Best place to get a bagel in athens!! On weekends, especially game days, the line is super long - but it still moves relatively fast. Expected to take your bagel to-go on a busy weekend. I LOVE the Cadillac on an everything bagel and I get it every time. It's delicious. Also, there iced coffee is very good and they have lots of options to put in it. The vibe of this place is also just awesome and casual. Perfect for college students. read more

Ideal Bagel - Cadillac on everything bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

I really enjoy stopping here every time i am in the Athens area. The bagels are fresh with a small selection of choices. I enjoy the smoked lox with cream cheese and capers bagel . They have a nice selection of spreads and a few sandwich choices. Small seating area available along with coffee, teas and other beverages. In the midst of the college scene Ideal Bagels gets busy at lunch and early breakfast hours. Employees have always been friendly and service is fast. Take out or eat in. Worth the stop if you have a hankering for a good bagel. read more

Love the access on the skirts of UGA campus. Private front door parking lot. Awesome breakfast sandwiches. Easy and quick to navigate driving in for a UGA football game. GO DAWGS read more

Service was great! Lox bagel excellent! Fresh loaves of bread awesome! Great bagel place!

There's no way the people who said these bagels are too chewy have ever had a real bagel before.

I've never had a bad thing here. Between the gabby, córtese, and an everything bagel with sausage egg and cheese, you can't go wrong. I go here probably around once a week. The bagels are a bit on the smaller side but they are a perfect size for a breakfast or lunch. Also if you only come here for breakfast TRY THE LUNCH SANDWICHES THEY ARE TO DIE FOR!!! read more

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I got the multigrain bagel with egg & pepper jack. It tasted great with a nice kick, I only wish there had been a little more filling of bagel and cheese because it was super thin compared to the thickness of the bagel. My friend got a bagel with the smoked salmon cream cheese, and it was a healthy serving. Great price for a quick & tasty breakfast! read more

Bagels or ok at best run down restaurant overpriced coffee. Then if you manage come by when the decide to show up. Have been by several times and they have the same sign up as being closed so good luck but not worth the 25 min drive. I'm done with them. read more

Let me start off by saying that we went in on a Sunday after gameday. Needless to say, the place was packed. But with a 4+ hour trip back home, a good bagel breakfast sandwich would help hold us over the entire way. So we waited. Then waited. Then waited some more. Once we finally got to the front to order. The ordering process was pretty efficient. I noticed as I got to the front that you could order the Cadillac (bacon, egg, and cheese) with smoked sausage instead. That was right up my alley. I also opted for the garlic bagel over the onion. Seating was difficult with the line winding all throughout the small space. We finally found a couple of two tops (group of 4) right next to the line. Once again, not ideal to have people hovering as you are trying to eat. But no fault of the restaurant. In fact, good for them being so popular. Once we got our food, I was famished and would have eaten my hand if I had to wait much longer. The bagel was 5 stars. The fillings of the sandwich were 3 star. The sausage wasn't great and neither was the egg. As the star system on Yelp says, they were A-ok. So averaging out these two, I came up with 4 stars. I would come and get a bagel here again. But I may not wait as long as we did. read more

Ideal Bagel - Smoked sausage egg and cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Ideal has a nice atmosphere, decent COVID adaptations, and decent cream selections but their bagels are not great. I've been here twice, hoping they were just having an off day, but the bagels disappointed the second time around, their small, too dense, and very chewy. Just not a great bagel recipe. read more

This is definitely my favorite breakfast/ brunch spot in Athens! It's simple and delicious- no frills, no crazy expenses... just good food. I'd venture to say it's pretty popular with a lot of other people too because there's usually a huge line, but don't worry! It usually goes by fast. Whether you get a table is another story (perhaps it's time for a bigger location??) I love the specialty bagels they have and can never resist getting a lox bagel from here. Their drip coffee is also very good and always piping hot, which is very much so needed when I'm trying to wake up in the morning. Out of all the brunch spots in Athens, I think this one is the king of quality food at a reasonable price. read more

so yummy and fast. sausage egg and cheese with herb cream cheese on a cheese of the day bagel. read more

Ideal Bagel - sausage, egg, cheese, herb cream cheese on cheese of the day bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Amazing babe shop. I got a breakfast sandwich with pastrami and side of fruit. The bagels were delicious and I bought 6 more to take home.

