IV Bagel Cafe

We were told it was one of the best bagel places in Santa Barbara and I believe it! Go eat here! The coffee was good too. The only reason for the low atmosphere rating is that there's streetside seating and nothing much to talk about... But you should go here anyway! 🙂

i love bagel cafe, like any good ucsb student, but lately they just haven’t been doing it like they used to. if you ask for lox on half your bagel, they’ll literally charge you more than if you get lox on the whole bagel, and then they’ll serve you a barely made disappointment (see photo). this was $9.75! wtf! get it together bagel cafe!

This place is a HOLE IN THE WALL. It ain't much to look at, but the employees were really nice and the food was decent. It kinda weirded me out that they cooked the eggs in the microwave but they don't hide it. It's all prepared right there in front of you. And it makes the egg the proper size for the bagel. They made a mistake on one of the bagel sandwiches apologized and insisted that they remake it so it was correct. Very nice. And the bagel sandwhiches were very good. If you are just looking to jam in and pick up a quick bagel or bagel sandwich this is a good option. I definitely wouldn't stay there to eat. Though they do have like 3 tiny tables outside on the sidewalk where you can sit and eat. We had iced mocha coffees as well, which were good.

Best Bagels 🥯 ❤️ If you are looking for a local shop that your family can all enjoy variety of flavors I will definitely recommend stopping by here! The strawberry cream cheese is to die for and other breakfast bagels are very flavorful. My husband who usually doesn't like greens loved the avocado bagels with no meat on them and that says a lot! The ones with the breakfast meat are very tasty as well! They do get busy so you may have to wait a bit but definitely worth the wait!

Stopped here on a very quick trip to my hometown because my husband used to eat here all the time when he was in college. He's from NY and super picky about his bagels. Wanted to see if they were as good as he remembered and they were. Would stand them up against a NY bagel any day or the week. The place hasn't changed in decades, doesn't need to. Super nice people there to. So glad it lived up to the memories.

I understand that this was a large order placed during a busy morning, so I arrived prepared to wait a bit longer if needed. While I was fine with the extra 15–20 minutes beyond the estimated time, I had hoped that the order would at least be completed correctly. Unfortunately, two of the orders were missing the extra add-ons we had requested. I'll be sure to ask next time if they were added. The bagels were still good, but the experience left me feeling that placing a large order for our office may not be the best choice in the future.

i waited 40-45 minutes for my bagel and i just assumed they were backed up and waited until they were 10 orders ahead of me to check up on it. i asked and the worker said he'd make it right away and the ticket was on the service line in front of 4 workers who were working on other orders. i waited 10 more minutes and it still wasnt out so i asked for a refund and didnt get an apology throughout the entire process except for the girl who knew it shouldve been out already (thank you to her). i finally get it and the order is burnt and looks so skimpy. definitely not the best interaction and food for $10

I am a Bagel Cafe girl until I die. I come with my roommate at least once a week and it has got to the point where the workers memorize our coffee order! The workers are nice, and not to mention, absolutely gorgeous. With how busy the cafe gets, the service is great and the food is always bomb. My order consists of either the irish special or the international without onion and an iced coffee with whole milk and extra vanilla and it NEVER FAILS. I have also tried a slammin salmon and it really does well on a hot day. Overall, this place deserves all the love and kindness and i can’t wait to eat here for the rest of my time at UCSB!

Best bagel spot around! Luke helped us and he was super nice. Definitely coming back and brining my friends. We love u IV Bagel cafe!!!!

I swung by Bagel Cafe recently and had the best experience, thanks to Juan! Not only is he super friendly, but he also makes the best bagel sandwich I've ever had He was super helpful in picking out the perfect combo and made sure everything was just right. You can tell he really takes pride in his work

Absolutely incredible. Lucas Warren ogburn blesses my eyes everytime I walk in and see his gorgeous locks making my bagel

BEST BAGELS IN CALIFORNIA. I went to UCSB and went to Bagel Cafe every day for two sesame bagels with cream cheese. Their workers are kind, funny, and welcoming to all customers. Even better, they work extremely hard and efficiently to quickly fill everyone's order even when it's crowded. Fresh bagels always and just an overall great experience that I had to make apart of my morning routine. I have spent an insurmountable amount of money at Bagel Cafe - and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Maybe more a 3.5** grab and go spot with some outdoor seating. pretty good bagels but I'm used to something a little fluffier to contrast with the crispy outside. these are a little on the flatter side. i got chive cream cheese on a galaxy bagel and it was pretty good but i didn't taste too much of the chive. the tomatoes are really fresh though & the pepper on top is chefs kiss. my sister who actually lives here gets tbe earth wind and fire bagel on a jalapeño bagel and i tried some of hers and it was really good - perf if you like spice and i think it wld be a pretty effective hangover cure. she says she can always use more sriracha on it! it gets busy here so get here early to beat the line!

