves fast and it's worth the wait! Go early in the morning to get freshly baked bagels. I recommend the scallion cream cheese with salmon, it's delicious. The matcha latte was so good and during the spring try the honey lavender latte! It's seasonal.

    Signature Favorite
    Elizabeth X.

    They pack the signature favorite bagel with lox, an it's a great bagel. There were a handful of bones in my salmon still, but I didn't mind. The line was just out the door at 11 AM on a Saturday, but it moved fast, and I think we only waited 15-20 minutes. You order at the counter, then wait for your bagel, then take it to the cashier to pay.

    The Morning Classic.
    Chris H.

    When in Midtown Manhattan, I try and stop here to get my NYC bagel fix. There are other places but for where I had to be on this particular day, Ess-a-Bagel was very convenient. I went with the classic, "BECSPK!" Translated, bacon, egg, cheese, salt, pepper, ketchup, on an everything bagel. I beat the morning rush and was here at 0700 hours, they definitely have a big door dash clientele with the delivery folks coming in and out constantly. The bagel itself was fine and was the service. It hit the spot.

    Signature Favorite
    Jenny T.

    When I first had the Signature Favorite, I thought it was good, but now I find myself craving it again after a couple of weeks. I can't stop thinking about the perfect combination of ingredients. This place and their signature bagel definitely live up to their hype!

    Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese
    Michael S.

    The Good: NY bagel, what's not to like. The scallion cream cheese is outstanding! Signature with Nova was tasty! I do have to admit it's not the best NY bagel I've ever had though, but it's definitely solid. The Bad: Be ready to line up even at 8am on a Sunday morning, but the lines move quickly. The Ugly: Eating another standard Marriott/hotel breakfast bagel afterwards makes you wonder if they are even of the same concept.

    Pumpernickel whitefish
    Brian F.

    Once upon a time, this was the best bagel in the planet. It is no longer - there are better ones, even, in Park Slope - but they've upped their game in some ways, if not in the bagel construction, then in their service (much more kind than in the old days), and in the portions (a Dagwood Bumstead - sized sandwich indeed). You can't go wrong with whitefish, lox, and pumpernickel, in copious amounts, can you?

    Inside
    Kameron C.

    The long lines in a NYC bagel shop always gives away the type of quality they serve! I ordered the Signature Favorite which is the sliced nova lox with all of the fixings on a toasted everything bagel and it did not disappoint. While the line may be long but it moves quickly. When in line, be ready to move ahead of the people in front of you so you can place your orders. This is a staple bagel shop with the vibe to match the big apple, and should be experienced while in the city.

    Stephanie O.

    When In New York you have to try every bagel you possibly can! And that's clearly what I did taking a brisk morning walk to grab a bagel from another nearby bagel shop! Ess-a-Bagel was another large bagel shop, with a decent amount of indoor seating and extensive bagel and cream cheese options. Also plenty of other goodies to choose from throughout the shop. I picked up a scallion cream cheese with lox bagel. It was HUGE. I swear New York bagels put all other bagels to shame with how much filling you get, it really balances out the bread to cream cheese ratio perfectly. Perfectly toasted. And the salmon was absolutely wonderful. Each bite into the sandwich was the perfect expectation of salmon, bagel and cream cheese.

    Cinnamon Raisin with strawberry  cream cheese

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    Ess-a-Bagel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ess-a-Bagel

    How's the coffee?

    The coffee is good. Strong and fresh.

    Do they offer gluten free bagels?

    Yes!

    Can you order bagels scooped? Or is that a crime?

    The menu did not make any mention of scooping, however I did notice a small surcharge if you want a bagel sliced. You may want to check with the local precinct about local laws and regulations, or just ask when you order.

    What time do you recommend getting in line by in the morning to avoid the long wait?

    If you can order delivery it's way faster / easier - otherwise as soon as they open :)

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

    Just contacted them directly. First they refused to inform me of ingredients, claiming "trade secrets". When pressed for percentage... it turns out the "trade secret" is that it is only approximately 20 percent whole wheat. Was told no corn syrup,… 

    If I order in advance, how much does that cut down on the line wait time? Do I still wait in the regular line or is there a separate line? How long does it usually take to pick up an advanced order?

    There is a separate line if you order in advance. Not sure how much it cuts down on time but I've heard it can be a lot if they are busy (which is usually all the time). I got there around 8-8:30am on a Saturday and line was right at the door. When… 

    I'm a celiac, and miss eating bagels, they are in my blood... do you offer GF bagels by any chance?

    Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, we do not have gluten-free bagels. However, we have a few additional gluten-free baked goods, such as the banana bread slice, rugelach, and chocolate babka slice.… 

    So all the tofu spreads are vegan? Is the lox in the lox tofu plant based or is it fish? Thanks!

    Thank you for your question. All our tofu spreads are vegan-friendly, except for the lox tofu. The lox tofu spread contains real lox.… 

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    Banter

    Banter

    4.4
    (96 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Great spot to meet friends for brunch or get takeout! Numerous healthy options and delicious…read moredrinks. We got the Banter Bowl, which includes pickled carrot, cabbage, watermelon radish, cucumber, edamame, avocado, quinoa, and miso ponzu dressing. You have a choice of meats, so we chose the grilled chicken. Second, we ordered the falafel bowl that includes three falafels, pickled onions, avocado, cucumber, whipped garlic feta, kale salad, romesco, and Za'atar dressing that had a delicious flavor. However, our ultimate favorite had to be the Thai Crunch Wrap with sweet potato fries. It was fairly busy, and our drinks took a while to come, but the food arrived shortly after. The next time I'm back, I will be sure to reorder the Thai crunch wrap. If you have food allergies, they are extremely accommodating and have numerous vegan/vegetarian/GF.

    - Cozy little spot serving all-day brunch with plenty of indoor tables and ample outdoor seating;…read morewhile the space is on the smaller side, it feels clean and inviting; it wasn't very busy during lunch on a Monday afternoon, with just a handful of tables occupied inside and out - Service was friendly enough and efficient--ordering ahead online was easy, and my pickup order was ready at the promised time and packaged well; that said, it was missing utensils and napkins - The food was just okay--the Banter Bowl with grilled chicken came with two thin slices of chicken breast that were under-seasoned and a bit dry; the accompanying ingredients were fresh and made for a healthy meal, but overall everything lacked flavor and really needed the dressing to bring it together

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    Inside
    Inside
    Banter
    Inside

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    Inside
    Cask

    Cask

    4.1
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Wednesday girl dinner is a must try. For $25, you get a martini, salad (Cesar or market), and fries…read more(truffle or regular). I got the market salad with grilled chicken which was very filling and packed with flavor. The grilled chicken was an add on so cost a little bit more than $25 but still an amazing deal. 10/10 recommend!

    Stopped into Cask Bar & Kitchen in Murray Hill for a casual dinner and loved the quirky, cozy vibe;…read moreit kind of feels like having dinner in your grandma's living room (in the best way possible). Think vintage wallpaper, little knick-knacks, and warm lighting. It's got character. I ordered the market salad with mixed greens, honeycrisp apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, and sherry vinaigrette. It was a hearty portion - super fresh and flavorful, and honestly more than I could finish (not a complaint!). I also ordered a Diet Pepsi with grenadine; they don't carry Diet Coke, which I almost docked a point for, but the mix was unexpectedly delicious. Highly recommend it. My date ordered the hanger steak and said it was absolutely amazing. Only hiccup: his first glass of wine he got came out hot... like, microwave-level warm. Fortunately, the server brought a new (cold) one and the rest of the meal was smooth sailing. Service was friendly, the vibe was homey and relaxed, and the food was solid across the board. Would definitely come back, especially for that salad and another round of grenadine magic.

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    Ed the Bartender
    Ed the Bartender
    The Bar
    The Bar
    Chimay

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    Chimay
    Friedman's

    Friedman's

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Had reservations for 2 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. We got there about three…read moreminutes late, but they seated us within 5 minutes in a booth. It was our first time eating at a Friedman's location. It had a nice diner feel to it, with a mix of booths and tables. The brunch menu has a variety of breakfast items, salads, sandwiches and burgers, starters, and entrees (fish tacos, grain bowl, fried chicken). I like that several of the items are naturally gluten free, and some can be made gluten free by request. We decided to go with three breakfast items from the brunch menu: I got the shakshuka, my sister got the Nova Benny, and we got the lemon ricotta pancakes to share. All 3 dishes were great. The shashuka came with grilled ciabatta, perfect for dipping into the sunny side eggs and tomato sauce. My sister loved that the poached eggs and smoked salmon of the Nova Benny came on top of a crispy potato latke. The pancakes were fluffy and the lemon ricotta and lemon zest elevated their flavor. Our server was friendly and attentive, and he asked us if we had any allergies when he took our order. He came by several times to check on us and refill water. I would return to Friedman's when I'm in the Herald Square area, or check out one of their other locations in the city.