IDEAL BAGEL I MISS YOU. i cant do quarantine without you. i miss the food, i miss the staff, i miss the safe warm and welcoming environment. this place is the best. please do athens the most gracious service and come back. i'll support you. i love you. read more

This place, y'all. I came here for the first time when my boyfriend was visiting from New Jersey, where they're all a little bit cutthroat about their bagels with lox. We both went for smoked salmon (me: garlic bagel, herb cream cheese, him: garlic bagel, regular cream cheese) and were blown away by how cheap our order was. Ideal Bagel has easily the best lox I've ever had - not overly fishy, so delicate, sooo yum - and it won't set you back a cool $14 like most bagel joints. I come here pretty regularly now when I want to start my morning on the right foot, and I've tried a handful of schmear/bagel combos and been happy as a clam every time. The staff is warm, friendly, and super fast, even when the shop is packed (Sunday mornings are wild). There's free WiFi, outlets at every table next to the wall, and a decent amount of parking out front. I can't recommend this place enough! read more

Ideal Bagel - house fish bagel (smoked salmon, tomatoes, capers, pickled onions, herb cream cheese on a garlic bagel) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Best bagel in Athens. I've tried to come to Ideal a couple times before, but there isn't much parking in the lot or in the area, so I left. Finally got a chance to try it today. I had the everything bagel with a smear of the jalapeño garlic. I added some onions as well. It was delicious! I finished it in five minutes. Probably could have had another! They have a pretty large variety of cream cheeses that they make in house. The jalapeño garlic was perfectly spicy and they definitely use fresh jalapeños to make it. I expected the "smear" of cheese to be more of the NYC "schmear" (probably double the amount), but not a deal breaker and I'm sure if I just ask for more they'll add more next time. :) The staff is friendly and quick. I plan to try it out for lunch some time soon. I love a good bagel sandwich. Try it out! It's worth it! read more

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Delicious Cadillac sandwich on an onion bagel. Fried egg, bacon and cheddar cheese. Nice selection and fair pricing. read more

Ideal Bagel - Cadillac. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

They weren't too busy when we came in, only had about a 10 min wait in line. The food came out fairly quick. I had the Cadillac on an everything bagel with the jalapeño garlic cream cheese. It was delicious--the cream cheese, well cooked egg, thick bacon. My only complaint is the bagels are tiny. So needless to say I was still hungry after the tiny bagel sandwich. read more

Ideal Bagel - Cadillac on everything bagel with jalapeño garlic cream cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Absolutely amazing breakfast, brunch, or lunch option! Sometimes there's a bit of a line on the weekends but that just speaks to how good the food is. Food comes out within 5 minutes almost every time and take-out is wrapped ready for in-the-car meals. The bagel sandwiches are all amazing (I recommend the Tupelo or Dottie). Their wide selection of home made spreads are also delicious and an affordable breakfast or lunch. A perfect representation of classic Athens food! read more

Great place to grab a quick but delicious breakfast. I'll start off by saying that I love bagels. I generally eat the grocery store Thomas bagels for breakfast everyday with some cream cheese and deli meat thrown on for good measure... So how could I not love Ideal Bagel whose bagel and cream cheese quality shouldn't even be compared to the stuff found at the grocery store. I ordered the Dottie after a night of drinking, and it met all my expectations for a hearty breakfast (bagel, meat, cheese, and egg; all I need). They have a variety of bagel and cream cheese selections (especially some really unique cream cheese flavors) that can satisfy everyone's preferences, and I can't wait to go back to try some different combinations. As for the location, there is a private parking lot, but it fills up quickly (it was filled on a Sunday at around 10:30 AM). However, there's plenty of street parking if you follow the street that's on the left of the storefront. Inside, there's a good number of seats and tables that fill up quickly during peak hours. You might just want to grab and go. read more

Ideal Bagel - The Dottie: roast beef, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Perfect bagel spot! Quick, cheap and delicious!! Highly recommend if you're in a rush and need a little something or just wanting to grab a bagel. 10/10 read more

Best bagels in Athens hands down! Always have cool weekly shmear flavors and the ambience is very trendy! Unfortunately they begin to run out of bagels on busy mornings around noon or one, so make sure you get there early. read more

Ideal Bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Decent, but nothing special. Friendly staff!. Got a a veggie smear w/ onion and tomato...good, but again, not five stars worth!

I came to Athens for a few weeks and wanted to try one of the many "must try foods" in Georgia. Some of which are shrimp and grits, another includes smoked salmon bagel. I used help to help me find something for breakfast near by and came across this shop. I walked in and was greeted and saw the menu mounted on the wall. I knew exactly what I wanted, but what caught me completely off guard was their seasonal cream cheeses!!! Lime avocodo cilantro, I don't even know what cream cheese?! Count me in. I added that as a base to my order of the smoked salmon, onion on an everything bagel. Oh my, it was so suddle but so well done!! I would come back here for breakfast as they also have a variety of different bagel options and a "make it yourself" option. Even though I will probably have the smoked salmon again, I wouldn't doubt if everything else is just as good. read more

Good water. They have ice and the water was cold. Tasted a little bit like tap water after it warmed up though. Good bagels too.

