Best Bagels in NYC

Posted byDominique BordesPosted inBest in nyc, breakfast, Food & Travel, New York CityTags:, , , , , , ,

NYC Has The Best Bagels. End of Story.

Bagels are one of the best carbs that exist. The perfect bagel is boiled (not steamed) then baked. It is best with a “schmear” (if you know, you know) of cream cheese, lox if you’re about it, or as a sandwich like the New York breakfast staple, baconeggandcheese (one word). January 15th was National Bagel Day and everyone knows the best bagels are in New York. Here are some (don’t come for me) of the best bagel spots in New York City by borough. I left out the Staten Island, because I don’t go there *Kanye shrug* (added the Bronx as a courtesy)

Best Bagels in Queens

Utopia Bagels

1909 Utopia Parkway Whitestone, NY 11357

Photo source: Instagram @ms_new_foodie

When it comes to New York bagels, everyone says it’s about the water. Utopia Bagels owner, Scott Spellman says it’s more than that. “It’s what you do with the water. It’s how much water you put in. It’s those techniques that make our bagels what they are,” he says. At Utopia, they use the process of individually hand-rolling each bagel, kettle boiling them, and putting them in their oven that’s been around since 1947. The meticulous process shows in their delicious bagels that you can find all over Instagram. The bagels are perfectly firm on the outside and soft in the middle the way the perfect New York bagel should be. If you’re in Queens, this is the spot to go to.

Pictured above: Jalapeno cheddar bagel, Rainbow bagel, Blueberry bagel with blueberry cream cheese. Popular menu items: The Worth It and Only for Dolphins Sandwich.

Forest Hills Bagel

104-41 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Photo source: Instagram @ms_new_foodie

This super busy bagelry churns out delicious bagels and assorted cream cheeses, including low fat options and whipped tofu…if you’re into that… (I’m not). I’m a big fan of their egg bagel as you can see from my photos above. My go-to is an egg bagel with scallion cream cheese. They also have pretty good deli sandwiches. Pro-tip: order ahead. They are super busy, especially in the morning.

Pictured above: Egg bagel with scallion cream cheese and bacon, Chicken cutlet sandwich on an egg bagel, Turkey bacon, egg and cheese on an egg bagel.

Bagel Oasis

183-12 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

Photo source: Instagram @bagel_oasis

This bagel shop has been around since 1961, so you know they’re doing something right. Their bagels are kettle boiled at a high temperature then baked giving them a light crunchy outside and chewy interior. Their known for egg-onion bagels, lox cream cheese and breakfast sandwiches and also have unique options like their jalapeno cheddar and French toast bagels. Best part: it’s open 24 hours.

Pictured above: Cheddar cheese jalapeno heat bagel, Bacon, egg and cheese with a hash brown on a french toast bagel, BLT on an onion bagel.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company

Multiple Locations, Queens & Manhattan:

Photo source: Instagram @bkbagelny

Like other restaurants in New York City (looking at you Brooklyn Chop House), this spot isn’t actually in Brooklyn at all. It has several locations in Queens and Manhattan aka “the city” (saying Manhattan is so weird, but I will continue to do so for blog purposes). The main location is in Astoria, Queens. Their bagels are big and airy and they have bagel options like gingerbread and sundried tomato. They also have mini bagels and spreads like toasted almond cream cheese. You can fulfill both your salty and sweet cravings with either their sausage, egg and cheese or a their cannoli cream cheese. Gotta love options.

Pictured above: Bacon, egg and cheese on a sesame bagel, Scallion cheese and lox, Egg and avocado on an everything bagel.

Baker’s Dozen Bagels

Multiple Locations, Queens and Brooklyn

Photo source: Instagram @bakersdozenbagels

This is a spot that you probably only know about if you’re a local. You can watch the bagels being made here which is fun and guarantees you’re getting the fresh bagels possible. Pro-tip: get their early if you don’t want to wait in line.

Pictured above: Egg everything with egg, tomato, avocado and cheese, Egg everything with cheddar bacon cream cheese and lox, Bacon, egg & cheese with ham and veggie cream cheese

Best Bagels in Brooklyn

Bagel Pub

Multiple Locations, Brooklyn:

Photo source: Instagram @bagelpub

This mini-chain dominates the bagel scene in Brooklyn. With several locations in Park Slope and Crown Heights, they specialize in thick and airy bagels. They have tons of bagel and cream cheese options like cinnamon raisin, pumpernickel and garlic bagels and mixed berry, guacamole and za’atar cream cheese. The staff is super nice too!

Pictured above: Strawberry, guacamole, and plain cream cheese on a plain bagel, Bacon, egg & cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel, Everything bagel scooped out with scallion cream cheese

Bagel Hole

400 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)

Photo source: Bagel Hole on Instagram

This small, cash only spot is known for their traditional bagels – small with a crunch. Opened since 1985, they are very generous with their lox. Food influencers, fight the temptation to document the experience because pictures are not allowed (just take it outside). Like the name implies, it really is a hole-in-the-wall, but that’s where some of the best food comes from.

Pictured above: Bagel with lox and cream cheese, Egg & cheese, Lox and scallion cream cheese

The Bagel Store

69 5th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217 (Park Slope)

Photo source: Instagram @thebagelstore

Home of the original Rainbow bagel. They are known for more than that though like their vegan bagels. It is very popular and a bit of a tourist attraction and a little expensive, but still cool to check out #doitforthegram.