Honestly these bagels hit the spot. I came in before my class at 11 am and the bagels were super soft and pillowy. I usually get whole wheat bagels at other places and they are too hard, but these whole wheat bagels were perfect! I also got a taxi driver on the galaxy bagel and it was bomb. Much appreciated bagel cafe

First year at UCSB and found this little hole in a wall from some friends and wanted to try it out and it is amazing. Bagels are made fresh everyday and have a wide variety and mine being the cinnamon bagel. Sandwiches always hit the spot and for being a broke college student prices are pretty cheap to go almost everyday. Juan is always super cool and makes the best sandwiches and is always talking to customers and building relationships. The whole staff is very laid back and really chill. For anyone in the area it is a MUST TRY!

Very good for a hangover breakfast. Got the eggle, which was good, but could have been made a bajillion times better with some salt and pepper. Bagels are good though! Seating outside is fine and staff are nice. Definitely all students, which is part of the vibe. Will go again.

Quick service and great customer service. Definitely my favorite breakfast place in IV.

As a college student in iv, bagel cafe is really a staple of Goleta. I often go here and I enjoy the large range of options they have, from melts to just bagels and cream cheeses. There's a lot of options for cream cheese as well as a good range of sweet and savory bagels and cream cheese flavors. I do miss being able to hear the music since it gives the spot a good ambience. The workers are always friendly and accommodating whenever I come in too.

So glad we have a bagel shop in IV for those with early morning shifts!! Before work, I came to try the Super Emma with Cholula which was so yummy. The first time I tried this place out was with the Hanna Banana which is my personal favorite. Definitely recommend trying it out!

This is a long-overdue review...so here we go! For some odd reason, finding a decent bagel is close to impossible in Santa Barbara. Perhaps we are too far from the East Coast metropolitan areas and largest Jewish populations? Who knows... Thankfully, within Isla Vista is this tiny Bagel Cafe. While I can't lie by saying they're spectacular, they're the best in the area. According to Spoon University list, they were rated one of the best best breakfast spots on a college campus. What makes them more enjoyable is not just the variety of bagel flavors (about 21 to choose from), but their sandwich creations. No matter if you stop by for breakfast or lunch, they've got you covered. My personal favorite sandwiches are the Eggle Plus, Super Emma, and The International. I will say that the one downfall is the inconsistency of orders given that the staff is predominant undergraduate students who simply need a job. Yet, if you can get over this one complaint, you'll quickly become a regular like myself. Join their Spot On Rewards Program for deals and discounts. I suggest ordering online which allows you to skip the long line by taking out.

I was visiting my friend up at UCSB and she took me to Bagel Cafe since it's a popular bagel spot in the area. I should've trusted my first choice of getting a hot breakfast bagel, but I changed my mind last minute and decided to try the Hampton bagel because I like bagels with smoked salmon. Big mistake. I know it was what I ordered that made my experience bad because my friend's bagel was really good. The Hampton bagel super messy to eat due to the box it came in and the big tomato slices. The flavor was kind of bland and there was so much lemon pepper that it overpowered everything. So, don't get the Hampton Bagel unless you love lemon pepper overpowering your bagel. Aside from the bagel, the space inside was really small, so you just order and wait outside- the wait for us was about 10-15 minutes. There are tables outside for eating as well. The parking is a bit tough since it's only street parking, so you have to get lucky with parking unless it's not busy. I'd come here again if I was visiting but order something different.

My friends and I got bagels for pickup. When we opened the bag, some of our bagels weren't cut and its avocados were going brown. The price was great compared to another place we were looking at and the bagel shop offered many different assortments of bagels I haven't seen before. For my bagel, I got the Earth Wind and Fire Bagel on a Toasted Tomato Basil Bagel and added on salmon lox. Though I ordered the bagel with no siracha, they still added it. Other than that, it was pretty good for its price. I haven't been to a bagel shop offering egg whites on a bagel before, so it was cool to try my first one here!

