If you are looking to find the best bagel in NYC, you have come to the right place. With numerous bagel stores scattered all throughout New York, how do you know where to find the best one?
This is exactly what we will cover in the comprehensive guide to finding the best bagel in New York. Our primary goal is for you to experience the best bagels the city has to offer.
We promise you will be dreaming about these bagels long after your visit. So we have broken down this guide into several categories to make it easy for you to find the best bagel location nearest you.
Many of the popular bagel locations in New York have multiple locations while some famous bagels spots have been serving customers in their original location for decades.
This is how we structured this bagel guide:
Let's find the best bagel in NYC!
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Before we get into the nitty gritty of where to find the best bagel in NYC, let us help you understand why New York is known around the world for its bagel scene.
Although New York is home to some of the best bagels around, the origins of the bagel can be traced back to Poland. As Jewish refugees from Poland arrived in NYC in the 1800s, they brought many food traditions including the bagel.
The New York style bagel we know today was first created as an inexpensive snack for Jewish immigrants in NYC. For decades, the bagel remained only a treat for the Jewish Community of New York.
But by the 1960s, the secret was out. The New York bagel started to gain popularity with the non-Jewish population and beyond.
Over the decades, the New York bagel has doubled in size with a wide variety of unique flavors and numerous cream cheese spreads for any palate.
NYC is one of the top US vacation spots and bagels are the breakfast foods you can't miss on a first visit!
A traditional no frills spot featuring bagels with a crisp chewy outside and a soft warm inside. You can expect over 10 kinds of bagel and cream cheese options along with salads and deli meats. Absolute Bagels also offers tofutti cream cheese which is soy-based and dairy free.
Bagel Tip: Cash only
Address: 2788 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Location: Google Maps
Facebook: Absolute Bagels
The Bagel Shop is consistently praised for their fair prices and extensive menu. This is a popular place that serves everything from bagels, breakfast sandwiches, smoked fish, speciality sandwiches and even the ice cream bagelwich.
Address: 1659 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Location: Google Maps
Instagram: bagelshopnyc
This is a place we always find ourselves gravitating back to for another delicious bagel. While the line may be long, the service is always quick and extremely friendly. Choose from a wide variety of bagel and cream cheese flavors or speciality wraps, salads and cold cuts.
Bagel Tip: Try the House Special - fresh lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, and capers
Address: 116 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016
Location: Google Maps
Reviews: Tripadvisor
Baz Bagel is unlike many of the other bagel shops mentioned on this list. Instead of ordering from the counter, you can sit down and order your bagel from a table without having to wait in a long line. Baz also serves eggs, latkes, specials and breakfast sandwiches making it a perfect brunch spot.
Address: 181 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
Location: Google Maps
Website: bazbagel.com
At Best Bagel and Coffee, all bagels are hand rolled, kettle boiled and baked right on the premises. This a great location to grab a bagel if you are checking off the best things to do in New York City. You can also grab fresh pastries, gourmet coffee, iced drinks and sandwiches.
Address: 225 W 35th St A, New York, NY 10001
Location: Google Maps
Website: bestbagelandcoffee.com
Bo's Bagels started by a couple who began their business as a simple stand. Choose from a variety of bagel flavors, egg sandwiches and salads on a bagel. Bo's also offers something for vegans with tofu cream cheese options.
Address: 235 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026
Location: Google Maps
Instagram: bosbagels
We loved Leo's for the friendly and helpful staff who are very always attentive. A bagel from Leo's is piled sky high with a generous amount of toppings with many bagel and cream cheese flavors to choose from. Leo's makes for a great stop before heading to the Statue of Liberty ferry.
Address: 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004
Location: Google Maps
Website: leosbagels.com
Murray's has been serving New York style bagels since 1996. Each bagel is made from a recipe that has been passed down by generations. Not only can you find a wide selection of bagels, cured fish and cream cheese, but also substantial sandwiches made from just about any deli meat.
Address: 500 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Location: Google Maps
Website: murraysbagels.com
Opened by Louis and Lillian Zabar in 1934, Zabar's has been a booming family business for decades. While Zabar's is known for its very grocery and deli section, this original store is also a great place to pick up a fresh New York style bagel.
Address: 2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Location: Google Maps
Website: zabars.com
Bagel Oasis has been proudly serving bagels in the same Queens location since 1964. Open 24/7 using only locally sourced ingredients and homemade cream cheeses, this is one not to miss. Expect a bagel with a light crunchy outside and moist chewy inside when you visit.
Address: 183-12 Horace Harding Expy, Queens, NY 11365
Location: Google Maps
Website: bageloasis.com
Utopia Bagels is definitely a must when visiting Queens and with consistent 5 star reviews, this bagel spot is one not to miss. Founded in 1980, Utopia bagels are hand rolled, kettle boiled and placed in a 1947 carousel oven. These bagels are also sold on Fresh Direct and can be delivered in 24 hours.
Address: 1909 Utopia Pkwy, Queens, NY 11357
Location: Google Maps
Website: utopiabagelsny.com
Want some more New York City inspiration? Don't miss our popular guide featuring famous NYC quotes.
