Eat · Grand Central & Bryant Park
Ess-a-Bagel (Third Avenue)
A bagel shop on Third Avenue known for large, hand-rolled bagels with cream cheese and lox: go at breakfast or on a weekday before 11:00, order at the counter and expect a line on weekends.
- Hand-rolled bagels
- Lox and cream cheese
- Weekend lines
- Order: A bagel with cream cheese
- Table seating
- Walk-in window: after 13:00
- Queue risk: 07:00–09:00
- Vegetarian options
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…Subway stations have few lifts and many stairs
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- New York ↗Subway stations have few lifts and many stairs: with large suitcases, take a taxi or ride-hail car instead.
- New York ↗Popular sights (the 9/11 Museum, the observation decks, some Broadway shows) sell timed tickets: book before you fix your day.
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Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, when you can walk in, what to order
Go now?
Open?
Usually 06:00–16:00Usually 6:00 AM–4:00 PM
Typical hours: check on the day.
Busy this hour
Estimate by hour below
Easiest walk-in
after 13:00
Reservations
Walk-in, no reservation
Paying
Cards taken
Per person
US$8–252026 estimate · check
Walk-in windows
Tip
Format
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Your first order
- Bagel with cream cheeseThe basic order.US$5–8
Menus and prices change; the board on the day wins.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
On the ground
How to order, tip and pay, allergies, and booking
How to order
- Take a number and order at the counter.
- Say the bagel type, the toasted or not, and the spread.
- Ask for the lox to be sliced thin.
Tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 18–22%, close to US habits.
Allergies and diets
- YesVegetarian · Cream cheese and vegetables. · say: “I do not eat meat or fish.”
- AskVegan · A plain bagel and a dairy-free spread if offered. · say: “I do not eat dairy or eggs.”
- AskHalal · Ask.
- NoGluten-free · Wheat bagels. · say: “I need gluten-free.”
- AskNut allergy · Ask.
Paying
Cards taken
- Check that the lox is priced by the sandwich.
- Cards accepted; tip in the jar or on the card.
- Tip 18–22% at sit-down restaurants; menu prices exclude tax and tip.
Booking
- Booking
- Walk-in, no reservation
- Reservations
- Not taken
- Note
- Walk-in; counter service.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
Map and nearby
Where this place is, how to get there, and what is around it
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Nearby places
Eat nearby
More detail
Everything else we know about this place
How to order here, in full
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
- 1Take a number and order at the counter.
- 2Say the bagel type, the toasted or not, and the spread.
- 3Ask for the lox to be sliced thin.
No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| How much is it? | How much is this? | prices are usually shown |
| The check, please | Can I get the check? | US usage |
| To go | For here or to go? | a common question at counters |
| Hello | Hi / Hey | casual and universal |
| Thank you | Thanks | said constantly |
Portions and sharing
- Eat at the small tables or take away.
Extras, condiments and what costs extra
- Extra spread: Charged per portion — Ask the price.
Paying and tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 18–22%, close to US habits.
- Check that the lox is priced by the sandwich.
- Cards accepted; tip in the jar or on the card.
- Tipping: 18–22% at restaurants; $1–2 a drink; round up taxis.
- Tip 18–22% at sit-down restaurants; menu prices exclude tax and tip.
- Check that a service charge is not already included for groups.
- Many delis and bodegas take cash only; carry small bills.
At the table
- Lunch specials are cheaper than dinner at the same restaurant.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- US$8–25 per person (2026 estimate)
Paying, diet and allergies
Paying
Accepted.
Major cards.
Phone payments.
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianyes
Cream cheese and vegetables.
Show: I do not eat meat or fish.
- Veganask
A plain bagel and a dairy-free spread if offered.
Show: I do not eat dairy or eggs.
- Halalask
Ask.
- Gluten-freeno
Wheat bagels.
Show: I need gluten-free.
- Nut allergyask
Ask.
What is in the dishes
- Bagel with cream cheesedairy
- Egg and cheese bagelegg · dairy
- Whitefish or tuna salad bagelfish
Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.
Who it suits, booking and the kitchen
Who it suits, booking, closures
- How to book
- No bookings.
- How far ahead
- Not needed
- No-show / cancel fee
- Not applicable
- Dress code
- None.
| When | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public holidays | check before you go | Hours may vary. |
| Afternoon | check before you go | Closes mid-afternoon. |
Show the kitchen
Tap a need to get a large screen you can hold up to staff. The wording is the guide’s; a helper who reads the language should confirm it if your allergy is serious.
Hour by hour, with queue times
Quietest listed hour: 15:00 (quiet).
- 07:00heavyexpect a line
- 08:00packedexpect a long line
- 09:00packedexpect a long line
- 10:00heavyexpect a line
- 11:00busya short wait is possible
- 13:00lightlittle or no wait
- 15:00quietlittle or no wait
Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.
Comfort, facts and cons
Hygiene and comfort
- Restrooms
- Restroom on site · accessible restroom: check
- Seating
- Chairs at tables
- Kids
- kids' menu: no · stroller: caution · Small shop
- Access
- step-free: check · Confirm the entrance
Hygiene
- A high-turnover shop; standard care.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not taken — Walk-in; counter service.
- Capabilities
- food · toilet
- Getting there
- Third Avenue near East 51st Street · ~14 min walk
Cons
- Lines at weekends.
- Small dining room.
- Bagels are large and filling; consider sharing.
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| Bagel | A boiled and baked ring of bread. | Choose plain, sesame, poppy or everything. |
| Lox | Cured salmon. | Order 'lox and cream cheese'. |
| Schmear | A spread of cream cheese. | Ask for a light schmear. |
| Everything | A bagel topped with seeds, garlic and onion. | A common choice. |
Price check
- locals pay
- A bagel with cream cheese is US$5–8; lox versions US$15–22; the price is the same for everyone.
- tourist price
- Nothing special applies to visitors.
- rule
- Check that the lox is priced by the sandwich.
| Extra on the table | Typical charge | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Extra spread | Charged per portion | Ask the price. |
Deep dive
Questions, alternatives, and where our facts come from
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
What should I order?
An everything bagel with cream cheese or a lox bagel.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I take away?
Yes.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
When is it busiest?
Weekend mornings; go on a weekday before 09:00.Weekend mornings; go on a weekday before 9:00 AM.
Is a bagel enough for lunch?
Yes, they are large.
If it is closed or full
Nearby alternatives
If it is closed or the line is too long
Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h (3 mph)3 mph (5 km/h).
All places to eat in New York, with filters →
Used as a seated rest node in New York in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — New York City (eat)
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Source: Price per person
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Prices are 2026 estimates from the menu or the price line on file. Check on the day.
Source: Opening hours
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Source: Best time
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
The easiest walk-in window or the quietest hour in this guide. Crowd levels are desk estimates, not counts.