Breakfast Near Empire State Building: Fresh Bagels, Sandwiches, and Coffee at Tompkins Square Bagels
If you are searching for breakfast near the Empire State Building, you are not alone. Every morning, thousands of tourists, commuters, and office workers arrive in Midtown Manhattan looking for an authentic New York breakfast before their day begins. Whether you are heading up to the observation deck, walking to a meeting on Fifth Avenue, or catching a train at Penn Station, starting your morning with a real NYC bagel is one of the best decisions you can make.
The good news is that finding a great breakfast near the Empire State Building just got significantly easier. Tompkins Square Bagels recently opened its newest Midtown location inside Shaver Hall at 424 5th Avenue — just four blocks north of the Empire State Building. This means you can now get the same hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels, house-made cream cheeses, signature breakfast sandwiches, and premium coffee that made us an East Village institution for over a decade, all within a short walk of one of the most famous buildings on Earth.
You can learn more about our new Midtown location and everything we are serving at Shaver Hall.
Why Tompkins Square Bagels Is the Best Breakfast Near Empire State Building
When people search for breakfast places near the Empire State Building, they are usually looking for something specific: food that is fast enough to fit into a sightseeing schedule, authentic enough to feel like a real New York experience, and good enough to remember. That is exactly what we deliver at our newest Tompkins Square Bagels location.
Here is why our Shaver Hall location stands out among breakfast restaurants near the Empire State Building:
Proximity — We are located at 424 5th Avenue, between West 38th and West 39th Streets. The Empire State Building sits at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. That is a straight four-block walk south on the same avenue. No transfers, no detours, no confusion.
Authenticity — Our bagels are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked in brick ovens every single morning. This is not reheated frozen dough from a chain. This is the real thing — the kind of fresh baked bagels NYC is famous for.
Speed — We know your time matters. Whether you are grabbing a quick breakfast near the Empire State Building before your timed-entry ticket or fueling up before a full day of sightseeing in Midtown Manhattan, we move fast without cutting corners.
Hours — We open at 7:00 AM, seven days a week. That means you can eat breakfast before visiting the Empire State Building no matter what day you are in town.
What to Order: Breakfast Before Visiting the Empire State Building
One of the most common questions visitors ask is where to eat breakfast near the Empire State Building that feels like a genuine NYC experience. At Tompkins Square Bagels, you are not just grabbing food — you are eating at a shop that has been recognized by the New York Times, Eater, Time Out, and Food Network as one of the best bagel shops in the city.
Here is what we recommend from our full menu:
Fresh Bagels with House-Made Cream Cheese
Start with one of our 14 bagel varieties — Plain, Everything, Sesame, Sourdough, Pumpernickel, French Toast, and more — paired with any of our 20+ house-made cream cheese flavors. Every spread is prepared fresh daily in small batches. Popular choices include Scallion, Jalapeño Cheddar, Birthday Cake, and our Lox Spread.
If you want the quintessential NYC breakfast, order an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. It is the single most popular order in our shop and the perfect way to start a morning of exploring Midtown Manhattan.
Signature Breakfast Sandwiches
For something more substantial, our breakfast sandwiches are served all day on your choice of bagel. These are not your average egg-and-cheese — they are creative, filling, and built to fuel a full day of walking.
Our most popular options include:
The Weezer — Bacon, chorizo, egg, cheddar, and any cream cheese. This is our most talked-about sandwich and a favorite among regulars and first-time visitors alike.
The Koch — Hot pastrami, egg, scallion cream cheese, and red onion. A New York classic elevated.
Murray The Cop — Pesto, eggs, roasted peppers, and fresh mozzarella. Light, fresh, and packed with flavor.
Triple Crown — Canadian bacon, applewood smoked bacon, scallion cream cheese, spiced honey maple glaze, egg, and cheese. For those who want to go all in.
The Jersey — Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. A tri-state area staple done right.
Every sandwich is made to order and served hot. If you are looking for a breakfast sandwich near the Empire State Building that will keep you full through hours of sightseeing, this is it.
Coffee and Beverages
No breakfast is complete without coffee near the Empire State Building, and our beverage program delivers. We serve Mongo's Coffee — available as drip (hot or iced), espresso, cappuccino, latte, cortado, Americano, or macchiato. We also carry Harney & Sons teas, cold-pressed juices from Red Jacket, Boylan's craft sodas, and kombucha for those who prefer something lighter.
Location Details: How to Get Here from the Empire State Building
Our Shaver Hall location could not be more convenient for anyone looking for food near the Empire State Building. Here is exactly how to find us:
Tompkins Square Bagels — Shaver Hall
424 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Phone: 646-653-5910
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7 days a week
Walking directions from the Empire State Building: Exit onto Fifth Avenue and walk north. We are at 424 5th Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets — approximately a 4-block, 5-minute walk straight up the avenue.
Our inside Shaver Hall also puts us within easy reach of other major Midtown landmarks. If you are spending the day exploring, here is what else is nearby:
Herald Square and Macy's Herald Square — 4 blocks south
Penn Station — 5 blocks southwest
Bryant Park — 2 blocks north
Fifth Avenue shopping — we are directly on it
Koreatown NYC — 2 blocks south on 32nd Street
Madison Square Park — 6 blocks south
Whether you eat breakfast before visiting the Empire State Building or grab a bagel afterward on your way to Bryant Park, our location is perfectly positioned for a full day in Midtown Manhattan.
