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    Isaac's Bagels

    4.5 (98 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 1:00 pm

    Isaac's Bagels Photos

    Business Info

    ISAAC'S BAGELS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Isaac's Bagels

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    Outside
    Ally F.

    Aesthetic: Classic, old school bagel shop. My Favorites: Sesame with sun-dried tomato cream cheese! Experience: This was the perfect easy breakfast before jumping back on the road. There is nowhere to sit, you come in, order your bagel, and go! We tried an Everything Bagel with dill scallion cream cheese and a Sesame Bagel with a seasonal sun-dried tomato cream cheese, and both were incredible. I'd be a regular if we lived nearby, it was so perfect.

    Priscilla R.

    Loved these! I have been looking for bagels that taste like home and these are close. I never thought I'd miss something so silly like NYC bagels but I do. Came on a Sunday early afternoon right before the line got long. It's a tiny shop with no real seating inside. Mostly an order and pick up spot. There are some seats/tables on the side on the sidewalk but not many. We did wait quite some time for our order even getting there before the madd rush. They had your regular bagel options nothing fancy which was fine. I love sticking to basics. I went with a bacon (well done) egg and cheese on an onion bagel. It was amazing! Very flavorful and salty. The eggs were a great texture (not runny or overcooked) and the bacon was well done. My only gripe is that I'm used to huge bagels from NYC rap for the price. Though I honestly was full off half of the bagel and a cup of chai latte. The other half tasted just fine later that afternoon reheated that's how soft the bagels were. Overall I would come back when I have a nyc bagel craving.

    Sausage egg and cheese
    Kassim C.

    What I recommend: The sausage, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel Isaac's Bagels is my go-to spot in Durham for a real New York style breakfast sandwich. The sausage, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel hits every single time. The bagels are fresh, the eggs are cooked perfectly, and the flavor reminds me of the classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches you'd find in NYC. The service here is always top-notch and the staff is super friendly. When I first started my graduate program in Durham, this was my favorite breakfast spot. The sandwiches are big enough to split, half for breakfast and half for lunch, which makes it even better. If you love a classic bacon, egg, and cheese or sausage, egg, and cheese, Isaac's is an absolute must.

    Lox bagel sandwich
    Jarod N.

    Lovely and clean bagel shop in Durham serving fresh bagels, bagel sandwiches, and killer coffee. The Sichuan chili oil cream cheese was a unique flavor that I found quite tasty, but my friends said the lox bagel sandwich was a little on the plainer side and should've upgraded to a flavored cream cheese. The bagels themselves were fresh, but in my opinion were not as fluffy as I would've liked, but still good! Their lattes were the star of the show, according to my friends. Service was kind and speedy. Note: there are no tables or seats inside.

    Menu
    Justin F.

    Babe woke up craving NYC bagels. I had heard of this shop and decided it was going to be the move. When we arrived, we found a small shop to order from with some seating outside on the side of the building. It was full but not too long of a wait. Looking at the menu I want to try everything but settled on the vegetarian bagel on salt and pepper bagel. The food came out quickly and a table opened up outside on this beautiful day. My bagel was so so good, one of the best bagels I have had. This will definitely be my preferred bagel shop in Durham.

    Arielle H.

    First time at Isaac's and what a sandwich! I had the tuna and chips and it was so tasty. You'd think the chips would get soggy after awhile, but nope--crunch remained intact and that's how you know it was slamming! Don't walk, run!

    Egg salad on an everything bagel
    Jiyoung S.

    If you are into bagel sandwiches, Isaac's Bagles is where you need to go. My go-to option is the egg salad on an everything bagel. It has never ever failed to make me dance with happiness. Weekend can get quite crowded as it's super popular, so I recommend either being patient or order online before heading over. If you are ordering a drink via online order, they will make the drink when you get there so you can have the hot drink. Consider that when you are picking up your order.

    Menu
    Rahima J.

    Wow. This place was so delicious. They make the food very fast and it is so fresh! The sandwich options are endless and you can always get the classic bagel and cheese. They have some outdoor seating but it's mainly a grab and go place. So many different options to choose from but the turkey club hit the spot.

    Sausage Egg and Cheese on Sesame Bagel
    Rachel S.

    Love Isaac's Bagels!!! Quick service. Street parking. Amazing food for price point. Highly recommend.

    Everything bagel with jalapeño cream cheese & BEC on everything bagel
    Sydney H.

