Worth the hype! Came here early on a Saturday morning around 8am to beat the morning crowd. There was already a line but it moved quickly. The staff are friendly and service is relatively quick. There are tables and a counter to sit at but it can be busy in the morning. They have many options of bagels w cream cheese (the avocado scallion one is bomb) or their specialty bagels. I got one of the specialty breakfast bagels and it came warm and with perfectly melted cheese. It was pricey at around $15 but I'm glad I got it since it was the only bagel I had while in NY.

Love the option I had BLTA with wheat bagel, toasted and it was so good- bagel was soft and chewy. BLTA had fresh lettuce, tomatoes and bacon was crunchy, tied well with overall flavor. Avocado was very smooth and made bagel even more savory, mediating the salty flavor from bacon.

This is one of the most popular bagel shops in NYC, so the line is forever non-stop. When I arrived at 11am on a Saturday, the line took about 45 minutes. While waiting, I realized that they have online pick up orders, so I decided to do that to see if it was quicker. Unfortunately, online orders took almost an hour. I wish they noted how long it would take before submitting your order. Since I was next up to order, I asked to cancel my online order and the employee helping me was very annoyed. I understand that I may have made a mistake, but he was completely rude while rolling his eyes and had disgust all over his face. When I got the cancellation confirmation, I apologized for the trouble and thanked him, but was ignored. Anyways, besides all the mishap, I finally got my Signature Favorite ($16.95) on Everything Bagel. The bagel sandwich is solid with a good balance of all the ingredients. I was a little worried about the lettuce in my bagel, but you hardly taste it while giving it that refreshing touch. I would get this again if I was in the neighborhood craving a bagel, but only if the line is short or order it ahead.

Ess-a-Bagel is one of the - if not the - best-known bagel shop in NYC, and for good reason. The bagels are always big, fresh, fluffy, and delicious. Cut and rolled by hand, it's Ess-a's chewy, crusty bagels that keep regulars coming back week after week (some since the day they opened) and visitors satisfied as they look for a true taste of New York. The shop's incredible bagels, long history, and gritty character make Ess-a-Bagel an iconic New York bagel shop. Ess-a-Bagel is packed most times of the day, especially in the morning, and frighteningly so on Fridays and weekends. It's a mix of tourists that heard it's the best bagel in the city and locals who deal with the crowds because it's that good. The decor is a stubborn bagel shop that won't change its ways for nobody. Established in 1976, Ess-a has been a family-run business for multiple generations and know what they're doing and is firm in its Austrian roots! The order is: a scooped and toasted everything bagel with nova, scallion cream cheese, tomato and red onion. If you don't want toasted because "New York doesn't toast bagels", that's fine; lose the crunch, deal with excess absorption. For me, I toast, and every bite -- salty on the outside, savory lox and cream cheese, bit of brine with the capers -- is savored. #bagel #bagels #breakfast #food #foodie #foodporn #bagelsandwich #coffee #brunch #yummy #instafood #foodphotography #creamcheese #sandwich #bagelshop #homemade #bakery #bagellover #foodblogger #foodlover #smokedsalmon#everythingbagel #harlem #nyc #brooklyn #bronx #newyork #queens #hiphop #manhattan #newyorkcity #statenisland #longisland #love #ny #uptown

Came in on a Friday morning/noon and they had a line to the door. The wait was approximately 15-20 minutes. Ordering was a bit chaotic because multiple workers are taking orders but they somehow keep track. I got a cinnamon raisin bagel w/ blueberry cream cheese (4/5). The cream cheese was great and didn't get messy. The bagel is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My bf got the everything bagel w/ jalapeño cream cheese. Bagel is also crispy and soft, and the cream cheese had a little bit of spice from the jalapeño. Overall a good bagel place. I understand why this place is so hyped but you can get the same quality from other bagel places.

Great food. Worth the wait. Not a lot of places to sit so take it to go. Staff very nice.

I highly recommend the signature favorite. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch! It includes smoked salmon, capers, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and scallion cream cheese. I always prefer mine on an everything bagel. It is definitely pricey for a bagel sandwich, but I think NYC in general is very expensive. The dining space is really warm but there is plenty of seating.

Is this the best bagel in NYC? No. Is this an incredible bagel in its own category? Yes! We came in on a windy Thursday, the line was appropriately not short, but we got taken care of quickly. I haven't been back in a few years, but it's apparent the staff caters to tourists: service was snickering young men and kinda meh (as an ex NYCer, I just want my food, not seeing whatever bs yall are having back there.) Like I said it was busy, we grabbed a spot by the window easily in front: bagel was nice, good chew, not enough toast though and just enough cream cheese. I also got tomato and capers (always) and the buzz of people (even though it was clearly full of tourists who don't know how to order and staff that doesn't care a ton) was a welcome warm hug my first day back in the city in 4 years. Vibes are good: carbs = good mood.

Ess-a-Bagel is apparently supposed to be one of the best spots in Manhattan for bagels. So, my friend and I got in line for about 40 minutes in the cold to try them out. When we finally got inside the shop, we noticed that tables filled up quick. Most likely you'll have to carry your bagels out but luckily, we were able to grab a seat! I ordered the Mr. Nova Lova ($15.95), which is rated as one of their favorites. It came with sliced Nova, avocado, red onion, and avocado garlic cream cheese. I got it on a toasted Onion Bagel. The bagel itself was really tough to chew, but the filling was fresh, healthy, and savory. My friend got an Everything Bagel with Blueberry Cream Cheese ($5.75), and it was sweet and delicious! I'm not sure if I'd wait in such a long line again for their bagels, but I'm glad I got to experience this place.