This was my first time coming here so I'm going to give it the benefit of doubt. We came on a sunday so it was very busy with college students. I ordered a egg and cheese on an everything bagel. Out of the many egg and cheese on everything bagels i've had this one was ranked low on the list. It lacked flavor and cheese. I could only eat half because it wasn't that good. However, the iced coffee with hazelnut was delicious. I would come back for that. The ambiance was a bit crazy but still nice. I found parking right out front.

Hola yelpers: Hoy nos guía a IV y pues mientras manejaba encontré este lugar y pensé uhhh Bagel suena bien, pues llegamos y nos encontramos con 3 chicas muy bailarinas y divertidas (pero bueno creo que Taylor Swift nos despierta a todos) Si estaba un poco ruidoso donde una persona tan viejita como yo no escucha y menos si es mala para el inglés , el bagel me gusto muchísimo y los disfrute no adjunto evidencia por qué llegue con mucha hambre jaja pero el lugar está rico y súper bien precio. Sin mas por el momento gracias por leerme nos leemos a la próxima . Saludos

I always try to make a stop at Bagel Cafe when in SB since graduating! We placed an order online and were able to pick it up right when it was scheduled! The schedule time does move back as it gets busier though, so keep in mind when placing your order. I got an eggle plus and added pico de gallo- super yummy! A great balance between the melted cheese, egg, bacon, and refreshing pico. I got it on the garlic bagel and that slapped.... A sandwich from here really fills you up, she's hefty. Side note: I tend not to get coffee here- I got it once a while back and I think there's just better coffee elsewhere in IV.

Okay, I 100% did not plan on coming here but when I was dropping off a return at the Amazon locker, I smelled these bagels and couldn't resist. There wasn't a long line but the wait did take some time (so be prepared). That being said, it was totally worth it. The Gilroy bagel was sooooo flavorful! I'm a huge garlic and cheese fan so this was right up my alley. The sex on a bagel was pretty epic as well. The cinnamon crisped up for a nice crunch. I was very impressed with this place!

#ThankYouThursday Thank you Thursday shoutout to Bagel Cafe! Feeding Isla Vista and beyond beautiful bagels, this place helps keep my graduate self fed and happy. So many events on UCSB's campus provide bagels or bagel sandwiches from Bagel Cafe, and I'm always happy to share in the goodness. From cinnamon raisin to blueberry to everything to sundried tomato and herb, every flavor I've tried is delicious. I had my first sando recently, and The Sicilian did not disappoint. Gratitude to this joint for carby goodness. In the spirit of the ongoing UC-wide workers' strike, here're two chants: What's outrageous? These bagel flavas! What's so tasty? Savoring bagels, no need to be hasty! Bagels, bagels, you're so good Treat the students like you should Bagels, bagels, you can't hide I can see your seeded side!

"The IV Bagel cafe has been a staple of my diet, as one of the great brunch spots in the heart of IV" - James Lee

If you have an hour to wait for a very mid bagel, then you'll be fine. Otherwise it would be faster, tastier and cheaper to go to Vons, get the ingredients, cook them and then go back to work. This place is super busy, but there is no organization in place to get orders out in (even remotely) chronological order on time.

Great little hole in the wall bagel shop. You can watch them bake their bagels fresh in the back. Very nostalgic for college students. Veggies are very fresh. There are lots of cream cheese options. They keep is clean, even tho it's in IV. Iced coffee is very good.

good bagels but they're a little $$! i got the slammin salmon on a garlic bagel iirc and it was pretty good but not like $12 a bagel good, was just one piece of salmon per half sometimes it seems a little hard to get an employee's attention ? took us a bit to get noticed. no inside seating but they have a few tables outside id come back if i was looking to treat myself maybe .

My New York Dream Bagels came true at Bagel Cafe. The menu is extensive and has soooo many good options whether you are a sweet, salty, or vegan preference. Bagel itself is so soft and the perfect chewy texture. There is a line outside the door and provided outdoor seating. All items are relatively affordable! Got the Zuma on an Herb and Cheese bagel and oh my was it good! Sat outside and could look through the window to see them making the sandwiches. Would definitely go back again and try everything!

