My sister said this place had one of the best bagels and during our weekend trip we didn't get a chance to visit until we were about to leave NYC. We checked out of our hotel with our luggage and walked 5 minutes to the subway, sat on the subway for 30 minutes and walked another 15, let's just say we were committed to trying this bagel place! We arrive in an area of litter and broken down bicycles and find that the business isn't letting people inside. When I walked in he suggested I step outside and scan a small QR code and order online, and can bring it out. After the trouble, we order a $15 and a $20 bagel. It's brought out after a few minutes and we fortunately are able to walk to a nearby coffee shop, order coffee and sit with our newfound bagel treasures. The first bite is hard to break off, tough and chewy almost, like leather. As my teeth become acclimated to this mysterious bread texture, my hunger takes over and I complete my mission. Was the bagel good? I think so. I would have liked an open dining room or an explanation of why it wasn't available. I would have liked to have placed an order with a person and not a phone. Was it worth the extra trip? absolutely not.

Great brunch option on the LES. During peak hours you will wait 45mins to an hour, but it was worth it. I’d wait longer for the goat cream cheese and pastrami cured salmon. The hot/cold cure salmon dip was fantastic. We also loved the eggs Benedict and the deviled eggs. It was not really clear on the menu but you can customize the open face sandwich boards, once I figured out that I asked for the goat cream cheese and the pastrami cured salmon instead of some of the standard options. Found the service to be a little slow, but we weren’t in a rush so it was fine.

Tldr; p good but not sure if we'd go back. - service was nice, the staff gave good recommendations and checked on us - went a while a go, and I remember it to be good, but not enough to go back - can't say anything makes me go, ah yes that was amazing. It was just good at the time and I've not thought about it since.

This is a busy cafe. If you get there at a busy time you have to wait. The food is very good quality and tasty. The cold brew is very good also. Highly recommend it.

Currently take out only but highly delicious! Well-prepared fish bagels and other creations harkening to Jewish traditions. Really loved the pastrami salmon bagel.

A must visit breakfast spot on the Lower East Side. We came on a Saturday morning shortly after opening hour and immediately got a table. Order of the day was scrambled eggs with sturgeon, lox bagel, and french toast. All absolutely delicious. Service staff was lovely, and overall I enjoyed the vibes here 😊

Being a big fan of French toast and having tried it in a bunch of cities, I can say with complete certainty that the French toast here is the best! It is moist yet not soggy, perfect in every way. The tartness from the apple is well balanced with the cinnamon sugar in the bread. Amazing! Their coffee was great too! Overall, 10/10 Will definitely be going back there soon!

Went to this iconic cafe for brunch. After a wait of about 45 minutes we were seated and promptly served. Sandwiches were delicious but the drinks were a bit pricey. Overall, this was a nice experience.

Loved eating here! There was a 30 min wait but the place is so charming, like going back in time, and the food was great. We shared the classic board and some latkes. I’m not huge on latkes but the lox and bagel were great. Would love to return and try more of the menu. Highly recommend.

I tried this place after seeing it recommended online and it was one of the highlights of my trip. I was alone so I was seated at the bar which was arguably the best in the whole restaurant. I really loved the vibes and the overall ambiance. I tried my first egg cream here and it was surprisingly tasty. The service was quick, easy, and I never felt rushed to leave.

Has the Anne platter and the first soup on the list. Pretty good. Pricy. Good experience but I don't think we will come here regularly. Just a good experience

Wow! What an amazing experience this spot was. Absolutely delicious sodas and food! I had the classic open faced bagel with smoked salmon and it was to die for! Smoked salmon was so fresh! I also tried the blintzes which were delicious. The service was excellent as well. 10/10!!!

A big reputation and did not disappoint! I had the lox bagel with all the extras on an pumpernickel bagel and it was tasty, fresh and well presented. Service was great and made it a special meal. I also had the fresh orange juice and the whole experience was good. I was traveling solo and sitting at the bar was a great option. I met a really nice woman and we ate our bagels together!

The Russ family dining room has always been a wonderful invitation and experience for my family and friends. We love the chance to try something new and enjoy the sensation of flavors and precise preparation of the food. Gabe, our server, was precious.

If there’s a line, don’t fret it moves quickly. Classic diner style service. A great breakfast and brunch spot with great bagels and amazing choices of fish and caviar. Had the classic platter along with a couple of noshes - hot & cold smoke with bagel chips weee a standout. Excellently strong coffee too!

Heard the restaurant had reopened so I had to come and I had a great time! Hoyt was attentive and gave great suggestions since there were too many to choose from! I definitely have to come back and try a couple of the other delicious options 😋

Russ and Daughters cafe was on my wishlist since we saw in #somebodyfeedphil NYC episode. I have to say the hype is real, fresh bagels, awesome somked salmon sandwiches and fantastic cream cheese. Everyone in my family enjoyed their breakfast here. Its a must try if you are in NYC.

