The Bagel Project: Authentic Bagels and Cafe Favorites in Salt Lake City, UT

The Bagel Project Introduce

Introduction / Overview: The Bagel Project—Bringing Authentic Bagels to Utah

For many Utah residents who have traveled or lived on the East Coast, finding an authentic, properly made bagel can be a culinary challenge. The Bagel Project, located in the heart of Salt Lake City, has risen to meet this demand, quickly establishing itself as a premier Bagel shop, Breakfast restaurant, and Cafe. This establishment isn't just serving up simple bread with a hole; it is built on a foundation of traditional, old-world baking practices.

What sets The Bagel Project apart is its dedication to process. The bagels are made from scratch daily, utilizing simple, clean ingredients without preservatives or sugar. Their technique involves hand-shaping, boiling, and then baking the bagels on bagel boards—a crucial step that ensures the perfect crusty exterior and dense, chewy interior that connoisseurs demand. This attention to detail has earned them a loyal following among local users who consider their product the closest thing to a genuine East Coast bagel available in the Salt Lake Valley.

More than just bagels, the shop offers a full breakfast and lunch experience. It’s a community-focused spot where you can grab a quick, high-quality bite, linger over a cup of Hot Rimini Coffee, or pick up a Baker’s Dozen for the whole family. It is a genuine local treasure that caters to both the hurried morning commuter and the leisurely weekend brunch seeker.

Location and Accessibility

The Bagel Project is strategically located to serve the vibrant communities of downtown Salt Lake City and the Central City neighborhood, particularly those near the popular Liberty Park area.

The full address is:

779 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA

This central location on 500 East (State Street) makes it easy to access for drivers and pedestrians alike. Its proximity to one of Salt Lake’s major green spaces, Liberty Park, means it is a perfect stop before or after a walk, run, or visit to the park.

Accessibility for Utah customers is prioritized with multiple options for parking and service:

Parking: Patrons benefit from both a Free parking lot and convenient Free street parking nearby, making the short visit hassle-free even during busy morning rushes.
Accessibility: The facility offers a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, providing necessary convenience for all guests.
Service Options: Customers can choose from quick Takeout and In-store pickup, or enjoy a more relaxed start to their day with the available Dine-in option and Wi-Fi access.

The combination of a great location and dedicated convenience options ensures that securing your daily bagel fix or signature sandwich is as smooth as possible.

Services Offered

The Bagel Project provides a diverse menu and flexible service options, fitting the needs of Utah’s busy residents, from single breakfast buyers to those planning larger gatherings.

Daily Bagel Sales: Bagels are available individually ($2.00), as a Half Dozen ($10.00), or as a Baker’s Dozen ($16.00). Customers are encouraged to call ahead for large orders, especially if seeking specific flavors.
Gourmet Schmears and Spreads: A wide selection of house-made cream cheeses (schmears) in flavors like Plain, Scallion, Veggie, and Lox, available on a Bagel w/ Schmears or in 8oz tubs for home use. They also offer House-Made Jam and Sun-Butter (allergen-free sunflower seed butter).
Signature Breakfast and Lunch Sandwiches: A creative menu of hearty bagel sandwiches, including classics like Bacon, Egg And Cheese and unique options like the Lox And Loaded ($14.50) and the vegetarian Poblano Picasso ($10.00).
Catering and Bulk Orders: Bagel and schmear packages are available for events, offices, or large family gatherings, with a 96 Oz Coffee Traveler also offered to complete the breakfast setup.
Cafe and Bakery Items: Beyond bagels, the shop offers pastries such as Challah (typically available on Fridays), Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mandelbread, and Hamantashen, alongside Hot Rimini Coffee and specialty beverages like Mamachari Kombucha.

Features / Highlights

The Bagel Project has cultivated a strong reputation in the Utah food scene by focusing on quality ingredients, traditional processes, and community-conscious options.

Authentic, Old-World Craftsmanship: The bagels are hand-shaped, boiled, and baked using old-world fermentation practices, resulting in a product that many East Coast transplants swear is the most authentic they have found in the state.
Vegan-Friendly Basic Bagels: The base bagel dough is made with simple ingredients—no preservatives, sugar, egg, or honey—making them inherently vegan-friendly and a great option for customers with dietary preferences.
Creative and High-Quality Sandwiches: The menu features signature combinations using premium ingredients, such as house-cured gravlax in the Lox And Loaded, and locally-inspired flavors like the Poblano Picasso, ensuring a gourmet experience.
Allergen-Conscious Spreads: The inclusion of Sun-Butter for the Sun-Butter & Jam sandwich provides a safe, nut-free alternative for customers with allergies.
Comprehensive Service and Amenities: With In-store pickup, Takeout, Dine-in service, and free Wi-Fi, the shop caters equally well to a Quick visit, a morning meeting, or an easy grab-and-go option.

Contact Information

For Utah residents looking to visit, place a large order, or inquire about the current bagel selection at The Bagel Project in Salt Lake City, please use the contact details below.

