Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Fast service bagel shop with a number of veg items labeled, including sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche, biscotti, and pastries; quiche & pastries are not vegan. Has non-dairy margarine and coffee creamer, soy cream cheese, vegan cheese, vegetarian sausage on the menu. Small eat-in area. Open Mon-Fri 6:00am-3:00pm, Sat-Sun 7:00am-3:00pm.
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 02 Jun 2023 by fruitiJulie
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Added by Bean_A_Broad on 28 Jun 2010
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31 Reviews
First Review by RaMills
veganjas64
Points +995
So many options! - Edit
I love that almost all the bagels are vegan and they have several breakfast sandwich options available with plant meat and just egg Patties. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. But not all the flavors of vegan cream cheese were available so be sure to ask what they have before making your bagel selection.
Read morePros: Great price value, Vegan cream cheese
Cons: Not all advertised flavors available
Guest
bvankampen
Points +633
Great vegan options!! - Edit
Most of their bagel flavors are vegan (check website for ones that aren’t) and they have vegan egg, sausage & cheese! And SO MANY vegan cream cheese options😍
Read moreGuest
Banaina
Points +96
We love Balsam! - Edit
Just amazing, great bagels and breakfast options. Our favorite breakfast in Rochester. Try the vegan lox bagel!!!
Read morePros: Most bagels are vegan, House made vegan cream cheese options, Other vegan options! Pastries, sandwiches, etc
Guest
moonbeam_magick
Points +126
Absolutely amazing!!! - Edit
Every vegan bagel and cream cheese (and vegan breakfast sandwich) combination that we’ve had has been amazing! Blueberry vegan bagel with cranberry chocolate chip vegan cream cheese was the best. Vegan hot dog bagel situation was not as exciting or delicious in person as it seemed online, but it was still fun to eat. So thankful there are many options of all of the vegan flavors!!! Totally worth the half hour drive from Greece.
Read morePros: Easy to order ahead online, Delicious vegan sammies, Abundant vegan bagel and cream cheese options
Guest
DianeSouthard
Points +30
Excellent! - Edit
What can I say? This place is AMAZING! I got the vegan carrot lox bagel it really the hit the spot, the perfect amount of carrot lox (made to perfection), vegan cream cheese, red onion, capers, and cumcumber. YUM! When I got there around 9:30am there was a line out the door but I was only in there about 10 minutes because the service was quick. I even accidently went to the wrong counter to order and they were super nice and took my order any way. Cheers to this place crushing it still in the middle of a pandemic. They also have vegan chocolate chip cookies and vegan breakfast sandwiches!
Read morePros: The food is excellent, the bagels fresh and tasty
Cons: There will probably be a long line in the morning
Guest
fruitiJulie
Points +3359
NYC-style bagels Rochester - Edit
Lots of vegan options in an nyc-style bagel shop. I recommend trying the mushroom and spinach turnovers, potato knishes, vegan franks (bagel dogs), cookies, and of course the bagels and bagels sandwiches. This is the only place in Rochester where you can get several flavors of vegan cream cheese. This is the best place for vegan bagel options in Rochester. There is outdoor seating available. This is a great spot for breakfast.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-05-30
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-30
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-30
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-30
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-30
Guest
veganimalinthewild
Points +709
Best Bagels in Rochester - Edit
These are easily the best bagels in Rochester and they offer vegan cream cheese (both their own and Tofutti brand), which I have not found to be offered at any other bagel shop locally! Almost all of their bagels are vegan (they're very clear as to which few aren't), and they offer many other vegan options such as Just Egg, vegan cheese, vegan sausage crumbles, and vegan lox among others. They are a well established, well loved Rochester staple located in the North Winton Village neighborhood. Historically due to their popularity you would need to expect line, but their staff are extremely efficient here and even when I have been there in a line extending out the door, my total wait time has never, ever been long. They now offer online ordering as well, an implementation begun due to COVID, and it is working very well. They offer curbside pickup, with option to bring your order right out to your car!