Food: The bagels are always so good. They have never put too little cream cheese. If anything, they always put too much and I end up having to take some off. They also have a super diverse menu with so many variations of toppings, bagels, and spreads. 10/10 Service: It takes some time to get your food, but that might also be because there are so many people. 8/10 Ambiance: There is only outdoor seating and there are like 4-5 tables. It's usually pretty crowded if you go on the weekends so don't expect to find any seating there. The inside is pretty small and the line usually goes out the door. The food is worth it though. 6/10

Love this place, best food best people!! They are pretty quick with service, just adore this place

This is an institution! Bagels are excellent. The earth, wind and fire egg sandwich with avocado and sriracha is a delicious breakfast feast! Most people order To Go due to limited outdoor seating. Workers are working hard but everything is hand assembled so not as fast as Fast Food. Excellent people watching.

I like that they offer all their bagels and bagel sandwiches all day long. I ordered The Finest on Everything bagel- turkey, hummus, avocado, tomato, onion, and sprouts. Generous portion for $10.They also serve reasonably priced espresso drinks.

It's been a hard week. Midterms are biting me in the ass and I woke up from a classic thursday night IV hangover, my head pounding, my heart racing. My body ached for an eggle plus. My day turned around when caught a glimpse of his curly flowing hair as he whipped around the shop carrying the weight of bagel cafe. Walking into IV bagel cafe, his smile lit up the shop and he danced to "suavemente" without letting his focus drift from the tasks at hand. Suddenly my head ceased its fearless roar and my hangover subsided enough to order my regular (which he remembered might I add). My bagel enlightened my being and invigorated my senses. That first bite of the salt bagel satisfied deep within my heart and all I know is it was made with love by the dearest, most hardworking, efficient, and talented bagel maker IV has ever seen. Lucas Ogburn you have made my weekend.

Love the Hampton bagel. Much recommended spot. My personal favorite breakfast in Isla Vista.

My last visit was 4 stars... but this time they took a huge tumble. I had 3 basic bagels and it took 45 minutes from the time I placed the order, not to mention the 15 minute line just to place my order. There was a line out the door, and there usually is, but it should never take so long, NEVER!! I heard all the students complaining aloud as I waited with them to f-i-n-a-l-l-y get my bagels. Truth be told, the bagels were delicious, so the quality of the food is on point, but the wait was ridiculous. I also got a drip coffee and the creamer was out, as was the jug of water on the counter, both a testament to how busy it was, but still not an excuse to fail in all these areas. Sunday morning at 9am, come on!! I'll be back and I will hope for an experience more similar to my first visit, otherwise it will sadly be my last visit.

You cannot beat how cheap this place is. It's not the most aesthetically appealing, but my goodness - you get a good deal on a DELICIOUS bagel. They also are extremely generous with their cream cheese. Will be back. Often.

Stopped here around opening time to grab some food before heading to a UCSB campus tour. We were recommended this place from a friend and UCSB alumni who fondly remembered coming here frequently for breakfast and always makes sure to stop here every time she visited the city. We were able to place an order online and pick up promptly when it was time. Since it came so highly recommended, we expected a lot more from this place, but the end result was pretty average. The bagels were thick and not as soft and easy to bite/chew and the food was overall on the salty side. We got the Hampton which was a decent lox bagel, but again just slightly on the saltier side. We also tried the Magellan Drive, which was just like your basic turkey sandwich. Overall was disappointed because I felt like this was pretty basic like any other bagel shop, so nothing specifically special. The menu did have a lot of cool different offerings, so maybe we just need to try something else next time??

the ambiance is unmatched and they are the only bagel place that employs luke Ogburn. absolute cinema

The wait is long, but it's always worth it. Went with the classics and we're happy. The coffee was strong, but the creamer was clumpy. Probably should have asked for a fresh cuppa, but wasn't sour so just kept the lid on... what my eyes can't see can't ruin my coffee. Woman behind me did ask for a fresh cup and then they replaced the creamer... oh well...

