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Ess-a-Bagel
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Ess-a-Bagel
8.9
A Manhattan bagel institution since 1976, Ess-a-Bagel turns out oversized, hand-rolled bagels that anchor a de facto brunch line every morning. The 3rd Avenue shop specializes in loaded lox sandwiches and build-your-own creations that travel well but taste best eaten standing at the counter or on a nearby bench.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Favorite nova lox bagel sandwich, Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, NYC BLTA bagel sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: High-volume, old-school New York bagel shop with classic hand-rolled bagels and lox.
Who should go: Travelers and locals chasing classic NYC bagel brunch.
When to visit: Early morning on weekdays to avoid the longest lines.
What to order: Signature Favorite lox sandwich, everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, NYC BLTA.
Insider tip: Skip the sandwich line if you just want bagels by the dozen and head straight to the back counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in Midtown East, especially mornings; rely on nearby garages along 3rd Ave and 52nd–54th Streets.
Dress code: Casual and unfussy—come as you are, weekend-athleisure and travel gear both common.
Noise level: Lively and busy during peak hours; conversation is easy once outside, harder inside due to constant counter traffic.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—Ess-a-Bagel is a morning/afternoon operation, and lines drop off by late afternoon.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during the rush; near-zero wait after 1:30 pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—numerous spreads, egg salads, and veggie-loaded sandwiches.
Vegan options: Limited—plain bagels, veggie toppings, and a few dairy-free spreads; no dedicated vegan lox alternatives.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free bagels; selection is minimal for those avoiding gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves classic NYC bagels and doesn’t mind a counter-service, grab-and-go experience. It’s iconic but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations—expect stand-up counters and nearby benches as the default dining setup.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, low-stress breakfasts; no for stroller maneuvering during peak lines. Best with kids over 5 who can eat on the go.
Best For
Better for: Oversized, hand-rolled classic NYC bagels with generous lox portions; faster-moving lines than many Midtown competitors.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, prefer sit-down brunch service, or want a quiet, lingering meal.
Ess-a-Bagel
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Midtown East institution since the 1970s, Ess-a-Bagel turns out oversized, hand-rolled bagels piled high with smoked fish, deli meats, and classic spreads. Lines move quickly, and the payoff is a deeply satisfying New York bagel sandwich that can easily stand in for a full meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nova lox & scallion cream cheese on everything bagel, Whitefish salad and nova bagel sandwich, Egg, cheese & bacon breakfast bagel
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Classic New York bagel shop with towering, fully loaded sandwiches.
Who should go: Bagel obsessives and first-time NYC visitors
When to visit: Early morning to dodge the longest lines
What to order: Nova & scallion cream cheese, whitefish combo, bacon-egg-cheese
Insider tip: Skip the main line if buying bagels only and head straight to the back counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in Midtown East; rely on nearby paid garages along 3rd Ave and 1st Ave.
Dress code: Come as you are—casual attire is the norm.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours; conversational but brisk and bustling.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this is a breakfast/lunch-focused spot, but expect 20–35 minutes in late morning.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak lunch rush; often no wait mid-morning.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options—multiple cream cheeses, egg sandwiches, and veggie toppings.
Vegan options: Limited—plain bagels are vegan, but fillings are mostly dairy- or fish-based.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free bagels; cross-contact is unavoidable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's counter-service, crowded, and messy in a fun way. Great for a casual meetup, not a romantic first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is limited, so many diners take their sandwiches to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for kids comfortable in busy spaces. No dedicated kids’ menu, but simple bagels and spreads work well for most ages.
Best For
Better for: Oversized, hand-rolled bagels with classic New York heft and generous deli-style fillings; ideal for travelers seeking an authentic NYC bagel experience.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, quiet sit-down dining, or a more refined brunch environment.
