Hands down one of the best vegan breakfast sandwiches in the city. Solid vegan sausage and super soft chewy onion bagel. Great vegan cream cheese spread and the sauteed onions and crushed peppers were just icing on the cake. I got a cold brew iced with oat milk and sugar. Sweetened perfectly and they give you an awesome 23 oz cup. Perfect little atmosphere inside and the guys at the counter are friendly and personable. Highly recommend to anyone searching for vegan or non vegan food!
May 3 · Jesse VenetBAKERY PROFILE
Brooklyn Bagel Factory
★ 4.0239 recorded reviewsUS$10–20
168 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 168 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Phone
- (617) 945-7286
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 239 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- Monday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Tuesday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Friday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About and visit notes
For those of us in Massachusetts, especially in and around the bustling intellectual hub of Cambridge, the search for an authentic, perfectly chewy bagel often feels like a quest. Thankfully, that quest frequently leads to a true gem: Brooklyn Bagel Factory. This isn't just another bagel shop; it's a dedicated establishment bringing the revered tradition of New York-style bagels right to our local community, elevating the simple bagel to an art form.
Brooklyn Bagel Factory prides itself on delivering an authentic experience. Their commitment to the time-honored process of hand-rolling and kettle-boiling bagels ensures that distinctive crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior that connoisseurs crave. But bagels are just the beginning. This family-owned shop has become a beloved fixture in Cambridge, known for its extensive menu that caters to diverse tastes, including an impressive array of vegan options that have garnered widespread acclaim.
What makes Brooklyn Bagel Factory truly special for Massachusetts locals is their unwavering dedication to quality, freshness, and customer satisfaction. Everything is made fresh daily with no shortcuts, utilizing high-quality ingredients, often locally sourced. This commitment, combined with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, creates a go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, or simply a perfectly brewed coffee. It's the kind of local business that genuinely adds flavor and convenience to our daily lives here in the Bay State.
Brooklyn Bagel Factory is conveniently located at 168 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. This places it in the vibrant Inman Square section of Cambridge, a neighborhood known for its eclectic mix of independent businesses, lively atmosphere, and strong community feel. For Massachusetts residents, particularly those in Cambridge and surrounding cities like Somerville and Boston, this location offers excellent accessibility.
Getting to Brooklyn Bagel Factory is relatively straightforward. While Inman Square itself isn't directly on an MBTA subway line, it is well-served by several bus routes that connect to major subway stations. Buses along Hampshire Street provide direct links to the Red Line (at Central Square or Kendall/MIT) and Green Line (at Lechmere), making it quite accessible via public transit from various parts of Cambridge, Boston, and beyond. For those who prefer to walk or bike, Inman Square is very pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, offering a pleasant journey through charming neighborhood streets.
For drivers, metered street parking can be found in the vicinity, though as with many popular areas in Cambridge, it might require a bit of searching, especially during peak hours. The "perfect little atmosphere inside" noted by a customer, combined with the general neighborhood vibe, makes visiting Brooklyn Bagel Factory a truly enjoyable part of exploring Cambridge.
Brooklyn Bagel Factory offers an extensive and impressive menu that goes far beyond just plain bagels and cream cheese, catering to a wide range of preferences, including significant options for vegan and vegetarian patrons. Their services are designed to provide a comprehensive and satisfying breakfast or lunch experience.
- Hand-Rolled & Kettle-Boiled Bagels: The core of their offering. They provide a wide variety of authentic New York-style bagels, including classic flavors like Plain, Everything, Sesame, Poppy, Cinnamon Raisin, Blueberry, Pumpernickel, Egg, Whole Wheat, Salt, Multigrain, Multi-Seeded Grain, Onion, and Bialy. They also offer flat bagels and gluten-free bagels, ensuring options for various dietary needs.
- "Crazy" Cream Cheeses & Spreads: Famous for their diverse and inventive cream cheese flavors, which include Plain, Vegetable, Scallion, Bacon Scallion, Jalapeno Asiago, Honey Bacon Sriracha, Strawberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon Walnut Raisin, Cannoli, Garlic & Herb, Pimento Olive, Lox Spread, Lox Scallion Spread, and rotating weekly featured flavors. Crucially, they also offer delicious non-dairy/tofu cream cheese flavors.