So glad this place has reopened! The line can be long on weekends but it's absolutely worth the wait! I always go for the Everything Bagel with the Sun-dried Tomato Shmear! read more

The best bagels I've had in a long time. Fresh and warm and the smears are good also, lots of different kinds to choose from. The coffee is good too! Can't wait to go Again. The everything bagel is a favorite of mine read more

Ideal Bagel was the first restaurant I ate at when I moved to Athens. It's still my favorite place to eat, for many reasons. How to describe the appeal of Ideal Bagel? Is it the minimalist, mid-century retro decor? Is it the bustle and heat of the kitchen, or the excited conversation of a (long) line of customers eagerly awaiting their carbohydrate fix? Maybe it's the efficiency and promptness with which the bagels, sandwiches and other delicious food items are prepared. Personally, I believe that it's impossible for good food to become great food without the support of a hardworking staff and a caring customer base. Ideal Bagel's food is more than perfect--it's Ideal. read more

Not bad. Bagel a bit small especially considering the price.

it was so amazing i had this cheese bagel and all the cream cheese was delectable. if ur in athens try it.

Very solid place. We got some bagels with cream cheese (they dont skimp on cc) and some sandwiches - salmon/lox and one with egg and sausage. All pretty good and made fast. There is often a line but they get through it. Sometimes they are out of some types of bagels though. read more

If you want hair in your food, go here!! Ordered two bagels, one was wrong and the other had hair in it! Also it's OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive, I paid $16.50 for two veggie bagels... don't go here save your time and money!! read more

Happen to keep going on a weekend morning so parking is rough but bagels are great. Although on the small side (when compared to a NY bagel -- how is every bagel not compared to a NY bagel?!), I order two and it got the job done. Salt bagels are my test of an authentic place. Meaning: they don't offer them; they're pretty far from authentic. they had salt! Will go back! read more

I have no idea why this place is rated so highly. I came here for a nice brunch on a sunday and was greeted to a line wrapping around the entire seating area. That seemed to bode well- if there were that popular then surely I was in for a treat. I ordered the cadillac with an everything bagel instead of the onion it was supposed to come with. First of all, it took an insane amount of time to order. Each person is taking about 5 minutes to order their breakfast, and there were about 10 people in front of me. Wayyyy too much waiting. Not to mention the seating area isn't great. The tables don't get cleaned by anything so they're going to be dirty, it's small, and honestly it looks run down. I get Athens loves hipster styling but did anyone even try to make this place look nice? Once my food finally came, my boyfriend and I couldn't help but laugh. Each of our sandwiches was about $5.00 and it was TINY. I mean about the size of the palm of my hand tiny. This is what all these people were waiting on?? WHY. The food tasted fine but I have no idea why everyone is talking about the "superior ingredients" here. I mean, the bagel was good but really, completely forgettable. And then I also had bacon and an egg and some cheese which was fine? But absolutely nothing different than what I could make at home (and a home I could actually make it decently sized, just saying....) The coffee was good, but not really anything special. So the food wasn't bad but I would not go back to this place because the portions they give you are so tiny and spending $16 for coffee and an average bagel that will probably leave you still hungry after eating is really not ideal. read more

Ideal Bagel - The Cadillac bagel, but with an everything bagel instead of onion - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Fun and funky eatery. Order at the counter, wearing your mask these days, (masks provided if you don't have one). Staff was friendly and helpful. Menu is easy and can basically substitute anything. Coffees and soda available. Good value for the price. read more

Ideal Bagel does a great job with yummy bagel sandwiches! I will say the Asiago bagel was made from a French bread base and therefore was pretty tough to eat as a sandwich. But the roasted veggies, sausage, and egg were all phenomenal and seasoned wonderfully. I normally expect bagel shops to have more whole wheat/whole grain options but there was just the one pictured with oats on top! Great flavor and great service. read more

Ideal Bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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We love this place and get the lox bagel most times. There is always a line but they are super fast getting the bagels ready.

If you grew up in the NY-tristate area with a local bagel shop in your neighborhood, you will like Ideal Bagel. Nothing fancy, just very good, freshly baked bagels. Lox and other smoked fish and a variety of flavored cream cheeses and hummus on the menu. They also serve deli sandwiches. Reasonable prices. read more

Ideal Bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

One of the best bagel places in Athens. Our favorites are the southernmost and the Cadillac. The southernmost is a plain bagel with jelly and sausage while the Cadillac is an onion bagel with bacon, a fried egg, and cheddar cheese. They have great spreads and several Deli options. Service is fast and the food is delicious. read more

Ideal Bagel - The Cadillac bagel. Bacon, egg, and cheddar on an onion bagel. Delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Two bagels cost us $32. The cashier does the math in their head and totally messed up our bill and I didn't notice until I swiped my card. One I addressed it she didn't believe I was right until a second employee did the math and showed her it was $12. She then went to refund me and said it would show back up in my card but two weeks later and still not refunded... The bagels were good but because of the mess up on the billing, the not believing me that it was wrong and the failure to fix the mistake I will.most likely not be going back. If you do enjoy a bagel here, know how much it should cost and check before you swipe read more