Read morePros: Many vegan options-breakfast, lunch, & sweets! , Vegan cream cheese-can also buy whole tubs to go!, Off-street parking
Cons: Often a line, but it typically moves quickly.
Guest
auntielu
Points +24
Try the Vegan Lox sandwich! - Edit
While visiting family in Victor, NY last weekend I found Balsam Bagels on Happy Cow and had to take the drive to try them. We picked up a vegan lox sandwich on sun dried tomato bagel (ordered as it comes off vegan menu), a blueberry vegan muffin, the mixed berry and spicy veggie vegan cream cheeses and 6 assorted vegan bagels. I will NEVER go back to visit and pass on Balsam Bagels. Everything we got was delicious and fresh! The vegan lox is a must try!!
Read morePros: Tons of vegan options
DianeSouthard
I LOVED this sandwich! Good to the last bite.
Read moreGuest
TracyWeb
Points +743
Delicious bagels and more! - Edit
These are definitely the best bagels in Rochester! make sure to try their vegan breakfast sandwich or one their soups! They always have quite a few vegan soup options along with knishes, phyllo dough treats and even bagel dogs. They also offer a great variety of vegan baked goods such as muffins, chocolate banana bread and coconut-almond bread. So good!
Read moreGuest
scompter
Points +62
Bagels and more! - Edit
Love the vegan lox, made with smoked carrots!
Read morePros: Surprise! An entire vegan menu!
Guest
rebelrick
Points +30
Great first impression - Edit
I really enjoyed their vegan breakfast sandwich!
Read moreGuest
aibababye
Points +145
Favorite spot! - Edit
I love grabbing breakfast here! They have lots of vegan options and the staff is knowledgeable about what is and isn’t vegan. They have vegan cream cheese that they make in house for sale, along with tofutti. I love their vegan breakfast sandwich with added veggies. They have pastries that are vegan as well!
Read morePros: Tons of vegan options
naomi4bishop4
I see all these good reviews about this restaurant so I decided to try it
Read moreGuest
VeganMelba
Points +20
Sunday Morning Favorite! - Edit
Vegan breakfast sandwiches, vegan cream cheese options, vegan muffins- so much goodness!!
Read morePros: Tasty, Many vegan options that aren’t tofu scramble! , Muffins!!
Cons: Soooo busy
Guest
Bean_A_Broad
Points +151
Many Vegan Options - Edit
Great little place with numerous vegan options, all clearly marked. The vegan lox are really worth trying and they always have multiple vegan soups, which is a welcome rarity! Fair prices, clean restaurant, friendly service.
Read morePros: Many vegan options, Fair prices, Family owned and friendly staff
Cons: Super busy at times (because it's really good!)
Guest
mephemera
Points +20
Vegan lox! - Edit
The vegan lox is so good!! So accessible for vegans, I really appreciate it. And way good bagels
Read moreGuest
VeganUSA
Points +7729
Fresh, homemade bagels - Edit
This place has consistently delicious bagels: soft on the inside, crunchy, thin crust on the outside. Plenty of choices. Carryout or tables inside.
Read morePros: Delicious , Fresh, Extensive selection
Guest
VeganGinger
Points +100
Best Bagel's in Upstate NY - Edit
Seriously outside of Brooklyn these bagels are amazing. We loved the Vegan lox bagel sandwich!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options.
Cons: As it's family run, they close for vacation, two weeks in June/July every year. Call , ahead if visiting around this time of year.
Guest
Julesmkohn
Points +18
Vegan Options - Edit
My mom grew up in Brighton so my family has been coming to balsam for YEARS. They are very allergen/diet aware. They will put on new gloves or clean the prep area of contaminants if you ask and are patient and well trained! They have vegan cream cheese, baked goods, and EVEN seasonal traditional Jewish food items/baked goods (such as vegan lox)!! This place is really nice. They Evan have a good deal of parking off street!