    We stopped at Isaac's bagels after going to the farmers market in Durham. there was street parking and we were able to snag a spot right in front. There was a bit of a line out the door, but it moved fast. we ordered a bagel with jalapeño cream cheese and a bacon egg and cheese sandwich both on everything bagels both were absolutely delicious. The bacon egg and cheese sandwich was my favorite because it came out hot and fresh and the cheese was super melted. We waited maybe 10 minutes at most for our sandwiches after ordering I can't wait to come back again.

    Egg and cheese bagel with sausage
    Brittany L.

    Delicious bagels! The staff was super kind and welcoming. They answered all my questions and gave excellent recommendations. I tried the egg and cheese with sausage on an everything bagel and it was great!! I have to come back to try some of the other bagels!

    Egg and cheese (with tomatoes) on a sesame seed bagel

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Food was great. Service was fine and price not absorbent. Parking is not great but the turnover for street was very high

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Great lox bagel and solid customer service. Highly recommend. I had mine on the everything bagel.

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    Business owner information

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    Isaac H.

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    2 years ago

    I had their bagels at the farmer market. One salt and pepper and one cinnamon raisin. Tasty and lots of cream cheese

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    3 years ago

    Best bagels outside the tri-state area. Wonderful service. Great variety, easy in and out parking.

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    3 years ago

    Best bagels I've ever had. Absolute perfection! Interesting cream cheese flavor options too!

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    3 years ago

    Not only are these the best bagels in the Triangle, they would be considered great in New York. Best bagels ever.

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    2 years ago

    Picked up some egg and cheese breakfast bagels on our way to hiking at Eno River. Fresh and delicious. Iced coffee was very good too.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Isaac's Bagels

    Do you have bialys?

    Bialys aren't on our regular menu, but we have made them as a special in the past.

    Are these bagels boiled before baking? Thanks.?

    Hi - we boil our bagels in water laced with malt syrup just before seasoning and baking. All of our bagels are hand rolled and kettle boiled.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Isaac's Bagels

    We also got a BEC on a salt & pepper bagel (SO GOOD) and cinnamon raisin bagel with honey fig cream cheese.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4
    (167 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    English: TL;DR: Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic coffee and…read morefood, thoughtful modern Latin flavors, amazing breakfast/dinner spot, and Fernando, the manager, is awesome. We've been to Aaktun in Durham multiple times for both breakfast and dinner, and it's honestly become one of our favorite spots. I'm Peruvian and grew up with Peruvian cuisine, so seeing lomo saltado -- a classic Peruvian dish -- on the menu immediately made me happy. Having also grown up in Mexico and lived in places like Miami, I really appreciate what they're doing with the menu: a modern, delicious take on Latin flavors that feels creative without losing what makes those cuisines special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. You walk in thinking it's a stylish little coffee shop, then head toward the back and the whole place opens up -- gorgeous bar, tropical touches, cozy alcove seating, really cool vibe. One time we went with friends for a special dining experience they were offering, and it was excellent. The food, drinks, and whole experience were made even better by Fernando, the manager, who has always been incredibly warm, helpful, and accommodating. Highly recommend Aaktun for breakfast or dinner. Still haven't made it there for lunch somehow, but at this point we'd be shocked if it wasn't great too. Spanish: TL;DR: Lugar precioso, café y comida excelentes, sabores latinos con un toque moderno muy bien logrado, y Fernando, el gerente, es increíble. Ya hemos ido varias veces a Aaktun en Durham para desayuno y cena, y sinceramente se ha vuelto uno de nuestros lugares favoritos. Soy peruano y crecí con la cocina peruana, así que ver lomo saltado -- un plato clásico peruano -- en el menú me hizo muy feliz. Además, habiendo crecido en México y vivido en lugares como Miami, me encanta reconocer cómo integran sabores latinos con una propuesta moderna y de fusión. Se siente creativa, diferente y sobre todo riquísima. La atmósfera además es espectacular. Entras pensando que es una cafetería bonita y acogedora, pero luego caminas hacia atrás y el lugar se abre por completo: un bar hermoso, detalles tropicales, mesas tipo alcove... una vibra buenísima. Una vez fuimos con unos amigos para una experiencia especial de cena que estaban ofreciendo y la pasamos increíble. La comida, las bebidas y toda la experiencia fueron aún mejores gracias a Fernando, el gerente, que siempre ha sido súper amable, atento y servicial. Recomendamos muchísimo Aaktun para desayuno o cena. Todavía no hemos ido para almorzar, pero honestamente nos sorprendería mucho que no estuviera igual de bueno.

