The Best Bagels Are in NYC

 

The Best Bagels in NYC

 

If you were to google “what food is NYC famous for”, you would see pizza at number one, and unsurprisingly, bagels at number two. We know that every state wants to claim that they have the best bagels (we’re looking at you Jersey) but real bagel lovers know the truth: NYC has the best bagels. 

The problem is, there are so many bagel places that it can be overwhelming, so we’ve made a list of some spots that will remind you why NYC bagels are truly considered the best.  

  • Ess-a-Bagel (324 1st Ave.)


    New York classic Ess-a-Bagel specializes in homemade bagels served with more than 20 cream cheese options, including strawberry, olive, raisin walnut, and sun-dried tomato. The large, irresistibly crunchy bagels have a fluffy inside and are fresh and hot, right out of the oven and overflowing with cream cheese.

  • Tompkins Square Bagels (165 Avenue A)


    Located in Alphabet City, Tompkins Square Bagels has an expansive menu of unique bagels and cream cheese flavors. French Toast Bagel, anyone? The bagels are hand-rolled, kettle boiled, and oven-baked to perfection. The huge bagels are a little crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  

  • Forest Hills Bagels (104-41 Queens Blvd.)


    These hand-rolled bagels are made fresh every morning starting at 3 a.m. By 5 a.m., the bins behind the counter are brimming with plump, warm bagels, as low as $1 each, spanning the flavor spectrum -- sesame, poppy, pumpernickel, onion, garlic, salt, egg, whole wheat everything.

 

 

  • Bagel Boss (263 1st Ave.)


    This popular neighborhood bagel spot has over 50 years’ experience in delivering certified kosher bagels, spreads, and baked treats, including cookies, muffins, and cupcakes. The store is open 24 hours a day and is a convenient spot to pick up a bagel whenever you're craving one. 

  • Black Seed Bagels (Multiple locations)


    Black Seed Bagels combines a mix of Montreal and New York styles and are boiled in honey water for a touch of sweetness. Each bagel is a little sweet, a little salty, chewy, but airy. You can’t go wrong with their signature sandwiches like the MIAMI VICE (a turkey melt with sautéed onions, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard) and the MILK & HONEY (topped with ricotta, apple, and honey.) And for those feeling like kids at heart, the pizza bagels bring NY’s two favorite foods together into one delicious sandwich.

  • David’s Bagels (273 1st Ave.)


    David's Bagels has been owned and operated by the same owners for over 25 years. Their classic bagels are fresh and fluffy, and there's a good selection of schmears. Don’t expect frills or wacky flavors – just really great bagels. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong.                                                                                                                                                                                                

  • Tal Bagels (Multiple locations)


    Tal Bagels finds a perfect balance between chewy (outside) and doughy (inside). They won’t skimp on the filling either – expect enough cream cheese for three bagels – and that’s a good thing. (Plus, they’ll gladly scoop out bagels for the carb-conscious.) According to the owners, the popular go-to order is a bagel with lox, scallion cream cheese, tomatoes, capers, and onions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

  • Popup Bagels (177 Thompson St)


    Born out of a backyard in Connecticut, Popup Bagels is taking the NYC bagel market by storm, having won Brooklyn Bagelfest’s "Best Bagel" two years in a row. Unlike other bagel shops in the city, Popup Bagels doesn’t sell their bagels as sandwiches, but instead in bulk with sides of schmear. Their bagels are designed to be ripped apart and dipped in one of their four schmears, including their Bowery Farms Pesto Butter and Bowery Farms Fire Roasted Tomato Basil Cream Cheese.  

 

 

 

Written by Amber James