Always delicious bagels and somewhat of a tradition now that whenever we are taking a long trip or have something important we start our day with bagel cafe. The wait is long though so be ready

05/18/24 at 11am I was waiting in a long line to get a bagel that my girlfriend wanted to try. While in line, I could see the food prep station from the window and I noticed a guy who looked like he just rolled out of bed (wrinkled, tattered shirt and sweatshorts, looked like he hadn't showered) prepping bagels. This was already a red flag. On top of that, he was not wearing gloves and he was touching all the food he was preparing... no apron and his clothes and belly were touching the food surface, no beard net to stop hair from falling in the food... I saw him wipe his hands on his sweatshorts and touch the food right after. He touched his phone several times while prepping food as well. Phones are some of the dirtiest items we have on us. I don't want to be mean, but these are food safety violations. This is only what we saw. We got out of line and opted to go elsewhere. If you decide to visit, see for yourself. To the owner or manager, highly recommend improving food safety standards.

Super fast service. Gorgeous girls working. Best bagels in iv. I personally prefer these bagels of yetz bagel. The soft yet delectable crunch of the bagel on my luscious lips is the perfect start to my day

I am consistently amazed by how fresh and good the bagels are here, as well as by how many of the delicious fixings are made in-house. Plus, they don't skimp! The sesame seed bagels have sesame seeds on everywhere, both on the top and the bottom. The employees here are patient and kind, even when there is a line. Every time I visit IV Bagel, I leave with a smile on my face. This local business completely deserves the support of the community it serves.

The bagels were great. I really enjoyed the entire experience, down to the service and the layout of the place. What really stood out though was the service of the handsome young man in there. He was amazing in helping me decide between an everything bagel and an onion bagel for my breakfast sandwich. I will never go to another bagel spot again, I would travel miles to return.

Classic Isla Vista staple. On my most recent trip I got the Hanna Banana, which had peanut butter, banana slices, and two packets of honey. It cured a peanut butter craving and kept me energized for most of the day. My all time favorite bagel is the Earth, Wind, and Fire bagel, which has great macros for anyone trying to get in some early morning protein. The prices are fair & the people working there are always super nice. Best bagel shop in the area by far & I would recommend it to anyone craving a good, hardy breakfast!

Nice breakfast spot in isla vista with lots of bagel options + coffee! The iced chai latte was wonderful and the Sicilian was very filling. I got it on a herb cheese bagel - wish it was a tad softer. Was very satisfied and full after eating one side. They have melts on the menu which look delicious as well!

Re-visited Isla Vista's famous Bagel Cafe after craving for so long, and got my all-time favorite Benedict Eggle. While the taste was still as great as I remembered, I noticed that the lox had a little bit of discoloration. The wait was quite long to get my food as well, took about 25 minutes from order to getting the food.

This wasn't it for me at all. There wasn't a line when we came and there weren't too many people who were waiting in line, yet it still took 30-45 mins for our food. I was pretty shocked and how slow it was. They only had outdoor tables that were all very dirty as well. When our food finally came, I was very unimpressed. I felt like the bagel was really dry and the egg was just alright.

I am obsessed with breakfast bagel sandwiches. This spot does not disappoint. Is it filled with college kids in the middle of IV? Yes. Should that steer you away from picking up an amazing bagel sandwich? Heck no! I had a egg, sausage, and pepper jack bagel on herb cheese with cream cheese addition. Amazing. I need to go back and see if they can put an over-medium fried egg in there next...because that would be a game changer. Thick, fluffy, and soft bagels. Tender and juicy eggs and sausage. 5 stars!!

I'm a new ucsb student doing the freshman summer start program and was recommended bagel cafe by my RA! It did not disappoint, i got the hampton and really enjoyed it. My friend came with and got the blt and said she wants to come back soon. The manager (i think) was super chill and gave me directions for how to get to target. Will be coming back soon !!

i absolutely love when my slammin salmon bagel comes with absolutely no salmon . bagel cafe never fails to disappoint me. used to make this a must-stop every weekend i'm in town but will no longer come here. maybe it's time to staff with more competent employees.

The bagels were very fresh, lots of good breakfast sandwich options. The coffee is tasty too (I ordered a caramel latte). The parking however is a nightmare. I'm not from the area so I realize it's more of a student neighborhood. But I wish they had a small lot or some street spots designated for the cafe.

My go to breakfast for anytime. Finals, hiking, hangover, always going to come here besides they have a bagel for everything. Their Zuma bagel is my favorite Only qualm is that it takes forever bc they're always busy and it's college kids working so the wait is expected