Royal Bagel Bakery

I love a good Happy Hour, even if it happens to be at a bagel shop. So, when I saw the Happy Hour sign I got excited. Who can beat a dozen bagels for the price of ½ dozen? Sign me up! I ordered a dozen and the bagels were huge, soft, with a crunchy exterior, and they had all of my favorite flavors. I got the chocolate chip bagel, the everything bagel, the whole grain bagel, the black and white bagel, and the poppy seed bagel. I had a bag of bagels fit for a king or queen in this case.
We ordered a variety of sweets. The triple layer cake, strawberry shortcake, the bear claw (by far the best tasting of the bunch), and an assortment of cookies. The cookies were a disappointment. They tasted bland and didn’t have that melt in your mouth sweetness. The strawberry shortcake was moist, but missed out on the fresh strawberry taste. I loved the bear claw. The outer layer was flaky and buttery. The inside had cheese, like a cheese Danish, and was topped with a sweet chocolate drizzle.
You do need to be on top of the cashiers. I was overcharged for my order and they forgot my bear claw. They were nice about it, when I brought it to their attention. So, go for the bagels and bear claws. I would definitely go back for the bagel Happy Hour!

Royal Bagel Bakery has been around since ’92 and offers sandwiches, subs, triple deckers, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, donuts, homemade cream cheeses, croissants, pastries, as well as lattes and cappuccinos. They also have catering service as well. Our little group came by to sample and taste some of their treats, as we just had lunch. We got a little assortment of some cookies, little white chocolate ‘cigars,’ a slice of strawberry shortcake, a rainbow cake, and a chocolate cheese puff. The cookies were not good, as they were dry and super bland — even the lace cookies that I usually enjoy had an off taste to them and after a nibble, I brushed it off to the side; the strawberry shortcake was okay, as the cake itself was more on the decadent side, being a bit more rich in taste — the cream was thick, and the slices of strawberries had a slight brown tint to them; the rainbow cake had a nice thin layer of raspberry preserve within — while the taste was good, it was a little dried out and slightly stale; the chocolate cheese puff, which looks like a mutation of a danish and a bear claw, was actually okay — I just wished that these were more fresh and served warm! A friend also ordered some bagels during their ‘Bagel and Donuts’ HH (that is offered daily from 4−7PM, a dozen for half price) — I’d like to know how they turned out! There was an error in the total, so make sure you double-​check and/​or ask for an itemized receipt! There are some seats inside to enjoy your purchases, as well as some tables outside for an al fresco experience. I’m glad I was able to check this bakery out, but not sure if I’d go back.
+bland and dry cookies and cakes T_​_​_​T
+‘Bagels and Donuts’ HH, daily from 4−7PM
+double-​check your total!
+located in the Bank of American plaza off of Germantown

It is hard to leave this place and not be satisfied and happy. I have been coming here for years and the owner goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is taken care of. She employees high school students and the last time I was there, she was trying to get them signed up for driving lessons with a local driving school instructor that came in to eat. This level of care really shows through everything in the store as everyone is very helpful and friendly, the food is incredible, and the specials can’t be beat.
Here are some tips:
* They fill the cannolis when you order them.
* Happy hour on bagels and donuts (buy 6, get 6 free) is from 4−7pm
* The $ 8.50 BLT is well worth $ 8.50. I was skeptical as well until I tried it. Wow, so much bacon.
* The best pastrami and corned beef around. (Try both on their «42^nd Street» sandwich)

I came here for lunch after my math final, in need of some serious sustenance. I ordered the Bronx, a pastrami sandwich on rye bread, and as I waited for my order, the restaurant owner gave me a generous sample of a grilled chicken panini. I quickly ate my sandwich, which was very well made, and was about to leave when the owner again gave me more free samples this time a mini cheesecake topped with bacon.
Great food, great service, and an amazing bakery selection. If you need a good deli or bakery experience, look no further.