WOW. so worth it. the bagel was really something special. we ordered online and picked up our bagels and then ate them on the street because there wasn’t anywhere to sit which was kind of a bummer. ordering online is pretty slick, however.

We ordered “The Classic” and it was excellent! I’m dairy free and their vegan cream cheese was delicious. Everything from presentation to speed to communication was A+! We’re going to be returning upon our next trip! Thank you to Louis and the entire staff for a great experience!

We had the most wonderful time. The best cream cheese and locks bagel I have ever had in addition to the best potato latke I have ever had. And note my bagel was gluten free, it was super emotional and amazing to be able to enjoy it at such a pivotal spot in the city. 🌆 It was absolutely incredible and it was so special to eat and be in a space so treasured by New Yorkers and so vital to the history of Jewish immigration and cookery. So wonderful that it’s female owned. You would feel the love and care in everything from the food to the decor. The staff were so welcoming and informative and I am so grateful I got to go. The classic bagel and lox was sensational as were the latkes. This place deserves every star, moon, whatever award it seeks to get. I do recommend going early as there are no reservations. Otherwise, enjoy at your fullest! ✨💖

Delicious brunch, amazing salmon. One of the herrings was a bit too salty, but we come from a country where herring is very popular, so we had high expectations :)

I really do love this place but why can’t they have better bagels?? I ordered the classic board and the nova was excellent, but the bagel itself was like a 3/10. A few other negatives: this may be nit picky but I wanted my bagel toasted and it was barely even warmed, although the nova was generous, the toppings for the bagel were really limited. They gave such a small portion of cream cheese, like why? The vibe of the restaurant is great, almost feels warm and homey, and the servers were all super friendly. The food was not bad, but definitely not the best bagel and lox in the city. Come here for the vibe and atmosphere, and maybe an egg cream, but don’t expect to be “wowed.”

Cute cafe. Great service and lox was 👌🏽👌🏽. Babka french toast was good but tasted more like a cinnamon roll to me. Portions were not huge but not tiny. Still fun though.

Excellent place for breakfast. The classic board was super delicious. We also order the eggs Benny that was really good as well. Loved the bread used. Good service, good atmosphere. 5 out of 5!

Superb! Perfect spot for the sunday brunch. Usually there is a queue, but you will be able to get in without a reservation in about an hour or so. Order chopped liver and potato latkas. Of course bagels are a classic

Perfect breakfast food. Lots of options on the menu beyond that too. Excellent selection of smoked fish, kippered fish, bagels and other Jewish deli delights. Once we found this place we never looked for another breakfast spot.

Amazing spot for New York deli food. The bagels and lox, latkes, and rugelach were all amazing. The atmosphere of the place was great; it felt like an old NYC diner but new and fresh at the same time. The service was incredibly pleasant and efficient, despite how busy the place was; my coffee cup was never empty. Will definitely be returning here when we are back in NYC.

Best bagels in NYC. Delicious, fresh and so tasty. Bagles are made fresh every day. The fish is phenomenal, they have several different kinds. I come here all the time and am never disappointed. You order from outside by scanning the QR code that brings you to the menu. You know how long it will be before you place the order so no surprising wait times. They bring the food out to you fairly quickly. The staff is very nice and always make me feel welcome.

There is no option to give SIX stars so the best I can do it tell you this is the last great place to get a proper bagel breakfast in NYC. It opens at 8:30 and there will already be a line. You shouldn’t have a problem if you come early but by 9:15 it’s jumping. Feel free to be a traditionalist or dive deep into the herring either way you won’t be disappointed. Non-dairy fans will be pleased to know they offer Coconut Cream Cheese as well. They have goat cream cheese but apparently that has regular CC in it as well. Coffee flows like water even if the coffee cups are literally CUPS (8oz). The juice is fresh. The staff are real pros and it’s all from one of the most storied NYC families in Sturgeon. A must must must.

Unquestionably my favorite restaurant for brunch style food. The best eggs Benedict I've ever had. Pickled herring is excellent. The service is great. I'm not from NYC, but I visit periodically. This is always a priority stop when I visit.

Great place to have a bagel and a cup of coffee. The salmon is great with it.

Great lox and bagel, definitely worth the trip downtown. Try the blueberry lemonade with gin 👍

got a bagel and lox to go and it was a solid dish. the bagel itself had that classic dense and chewy texture I would expect. the lox, cream cheese and other toppings were also tasty. however, nothing wow’d me and i’m inclined to try other bagels in the city

Luxury bagel! I love their Salmon roes! So good. Babka ice cream sandwich was okay, not impressed:)

It was the most amazing experience we could have hoped for. Great service, great food, beautiful story of the family business and it's displayed on the restaurant walls with original founders welcoming you in their place of sanctuary from over 100 years ago. Highly recommend as one of the must visit food staples in NYC!!!

