Buffalo & Bergen - Union Market

Introduction / Overview

For Washington, DC residents seeking an authentic New York bagel and a vibrant dining experience, look no further than Buffalo & Bergen at Union Market. This establishment is much more than a simple bagel shop; it’s a dynamic counter spot that expertly blends classic Jewish deli fare with a modern, high-energy cocktail bar atmosphere. Helmed by renowned mixologist Gina Chersevani, Buffalo & Bergen has become a beloved local destination, offering everything from fresh, chewy bagels to hearty deli sandwiches and ingeniously crafted beverages, all served with a touch of nostalgia and flair. It identifies as a woman-owned business and offers a welcoming environment for all, including the LGBTQ+ community.

The core of the menu is built on the foundation of a true New York-style bagel experience. The dough is famously imported from A&S Bagels in Long Island City, ensuring that the critical element—the New York water—is present, leading to the perfect texture and flavor. These bagels are then proofed and baked on-site in DC, providing a freshness that local patrons rave about. Beyond the bagels, the menu features Jewish deli classics like Pastrami and Lox, alongside inventive, playfully named breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Adding to its unique character, Buffalo & Bergen also operates as a full-service cocktail bar, delivering creative drink options that perfectly complement the savory food offerings. It truly is a unique mashup of a bagel shop, a cocktail bar, a Jewish restaurant, and a full-fledged restaurant experience, making it a standout spot within the bustling Union Market food hall.

Location and Accessibility

Buffalo & Bergen is strategically located within the vibrant and popular Union Market food hall, making it an accessible hub for DC locals.

The exact location is: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA.

Union Market is a well-known culinary destination in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, DC, easily reachable by various modes of transport. For those driving, the location offers multiple parking options, a significant convenience in the city. Available parking includes a free parking lot, a paid parking lot, and paid street parking, providing flexibility for visitors whether they are planning a quick visit or an extended dining experience.

Accessibility is a key feature of the Union Market location, as it is equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that the spot is welcoming and available to all members of the community. Being housed within the market means that visitors can easily combine their bagel run with other shopping or dining activities available nearby.

Services Offered

Buffalo & Bergen offers a diverse range of services to cater to the fast-paced DC lifestyle and those looking to sit down and enjoy a meal.

• In-store pickup and Takeout for quick, convenient ordering.
• Dine-in service for enjoying the full deli and cocktail bar experience.
• A comprehensive menu featuring New York-style bagels, from a single Bagel ($2.00) to a Baker's Dozen ($22.00).
• Extensive breakfast options, including custom Egg, Cheese & Meat sandwiches ($8.00) and specialty creations like the Body Count ($13.00) with ham, sausage, bacon, egg, American cheese, and apricot jam.
• Classic Jewish deli fare, such as the Classic Pastrami Sandwich ($19.50), Classic Corned Beef Sandwich ($19.50), and The Well-Dressed Reuben, along with Matzo Baller Soup and Live, Love, Latkes ($10.00).
• Signature lox and smoked fish options, including The Original ($12.50) with fresh lox, cream cheese, capers, and red onions, as well as Atlantic Cold Smoked Salmon and House Cured Gravlax.
• A variety of freshly made spreads, including Plain Cream Cheese ($5.00 for 8oz tub) and several Flavored Cream Cheeses ($7.00 for 8oz tub) like scallion, jalapeño, pimento, maple-pecan, veggie, or beet & horseradish.
• Unique fountain beverages and cocktails from the bar, including classic Egg Cream ($7.00), various Ice Cream Floats ($8.00), Hand-Crafted Soda ($6.00), and a full cocktail menu including classics and specialty drinks.
• Merchandise and Gift Certificates are available for purchase, including BB T-Shirts and gift certificates in denominations of $10, $25, and $50.

Features / Highlights

The unique appeal of Buffalo & Bergen lies in its successful blending of high-quality New York deli traditions with a contemporary, creative beverage program. These features make it a must-visit destination in the DC area.