Address: 779 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA

Phone: (801) 906-0698

Customers are highly encouraged to call ahead, especially for bulk orders or during peak weekend hours, to ensure availability, as fresh batches of their renowned bagels can sell out quickly. Online ordering for In-store pickup is also a recommended service option for minimizing wait times.

What is Worth Choosing

For local Utah users, choosing The Bagel Project is worthwhile for three compelling reasons: the commitment to authenticity, the quality of house-made components, and the exceptional signature sandwiches.

The ultimate choice at The Bagel Project is investing in a Baker’s Dozen for home. This allows you to bring the authentic, chewy, and perfectly crusted bagel experience—a rare find in Utah—to your own kitchen. Pair this with one or two 8oz tubs of their house-made cream cheese, particularly the savory Veggie or Scallion schmear, which customers consistently praise for its incredible flavor and generous portioning.

If you are looking for an immediate, unforgettable breakfast, the Lox And Loaded is a must-try. This signature sandwich showcases their mastery of traditional Jewish deli fare, combining their superior bagel with house-cured gravlax and a rich cream cheese. Alternatively, for a unique Utah spin, the Trout And Truffle bagel sandwich uses smoked local Utah trout, making it a delicious blend of East Coast tradition and Rocky Mountain sourcing.

Ultimately, The Bagel Project is worth choosing because it brings a level of meticulous, traditional bagel-making to Salt Lake City that transforms the simple bagel from a casual snack into a high-quality, memorable culinary experience. Its convenient location and quick service options simply enhance the value of this authentic local gem.

The Bagel Project Food & drink

Bagels, Bagels, Bagels
Baker’s Dozen $16.00
Please check the boxes for twelve bagel flavors and indicate quantities in the notes.
Half Dozen Bagels $10.00
Please check the boxes for up to six bagel flavors of your choice.
Single Bagels $2.00
Bagels on their own—cream cheese sold separately. For orders over four bagels, see dozen pricing.

Bagel w/ Schmears
Bagel With Plain Cream Cheese $4.75
House-made plain cream cheese.
Bagel With Scallion Cream Cheese $5.00
House-made scallion cream cheese.
Bagel With Veggie Cream Cheese $6.00
Includes red onion, carrots, celery, red & green bell peppers.
Bagel With Lox Cream Cheese $6.00
Cream cheese blended with smoked salmon.
Bagel With Honey Cream Cheese $5.00
Sweet honey-infused cream cheese.
Bagel With Strawberry Cream Cheese $5.00
House-made strawberry cream cheese.
Bagel With Butter $3.00
High-quality butter spread.
Bagel With House-Made Jam $4.00
Choice of fruit or jalapeño jam.
Bagel With Sun-Butter $4.00
Allergen-free sunflower seed butter.
Bagel With House-Made Hummus $5.00
Your bagel with our house-made hummus.

Signature Sandwiches
Bacon, Egg And Cheese $9.75
Fried egg, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon on a buttered bagel of your choice.
Fried Egg And Cheese $7.75
Fried egg with cheddar cheese on a buttered bagel of your choice.
Hava Tequila $10.50
Soy chorizo, house-made tomatillo salsa, organic fried egg, cheddar cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, and red onion.
Trout And Truffle $12.75
Smoked local Utah trout, organic fried egg, pickled asparagus, scallions, and black truffle salt on a buttered bagel.
B-BLT $9.75
Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes with house-made aioli.
Lox And Loaded $14.50
House-cured gravlax, capers, red onion, splash of lemon juice, and choice of cream cheese on a bagel.
Veg’d Out (Vegan) $10.50
House-made hummus, arugula, pickled onions, marinated artichoke hearts, tomatoes, salt & pepper, and splash of lemon.
Poblano Picasso $10.00
Salsa Del Diablo’s pumpkin seed pesto (NUT-FREE), Manchego cheese, arugula, tomatoes, cilantro, and a splash of lime.
The G.O.A.T. (NEW!) $13.00
Herbed goat cheese, pomodoro confit tomatoes, fresh arugula, and Mike’s hot honey.
Sun-Butter & Jam $6.00
Sun-butter sunflower seed butter and house-made jam. NUT-FREE facility.
Nana Bea $7.75
Cream cheese, house-made jam (fruit or jalapeño), and choice of bagel.

Cream Cheese & Spreads (8oz)
Plain Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $4.50
8 oz shareable size.
Scallion Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $5.00
8 oz shareable size.
Veggie Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $6.00
Includes carrots, celery, red onions, red & green bell peppers. 8 oz shareable size.
Lox Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $6.00
8 oz shareable size.
Honey Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $5.00
8 oz shareable size.
Strawberry Cream Cheese (8 Oz) $5.00
8 oz shareable size.
Jam (8 Oz) $6.00
Choice of fruit or jalapeño. 8 oz shareable size.
Hummus (8 Oz) $6.00
House-made hummus. 8 oz shareable size.