Read moreGuest
MichaelSavegan
Points +2118
What a nice surprise! - Edit
I have been driving past this place for years. I don’t know why I never stopped in.
Read moreThey have a separate vegan menu (see pictures) and a board of daily specials. All vegan items are clearly marked.
They had a four different soups (all vegan) and different phyllo pockets with vegan fillings. I had the samosa filling. My friend had a freshly made bagel with vegan cream cheez. They have about seven different cream cheez available.
They also have salads and vegan desserts.
They give a ten percent discount with the RocVegan Savings card Monday through Friday.
I will be coming back!
Updated from previous review on 2018-01-10
Pros: Delish, Friendly , Lots of vegan options
Guest
MatthewRankin
Points +39
A gem! - Edit
Rochester, Balsam Bagels has been vegan friendly for many many years! All of their bagel varieties (which is A LOT) are vegan except for their french toast (which has egg). They have ~6 different vegan cream cheese options each day as well. All of their vegan baked goods are clearly labelled. The cookies are a must, so are the muffins! The owners are the sweetest people, say hi! Prices are very reasonable. There is something to be said about a quality bagel :) They also have vegan breakfast sandwiches on bagels which includes vegan cheese, earth balance, and vegan crumble, plus any additional veggies you want.
Read morePros: excellent food, family friendly, great staff
Guest
TofaLeafslayer
Points +118
Lots of options - Edit
There were so many choices I almost felt overwhelmed. I love that they had a printed vegan menu so my choices were obvious. I couldn't decide so ordered soup and a wrap with sides - they were all great.
Read morePros: Many options, Tasty
Cons: Probaby not great for a large group, 6+
Guest
Veganarmy
Points +150
Vegan menu - Edit
Balsam has tons of vegan options all on a separate menu.almost all their bagels are vegan.they even have vegan lox.Great soups too
Read morePros: Quick, Inexpensive
Guest
Patanya
Points +118
The Best Bagels - Edit
Great bagels AND vegan cream cheese options. There aren't many, if any, bagel places in town that offer vegan cream cheese. Another plus, the coffee is good and there are other vegan options on the menu. Definitely worth a trip.
Read moreGuest
JamieLiliah
Points +33
Move over Breuggers! - Edit
When i found out about this place- my intake of bagels went thru the ROOF.
Read moreLots of vegan cream cheese options, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and will let you know if certain bagels aren't vegan. There are also vegan bagel sandwich options and vegan dessert/salads/muffins, etc. They also have nondairy milk you can ask for for coffee (at no extra cost!)
Pros: Lots of vegan options, friendly staff (some are vegan too!), no extra cost for non-dairy milk!
Guest
Phreddd
Points +96
delicious! - Edit
Balsam bagels is amazing. Bagels are delicious and they consistently have numerous types of vegan cream cheese! My absolute favorite is the pumpkin flavor.
Read moreThey've also had at least one vegan soup all the times I've visited and assorted vegan pastries.
Staff is very friendly and accommodating even if it's busy.
Pros: pumpkin cream cheese, delicious bagels
Guest
kyleroc
Points +61
Can't beat these bagels! - Edit
Multiple vegan cream cheeses (and TONS of vegetarian varieties.)
Read moreThe bagels are equally enjoyed just plain as well. Yum.
Favorite combo has to be the Salt Bagel with Chipotle Cream cheese.
They also offer a variety of vegan/vegetarian lunch options. Favorite has to be the vegan samosa phyllo.
Would give it 5 stars if I could!
Pros: Many vegan options, Friendly quick cheap clean, Lunch options (pick up bagel + lunch for later!)
Guest
lizardlucas
Points +1044
Awesome selection! - Edit
They have probably five different types of tofutti cream cheese, plus a few they make in house. Plenty of vegan baked goods (I grabbed a loaf of double chocolate banana bread), soups, and specials (their vegan samosa was fantastic), as well as some Gardein products. Wonderful bagel, pastry, and coffee spot.
Read morePros: big selection, good food, good coffee
Guest
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