    "Part Dos - Mostly great, with a few exceptions"…read more Food temp is major in my book. While many of the food options were hot, several were not, and I believe that impacted the overall dining experience. We ordered classic breakfast and jerk chicken lunch options. For drinks: Cappuccino and Mango Refreshers. The good: (1) Fried rice - which accompanied the jerk chicken (served hot). While simple, the slightly earthy and bitter (in the best way possible) from the braised/steamed baby bok choy perfectly accompanied the earthy mushroom, and complex soy inspired fried rice. So good - this could be a vegan or meat side entree unto itself - IMO. (2) Scrambled Eggs - If you enjoy large curds of gently scrambled eggs - this is for you. While we enjoyed the remaining options for portion size and flavor, we did note that the temperature was cool to mid - which impacted overall flavor. Jerk Chicken: we understand this is a jerk inspired interpretation. With that being said, the most interesting flavor was limited to the crispy skin. Perhaps the chicken was immersed in a salt brine and basted with a jerk flavoring? We loved the white (perhaps mayo based sauce), and accompanied pickled red onion. But baby, the food temp. Yucca fries - if you're unfamiliar - are the baby of a green plantain and white potatoes. While good, they were not hot. Maybe could have benefited from a unique sauce? Food service good. But the biggest miss was the cheese hash browns and Mango Refresher. Hash brown (cheese) room temp, and tough - Mango Refresher - too tart and not worth the cost. As far as ambience: Customers were Hip, sexy, multi ethnic , and included old and young. We loved our waiter. Overall, a little disappointing especially considering we loved our first coffee breakfast visit so much. Not sure if it was an off day or we just prefer other menu options. However, we'd definitely visit again! Brunch/lunch: 4.2

    Photos
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Jerk chicken
    Jerk chicken
    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

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    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Morning Ritual

    Morning Ritual

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    8.8 mi

    What a great little find! On a freezing day outside of Raleigh, I stumbled upon this cozy little…read morecoffee shop! Trying to get a little work done, I was pleased to find a comfy couch, power and Wi-Fi- in addition to the incredible twist on a Mexican mocha and an absolutely insane bacon, egg, and cheese on there in house made biscuit! Greeted by the friendliest barista, I made myself comfy on the couch and watched her work her magic. My " not too sweet" mocha had beautiful latte art. I was actually a little sad as I reached the bottom of the mug. So I opted for a decaf refill, it was pure perfection. Do yourself a favor & pop in to make this place your morning ritual.

    I came in here for a coffee break from work. It is such a beautiful building and was even more…read morewow-ed! By the aesthetics in the inside of this place. They do have both coffee and food. I wasn't entirely in a coffee tasting mood but really needed a pick-me-up. They had the strawberries and cream latte as their special drink, so I went ahead and order this and the bang bang tacos. The strawberries and cream was super delicious and hit my craving just right. The bang bang shrimp tacos had a kick with the sauce, but incorporating pineapple was what gave this a 10/10 for me. It had a sweet and spicy flavor to it, which balanced these tacos to perfection with each bite. The employees behind the counter were extremely friendly. I recommend this spot for anybody who's local or traveling through.

    Photos
    Counter and pastries! - March 2026
    Counter and pastries! - March 2026
    Morning Ritual
    Outdoor entrance

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    Outdoor entrance
    Foster Street Coffee

    Foster Street Coffee

    4.3
    (121 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    A long-time favorite of mine here in Durham, particularly for anyone wanting a place to study. They…read morehave a ton of tables, free coffee refills, and lots of outlets. The lighting is good, the music is at an appropriate volume, and the seating is comfortable (particularly in the back room). During the weekends and on holidays they can be quite full (particularly during the school year), but generally speaking I can usually find a seat here. Baristas are friendly and competent. They are well-staffed, and even when there is a long line things come out quickly! There is also free parking available in the parking garage around the corner, which is certainly a bonus. My go-to here is simply an iced americano or coffee, but their seasonal drinks are also delicious. Can't recommend enough!