Sides of Spread (3.2oz)
Side Of Plain Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $2.00
3.2 oz side of plain cream cheese single serving.
Side Of Scallion Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $2.25
3.2 oz side of scallion cream cheese single serving.
Side Of Veggie Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $3.25
3.2 oz single serving of veggie cream cheese.
Side Of Lox Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $3.25
3.2 oz side of lox cream cheese single serving.
Side Of Honey Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $2.25
3.2 oz side of honey cream cheese single serving.
Side Of Strawberry Cream Cheese (3.2 Oz) $3.25
Side Of Hummus (3.2 Oz) $2.00
3.2 oz side of house-made hummus.
Side Of Jalapeño Jam (3.2 Oz) $2.00
3.2 oz side of house-made jalapeño jam.
Side Of Fruit Jam (3.2 Oz) $2.00
3.2 oz side of house-made fruit jam.
Side Of Poblano Pesto (3.2 Oz) $3.00
3.2 oz side of Salsa Del Diablo’s Poblano Pesto (NUT FREE).
Side Of Hava Tomatillo Salsa (3.2 Oz) $1.50
3.2 oz side of house-made Hava Tequila salsa.
Side Of Garlic Aioli (3.2 Oz) $2.00

Pastries & Bakery
Chocolate Chip Cookie $1.50
Made in house.
Challah $7.00
Traditional Jewish bread baked in house. Only available Friday; leftovers available Saturday.
Hamantashen $1.50
Jewish triangular cookie with fruit filling.
Mandelbread $2.00
Twice-baked cookie with chocolate chips, brown sugar & cinnamon. Similar to biscotti but softer. NUT FREE!

Market & Grocery
Lox (2 Oz) $7.25
House-cured salmon sold in 2 oz portions.
The Bagel Project Sticker $3.50
Printed locally by Renaissance Signs.
Chips $2.50

Beverages
Hot Rimini Coffee
Coca Cola $2.50
Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Diet Coke $2.50
Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Apple Juice $2.50
Tree Top apple juice: 10 oz. Please pick up any drinks in our lobby.
Orange Juice $2.75
Tropicana No Pulp: 12 oz. Please pick up any drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Flavored San Pellegrino $3.00
11.15 oz. Choose flavor at pickup. Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
San Pellegrino (Regular) $3.00
16 oz San Pellegrino mineral water. Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Mamachari Kombucha $4.95
Locally brewed kombucha. Choose flavor at pickup. Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Milk: Chocolate $2.50
Horizon Organic low-fat: 8 oz. Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
Milk: Plain $2.50
Horizon Organic low-fat: 8 oz. Please pick up drinks in the fridge in our lobby.
96 Oz Coffee Traveler $31.00
96 oz of hot coffee roasted locally by Rimini Coffee Roasters. Serves (8) 12 oz cups and (6) 16 oz. Option to add cups, sugar (or stevia, honey), etc.
Sprite $2.50

The Bagel Project Details

Service options
In-store pickup
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Amenities
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking

The Bagel Project Photos

The Bagel Project Location

The Bagel Project

Utah Salt Lake County Salt Lake City Central City South 500 East

779 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA

The Bagel Project Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 874 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Was looking for a place to grab some breakfast close to Liberty Park and this fit the bill. There were a few people in line ordering ahead of me but it moved quick. I ordered a Lox & Loaded. It took about 15 minutes for my bagel to be ready. It seems like online order ahead is the way to go. But the bagel was delicious and very filling!
August 24 · Leah Day
This is one of my favorite spots in downtown Salt Lake City for savoring a variety of bagel options (and believe me, I have tried a fair few popular restaurants). Every bagel I’ve tried has been fantastic, especially because their cream cheese is incredibly delicious! The bagels are freshly made, and the generous cream cheese filling makes them worth every dime. Service is also prompt, even on busy weekends. If the main parking lot is full, there’s convenient street parking right across the road.
November 05 · NPD
The food is great hands down. No complaint there. However, this man here should not be an employee. He is just oozing with negativity and pessimism. I couldn’t get my order in without his continual interruptions. His attitude it’s disgusting and does not belong in the service industry. I walked out and mentioned it to the guy behind me. He says, “ya he’s always like that.”It’s unfortunate that the toxic nature of this employee far out shadows the positive equities of this shop. I will NEVER shop at this location again simply because of this one employee. To the owner, you can do better. Let this employee go and find someone who will work for you with pride.
June 20 · Manuel De Lira
Local bagel place with electic combinations of bsgel sandwiches to tempt y our palate. Get there early as its packed with patrons, and sold out of most bagels 🥯 hours before closing. Enjoy a cup of brew while your sandwich is being prepared.
April 27 · PD parker
This little bagel place did very nice bagels to take away. They were slightly on the doughy side but the fillings were novel and everything tasted great. I had hummus with vegetables on a salt bagel and found it delicious. The portions are generous.I would say that the actual space isn't the best atmosphere and we did walk in to see a retainer on the floor, which was fairly gross. But it's close to a large park so it's probably somewhere worth grabbing to eat outside.
June 25 · Hannah Keogh