Eli's Essentials

I bumped into this fantastic little hidden treasure while strolling Madison Ave. I recognized the quality of the baked goods from the window display. Eli's Essentials was a marvelous find and the perfect spot for a quick bite and afternoon pastry fix. The soups had great flavor. The banana bread loaf was moist and soft. The coffee was nice and fresh. The cherry on the top was the cute outdoor seating area. The setup was charming, despite it being tight and small. I loved it. The space had a little touch of Europe in NYC. I enjoyed my experience. No one is rushing you to order or to leave the table right away. One can tell this is a local neighborhood favorite. The small shop was busy, busy... This is a gourmet establishment, so expect the price to reflect that.

I came in today to have lunch, I work in the area, usually go to get pizza, but I felt like trying something else. They have a nice selection of hot food, pretty expensive but fine we are on the Upper East Side. I sat down but I needed to clean the table and the seat from a lot of food crumbs first, food was good, coffee and cake as well. At some point I looked up and I noticed peeling paint from the sealing, not unusual in NY, however shouldn’t be normal in a food store especially not over the hot food bar that is not covered. I don’t think I will be getting more expensive hot food after what I noticed today. Kind of shame, it’s a nice place to sit down, this would not be happening in Europe, only here, so careless…

We spent the afternoon walking in Central Park from 59 to 79 on the east side. Coming home we walked on Madison Avenue and stopped at Eli’s for a coffee. They have lots of snack food items but that’s for another day. We were lucky to grab a small table outside and it was a great people watching spot.spot.

Poor service, weirdly rude staff, high prices, and low quality food. It looks cute and that's it. Whoever was the 40ish year old white woman working behind the counter on Nov 9, 2025 at 3pm should be let go as a staff member.

Strong pass Unless you’re absolutely desperate there are so many other better options on the UES. Eli’s prices are out of control, especially for the quality. I like to pick up a fruit cake each year and it costs $25. This year: $45 Same size, same item, price gouging anyone?

Awesome food. Staff is super nice. Always takes care to make sure my order is right. I like that they never rush me.

Tiramisu Ice cream is awesome!

One of the most convenient spots to stop in the morning on the go. Delicious hot breakfast, great coffee, happy staff!!!

The employees are very rude here. Asked for iced coffee, they made me a hot coffee. Said I was wrong and wouldn't give me a simple iced coffee. Will not be coming back

Amazing spot to stop and have a snack after walking around Central Park! The blueberry macaroon was extremely flavorful and the chocolate croissant had the perfect flakiness. Please stop by this cafe, there's a line out the door for a reason!

Pretty delicious pastries and baked goods here at Eli's, along with a tasty coffee. Sure, it's pricey here, but all their places are pricey. They also offer other hot and cold drinks, food items, and snacks. It's one of their smaller locations, but they have an outside heated seating area. Came in handy today while I enjoyed my muffin and cup o' java after a run in Central Park. Replenishing those carbs!

Cute little place with a bakery section and a self-service iced/hot coffee counter. Runs a little on the expensive side but it is on the UES, so.

Customers are a bother here. I went yesterday at 530pm (they close at 6) and asked for a cappuccino and was basically told that she didn't want to turn the espresso machine on. She was already doing inventory in the case. Why not close already? I will never go back. Ordered 2 coffees instead - self serve - it was a very acidic and old tasting Colombian. AND it was $10 for 2 coffees (and one was a small). ABSURD.

Crazy expensive! High prices for decent coffee in Manhattan are nothing new, but these folks take the highway robbery to outrageous heights, and they do not post the prices so you can read and decide for yourself without asking. Over $10 for two coffees to go (one small, one large) and nothing else. No good reason to support this insult.

Why not accentuate the positives? And (maybe) eliminate the negatives? Why knock stars when prices are outrageously high? Maybe prices aren't for you. I mean... listen- prices are in fact expensive- but this is Eli's! Can't fault them for that! For a Monday afternoon, we were lucky to get a hold of a Baguette which was very good! Theirs have that typical crunchy exterior with the light and airy inside. Also bought 2 Sourdough mini buns, 2 Pretzel minis, 2 Brioche mini loaves and a 1/4lb of mild, Coeur du Berry Goat Cheese. Damage? 26 bucks. Service? Helpful. But listen- I didn't expect to be entertained. As long as you give me good service and don't manhandle my food- I'll return!