- Signature Bagel Sandwiches & Breakfast Wraps: A highlight for many customers, especially their "steamed bagel sandwiches" which are described as "fresh, flavorful, and perfectly melty." Options include:
- Vegan Breakfast Sandwiches: Highly praised for being among the best in the city, featuring vegan sausage, super soft chewy onion bagels, great vegan cream cheese spread, and additions like sautéed onions and crushed peppers. Specific vegan options include "Kimball Street" (vegan spread, plant-based sausage, vegan cheddar, peppers, onions, jalapeños, arugula, crushed peppers, sweet & spicy sauce), "Strawberry Hill" (French fig jam, vegan cream cheese, fresh strawberry, blueberry, honey), and "Magnolia Avenue" (hummus, vegan spread, plant-based sausage, vegan cheddar, arugula, tomato, jalapeño, BBQ sauce).
- Non-Vegan Breakfast Sandwiches: Popular options like "Inman Square" (eggs, Boar's Head protein), "Hungry Beast" (eggs, sausage, bacon, hash brown, cheese), and "Third Rail" (egg whites, turkey bacon, avocado, gouda, hot sauce).
- Lunch Sandwiches: Deli classics with various meats and cheeses, often served with a pickle.
- Smoked Fish & Deli Meats: Classic Nova smoked salmon, homemade smoked whitefish salad, and house-roasted turkey and beef for traditional bagel and deli sandwich pairings.
- Coffee Station & Beverages: They roast their coffee in-house, offering a "deliciously bold" selection including drip coffee, lattes (hot and iced, with various flavor options like Ube, Strawberry-Vanilla, Salted Toffee, Toasted Marshmallow, and Mocha), Americanos, Chai Lattes, Matcha Lattes, and a variety of loose-leaf teas. Their cold brew iced coffee is particularly noted for its excellence and generous serving size (23 oz cup).
- Bakery Items: Freshly baked daily, with no carry-over to the next day. This includes traditional muffins (blueberry, corn, banana walnut, raisin bran) and Parisian croissants and danishes.
- Catering Services: Available for events, offering large orders of bagels, spreads, bagel sandwiches, and coffee.
- Online Ordering & Delivery: For convenience, customers can order online for pickup or delivery, making it easy to enjoy their offerings from home or office.
This comprehensive menu, with its emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and a wide array of options, ensures there's something satisfying for everyone.
Brooklyn Bagel Factory distinguishes itself with several key features and highlights that make it a standout choice for Massachusetts locals seeking an authentic and high-quality bagel experience:
- Authentic New York-Style Bagels: Their commitment to hand-rolling, water-boiling, and baking bagels daily ensures a truly authentic New York texture – crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. This is a significant draw for bagel aficionados in Massachusetts.
- Exceptional Vegan Options: A major highlight is their "best vegan breakfast sandwiches in the city." They offer a dedicated vegan menu with multiple, creative bagel sandwich options using plant-based sausage and excellent vegan cream cheese, catering to a growing demand for diverse dietary needs.
- "Crazy" and Diverse Cream Cheese Spreads: Their wide array of unique cream cheese flavors (including savory and sweet options, and non-dairy alternatives) provides endless possibilities for customization and flavor exploration, setting them apart from simpler bagel shops.
- High-Quality Ingredients: They emphasize using local meats, farm-fresh eggs, crisp veggies, and house-made spreads, reinforcing their commitment to freshness and taste.
- Award-Winning Recognition: Having been voted Food Network's "Favorite NYC Bagels" and their "Crazy Cream Cheeses" recognized by The Daily Meal, these accolades speak to the high regard for their quality.
- Outstanding Coffee Program: Customers consistently praise their coffee, particularly the cold brew, described as "by far the best coffee I've ever had," and noting the generous serving sizes. Their in-house roasted coffee ensures quality.
- Friendly and Personable Staff: Reviews highlight the "friendly and personable" nature of the staff, contributing to a welcoming and positive customer experience that fosters loyalty.
- "Perfect Little Atmosphere": The interior is noted for its pleasant and inviting ambiance, making it a comfortable spot to enjoy a meal or coffee.