Riverdale Bagels has been ranked the most iconic in NYC (according to Eater). This bagel place has been open since 1992 and has always stayed true to its roots. Look for new innovative cream cheese flavors such as spicy bacon, garlic pepper, and sundried tomato.
Address: 5650 Riverdale Ave, The Bronx, NY 10471
Location: Google Maps
Bob's prides itself on serving hand rolled, kettle boiled bagels in 14 different varieties. Expect a long line that moves very fast so be sure to know your order when you hit the counter. This is also a great sport to grab a wrap, panini, muffin, pastry, sandwich and smoked fish.
2 Locations:
Website: bagelbobs.com
Since first opening in 2014, this bagel shop has made waves in the industry. These bagels are a bit different as they are hand-rolled, boiled in water with honey and poached Montreal-style then baked in a wood-burning oven. Bagels from here tend to have a lighter, sweater and smoky flavor.
9 Locations:
Website: blackseedbagels.com
Brooklyn Bagel & Company is one of our absolute favorites and with five locations spread across Queens and Manhattan, you can easily find one to satisfy your bagel craving. Each bagel is hand rolled, kettle boiled and made with the best ingredients. Look for rotating specials like gingerbread.
Bagel-Tip: Mini gluten free bagel available
5 Locations:
Website: bkbagel.com
Opened in 1976, Ess-a-bagel was opened by an Austrian baking family. It has since gained a very loyal following and you can expect to see a very long line here. But with over 10 bagel flavors and 20 cream cheese flavors, you will certainly have to try them all.
3 Locations:
Website: ess-a-bagel.com
Opened in 1972, this bagel place has been using the same delicious recipe for decades. Sourcing high quality, all-natural ingredients from around the world, their motto 'Like No Other Bagel In The World,' rings true. H&H has been features in numerous tv shows such as Seinfeld, The Office and more.
5 Locations:
Website: hhbagels.com
Liberty is one of our regular bagel stops when visiting New York City. The line is usually long but it always moves fast. Our favorite bagel choices include the french toast and rainbow bagel. Liberty also offers an extensive menu with omelettes, egg sandwiches, nova specials and homemade salads.
3 Locations:
Website: libertybagels.com
Russ and Daughters has been in operation since 1914 by four generations of the Russ family. Less than 1% of family businesses make it to the fourth generation so this is a special place. Don't miss the Cafe which opened in 2014 to experience delicious food combined with a timeless appeal.
3 Locations:
Website: russanddaughters.com
Tompkins Square Bagels has an extensive menu with classic bagel options such as plain, sesame and everything. But Tompkins also has unique bagel favorites like chocolate chip and pumpkin. If you are looking for something different, this is your place. Be sure to try the fruit and nut bitters as well.
Bagel-Tip: Gluten free bagels available
2 Locations:
Website: tompkinssquarebagels.com
Zucker's is more than just a bagel shop so you can never go wrong here. Not only can you enjoy a delicious hand rolled and kettle boiled bagel, but you can order a breakfast wrap, hot dog, smoked fish, numerous deli sandwiches and many different healthy bites.
7 Locations:
Website: zuckersbagels.com
Would you like to see the locations of each bagel place spread throughout the city?
Here's a link to our Best Bagels in NYC Map so you can see exactly where you can pick up a bagel.
And here's what you need to do once you open the map:
We have included all of the location listed in this guide on this map so you won't miss one.
Tip: Choose some of your favorite bagel places from the list above and pin them to your Google Maps or Apple Maps. You can then easily find them when walking around the city.
If the amount of bagel places in NYC is overwhelming and you would like someone else to show you around, consider booking a bagel tour.
Ben's Bagel Tour is a popular option. Ben's combines the fun of a walking tour with fresh NYC bagels as you explore famous landmarks and neighborhoods.
Choose from 3 different bagel tour options:
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Let's take a look at some of the most asked questions regarding the best bagels in New York City!
A Grubhub finding revealed the 'everything' bagel to be the most ordered bagel in New York City.
Schmear is Yiddish word referring to the amount of spread that goes onto a New York bagel. It is always a very generous amount of topping to complement the taste of the bagel. A schmear could be cream cheese or any other kind of topping like nutella, peanut butter or jelly.
There is no denying a bagel is an iconic New York food. In New York, a bagel with "schmear" refers to a bagel with any type of cream cheese, smoked salmon, peanut butter or another spreadable topping.
Another popular bagel topping in New York is a classic bacon, egg and cheese. Yum!
A traditional bagel in New York is typically $0.75 to $1.50. But most people also order some sort of topping like cream cheese, lox or egg and cheese. This would increase the price to $3.00 to $8.00 depending on the topping.
A speciality bagel in New York could cost you anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00. You would then also have to add the price of the toppings to the cost.
A bagel has a hole in the middle for cooking and transport purposes. A hole allows the bagel to have a large surface area which ensures consistent cooking. The hole also allows the bagel to be threaded on a dowel after cooking for easy transport.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the best bagels or your visit to NYC in the comments below.
Happy Snacking,
Mark and Kristen
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