Zabar's is a specialty food retailer known for bagels, prepared foods, coffee, and gourmet groceries, available both in-store and through online ordering and delivery. This page collects shopper ratings and reviews to help you understand what customers experience when ordering from Zabar's online.
Zabar’s Reviews
What Shoppers Say About Zabar’s
Shoppers are deeply divided on Zabar's, with significant quality concerns dominating recent feedback. The main complaint centers on online orders falling short of in-person purchases at their physical location, particularly regarding bagels that reviewers describe as indistinguishable from supermarket quality rather than the boiled-and-baked product expected from a specialty retailer. Additional issues include quality control problems (overseasoned items, spoiled gefilte fish, tough vegetables), unresponsive customer service when orders arrive incomplete or damaged, and difficulty canceling mailing lists. Pricing also frustrates customers, who feel delivery costs compound the already steep prices.
A smaller segment of reviewers appreciate the store's in-store experience and certain items like applesauce and rugelach, and some report successful online purchases. However, the frequency of complaints about product quality, order fulfillment, and customer service responsiveness suggests these positive experiences may be inconsistent. The Z-Peat membership program receives particular criticism for poor dispute resolution, with at least one long-term customer reporting the retailer was unwilling to resolve a missing item issue.
Customer Reviews (24)
Sorted by: Most recentThis is honestly the best business in the neighborhood. Everything they stock is top notch, always fresh, and they operate with real integrity. I once picked up something past its expiration date but didn't notice due to my vision. When I returned it the next day, they not only gave me a refund but also threw in store credit and apologized. They're a legitimate, ethical company that takes care of customers even though they're the most popular spot around. Hope they keep thriving.
Ordered food supplies and household items and was really satisfied. Delivery was fast and packing was excellent so nothing arrived damaged. The cured meats and jar items were wonderful. Only disappointment was the bagels, which weren't bad exactly but definitely not authentic New York style. I would've expected Zabar's of all places to nail this. Maybe it's a pandemic ingredient sourcing thing, lots of bakeries have dealt with that. We'll try again when things improve. Everything else was fantastic though, and I really loved a cutting board and some tea towels I purchased. Please focus on improving the bagels! As someone from New York, I can tell when a bagel is legit, and these are just supermarket freezer case quality. Would be amazing if you carried Bialys since they're impossible to find where I am now.
We were happy with our order of food supplies and home goods. Everything came quickly and was packed well with no shipping damage. The cured meats and specialty jars we ordered were great. The only real letdown was the bagels, which were just okay but didn't feel like authentic New York bagels. Given that Zabar's is supposed to be THE place for this stuff, I expected much better. Could be a pandemic baking issue with ingredient access, since lots of places have had that problem. We'll give them another shot once things settle down. Everything else was excellent, and I was really impressed with a cutting board and tea towels I got. Seriously though, those bagels need work. As a New Yorker I know what a real bagel should taste like, and these weren't any better than what you'd find in a regular supermarket. I'd also love it if they stocked Bialys since I can't find them where I live now.
Will never order from them again. After multiple calls trying to fix the fact they never sent an email gift I bought but still charged me, being put on hold repeatedly, broken promises, and finally getting a gift link that doesn't work, I'm filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. My family and I are done with this company.