Reviews of Essen Bakery (Bakery)

Phu Nguyen

Very small bakery and I went right before they closed. So unfortunately I didn’t get to experience the best they had but the few things I did get to try were great! The staff was also super friendly. I brought extra solely due to her great attitude. It worked out because my family loved the pastries I brought home!

Brian Hecker

This place is pure magic. Everything that comes out of their small shop is wondrous, sweet and savory. Thank goodness I live only a few blocks away. Be sure to get there early before they sell out of their heavenly chocolate babka.

Brian McMahon

Insanely good bagels! Let alone every other taste treat.

Michael Stuber

Modest selection of Jewish breads and pastries done exceptionally well. And they do elixr coffee

Liberty Danger

Babka!!!!!!!

layum

Great little bakery with delicious pastries, teas and coffees.

Kate S.

DELICIOUS!! Go early for the b&w cookies and fresh baked bread. We also tried a slice of all 3 babkas, the chocolate being our favorite!!

Kirsi Santos

Rugelach here is everything.

Phu Nguyen

Very small bakery and I went right before they closed. So unfortunately I didn’t get to experience the best they had but the few things I did get to try were great! The staff was also super friendly. I brought extra solely due to her great attitude. It worked out because my family loved the pastries I brought home!

Alex David

Great place for challah, Babka, pies, cinnamon rolls, and a cup of coffee. They were already sold out of the Babka at 9 am! Call in your order and they will hold it for you.

Zach Mullen

Amazing lox sandwiches

Michael Pakradooni

Small Jewish bakery making great bread and sweets.

Jon Morris

The chocolate halva babka was a new flavor for me and one I won't forget soon. Thanks for the extra slice.

Brian Hecker

This place is pure magic. Everything that comes out of their small shop is wondrous, sweet and savory. Thank goodness I live only a few blocks away. Be sure to get there early before they sell out of their heavenly chocolate babka.

Jeffrey Herman

Very good Jewish bakery. Their challah is perfect.

Sally Kong

Charming place with amazing zaatar croissants, rugelach, and chocolate babkas!

Rebecca Rummelt

Wow, just wow!

Johnnie Thomas

Amazing pastries. The croissants, plain, chocolate, almond, etc are exemplary. The kouign amann are the best I have had. The only downside is the Valrhona chocolate which tastes great is probably picked by child slave labor.

Brian McMahon

Insanely good bagels! Let alone every other taste treat.

Sean Collins

One of my favorite lunch spots

Alejandro Lopez

Great Breads, cookies, and other desserts.

Rafi Caroline

Amazing bakery! Sandwiches are delicious, try everything.

Nkululeko Magwaza

Great place amazing stuff.

M A

I bought a Chocolate Halva Babka and whitefish salad on a bagel. Both were delicious. I'd highly recommend eating the babka as soon as possible after buying. The whitefish salad was so good and the bagel very soft and yummy. Would definitely come back here next time I am in Philly.

Lou Schmaus

The chocolate babka was outstanding!! Staff was very friendly and helpful. Will be back again often.

Nik Schuetz

Excellent baked goods and excellent coffee

Joseph Marano

I can't say enough about Essen. Everything, from the bagels to the Babka, is amazing. The staff is wonderful, warm, and always inviting. It's really a highlight on Passyunk. Get there early though, because the chocolate Babka sells out fast! The bagels are by far the best that I've had in the city. Buy a half dozen and get three delicious schmears (I like the lox, veggie, and scallion)! We also love the challah rolls; they are great with a burger, as french toast, or by themselves! If you're walking by, give it a try!

Dennis Pinto

Great bakery,pleasant staff,nice that you can either sit inside,or outside and enjoy your coffee along with fantastic baked goods

Dave Weinman

I love this place. Only bad part is that I have such a hard time deciding what to order, but I typically solve that by ordering multiple items. Sandwiches, toasts, and bagels are all great. Then the breads are great as well. I get the babka as gifts, and other loaves to take home. It's always good to see the crowds that pile in their as well. The hype is well-deserved.

Clarence Ochoa

you won't be disappointed in the menu and service. the bill was fair for the quality of food. feels like a place in los angeles i liked.

Michael Kramer

Love this place! I wish I would have discovered it sooner. Came here with a friend for bagels and was in love at first bite. The veggie cream cheese is so tasty on their everything bagel. My friend got the same thing and one of their Seasonal Iced Teas, the summer green one. I went back the next day to get my own glass and have been back every week since because it's that good.

Hannah Kronenberg

Their Zaatar Challah is sooo good. Great croissants and other pastries. The babka is also good but not the best in Philly. But in general this is a stand out bakery and you can't go wrong with any of their offerings. Especially the Zaatar Challah - you must get this.

John Strawbridge

A perfect spot for bagels in south Philly. This small bakery has a simple yet delicious menu with bagels, pastries and coffee complete with a friendly and speedy staff. The best part about getting bagels here is the amount of cream cheese they put on the bagels. The shmear is spot on and the Jewish apple cake is a perfect companion to any bagel or coffee. This definitely a must-visit spot for the perfect bagel here in Philly.

PhillyBite Magazine

Essen Bakery – A James Beard Award semi-finalist; Baker, Tova du Plessis takes a more contemporary approach to Jewish pastries inside her charming South Philadelphia shop. Essen implies “to eat” in Yiddish, and Philadelphians are addicted to her chocolate halvah babka, za’atar-spiced challah, black-and-white cookies, as well delish bagels, while connoisseurs go for the moist, mouthwatering honey cake prepared with grated apples along with dark beer.

isabelle smith

GO HERE NOW

Elloise Adler

Sweet little shop on a great stretch of South Philly. Breads are very flavorful and fresh!