Is this place expensive? Yes, a small brownie is $5. It is not a cheap option. If you can get past that, though, all of their baked goods are fresh and very tasty! Plus, it is Madison Avenue. I have had muffins, brownies, a chocolate croissant, etc and always been happy with the treats from Eli's. If you are in the neighborhood, this small shop is a great place for grab-and-go or breakfast. I even ran into Eli himself checking on his store on a recent visit, so you never know what might happen!

I bought a $28 rotisserie chicken at Eli's essentials. It was way past its prime and tasted "off". It's well known that Eli recycles his raw meat, fish and vegetables that have been sitting around too long, and sells them in his salad bar for $24 a pound. These chickens should have been tossed. He should be put out of business.

Food always decent, but staff is cool very aloof, and presents as very angry to be working for Eli Zabar. Service matters. Eli is so warm why doesn't he invest in training and hiring a team that reflects his sensibilities. Last week I asked for a bag after having already swiped and paid for my $63.00 takeout. The young woman stated "its 5 cents" This is not unusual as everywhere charges for bags. So I searched and search unsuccessfully for change in my purse with a short line of customers growing behind me. The cashier then said with a straight face " you can charge it". I said "5 cents "? Adding; " Can I get you tomorrow ? I come in every day?" She replied" money is money you can swipe it". I had no bag with me and couldn't carry out the several items. Thankfully,, the woman behind me in line behind me spotted me the nickel. A very unpleasant and totally unnecessary exchange.

This place deserves a shot out! Such a humble and honest little bakery serves delicious food. People give bad reviews because they're so spoiled by the abundance of resources they have. I wish this is my local neighborhood eatery. Unlike the Elli's we have here that is basically useless, only open four half days a week. This place serves amazing hot fresh-made egg sandwiches and a large selection of baked goods. The almond croissant was so so so delicious! It had a sweet nutty filling and crispy crumbly outer layer just marvelous! The other croissant had creamy custard was also very yummy. The coffee there is not bad neither. If you're a pretentious person who loves to line up for a big-name cafe and paying $20 for coffee, this is not your cup of tea; and don't show up and give bad reviews because you cannot get a seat somewhere else. I saw people get out from church come here have salads together in suits and have a nice chat. What a lovely little bakery for the neighborhood! I really wish they open one near where I live. Please cherish little humble and honest business like this, because not many of them survived nowadays.

You meet nice people when you're sitting on the bench out front! I often stop here when I'm walking up or down Madison. It's a neighborhood hangout. They don't appear to mind if I grab a snack and have a seat. That is if the bench is free. It is a popular spot when the weather is nice. The Eli's pastries and breads are always delicious.

Delicious food, coffee and great service!!! Everything is very fresh, nice place to seat outside. The latte is fantastic!!!!

Cute little shop with a decent assortment of baked goods and food. Friendly service as well! It's hard for me to judge since I popped in for some chopped fruits to go. You can't really mess up fruits, so there's that. The prices are very high however. My perhaps 3 handfuls of berries was about $7-8. They also have some premade sandwiches available such as prosciutto and mozzarella.

Not impressed... prices are not clearly posted, higher than average prices, no personality of the staff, out side area dirty, food old and tried,. Only positive is the coffee and only spot in the area

Eli's essentials has an outrageous price (food quality is not nearly as high as food price!). It's not worth it at all. Moreover, staff is extremely rude. A woman who works there treated me in a way that I have decided never go back again. Simply terrible.

Do NOT come here. Unless you want to pay $10.00 for a one day old Burnt chicken "provencal" sandwich. With NO SEATING provided. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid! This place has no business being here. I cannot overemphasize how much this food sucks!! It knows it has to close... but will SCREW CUSTOMERS while it's still open! Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!

Super rude and dismissive staff. Don't mind paying for quality items but cannot support rude treatment of customers. We put our basket back and left.

Small but they have everything! And it seems very well stocked and yummy! Loved the banana Choco chip muffin and bagels. Staff were very friendly and nice!

