I’ll be real, I walked into PopUp Bagels fully skeptical, because how good can a hyped-up bagel actually be? Well, consider me converted! This is the brand’s first Maryland location, right in downtown Bethesda, and their grand opening had me pleasantly surprised. These bagels are legit: small-batch, baked fresh throughout the day, and served warm so you’re ripping into them at their best.
The move here is their whole rip-and-dip thing, plus a Maryland-exclusive Chesapeake Spiced schmear that leans into that Old Bay life. If you love a fresh, no-fuss bagel and don’t mind that it’s built for sharing, this spot’s worth the hype. Here’s how it works, what I got, and the one catch you should know before you go.
Is PopUp Bagels Really As Good As People Say?
PopUp Bagels started as a pandemic hobby up in Connecticut and blew up into a viral, celebrity-backed brand, and this Bethesda shop is their first in Maryland. What makes it different is the format: the menu’s intentionally simple, the bagels come out in small batches all day so they’re warm, and instead of slicing, you rip and dip. They keep it to five classic flavors done well, then have fun with the schmears, including a Chesapeake Spiced one you can only get here in Maryland. It’s a fresh, fast, shareable take on bagels, and the simplicity’s kind of the point.
What to Order at PopUp Bagels
The Bagels (5 Flavors, $15 for 3)
You’ve got plain, everything, sesame, salt, and poppy seed, and they’re baked in small batches throughout the day so they come to you warm and fresh. They run a little smaller than a typical bagel, which honestly makes sense once you realize you’re getting at least three. All five flavors are classic for a reason, and the everything in particular pairs well with any of the schmears.
Chesapeake Spiced Schmear (Maryland Exclusive)
This is THE one to get! It’s an Old Bay-spiced cream cheese that you can only find at the Bethesda location, and it’s such a fun, very-Maryland move. Rip a warm everything bagel, dip it into that Chesapeake Spiced schmear, and you’ll get it immediately.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cream Cheese
One of their rotating specials, and a yum little pick if you want to go sweet instead of savory. The name tells you exactly what you’re getting. The specials rotate every couple weeks, so what’s on when you go is part of the fun.
Heads up on how ordering works: they don’t sell single bagels, so the smallest order is 3 bagels with a schmear for $15. From there it’s 6 bagels with a schmear for $24, or 12 with two schmears for $46, and extra schmears are $8 each. It’s built for sharing, so grab a friend. If you want a proper sit-down Bethesda bakery for coffee and pastries, Simona Cafe is a lovely one nearby.
Why Do You Rip PopUp Bagels Instead of Slicing Them?
It’s not a gimmick, there’s a reason. Keeping the bagels unsliced traps the heat so they stay warm and fresh in the bag, and the whole rip-and-dip setup’s designed for sharing a few bagels and schmears around the table. So instead of a knife and a careful spread, you tear off a warm piece and dunk it straight into the tub. It feels casual and communal, which is exactly the vibe they’re going for.
The Vibe and Experience
This isn’t a sit-down cafe, and that’s good to know going in. The Bethesda shop’s on the ground floor of the Solaire tower, and it’s basically a grab-and-go spot with just a couple of highboy tables outside, no real indoor seating. So think of it as a place to grab a warm batch and take them home, to the office, or to a park, not somewhere you linger over brunch. It was the grand opening, and a huge thanks to the PopUp Bagels team for the hospitality.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍7607 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, on the ground floor of the Solaire building.
- Hours: 7AM to 4PM daily.
- The catch: no single bagels. The smallest order is 3 bagels plus a schmear ($15); 6 with a schmear is $24, 12 with two schmears is $46, and extra schmears are $8.
- You can walk in or preorder ahead through their website or app until they sell out.
- Everything contains dairy and there’s no gluten-free option, so plan accordingly.
- Parking: there’s no dedicated lot, but Garage 49 (Metropolitan Garage) is right across a pedestrian bridge and free on Sundays, and the Bethesda Metro (Red Line) is walkable. See flavors and preorder on their website here.
Is PopUp Bagels Worth the Hype?
I’d say so, as long as you go in knowing what it is. If you want a warm, fresh, shareable batch of bagels with a fun MD-exclusive schmear, it delivers. Just remember it’s rip-and-dip by the batch, not a sit-down bagel-sandwich situation. Come with a friend and an appetite. Grab a coffee to go with them at Coffee Fi Roastery in Bethesda and you’ve got a solid little morning.
Have you guys tried PopUp Bagels yet?! Let me know in the comments which schmear you’re getting, Nomsters, and send this to the friend you’d split a dozen with.