Karen Casalnova

Stopped there expressly for challah bread. I was a little disappointed. The bread wasn't as sweet as I would like. The cost of one loaf was $7. You might want to stop for the babka special. Slice of babka and coffee, $4.

Michael Kramer

Love this place! I wish I would have discovered it sooner. Came here with a friend for bagels and was in love at first bite. The veggie cream cheese is so tasty on their everything bagel. My friend got the same thing and one of their Seasonal Iced Teas, the summer green one. I went back the next day to get my own glass and have been back every week since because it's that good.

Caroline Suh

Um ok two words : Za'atar Croissant. Flavor explosion. Ok that was four words. You gotta get it! The chocolate chip cookie is great (perfect to bring as a treat for a friend!) Small, family & friends owned and operated, with delicious, fresh, handmade baked goods; menu is small, but that's all you need. Great to bring visitors to introduce them to a neighborhood bakery. They offer combo specials, such as a coffee + babka slice. I will be back to support a local business!

jenna vig

Ran by an amazing woman who makes delicious pastries

Retna Slater

Definitely get the chocolate babka. The fruit pastry is really good too

Or Ben-Ari

Great bagels!

Stephan M. G.

Will come back.

Jonathan Chacon

Nice little gem!

Hannah Kronenberg

Their Zaatar Challah is sooo good. Great croissants and other pastries. The babka is also good but not the best in Philly. But in general this is a stand out bakery and you can't go wrong with any of their offerings. Especially the Zaatar Challah - you must get this.

Brittany Ellis

Essen bakery made 2 large size challahs for our wedding that were delicious! We said the blessing over the challah and planned to cut pieces to give to our guests, but it was so delicious that everyone came up to take pieces themselves before we could cut it! Tova from the bakery was really easy to work with, and she even set up delivery to our venue so we wouldn't have to worry about picking up the challahs the day of. We were also able to come in and taste the challah beforehand, and the people that work at the bakery are very nice and super accommodating! Thank you for being a part of our special day. We can't wait to come back in and try more delicious baked goods!

John Strawbridge

A perfect spot for bagels in south Philly. This small bakery has a simple yet delicious menu with bagels, pastries and coffee complete with a friendly and speedy staff. The best part about getting bagels here is the amount of cream cheese they put on the bagels. The shmear is spot on and the Jewish apple cake is a perfect companion to any bagel or coffee. This definitely a must-visit spot for the perfect bagel here in Philly.

Brett Stanwich

Fabulous Coffee and amazing staff!

Christian Molnar

Great Jewish bakery in South Philly. It’s tiny and they will sellout quickly, especially on the weekend. Awesome bagels, Jewish apple cake and pretty much everything else. There is seating within the bakery, but only 3 or so tables so it’s more of a take out place. I

Pavlos Kollias

Simple and delicious food by a great pastry chef and an amazing team

Shanee Garner

Chocolate babka!!

A. Padilla

Yum!

Helena Habova

Try their black & white cookie, it is the best!

Ginevra Czech

Fresh and so delicious

Dave U.

Babka on point!

Chaya Leah

Have I not yet freaked out to the internet world how incredible this place is? Maybe I’m afraid to because you’ll all show up earlier than I do and buy all the treats!! I’ve had the poppyseed pastry and the apple custard pastry and both were 10/10 tasty. Coffee is good, too. I love Essen!!!

Jaime R

Try the Babka, seriously, just try it

Jacque Faylo

Really delicious, charming, very friendly customer service that helped me order exactly what I wanted when I didn’t know myself. My only regret is that I chipped my front tooth on their bagel and my smile will never really be the same.

Christian Molnar

Great Jewish bakery in South Philly. It’s tiny and they will sellout quickly, especially on the weekend. Awesome bagels, Jewish apple cake and pretty much everything else. There is seating within the bakery, but only 3 or so tables so it’s more of a take out place. I

Araxi Bozadjian

Amazing bakery, but go early as they tend to sell out fast

Arielle P

By far one of the best bakeries I have ever had the honor to custom. I crave it daily, which is a dangerous yet exciting way to live when you reside around the corner. Congratulations on a well deserved James Beard semifinalist nomination, Tova! Do try: Cinnamon buns Jewish apple cake Fruit Danish Za'atar challah/croissant Black and White Cookie Don't miss: Earlybird slice of babka and coffee special,

Pavlos Kollias

Simple and delicious food by a great pastry chef and an amazing team

South Philadelphia

Loaded with mice

Shelley Finch

yummy baked goods. So fresh!

Anna MacDonald

Essen is by far my favorite Philly bakery. Not only are the pastries consistently amazing, but the atmosphere is always pleasant and welcoming. It's the place to go and hang out to feel part of the community here.

Beth Conover

Chocolate Babka was amazing! (Seasonal) matzo ball soup is home made deliciousness!!

Rajeev Thomas

Great Jewish bakery. There is a tree in front of this place, that hides the sign pretty good! We walked past this place twice. South African lady at the counter was super friendly and helpful. Their chocolate babka was sold out when we got there. But had a Zatar sandwich that was really refreshingly flavorful. Jewish Apple cake moist and flavors increased as it sat in the fridge for couple days. Great place with great staff = amazing bakery experience.

Shawn Robinson

Go early and get the chocolate babka