For bagels, breads, and pastries, Sunnyvale has quite a selection of bagel shops. I have, for the past six years, been enjoying the bagels at House of Bagels, Bagel Street Café, Fresh U Order Bakery, Panera Bread, Bijan Bakery & Café, and Esther’s German Bakery. Known for friendly service and pleasant atmosphere, it’s the food that draws me to these places for breakfast, lunch, or a late evening snack.
House of Bagels
1681 Hollenbeck Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 245-0311
http://houseofbagels.com/
This is a San Francisco based chain operating since 1962. Famous for its NY-style water bagels, artisan breads, and fresh baked cookies, I tried a Breakfast Bagel with Eggs and Cheese here for $3.90 and Plan Bagel with Cream Cheese for $2.80. They also have a shop and a NY-style deli.
Bagel Street Café
348 W Maude Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408)738-1856
This is a quaint little café famous for strawberry cream cheese and breakfast bagel with egg, turkey ham, and cheese. The Asiago bagel had too many poppy seeds but overall I would rate this 3 out of 5 stars.
Fresh U Order Bakery & Cafe
500 Lawrence Expy
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
408.739.1888
I usually get the multi-grain bagel with cream cheese and tea/coffee here. This place also has a shop, deli, casual atmosphere, and moderate prices.
Panera Bread
20807 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-9131
http://www.panerabread.com/
Panera Bread has the best bagels. Try any one of their Signature Bagels, Freshly Baked Bagels, and Flavorful Spreads, and also for their variety pastries, soups, and sandwiches. Their popular bagels are the “Everything” topped with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, toasted onion and kosher salt. Try also Plain, Whole Grain, Asiago Cheese, and Jalapeno and Cheddar Bagel.
Bijan Bakery & Café
441 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129
408.247.4888
http://www.bijanbakery.com/
Along with Rolls, Scones, and croissants, this bakery is famous for assorted bagels with tomato and cream cheese. Owner Bijan Abachizadeh’s specialty is wedding cakes, and they have provided catering services since 1986.
Esther’s German Bakery
987 San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
650.941.4463
http://esthersbakery.com/
For authentic European flavors, I go to Esther’s for German breads, pretzels, strudels and specialty snack items. They also serve great multi-grain bagels that I occasionally like to try. They have another location on 2510 Old Middlefield Way in Mountain View.
Sunnyvale’s locally owned bakeries offer more than just bagels and breads. Be sure to also try assorted cookies, cakes, pastries, and tea-time snacks. Any of the above locations will offer the best bagels in Sunnyvale and South Bay Area.