This place is great. Variety of options everything is fresh and delicious, gluten free options. Ok soooooo. The staff is awesome. Super sweet always cleaning if not taking orders or serving. The manager (Asian lady) runs a tight ship really made us uncomfortable. She treats her staff like shit and is rude to them. At one point went inside and pulled the baker outside by the hand in front of everyone to take care of a customer. I may be reading the whole thing wrong but it was just uncomfortable. She was never rude to customers. Greeted each n every customer. Food wise 5stars. It’s clean and I will def be back

This place has been around for a long while and I’ve never had any issues with the customer service or the food. I’ll talk about my most recent purchase, which was the Hot Stoney Bottom. There was more than ample meat, cheese, and mayo. It’s about $ 10.00, but you’ll likely get lunch AND dinner out of it.
Also really love their lox platter. They give you the capers, huzzah!

I can’t believe I’ve never written a review for Royal! I absolutely love their bagels, lattes, doughnuts. Pretty much everything they sell is delicious. I’ve been going here since I was in high school, and the bagels have always been incredible. Their hot pepper cream cheese is my absolute favorite, and a definite must try if you go!

Bagels are really good! You have to try them. I’ve only tried the plain cream cheese and it’s ok. There’s always way too much on my bagel but I guess that’s better than not having enough lol Sandwiches are good. They are pricey but you do get a good size and good quality sandwich. Pastries… are just ok. I’ve tried several items and they all look much better than they taste :(Shame. Stick to the bagels and sandwiches. I’ll update this review once I try their donuts and some of the other cream cheeses.

It’s just not for me. I’m not into being rushed. I don’t live in NY for a reason.
The bagels aren’t special and the blueberry ones do not have blueberries just some purple marks. So many times I have gotten a plain bagel that tasted like onions. Please wipe off the knife or slicer or whatever. It’s very unsanitary not to.
The amount of cream cheese is truly silly. I’m just not understanding why they put enough for two bagels on one bagel every single time, even if you ask for a lighter amount, which I did every time I went into this bakery until I gave up on them. The baked goods are ok but not good enough to make up for the fact that they blatantly ignore the customer’s request every time.

If you are looking for a place to grab a delicious sandwich or a couple of old-​fashioned pastries, then I highly recommend that you come here! It is actually is an authentic New York Deli, but amazingly in Maryland! In addition, you won’t need to worry so much about scheduling due to the ridiculously-​cooperative hours!
The Positives:
1. They have several delightful pastries ranging from Rainbow Bars to an assortment of Italian Biscuits (cookies)! (I recommend the Rainbow Bars ;)!
2. If you are searching for something more savoury, they have it! Whether it be a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich (which I get every time I come here) or a traditional sub!
3. They host a variety of decent beverages, such as Hot Chocolate or Lattés (which might be useful at this time of the year) and to simple juices like apple or orange juice.
4. They have outdoor seating, and a fairly private and spacious parking lot!
5. The food usually comes out quickly. (Unless the line is long!) ~ approximately 6 to 8 minutes after ordering on a day with an average line.
6. Prices are very good! (Which is a good thing because in the D.C. area, prices are usually ridiculous!)
The Negative:
1. They still use styrofoam! :(
I highly recommend coming here!

After many visits, it’s clear that royal bagel really deserves all five stars. It is often so crazy busy in here that it creates pressure for the customer, but now that I have experienced this so many times I see how great the customer service is. They will take time with you to explain and guide you if you ask even when it’s busy. In my estimation this is the only REAL bakery in a 5 mile radius. Even at the end of the day their cases are stocked with goodies. Many bakeries will bake less to avoid product loss but here they bake a lot and focus on having things available when the customer comes in. This is old school attention to detail. Their ready selection is wide and the list of what thy can make on order is limitless. Everyone should visit here at least once… Then you’ll be back