    Came on a busy Thursday morning at nine am. Got a decaf iced vanilla latte and a nova Benny and the…read moreMac and cheese. And lemme just say the food came out sooo quick. The Benedict was so delicious. I've never had it on a crispy hash brown type before. It was good and a massive portion. Mac and cheese was alright, though I would probably opt out of it next time. I was so full I totally forgot to drink my latte but the latte was good too. Ambiance was nice clean and very busy.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Vanilla Cafe Latte

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    Vanilla Cafe Latte
    Tara Rose

    Tara Rose

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a place not to far from our hotel to have a couple drinks before we met up…read morefriends and we found this place. The inside looked really nice with some nice pictures on the wall and lots of space for seating. They also have a downstairs that has a bar and plenty of seating. We just ordered a few Aperol Spritz and chilled at the bar. The drinks tasted really good. Hard to mess that up but you never know. They had music playing from something in the background which was really good. The bartenders were alway asking if we needed anything so that was good. We didn't order any food but the plates that we saw looked really good. Definitely a place you need to check out if your looking for a cool spot to drink and get some bites to eat. They also have a good happy hour and from the looks of it a nice brunch with bottomless mimosas. Have to come check out this place if your in town or live near the area.

    My objective was to find a bar for happy hour in Midtown East. In my rarely treading over to the…read moreeast side these days and wanting to avoid Grand Central I searched a little through google maps what was nearby Murray Bro Hill/Kips Bay area and this spot popped up and I remembered wanting to check out their brunch but never did. It's $25 for unlimited drinks plus food by the way. Which is sad is a deal these days. Anyway, their happy hour is solid enough for a Monday and was meeting up with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year. Place is actually very cute. There are no tvs which I appreciate and the paneling of the walls and decor with all the flowers is quite tasteful. Happy hour deals 4-7pm Mon-Fri & all night Thursday apparently: Aperol Spritz $8, Hugo Spritz $9, Paloma $10, Mules $9, Draft Beers (except Guinness) $7, House Wine $9. As well as 2 Appetizer Bites for $19.95. Not the best but not the worst. I'm normally not a Spritz kind of gal. I think watering down prosecco or wine is heinous. But it was a Monday and I didn't exactly feel like powering down into happy hour so Aperol Spritz it was which switched to a Modelo later. It was the perfect drink situation on a god awful hot as hell day. We also ordered the fish tacos and what initially were the curry fries but they brought out the Greek fries. I wasn't mad about it. Honestly was torn between the two and I don't send food back unless something really bad happened. But it was essentially a side of Caesar salad dressing with feta cheese and generous amount of herbs on a very sparse and frugal amount of crispy standard cut fries. Now I know why it's a 2 for $20 deal. The tacos were 3 in an order which I guess is typical. They weren't bad but nothing stood out to me. I'd come for the drinks or try something else on the menu.

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Tara Rose Burger
    Tara Rose Burger
    Chicken and Waffles and a bloody mary, available during our boozy bottomless brunch.

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    Chicken and Waffles and a bloody mary, available during our boozy bottomless brunch.
    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We arrived at our midtown NYC hotel on a Saturday night around 7pm. We saw social media influencers…read moresaying this place was as good if not better than Katz. So, it was our first stop given the hour and proximity to our hotel. Note - I have been to Katz before. We arrived and were seated immediately. The place was not very full so it was fairly quiet. I am guessing Katz at 7 on a Saturday night would be packed. Our server could not have been more friendly. She was awesome. She's worked there for 7 years. I ordered the pastrami sandwich with French fries. It also came with Coleslaw and pickles. My wife got 1/2 a Reuben with vegetable soup and coleslaw and pickles. The fries and coleslaw were excellent. The sandwiches were very good but a notch below Katz. I do recommend giving them a shot. The place exudes character and history.

    An extra star since the last review! Sarge's half sandwich with a bowl of soup and a side of…read morepickles & slaw is my idea of a near-perfect meal. It's not just a little cup of soup that most places serve. A bowl so big I asked our waitress if that's what comes with the combo. Both the mushroom barley and matzoh ball have improved since last time. As far as the sandwich, listen to me: get pastrami. It's delicious. The way I see it, most diners serve corned beef, but few places have pastrami. And Sarge's does it right. (My husband, btw did not listen. He had corned beef and loved it.) My cousin asked why I don't go to Katz's. I'm not waiting on line -- sometimes it's pretty long -- their dining room gets noisy and frankly, I'm happy here!

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Bacon Cheeseburger on Bun Sweet Potato Fries
    Bacon Cheeseburger on Bun Sweet Potato Fries
    Combination Hot Corned Beef & Hot Pastrami Platter

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    Combination Hot Corned Beef & Hot Pastrami Platter

    Ess-a-Bagel - bagels - Updated August 2026

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