    It's time for "second coffee" and my office for the morning, landing at Foster Street at around…read more8:30 am. Parking wasn't easy since I can't fit into a parking deck but a metered space opened up and I was able to jam into there. Warmly welcomed and my cortado was ready before I'd even finished plugging in the laptop. Strong coffee that had a deep flavor and I'd already had breakfast so I was able to resist the pastries. An hour in, another cup of drip was all I needed while I did the Internet thing. Foster Street is conducive to laptop but it did get a bit loud in there with the talking, the music and the sound of the espresso machine. But if you can handle all of that, it's ideal. I stayed about two hours this morning. [Review 943 of 2025 - 4346 in North Carolina - 24498 overall]

    Photos
    Order counter
    Order counter
    Mocha latte and chocolate croissant
    Mocha latte and chocolate croissant
    Modern open seating

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    Modern open seating
    Yonderlust

    Yonderlust

    4.8
    (18 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Very cute new coffee shop! They have a small lot and plentiful Brightleaf parking across the street…read more(although you do have to pay for that lot, and they aren't able to validate since they aren't technically part of Brightleaf). I got an iced decaf americano with vanilla, which was delicious and came in a glass since they knew I was sticking around. They have a lot of seating and the whole place feels bright, airy, open and clean. They also have a cute store on the left hand side of the space that sells outdoor clothing, shoes and gear. A welcome addition to the area!

    It took me more than a year of coming here to write a review for Yonderlust, mostly because I'm…read moresurprised by how much this place grew on me. Yonderlust is more than just a coffee shop--it's one of those spaces where you can easily spend an entire afternoon without realizing how much time has passed. It's a fantastic study and work spot: a mix of table sizes, plenty of outlets, and a relatively quiet, calm environment that makes it easy to settle in. It has solid coffee: Drinks here are consistently pretty good. I usually go for their Campfire Latte (a signature for a reason) or whatever seasonal syrup they're featuring, and their matcha latte is reliable too. It has actual, warm food: simple but satisfying sandwiches with enough variety to make for a perfect study snack or light lunch. I am often disappointed when coffee shops only offer cold pastries. It has entertainment: I love taking a quick study break to browse the shop's outdoor gear and clothing; it honestly feels a little like being transported to the West Coast for a moment (give me some Oregan vibes!). Service has always been quick and friendly. I wouldn't say any single thing here is the best in Durham--but together, it is special! There are many days when I find myself craving a few cozy hours at Yonderlust, followed by a quick dessert next door at Rose's.

    Photos
    Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
    Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
    Yonderlust
    Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny

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    Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery

    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery

    4.6
    (53 reviews)
    2.1 mi
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    The cutest little coffee shop!! There's been a buzz brewing about this spot so we had to get out…read moreand check it out. Not a lot of parking out front so they allow parking next door at Kings gr but they kept a line of folks. Yes it moved, don't worry. Fresh pastry variety was quite impressive. The goodies were: Vietnamese coffee donut & creamsicle donut from Red Start bakery. An apple pop tart, & blueberry cheese danish also caught my eye. Yes I got them all. There was more but a guy gotta have limits. But I'll just they were mmm mmm good. I'll have to get the donuts again. There is limited seating, and a children's play area which was so cool. I'm hard pressed to not get my jolt of Java so I got a cortado with a drizzle of caramel for a little sweetness. LOVED the flavor, would've loved it if a little hotter. My son-in-law got the Mexican Coke, vanilla espresso. It was cold and amazing as per him. My wife's latte also needed to be hotter. I'll cut the barista a break as she was a one woman show.

    Omie's is a small hidden gem in Durham. This place has the best truly espresso/coffee forward…read moredrinks in the triangle. You can tell the quality of the drink and beans Omie's is high quality as soon as you taste it. I absolutely loved their fun and creative seasonal menu. I ordered the pumpkin pie brown butter latte, and it was so tasty. Normally, I have to ask coffee shops to reduce the sugar, but this drink was perfectly balanced. In addition, Omie's sells baked goods to complement your drink. There was a selection of tasty treats to pick from. One of my friends got a HUGE cookie, which looked absolutely delicious. As a fair heads up, parking and inside seating areas are limited. However, Omie's has done the most to maximize the space to make it a cozy place to sit. Pro tip- there is a little more seating to the left of the bathrooms, and there are several comfy spots interspersed throughout. Come for the good coffee, good vibes, and lovely service staff. I definitely know that I will be back!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Green Beans - Before roasting
    Green Beans - Before roasting
    Outside

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    Outside

    Isaac's Bagels - bagels - Updated June 2026

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