What Is Shaver Hall? A New Midtown Breakfast Destination
Our Midtown location is inside Shaver Hall, a brand-new 35,000-square-foot food and entertainment destination that opened in June 2026 inside the historic former Lord & Taylor flagship building. The space features 11 chef-driven eateries, three full-service restaurants, multiple bars, and a concert stage — making it one of the most exciting new places to eat near the Empire State Building for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
We are the breakfast anchor of Shaver Hall. When the doors open at 7 AM, we are the first thing you smell — fresh bagels coming out of the oven, coffee brewing, and breakfast sandwiches sizzling on the grill. While the rest of the hall comes alive later in the day with ramen, steak, gelato, and cocktails, we are holding it down for the early risers.
This new Midtown location brings the same fresh bagels, homemade cream cheese, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee that Tompkins Square Bagels has been known for since we opened our first shop on Avenue A in the East Village. The only difference now is that you do not have to go downtown to get it.
Who We Are: More Than Just a Bagel Shop Near Empire State Building
Tompkins Square Bagels is not a chain. We are a locally owned New York City bagel shop founded by Chris Pugliese, who has spent over 15 years perfecting the craft of hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels. Our shops have been featured in the New York Times, on the Food Network, and across dozens of NYC food publications. We have built our reputation one bagel at a time, and every location — including our new Shaver Hall spot — maintains the same standards.
When you eat with us, you are getting authentic New York bagels made the traditional way: hand-rolled, boiled in a kettle, and baked in a brick oven. No shortcuts. No frozen dough. No mass production. That commitment to quality is what separates us from the generic breakfast restaurants near the Empire State Building that rely on speed over substance.
We now operate five Manhattan locations:
East Village (Avenue A) — 165 Avenue A
East Village (2nd Avenue) — 154 2nd Avenue
Union Square (East 17th Street) — 44 E 17th Street
Upper East Side — 1601 1st Avenue
Shaver Hall (Midtown) — 424 5th Avenue
If you are staying elsewhere in Manhattan, you can find us in multiple neighborhoods. But for anyone looking for breakfast near the Empire State Building specifically, our Shaver Hall location is the one you want.
Planning Your Morning: Breakfast and the Empire State Building
For visitors planning a trip to the Empire State Building, here is our recommended morning routine:
Step 1: Arrive at Tompkins Square Bagels at Shaver Hall (424 5th Avenue) when we open at 7 AM. Order a bagel, a breakfast sandwich, and a coffee.
Step 2: Enjoy your breakfast inside Shaver Hall's beautiful dining space — the former Lord & Taylor building has soaring ceilings and a stunning interior.
Step 3: Walk four blocks south on Fifth Avenue to the Empire State Building. If you have an early timed-entry ticket, you will arrive fueled and ready.
This is the ideal way to experience a NYC breakfast and one of the world's most iconic landmarks in the same morning, all within a few blocks of each other.
Order Ahead or Dine In
Short on time? You can order online for pickup at our Shaver Hall location so your breakfast is ready the moment you walk in. This is perfect for visitors who want a quick breakfast near the Empire State Building without waiting in line.
If you are planning a group outing or office event in Midtown, we also offer full catering with bagel spreads, sandwich platters, and coffee service delivered to your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I eat breakfast before visiting the Empire State Building?
Tompkins Square Bagels at Shaver Hall (424 5th Avenue) is one of the best options. We are just four blocks north of the Empire State Building on the same avenue, open daily at 7 AM, and serve fresh hand-rolled bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. It is an authentic NYC breakfast experience within a 5-minute walk of the observation deck entrance.
What is the best breakfast near Empire State Building?
For an authentic New York experience, a fresh bagel with house-made cream cheese or a signature breakfast sandwich from Tompkins Square Bagels is hard to beat. Our Shaver Hall location at 424 5th Avenue puts us closer to the Empire State Building than almost any other dedicated bagel shop in Midtown.
Where can I get authentic NYC bagels near Empire State Building?
Tompkins Square Bagels at Shaver Hall (424 5th Avenue) serves hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels baked fresh every morning — the traditional New York method. We are located four blocks north of the Empire State Building and offer 14 bagel varieties and over 20 cream cheese flavors daily.
What is a quick breakfast before sightseeing?
A bagel with cream cheese or a breakfast sandwich from Tompkins Square Bagels is one of the fastest and most satisfying options. You can order online for pickup to save time, or walk in and have your order ready in minutes. We are designed for the morning rush.
What breakfast is within walking distance of the Empire State Building?
Tompkins Square Bagels at Shaver Hall is a 4-block, 5-minute walk north on Fifth Avenue from the Empire State Building. We are open at 7 AM daily and serve a full breakfast menu including bagels, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.
Where can I get coffee and breakfast near Empire State Building?
Our Shaver Hall location serves Mongo's Coffee (drip, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and more) alongside our full breakfast menu. You can get a complete breakfast — bagel, sandwich, and coffee — all in one stop, four blocks from the Empire State Building.
The next time you are looking for breakfast near the Empire State Building, skip the chains and the overpriced hotel buffets. Walk to 424 5th Avenue, step inside Shaver Hall, and experience what a real New York breakfast tastes like. Hand-rolled bagels, house-made cream cheese, signature sandwiches, and premium coffee — all made fresh, all served fast, and all within a few minutes' walk of one of the most iconic buildings in the world.
We are open 7 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. Come hungry.
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