I was impressed w the selection of items and creativity of the food in the cold boxes and behind the counter. However I was appalled at the way I was addressed by the young male behind the counter. He snapped when my sister asked for an oatmeal and then snapped again when he brought us two oatmeal's which we didn't want. He insisted he confirmed w the two of us and wouldn't let it go. He then proceeded to call me privilege and kept going on and on. Just couldn't stop. I suggested that it wasnt good business to challenge his customers over and over but he couldnt help himself. I will never go back there and tell everyone in the neighborhood to stay away from this place. Nobody should be spoken to that way especially if I am a paying customer. The owner should fire him.he had short black hair and was probably 30-35. Stay away from him and this place. Unconscionable

only go to this rip off as a last resort. Not only does Eli Zabar overcharge for EVERYTHING, he WATERS DOWN the coffee, which is 3.27$ for a SMALL CUP, outrageous!! The only good thing about this place is the help is warm and friendly and helpful. Better to go to Marche Madison across the street, expensive but not a blatant ripoff

Apologies! This is the wrong location. I was reviewing the one on Madison and 91st/ Obscene prices but we pay them so he's smart. Attractive and tasty-enough morning displays of baked goods etc and nice early am people watching- School kids / Hectic. They have poorly trained staff ranging from indifferent to inappropriate flirtacious with the many school aged girls that run in on their way to class before before 9 am. This morning I was behind what must have been a girl not older than 13 and the man behind register creepily whispered -but loud enough so I heard " Mmm Youre' beautiful" as he handed her the change. I looked for Eli who is often there in the morning, but didn't see him today. This isn't ok. We need this to be a neighborhood spot where students can safely enjoy some independence while paying for their muffin in the morning.

SO EXPENSIVE and you don't get the quality nor the service you should get for what you pay. Some food looks like it's been standing there for ever. They take you for a ride there just because they are on Madison and there is not much around when it comes to food.

This place is expensive! $4 for a small hot chocolate, but at least it was really good and they used almond milk :)

The iced coffee is one size only (16oz) with no flavor variety at $4. Compared to surrounding vendors, namely Marche across the street ($3 with flavoring) the establishment is vastly overpriced. Taken into consideration rent / proximity to the park, the average coffee price is $3. Unfortunately, the quality of coffee was also poor. The beans had been burned during the process leaving an overly acidic flavor. The staff of the location was very friendly. One star for location, and one star for staff- that's all.

I'm laughing at some of these reviews. Yeah, the prices are definitely on the high side here, but I just figured they were on par for the location. I stopped in for an iced green tea and a small jambon et beurre sandwich before heading over to the Cooper Hewitt museum around the corner. I like the open layout and the outdoor seating. The fare on display here reminded me a LOT of my time in Europe, so combined with the fact that it was a pleasant day, I rather enjoyed the ambience. The sandwich was tasty, but the mini baguette was immensely chewy. I actually had to take a break from eating it even though it was small and I was hungry in order to give my jaw muscles a rest. Seriously.

Don't understand the low star rating. We had a pleasant experience and visit grabbing some breakfast on the go. Had a sweet interaction with our cashier. Lots of options. The pastries are so satisfying. Thank you, Eli Zabar!

a total rip off. container of coleslaw was over $20. i wanted to throw it at the cashier but politely left it and ran to Citarella!

Place is a total rip off, it's a hipsters paradise though. It cost nearly 15 bucks to walk out with a muffin and a coffee that's ridiculous I mean come on I know it's New York but there's so many other better options. The other part I didn't like was the place it is very cramped and customer service was eh at best. Do yourself a favor and find a Starbucks instead.

I came here the evening of Christmas Eve to purchase some holiday themed desserts for a movie night at a friends. Two mini chocolate santas and two ginger bread cookies for.... EIGHTEEN DOLLARS. This isn't Sant Ambroeus or Laduree. Crappy factory made sweets for $18?! I can't say exactly what they tasted like because I just walked out. Cookies felt hard as a rock, and Santa probably tasted like milk chocolate in aluminum wrapping.

Walked in to get a cappuccino. Walked out with one 3 minutes later and over $10 poorer. I know we pay a lot for coffee in this city but $10 is ridiculous. I will never go back, complete ripoff.

very convenient and nice place to get some bread and classic New York bakery

I always stop there for lunch because the food it great and I love my strawberry lemonade. And the staff makes you feel like family especially Matilde & Sahrin. They are always helpful and friendly.

i introduced my friends to come here this tuesday because ive heard their pastry is unbeatable. who knew their service was so horrendous. the cashiers are always on their phones while we kept trying to ask for assistance, really?