Went here on a Wednesday to accompany a visiting friend. Apparently the place is highly recommended online. Pros for me are: great atmosphere and very friendly staff. The place is a little cramped though. We ordered the Classic board which I would not order again. It is an expensive deconstructed bagel- you will have to assemble yourself, and sadly it's not the best one I've had. I think this is not something i should have ordered here. I asked for it to be toasted but by the time it got to me it was barely even warm. Their menu is just the right size and I really regret not ordering something else. This is more like a sit down restaurant and I felt weird eating a bagel there. Id consider going back to try the other items tho.

Russ & Daughters offers great selection of salmon for breakfast. It has a very authentic atmosphere. They are well known with their bagel and my favorite is everything bagel with plan cream cheese. You should also try the potato latkes.

First visit to Russ & Daughters. The initial time of getting seated was quoted as 60-90 minutes, it was about 40-45 minutes wait. There were four of us and explored a variety of dishes for lunch. Food really was great! From the smoked salmon options (we try it almost every place we go) to the breads and borscht, nothing was disappointing. A clear favorite were the potato pancakes. These were really good; thick and filled with potatoes and even green onion for flavor and crunch. This place certainly lived up to the reputation. If you’re looking for great food like this, it’s one place not to miss.

Greta outdoor seating. Easy to order of the QR code in the table.

Smoked salmon, onion, capers, scallion cream cheese on a toasted bialy….forever. I love Russ & Daughters 🥲

Delicious Eastern European Jewish fare ; lox, bagels, latkes. Herring aficionados take note :the herring trio was just outstanding ! Comfortable and great service. The take out deli is up the block . You’ll surely want to go there to buy more after trying their food !

There’s a reason why this place is so popular; it’s like nothing I’ve had before. Their lox is amazing, I picked the gaspe which was thinly sliced and had a good smoky flavor. Smoked salmon can be fishy sometimes but it definitely wasn’t here. However, I didn’t like how they charged for each toping (tomato, onion, capers, etc). Their bagel wasn’t overly dense, which I really enjoyed!

Great and consistent food. We got the white fish spread and half a couple of bagels. It was genuinely hard to stop eating! There was some nice outdoor seating which lacks from the other branch down the street. Highly recommend getting this for anyone who loves bagels!

Arguably, the best bagel lox in town! The proportions were right. The babka ice cream sandwich was surprisingly delectable. This place is a classic for a reason.

One downside of this place is the amount of people that comes for a bagel. So far my favorite bagel place. They gave a good amount of cream cheese to salmon ratio and adding caper and tomatoes completes it even more.

Date of visit: 19/11/2023. Food: The Classic Board - smoked salmon and sesame seed bagel, with cream cheese, tomatoes, onions and capers. The salmon was delicious. Sliced beautifully thin. The toasted bagel had a crunch on the outside and was lovely and soft and chewy in the middle! All the ingredients were so fresh and tasty. Drink: Cream Soda - sweet and refreshing. Service: very efficient. The staff were all polite and friendly. Don’t walk away if they tell you there’s a wait for a table. Put your name down on the waiting list and go to the pub next door. They’ll send you a text message when your table is ready. It’s definitely worth the wait!

Order „The Classic“ and don‘t look back. The best bagel I have ever eaten. Must go to if you are in New York.

It was really easy to get a spot at the bar during the week and we only would’ve had to wait 15 minutes longer for a table. The classic bagel board was delicious. The coffee was great too and the atmosphere was really fun. I would probably try an egg cream or one of the vinegar spritzer drinks next time just for fun.

Authentic lower-east side cafe focused on appetizing. Impeccable service, quality and experience. Somewhat expensive, but worth every penny.

order takeout on their website for pickup at this cafe location. maybe it’s cuz i got it toasted and didn’t eat it immediately but i wasn’t super impressed. some parts were burnt. will have to try again fresh.

Classic New York style food, the bagel and lox we're SO GOOD! The lox was cooked perfectly! The drinks we got was the champagne mixed drink that was flavorful and refreshing, they have their own drip coffee blend that is surprisingly very good! Definitely worth a stop by

we waited way too long for the food to taste so average. won’t be back just because the wait for 1hr 45min, and i know i can get a better lox bagel at other bagel shops around town. they also make you assemble your own lox bagel after ordering. we were starving and then had to make our own food?? not my vibe. the interior was a cute and retro though!

Since I found out about this place it has been on my list to try. I am happy I got to finally come and try it. The customer service was very nice and welcoming. I enjoyed the classic sandwich with the bagel and smoked salmon lox as well as the noodle kugel. Everything was fresh and well prepared. I definitely would like to come back and try the other dishes on the menu.

Went for the first time for brunch and it was absolutely lovely! The quality of the food is amazing, quick service, the whole theme is mesmerizing and I just knew at the end of my visit that I would be coming back. I completely recommend it, great for a fun date, meeting with friends and just for the whole family. They have so many options and you won’t regret it!

I’ve never had a better herring in my life (and in Poland we have plenty options). Outstanding experience, food was delicious, fresh and served in a great atmosohere of this place. Absolutely recommended ❤️.