• Authentic New York Bagels: The commitment to quality is evident as the bagel dough is sourced from A&S Bagels in Long Island City, imported to DC, and then proofed and baked on-site, a method revered for producing superior bagels.
• Signature Jewish Deli Classics: The menu is robust with traditional Jewish comfort foods, highlighted by house-cured and smoked meats such as the 1/2 lb. Classic Pastrami Sandwich ($19.50) and the Matzo Baller Soup (made with lemongrass chicken stock and duck fat matzo balls).
• The Famous Lox'd & Loaded Bloody Mary: A standout item often mentioned in local reviews, this award-winning, spicy cocktail is dramatically garnished with an everything bagel, lox, cream cheese, and capers, perfectly embodying the shop's food and drink fusion concept.
• Creative Mixology Program: Led by celebrated mixologist Gina Chersevani, the beverage menu goes beyond the standard, featuring inventive cocktails, classic fountain drinks like Egg Creams and Ice Cream Floats, and a selection of unique 'Dirty Sodas' ($6.00).
• Unique Menu Creations: The shop excels at inventive bagel sandwiches with fun names, such as The Mountain Shiksa ($14.75) with pastrami spiced lox, bacon, and maple-pecan cream cheese, and The Original Sinner ($14.75), which adds bacon to the classic lox setup.
• Women-Owned and LGBTQ+ Friendly: As a business that proudly identifies as women-owned and fosters an LGBTQ+ friendly environment, it provides a welcoming and inclusive space for all District of Columbia patrons.
• All-Day Deli Fare and Brunch: While rooted in breakfast, the menu offers substantial options all day, from bagel sandwiches and knishes ($7.00) to sides like Live, Love, Latkes ($10.00) served with bourbon applesauce.

Contact Information

To plan your visit or place an order at Buffalo & Bergen - Union Market, you can use the following information.

Address: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA

Phone: (202) 543-2549

Mobile Phone: +1 202-543-2549

What is worth choosing

When visiting Buffalo & Bergen at Union Market, the sheer variety and quality make selecting a dish an exciting challenge. However, a few items stand out as essential choices, particularly for a first-time visitor.

You should undoubtedly start with one of their famous bagels. Given the care taken in sourcing and baking—using the coveted New York-style dough—even a simple Bagel With Flavored Cream Cheese ($5.50), perhaps the jalapeño or beet & horseradish flavor, will showcase the quality. For a decadent lox experience, The Original ($12.50) is the benchmark, but for those who enjoy a bold twist, the specialty Pickle Me Pink ($14.75), featuring cold smoked lox, beet & horseradish cream cheese, and pickled pink onion, is a must-try.

The commitment to high-quality Jewish deli fare is evident in the classic sandwiches. If you are looking for a satisfying, traditional lunch, the Classic Pastrami Sandwich ($19.50), boasting a half-pound of cured and smoked meat, is an excellent choice. Similarly, the Matzo Baller Soup (starting at $10.00) is the perfect comfort food, known for its lemongrass chicken stock and duck fat matzo balls.

For brunch enthusiasts, pairing a specialty breakfast sandwich like the Breakfast Reuben ($13.00), which combines pastrami and corned beef with a fried egg, is an inspired choice. No brunch is complete without a beverage from the inventive bar program. The Virgin Bloody Mary ($6.00) is noted for its award-winning house-made mix, and for those seeking the full experience, the alcoholic Lox'd & Loaded Bloody Mary is a signature item worth ordering. Finally, don't overlook the side of Live, Love, Latkes ($10.00) with bourbon applesauce and peppered crème fraîche—they are a celebrated example of the restaurant’s commitment to modernizing classics. Whether you're grabbing a dozen bagels for the week or settling in for a unique deli and cocktail brunch, Buffalo & Bergen delivers a memorable and quintessentially DC experience.

Buffalo & Bergen - Union Market

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA