The New York bagel, with its distinctive taste and texture, is considered by many to be the gold standard for bagels everywhere. Some argue the secret ingredient is New York City’s water, which comes from the Catskill Mountains and is known for having a low mineral content. However, the water isn’t the only thing that makes a great bagel. One must also consider the traditional baking technique handed down from generation to generation: the kettle-boiled bagel. While Big Apple bagels typically reign supreme in the world of scrumptious breakfast breads, which are the best bagels in New York City? We are going to find out!
Luckily, when you visit New York City, there is no lack of outstanding delis and bagel shops; there are more than 200 to be exact. But, like any place, some bagels are better than others, and we don’t want you to waste your time and money on a dud. So StudyFinds has created a list of the best bagels in New York City, as ranked by foodies across seven websites. Did we miss a bagel that you can’t live without? Let us know below.
The List: Best Bagels in New York City That Rival All the Rest
1. Ess-a-Bagel
With three locations in Manhattan, this bagel joint is a favorite among locals and visitors which is why it tops our list. Cozymeal describes them as “tender, chewy bagels that have the perfect amount of crunch in every bite.” Favorite flavors include everything, pumpernickel, and cinnamon raisin. The store is also known as the place to get the best bagel sandwich in the city. (They also ship nationwide!)
The readers of Gotham magazine agree saying this is the best bagel shop in the city. According to the magazine, you should order a classic bacon, egg, and cheese or try the Chicken Parmigiana bagel.
Ess-a-Bagel, in business since 1976, is the Yiddish expression for “eat a bagel.” You’ll want to do that and more once you’ve had your first bit. Food Republic says you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu from the bagels to the cream cheese and beyond.
2. Absolute Bagels
A great bagel never has to be toasted! According to The Infatuation, the untoasted everything bagel with scallion cream cheese from Absolute on Broadway and West 108th Street is absolutely the best. The website says, “The dough itself tastes malty and sweet, like it had a daydream years ago about being a dessert.” You may also want to taste the Thai iced tea, which is also a winner.
You will have to wait in line to order, but Eater says these bagels are worth the wait. Here you will find “large, reasonably priced bagels.” The shop offers an orange egg bagel, which is a staple in NYC but is hard to find in other parts of the country.
This Upper West Side staple relies on word of mouth. Food Republic says it has a limited online presence, but it doesn’t need one, because the bagels are that good.
3. H&H Midtown Bagels East
This store isn’t officially connected with the H&H bagel shop that went out of business in 2011, however, Food Network says it does honor the bagel store’s legendary recipe. With 20 different bagel varieties and 15 different spreads, you’re sure to find a combo you love.
Gotham readers also love this New York staple. There are many locations, including one in LaGuardia Airport, so you can take a dozen or so home with you.
This may be the most famous store on the list since it’s been featured in many films and TV shows such as Seinfeld. According to Food Republic, the bagels are ridiculously chewy. The shop offers a variety of unique cream cheese flavors like “bacon walnut raisin and apple butter.”
4. Bo’s Bagels
Located in Harlem, these bagels have a “crisp exterior and chewy inside,” according to Eater. Owners Andrew Martinez and Ashley Dikos opened the shop in 2017 to address the bagel desert in the area. They make the bagels the old-fashioned way with a “24-hour fermentation, brief boil, and bake.”
Make sure to arrive early to beat the morning rush at this bagel joint that features unique cream cheese flavors such as tofu scallion and berry almond. Cozymeal says the cozy atmosphere is a great place to sit and enjoy the bagel, thanks to all the natural light and its super cool artwork.
The owners tested their bagels as a pop-up shop. When they became a hit, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store. Timeout says the eatery also offers great deli meats and cheeses.
5. Uptopia Bagels
This bagel shop is off the beaten track with its Queens location, but Bagel Fest says it’s worth the trek since some have called their bagels “the best in the country.” You won’t be disappointed by the quality of the chewy bagels that hit the spot every time.
If you want the perfect bagel and cream cheese sammie, The Infatuation encourages you to order an everything bagel with a schmear. The website says “the everything seasoning doesn’t completely overpower” the bagel and it has just the right amount of cream cheese.
For co-owner Scott Spellman, it’s not just the city’s water that makes the bagel, but how you use that water. He told Eater, “It’s how much water you put in,” and the techniques you use to make the bagels. “It’s how much, when you proof, [when] you let in the air,” Spellman tells Eater.
6. Bagel Oasis
This landmark, also in Queens, operates 24/7 and offers handmade bagels with a crisp crust and chewy interior. Timeout loves their egg-onion, everything, and blueberry flavors. The bagels are all natural and baked after being boiled.
Expect no lack of selection on this menu. They have 13 egg sandwiches and a bagel pizza as well. Food Republic says they offer all the classic bagel flavors and some pretty cool cream cheese flavors like cake batter and bacon cheddar.
The Infatuation says these bagels are different than other New York bagels, thanks to their light, toast-like texture. They may not be as chewy as other bagels, but the website says they will become your favorite.
7. Russ & Daughters
This lower-east side favorite has three other dine-in locations as well and rounds out our list. According to The Infatuation, do not order a bagel without some sort of smoked fish topping that is sliced so thin, that “a puppet master could use it as a backdrop for casting shows.”
You can’t go wrong with a place that’s been open since 1914, serving up some of the best Jewish-inspired food. Timeout says in addition to the wonderful bagels, the restaurant makes great herring and sweets.
The only Michelin-star restaurant on the list, you can watch them make the bagels at the Brooklyn location. Food Republic says to wear your “stretchy pants” and order a Fancy Delancey sandwich which comes with “smoked tuna, horseradish dill cream cheese, and wasabi flying fish roe.”
Editor’s Pick: Bagels & Schmear
“One could argue my affinity for this tiny gem of a bagel shop was primarily because I lived around the corner from it,” says StudyFinds Editor-In-Chief and Founder Steve Fink. “But weekend brunch during my six years as a Manhattanite was a must, and I consumed plenty of bagels, albeit and admittedly mostly from within the borough. Whatever formula Bagels & Schmear came up with to concoct their deliciously doughy deli staples, they consistently nailed it. These bagels were the perfect size, perfect texture, perfect thickness and always perfect flavor. I could argue that their bagels were so tasty on their own, they didn’t need eggs or lox or veggie cream cheese added to them. As for my favorite types of bagels they make — multigrain, cinnamon raisin, and everything. Just beware: arrive early or you’ll be met with long lines during breakfast and lunch rush hours. But even if you have to wait, I can assure you it’ll be worth it.”
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