Ess-a-Bagel
8.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This 3rd Avenue Ess-a-Bagel is a Midtown institution for oversized, hand-rolled bagels loaded with smoked fish and deli-style fillings. For business, it functions as a grab-and-go or bring-back-to-the-conference-room option with unmatched volume and reliability.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ess-a-Bagel Signature Favorite (Nova and Scallion Cream Cheese), Lox Lovers Signature, The Famous NY Reuben Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: High-volume New York bagel landmark that feeds entire offices affordably.
Who should go: Teams needing fast, iconic New York lunch to-go
When to visit: Late morning or midafternoon to avoid peak lines
What to order: Signature Nova bagel, Lox Lovers, classic Reuben sandwich
Insider tip: Order platters ahead for meetings; customize schmear and fish variety.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 3rd Ave is extremely limited; rely on nearby paid garages on E 50th–52nd St.
Dress code: No dress code — business casual to fully casual is standard for grab-and-go service.
Noise level: Lively during rush periods; still workable for quick conversation while ordering.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — dinner rush is light; typically no wait.
Weekday lunch: 5–20 minutes depending on peak office rush; pre-ordering shortens waits significantly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong vegetarian range: plain and specialty bagels, egg salad, tuna salad, veggie spreads, and cheese options.
Vegan options: Limited but functional: plain bagels, peanut butter, hummus, and veggie toppings; no vegan cream cheese.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free bagels; gluten-free diners can order fish or spreads without bread, but options are minimal.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s more of a high-volume counter-service institution than a conversational or romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is limited and first-come, first-served, but most guests take food to-go. Expect to stand during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, casual stops; best for older kids comfortable in crowded, fast-paced environments. No high chairs or stroller-friendly layout.
Best For
Better for: Oversized, classic New York bagels with generous deli fillings at scale — unmatched for feeding groups quickly and affordably.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down meal, artisanal small-batch bagels, or robust gluten-free/vegan options.
Ess-a-Bagel
8.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Midtown East landmark since the 1970s, Ess-a-Bagel draws lines for oversized, hand-rolled New York–style bagels loaded with lox and house-made cream cheeses. Despite the crowds and brusque pace, quality stays remarkably high across thousands of daily orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Everything bagel with lox and scallion cream cheese, Ess-a-Bagel Signature Favorite (smoked salmon, veggies, capers, scallion schmear), Sesame bagel with whitefish salad
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9.1
What makes it special: Classic New York bagels at massive scale with old-school deli fillings.
Who should go: Bagel obsessives and first-time NYC visitors.
When to visit: Weekdays before 9am to avoid the longest lines.
What to order: Everything with lox and scallion schmear, nova platter, whitefish salad bagel.
Insider tip: Decide your order in line and use the dedicated bagel-only counter if you just want a dozen to go.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive during business hours; metered spots occasionally open early mornings. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: No dress code—come as you are. Typical mix of commuters, tourists, and locals in casual attire.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak rush; expect fast-paced deli chatter but still manageable for brief conversation.
Weekend wait: N/A – primarily a breakfast and lunch operation; evenings are quieter with minimal waits.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes depending on the line; peak between 11:30am–1pm. Mobile orders help but don’t eliminate waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options—multiple cream cheeses, egg salads, cheese-based sandwiches, and veggie toppings.
Vegan options: Limited—bagels themselves are vegan, but spreads and fillings skew dairy-heavy. Avocado, veggies, and basic toppings available.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free bagels; not suitable for celiac due to cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional sit-down date—lines, tight quarters, and quick turnover make it more functional than atmospheric. Better for a casual meet-up or shared snack.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service only, and seating is first-come, first-served. During rush periods, expect limited seating and plan to eat on the go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals—simple menu, forgiving environment, and fast service. Best for ages 5+ who can manage deli crowds; no high chairs or stroller-friendly layout during peak times.
Best For
Better for: Oversized, hand-rolled bagels with classic New York deli fillings at scale—faster output and more variety than many boutique bagel shops.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, a slow sit-down breakfast, or a calm environment without lines—choose a quieter café or full-service brunch spot instead.