GRAMERCY & UNION SQUARE, MANHATTAN
Ess-a-Bagel
Big, consistent, slightly sweet bagels since 1976 — everything with scallion.
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IllustrationEss-a-Bagel has been making big, slightly sweet bagels since 1976, and this First Avenue shop, at the edge of Stuyvesant Town, is the one the neighborhood lines up at. The bagels are large and consistent, and the line moves fast enough to decide your order while you wait.
The order is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. For something more substantial, add nova and whitefish salad. There is a second shop in Midtown East on Third Avenue.
Editor’s tip
Ask for the scallion cream cheese and eat the first half on the walk to Stuyvesant Square.
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Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby
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Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.