- Steamed Bagel Sandwiches: A unique offering, these "perfectly melty" sandwiches are a signature item that elevates the traditional bagel sandwich experience.
- Family-Owned & Community-Focused: Being a family-owned business focused on bringing high-quality bagels to Cambridge, they aim to foster a welcoming, community-driven space.
These combined features make Brooklyn Bagel Factory a highly recommended and well-regarded destination for anyone in Massachusetts seeking an authentic, delicious, and inclusive bagel experience.
For Massachusetts residents eager to visit or connect with Brooklyn Bagel Factory, here is the essential contact information:
- Address: 168 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Phone: (617) 945-7286
The provided information includes both a general and mobile phone number, but the primary number listed should be sufficient for most inquiries. For the most up-to-date operating hours (they are typically open Tuesday-Sunday, 7 AM - 2 PM, and closed Mondays) or to view their full menu and place an order for pickup or delivery, visiting their official website is recommended. A quick online search for "Brooklyn Bagel Factory Cambridge MA" will easily lead you to their digital presence.
In conclusion, for Massachusetts locals, Brooklyn Bagel Factory is truly a standout destination for an authentic and exceptional bagel experience. Its commitment to the traditional hand-rolling and kettle-boiling methods ensures that every bagel delivers that coveted crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, bringing a genuine taste of New York right to Cambridge. This dedication to quality is apparent in every bite and extends to their diverse menu, which caters to a wide array of tastes and dietary preferences.
What makes this establishment particularly suitable for locals is its embrace of the community, offering not just delicious food but also a warm and friendly atmosphere. The highly praised vegan breakfast sandwiches and extensive coffee selection ensure there's something for everyone, making it an ideal spot for a quick morning bite, a leisurely brunch, or a satisfying lunch. The convenient location in Inman Square, with good accessibility via public transit, further solidifies its position as a go-to spot for Cambridge residents and visitors from across Massachusetts.
Brooklyn Bagel Factory has successfully carved out its niche as a beloved local gem, consistently delivering fresh, high-quality, and innovative bagel creations. For those seeking the "best bagels in Cambridge" and a genuinely satisfying culinary experience, a visit to Brooklyn Bagel Factory is highly recommended—it's sure to become a cherished part of your local routine in Massachusetts.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pick-up
- In-store shopping
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safe space
Planning
- Quick visit
Recycling
- Electronics
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
bagel sandwiches 25menu 14vegan 13waffles 12breakfast sandwich 10filling 8vegetarian 6grocery store 5latte 5asiago 5
I found my new breakfast place. the help was Dynamite, place was really clean and the food was bomb. The ice cold brew was by far the best coffee I've ever had!
May 30 · Kenneth NestorWhat a gem. From the steamed bagel sandwiches with fascinating (including vegan!) ingredient combinations, to a fantastic coffee selection, to a calendar of fun in-store events, these folks deserve to as busy as they can handle -- and still provide such friendly and accommodating service.Advice for those driving in for take-out: if possible, order ahead, and send a "runner" inside to get your order; parking can be scarce!
Jul 23 · Keir HansenI had a wonderful experience when I visited and The variety of bagels is impressive, with classic flavors and unique options that cater to every taste. I tried the everything bagel with their homemade cream cheese, and it was a perfect combination of flavors and texture—crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.The staff was friendly and welcoming, making the experience even better. The shop itself has a cozy vibe, perfect for enjoying a bagel with a cup of coffee. Plus, their freshly baked bagels are simply unmatched. If you’re in the area, do yourself
Oct 4 · S KReally massive menu here (many black boards with pretty writing and everything from vegan cream cheese to gluten free bagels).Also, they have my favorite iced tea: Harney & Sons!The bagels are okay. Not my favorite, but not bad.I was sad that the waffles are not stuffed. They have fruit or whatever you ordered in the batter, and they have the toppings on top, but you don’t cut into them and find filling oozing out (or if you’re supposed to, the person who made mine didn’t make them right). I was sad because $13.95 was expensive for the unimpressive waffle I received. It wasn’t bad, just not stuffed as advertised.BUT everyone was kind and the atmosphere is relaxed and the food was decent.I also love that it wasn’t super busy. It was calm enough to rest.There’s also some parking on the streets around the cafe.
Jul 1 · Kristy JohnsonNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
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