I’m a transplant from the NYC area (a bridge and tunnel girl as they say). I take pizza and bagels seriously. Therefore, I really wasn’t sure how I would like these bagels. Sure, I’ve eaten a bagel from Dunkin Donuts, but I usually consider that an act of desperation… like when I lived in Florida and Lenders «Bagels» were parading around acting like they were real thing. (You’re just bread and you know it!) But I digress…
I ordered a sesame bagel and a honey dip donut and headed home to begin my preparations. Using my trusty bread knife, I sliced through the bagel, which had a nice crusty exterior and a dense still warm bready interior. I toasted it and threw on a healthy dose of cream cheese. A small part of me is reluctant to say this, but this bagel is pretty darn close to home. It’s chewy without being overly chewy. It’s dense without being overly dense. The size is just right. Overall, this is a bagel that I can call a bagel… and not a «bagel.»
Also, I’ve never had a honey dip before. Do yourself a favor and always add one to your order when you come here. This will prevent you from having a life full of regrets. It’s a lovely airy yeast donut with a touch of sweetness from the thin layer of honey glaze. That honey glaze is heavenly!
This location has a very small parking lot and some indoor and outdoor seating. However, I suspect that they have a steady flow of people who take their food to go. When I came by, they had plenty of people in line. I found the employees to be polite and helpful. However, I can see how a previous reviewer could find them rude. With so many people, they need to have a quick turnaround with customers so chitchat is a bit of a luxury. I’ll definitely be back again!

It’s a cool place to go. I haven’t found anything better in the area, so a 4 is appropriate. I usually get their egg and everything bagels. I always freeze my bagels in the brown bag they put them in. I don’t recommend buying the cream cheese because, they told me it only lasts for 3 days tops. Store bought cream cheese has preservatives, I think it’s sorbic acid, and it greatly increases the shelf life. Just go buy cream cheese from the grocery store, unless you plan on consuming their pack within 3 days.
I recommend going during non-​peak hours. They are fast, but I’m from the South, and I miss that southern hospitality. I like to walk in when it’s slow, and get a little bit of individual attention.
On another note, I’ve noticed there isn’t much diversity in the customers or staff for that matter. The vast majority are Caucasian. I’d like for more diversity.

They load the cream cheese on hard. Don’t skimp .
They are a little rude (at least the Handful of times I’ve been there)

Sometimes a bit chaotic & it is not the cheapest place to get a bagel/​sandwich/​pastry but I do love Royal Bakery!
Usually order a bagel with veggie/​hot pepper spread. The egg & cheese croissant and the knish weren’t amazing when I ventured for something else. The pastries have so far all been delicious!
Friendly and welcoming service. Sometimes I feel a bit rushed to order, even if it isn’t busy. I would recommend giving customers time to step through the door and look over the selection before asking them to order.

Such a great place and they have an awesome variety. My favorite would have to be the bow ties

I never thought I would have to do this, but I am. I am not updating my review, but editing it completely. In just 24 hours, I am dropping my review of this place from 3 stars, down to 1.
$ 50 down the drain.
Yes, the bagels and the spreads were decent yesterday, but today, as I was getting ready for breakfast, the bagels dried up and the spreads started to spoil. And this was after a day. A DAY! How is that possible? Do they only make things good for just 24 hours? That’s incredible, and still a total mystery to me. I was forced to throw away everything. E-​VER-​Y-​THING. And that’s harsh. Plus, only one pastry that I had of all the items (apple fritter — I ordered 5 items) had any promise. The others, raspberry horn, the bowtie donut, the elephant ear, and the raspberry swirl cookie, either were bland or lacking that «something» to make it good. What happened?
I don’t think it was the drive. I’ve driven further for take out and the food still manages to hold more than just the day of. I just personally think that here, it’s a cost saver trying to feed more people so it appears shortcuts were taken to provide that opportunity, and of course as mentioned save money. But, as a customer, I was not pleased. I saw this place as a chance to provide me with pastries and bagels even if going once a month would help, and sadly, I took a chance, and I failed.
Lastly, as probably figured out by now, I will likely not be returning here. This one hurts, because I wanted this place to be really good, and it wasn’t. So there.