Pictured above: Vegan rainbow bagel with cream cheese, Christmas rainbow bagel with egg & cheese, Rainbow bagel with cream cheese

Best Bagels in Manhattan

Absolute Bagels

2788 Broadway New York, NY 10025 (Upper West Side))

Photo source: Absolute Bagels on Instagram

Another cash-only, hole-in-the-wall spot, this Upper West Side gem serves large, warm, soft, slightly sweet bagels. This spot is very popular with lines out the door. They have cream cheese options like blueberry, sun-dried tomato, walnut raisin, and strawberry with fresh strawberries, but they’re perfect with simple cream cheese or melted butter. Oh yeah, try their Thai iced tea!

Ess-a-Bagel

831 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022 (Midtown)

Photo source: Instagram @essabagel

This is one of my personal favorites. Family owned and operated since 1976, you can find them all over the city. These babies are thicccccc. This is the go-to if you’re in Midtown. Choose your own bagel and spread combo or choose from their menu. They have specialty flavors like Oreo, sun-dried tomato, avocado garlic, funfetti and apple cinnamon and vegan options made with tofu…if you’re into that (I’m not). You can get pizza bagels here which is fun and nostalgic if you have Peter Pan syndrome (not trying to grow up) like yours truly.

Tal Bagel’s

Multiple Locations, Manhattan:

Photo source: Instagram @talbagels

Hot, fresh bagels, fast service and smoked fish options galore, you can’t go wrong with this spot. It’s a Manhattan favorite with multiple locations. Tons of cream cheese options and good spot to get a baconeggandcheese. Get into it.

Murray’s Bagels

500 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (Greenwich Village)

Photo source: Instagram @murraysbagels

Prepare to wait on line here, but it will go fast. Murray’s serves large, light bagels as well as flat bagels “flagels,” (iykyk) and whole wheat bagels that are just as delicous (crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle). Kick start your day with their avocado mash or omelette on a bagel. They’re also known for their meats like chicken cutlet, deli meats as well as their smoked fish selection. They have some great specialty sandwiches to choose from. Go to spot if you’re in Greenwich Village or Chelsea.

Black Seed Bagels

Multiple Locations, Manhattan

Photo source: Instagram @blackseedbagels

Founded in 2014, this place is a baby compared to others on this list. It specializes in Montreal-style bagels that are light, sweet and baked in a burning oven. They also mostly have seeds like sesame and poppy which is where the name comes from. Starting in Nolita, there are now seven locations. Get their scallion cream cheese, smoked fish, pizza bagels or their new cinnamon raisin bagels!

Russ & Daughters

Multiple Locations, Manhattan and Brooklyn)

Photo source: Russ & Daughters location on Instagram

This family-run Jewish deli is a New York icon. If you go here, it’s a must to get their smoked fish with your bagel. Seriously, if you don’t, you did it wrong. Don’t even bother saying it went. The OG is on the Lower East Side. The bagels are light, small, chewy and pair well with their cured meats (that you have to get), like their pastrami cured salmon. Go here for the experience and thank me later.

Tompkins Squre Bagels

Photo source: Instagram @tompkinsquarebagels

Named after the park you’ll probably eat the bagels in, Tompkins Square Bagels goes beyond the traditional bagels entering “doing the most” territory. It’s the spot your friends from out of town known about from seeing all over Instagram. Think rainbow bagels and whatever food fad is current in bagel form. They have bagels like French toast and chocolate chip and cream cheese flavors ranging from savory like wasabi and cucumber dill to sweet like chocolate chip cookie dough and pumpkin. You honestly can go every day and eat something completely different each time.

Sadelle’s

463 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012 (Soho)

Photo source: Instagram @majorfoodgroup

Part of Major Food Group (Carbone, Parm, Dirty French), Sadelle’s is the spot if you want bagels for brunch. They have seafood salad towers and vodka and caviar service making it a vibe. During the week it closes before 3 p.m. and is a bakery/cafe. The bagels are served hot and have a chewy exterior. The bagels are on the smaller side. They have the classics as well as flavors like their popular salt and pepper and their everything 2.0. Get excited when you hear “hot bagels!” Prepare to get into some expensive, but delicious bagels.

Best Bagels in the Bronx (so I’ve heard, I don’t go here)

Empire Bagels

3101 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10461

Photo source: Instagram @empirebagels

Known for their large puffy bagels, this spot is underrated due to its location, but apparently is as good, if not better than others on the list. They open at 5 a.m. and close at noon. Get there early (no later than 11 a.m.) or they may run out of your favorite bagel.

Riverdale Bagels

5650 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471

Photo source: Riverdale Bagels location on Instagram

Located on Riverdale Ave in Riverdale, this local shop has a dozen different bagel options made fresh daily. They have unique spreads like bacon, garlic pepper and sundried tomato.

There are so many other great bagel spots worth checking out that weren’t mentioned. It’s rare you’ll get a bad bagel anywhere in New York City. Stay tuned for more lists of places to eat. In the meantime, go ahead and treat yourself to a delicious New York City bagel!

Published by Dominique Bordes

I'm just a girl living in New York, eating good food and sharing my travel experiences. Follow me on Instagram accounts @ms_new_foodie & @thevacationation and on Tik Tok @msnewfoodie Leave a comment, follow and subscribe :)

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