Tag: PopUp Bagels

When viral sensation PopUp Bagels announced its expansion to Atlanta, the hype was major. When it was revealed that the rapidly growing company was staking its claim beside local darling Emerald City Bagels, carbs became even more controversial. So how do the two bagel joints actually compare? We visited both to find out.

As we look ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the casual comeback—a shift toward breezy, daylight-friendly dining that feels both intentional and effortless. Many of the incoming restaurants lean into breakfast and lunch, with chefs channeling creativity into pastries, produce-driven plates, and upgraded daytime comfort classics.

A pandemic project that turned into a social media sensation, PopUp Bagels launched in Connecticut in 2020, selling bagels and schmears via pop-up events. Five years later, PopUp has 15 brick-and-mortar stores around the country, and soon Atlanta will be among them. A Beltline location along the Eastside Trail is planned to open by the end of year. Rather than serve sliced bagel sandwiches like most bagel shops, PopUp focuses on “grip, rip and dip,” meaning bagels are intended to be eaten by ripping off bites and dipping them into a tub of schmear.