We wanted to find a good deli for lunch one day, and the good review on Unilocal led us down to Royal Bagel. I had my parents with us as well, and both are originally from New York, so there were high standards to met. But Royal delivered.
You order at the front counter, and seating is pretty limited. The interior isn’t anything to write home about. But the food was great. I went for the Reuben. It came full of meat on fresh rye with just the right amount of dressing– very impressive. The Coney Island and Italian subs were both hits as well, as was my wife’s simple egg and cheese on a bagel. We then ordered some of the baked goods for dessert later– a classic bland and white cookie as well as a chocolate «cigar» and a raspberry horn. Only the chocolate cigar didn’t live up to the hype, but the others were great. I was impressed and will be coming back.

I’m obsessed with bagels. I’ve gone bagel hunting all up and down Manhattan, and found only a handful of places that were good enough. Outside of New York, I can think of only 2 – 3 places that are maybe worth the trip. Royal Bagel Bakery bests most of these.
I was there soon after they opened this morning at around 6. Got myself half a dozen, and a garlic with lox to go. Toasted? Nope, so fresh, no enhancement needed. (Update: If you ask «what’s hot,» the response at 6a seems to always be «Everything.» I think it depends if you order a popular bagel. I’ve walked away wishing I had toasted my sun dried tomato bagel… might be from the night before) Garlic tends to be burn-​y when toasted anyways. Munching on my yummy bagel, I decided this is the only way to eat garlic bagels from now on. They also give you a real proper fat schmear on your bagel. No having to Oliver Twist it here. I had enough cream cheese left over for a second bagel and change! I’m a relatively healthy eater, but when I decide to have a bagel for breakfast, there is no pretense. Why stop at one? Diet be damn, these bagels are worth it.
The nice owner heard me say that I always order the same lox spread everytime, so she had me try their olive spread. She said the olives just gives it something extra, and I heartily agree; if I didn’t already have 7 bagels and a tub of cream cheese… I’ve also tried their vegetable cream cheese and found it too bland. They did use fresh vegetables, though.
If you haven’t been here, it is worth the drive! The dutch market is in the area too. Two birds with one stone or whatnot. Just get yourself over here!

3 things:
1. L-​O-​V-​E the sriracha sauce located at the right of their entrance LOL («fixin’s» station w/​huge tub of hand sanitizer). That’s when I knew all will be comforting and fine inside RBB –_​0
B. Can we please hear it for the lovely energetic lady on staff? You rock. I’m a fan of any lively crew especially in the wee early hours o’ the morning. She was genuinely good-​natured too. I’m all about that life.
III. RBB has been ’round these parts since ever and way before the big construction boom w/​in G-​town. There’s history and familiarity. I’d gladly bring my empty belly back here again.
They get all walks of individuals — the morning crowd, student lunch crowd (Seneca Vally HS and MC), busy rush hour/​dinner peeps ending their weekdays, and weekend locals.
From bagels, sammiches, to desserts (I’m coming back for you, sugar), I’m so glad BroS brought me to his local bagelry.
Today I copied his order: bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel w/​tea (I believe they only had classic Lipton). Don’t worry — I’m w/​family so lactose was not an issue… let’s just say ’twas a breezy day so nature carried it away~ tmi
The egg was lightly seasoned and simple which teamed well w/​the bacon and cheese. Before each bite I pressed onto the stray poppy seeds so none would survive my RBB experience.
The bagel itself had a firm but bitable texture w/​a chewy interior. No matter what type of bagel, I appreciate this combination. I’m so ready to chance on more of their bagel variety.
RBB’s seating area is «cozy» so do what most locals do — eat in your car lol… I’ve seen it plenty during my half hour while seated inside.
They do offer outdoor seating but look at the date of this review — thank ye.
Enjoyed yet another family moment w/​the bro in his ‘hood.
FYI small stressful parking lot if you cannot find a space… yup, either perform the Austin-Powers’-3-point-turn or back all the way out.