GR Bagel

I made two trips here while I was visiting Grand Rapids. I had the Salmon Cream Cheese on a Rosemary bagel and grabbed an Everything bagel with plain cream cheese for my sister. The Rosemary bagel itself was delicious, the salmon cream cheese was good, but it was too much to finish. I’m totally team cream cheese but this was a lot and then rich and salty on top of that. The Everything bagel was also a bit too salty in both mine and my sister’s opinion. I went back on the weekend to give it another try and to order the Bagel and Lox that’s so highly recommended here on Unilocal.This time I opted for the Plain bagel. It was really delicious. The ratio of cream cheese was good. Not too salty, just the right balance. I would order this again. The next time I’m in town I think I’ll definitely try one of their egg sandwiches. They look/​sound amazing. Oh, I almost forgot, the scones! Seriously the best scones ever. I ate a scone 3 days in a row at Rowster Coffee. Every flavor was equally delicious.

Hiding in the shadow of Wolfgang’s, one of the most popular breakfast spots in GR, is GR Bagel, one of GR’s best kept secrets — a small venue that serves up some of the best bagels you will ever eat. Everything is incredible. From the boiled bagels, cream cheese, sandwiches, baked goods, to the smooth coffee roasted just down the street at Rowster Coffee! GR Bagel uses local providers for everything they use. While I am a huge fan of the everything bagel with some veggie cream cheese, my favorite is the Super Mario, which is a cinnamon raisin bagel with egg, cheese, bacon, and Michigan maple syrup. I have yet to try the Lox (I’ve heard really great things), but be aware they only serve this on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You don’t want to miss this place — so don’t blink. Parking can be tricky, especially on weekends, so I recommend either parking at CVS or in the city lot on the other side of the building off of Ethel and then walking through the building to get around. It may be an adventure to find, but the food is the ultimate reward.

Energized but hungry after an early Sunday Yoga session, I dodged the crowds hanging out in front of Wolfgang’s and rounded the corner for GR Bagel. Tucked back on the side of the Wolfgang’s building near Sip and GoJo, this bagel shop brags of making «real» donuts «the right way». By that, they mean their donuts are water boiled, not baked (I assume the opposite of water boiled is baked, although I’ve never thought about how bagels are made. They just exist to me). And even if it’s even determined that boiling is the wrong way to make a bagel, I’m still coming back for GR Bagel’s lightly toasted sea salt bagel with homemade Salmon cream cheese. Heavenly! Rich, indulgent, thick creamy cream cheese with bits of flavorful tangy fresh Salmon. An edible luxury!
Keep in mind this isn’t Panera with carts full of pre made bagels in the back. They were short one person the day I arrived slowing down the orders, but I get the feeling that everything is still made fresh, onsite, and to-​order, so you may have to hang out awhile to get yours. Also, they don’t have any seating so you will have to eat it in your car or find a suitable spot outside the shop to scarf it down. Still, it’s totally worth a visit!

Great find! We arrived just before closing in a Saturday. The owner and staff whipped us up some amazing sandwiches. I had to go with the cheddar biscuit, it was great. My family members had a wide assortment of bagel & egg creations. No one left hungry. We also tried their cookie & brownie selections. I am glad I don’t live closer or this place could be dangerous to my waistline. I do look forward to my next visit there though.
It is a little out of the way but well worth the trip. Oh how could I forget the great coffee roasted locally.
But local or bye bye local

This place has incredible food made with high quality ingredients. They also serve Rowster coffee! It is the only bagel shop in the GR area worth going to.

Walking into GR Bagel, you get an instant flour-​y, made-​from-​scratch feeling that makes you know without a doubt that you’re going to get something tasty & high quality before you leave.
They have a wide selection of homemade bagels & cream cheeses (peanut butter for the dairy-​challenged), as well as breakfast sammiches for those wanting some protein to pair with their carbs on the go. My favorite so far is the rosemary sea salt bagel. I was told by the extremely friendly & courteous baker/​cashier that they will be adding lunch options at some future date. They also have coffee & scones for a little variety, but for the same reason you don’t order chicken at a steakhouse, the bagels are a must get! There is no seating inside as it’s meant to order & go, but there are lots of options nearby to sit and enjoy your bagel in the sunshine.
Great service with a smile and amazing bagels make me want to go back soon. Highly recommended for the bagel lover who wants to share that love with friends or coworkers!

Positioned in the building behind wolfgangs and next-​door to Sip raw juice bar.
I had the breakfast bagel sammie on salt bagel with egg, real cheddar cheese, and awesome bacon. This bagel reminds me of a Montréal style bagel I had in Burlington, VT. The bacon is epic and I love that they put the real cheddar in between the egg so it melts perfect and blends with the sandwich perfectly.
The service is great and and sammies are made to order. They usually also have a biscotti or pecan cinnamon role as an option. Coffee on hand from Rowsters, which is one of the many great local roasters in GR.
Do note that they are currently a take-​out only kind of place, so bring you’re party of 6, but plan on nom’n on the bagels outside.
this is now my goto bagel place in GR!

Very tasty bagels. The owner is so kind, warm and friendly. I ordered the Rosemary olive oil bagel with plain cream cheese. The bagel was perfect, but too much cream cheese. I’d order it on the side next time or skip it. Others ordered veggie and choice cream cheeses, both were delicious. The am happy hour of a bagel and coffee for $ 2 looks like a good deal. Can’t wait to try more bagel flavors!

I’ve only had a chance to stop in once so far, but the staff was warm and welcoming, the selection was great, and they serve Rowster coffee. They offer a bunch of toppings and relatively inexpensive bagel sandwiches. They are also, as far as I can tell, the only place to grab a quick bagel and lox. Looking forward to visiting again.

Been looking for a real bagel in GR and this fit the bill. Bagels should have a certain texture that distinguishes them from other bread-​the people at this place know what they’re doing on this point.
I had a salt bagel with scallion cream cheese. My bagel was awesome with just the right amount of large salt crystals. The cream cheese was generous amount and tasted like it was made from a cow that ate a diet of whipping cream the day it was milked, in a good way.
They also had a scone sample out which was good. Parking is tight.
I will definitely be back!