The bagels are hands down , the best in rochester! So fresh and amazing selection! The staff are always friendly and it's never a long wait. Cheers!
Thank you so much for having such a variety of vegan offerings on your menu!
I had the vegan lox and it was delicious!
By far the best vegan breakfast I’ve ever had (and I’ve lived in Portland and Denver). 100% must stop place in Rochester!!! The vegan bagel sandwich with spicy veggie cream cheese was out of this world. Great prices too
The vegan breakfast bagels are great! There are 3 options for vegan meats, all the cream cheeses are available as vegan and there are multiple vegan desserts.
The inside is large and spacious with lots of places to sit. There is also outdoor seating. Unfortunately it closes at 1 so you need to get there by then, which makes sense for breakfast, but we've gone for brunch a couple times so cutting it close! There are *many cream cheeses and I love that they're all available in vegan versions! They might just *be vegan by nature, but we say so anyway so I don't actually know, lol.
Love Balsam! The best bagels in town! We just purchased 28 bagels for my brothers post wedding brunch and they had soooo much variety. It was Sunday morning and they were very busy but the entire staff were so friendly and moved quickly to attend to everyone. Will never go anywhere else for bagels!
As one of Rochester's most well-known Bagel Shops, Balsam Bagels features a variety of bagels and other baked goods! I had a French Toast bagel for the first time in my life and it was so delicious. The staff was kind and moved fast to accommodate all the patrons that were in line (on a Tuesday morning). Will definitely be back in the future 😊
I’ll review the bagels and the employees.
A tough outside protects the soft and warm inside. A little bit salty, but overall, quite nice.
As for the bagels, they were great.
Hands down, the BEST, bagels in Rochester, if not western NY. The staff is excellent, friendly, and consistent. My go to is the Bagel/Lox/Cream Cheese on a Montreal Everything, Garlic and Herb cream cheese, toasted, all the veggies....absolute heaven...and always delicious. Small place, seating is limited, and they tend to have lines pretty often, but no question about it, it's worth the wait.
Very quick service, different coffee every day. Loved the cookies. Tried the everything bagel with the garlic and herb spread. I would come again. I love having a local bakery in every corner of the city! This is a must try!’
Driving from Ontario county is well worth it for these bagels! Locally sourced cream cheese, fresh unique bagels (try the inside out everything), and nice outside sitting area if you're looking to eat there. Staff is always friendly and quick. 10/10 would recommend, Brueggers has nothing on Balsam.
The best bagels in Rochester! It is the only place that has an excellent vegan lox and bagels sandwich. And their lunch specials are delicious but I always end up ordering the vegan lox and bagels because when you find something great you stick with it, lol. You order your food at a counter and take it to your own table. It’s small inside so during lunch hour it can get crowded but hey, it’s worth waiting for a table.
Got bacon, egg, and cheese on a olive rosemary bagel. I am very particular - request the bagel triple toasted - I had the luck of getting Brandon to wait on me and he was so so welcoming, listened to my request/s and honored them :). This neighborhood staple is a gem and I am glad to be both a homeowner and business owner within walking distance! Kudos Balsam! Muah! xo
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