New York City is renowned for its Bagels in New York, often considered the best in the world thanks to the city’s water, which is believed to give them their unique texture. Here’s a list of some of the best spots to get a classic NYC bagel:
Bagels in New York – Ess-a-Bagel
- Locations: Midtown East, Gramercy
- What to Try: Everything Bagel with Scallion Cream Cheese, Lox Sandwich
- Overview: Known for their massive, doughy bagels, Ess-a-Bagel has been a New York staple since 1976. Their bagels are known for being dense and chewy with a great crust, and they offer a wide variety of spreads and toppings.
Russ & Daughters
- Locations: Lower East Side, Brooklyn (at the Brooklyn Navy Yard)
- What to Try: Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese, Everything Bagel with Whitefish Salad
- Overview: A New York City institution since 1914, Russ & Daughters is famed for its smoked fish, including some of the best lox in the city. Their bagels are a perfect balance of chewy and soft, with an excellent crust.
Bagels in New York – Liberty Bagels
- Locations: 260 W 35th St, Midtown
- What to Try: Rainbow Bagel with Birthday Cake Cream Cheese: Perfect for those looking for something colorful and sweet.
- Overview: Liberty Bagels is a must-visit for anyone looking to try an authentic New York bagel with a fun, modern spin. Whether you’re after a classic lox bagel or want to try something unique like their rainbow bagels, Liberty Bagels delivers quality, variety, and flavor.
Tompkins Square Bagels
- Locations: East Village
- What to Try: Rainbow Bagel, Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Walnut Raisin Cream Cheese
- Overview: Tompkins Square Bagels has a cult following, partly for their colorful rainbow bagels but also for their creative and extensive selection of spreads, from traditional cream cheese to fun flavors like birthday cake cream cheese.
Bagels in New York – Murray’s Bagels
- Locations: Greenwich Village, Chelsea
- What to Try: Onion Bagel with Lox and Veggie Cream Cheese
- Overview: A favorite among both locals and tourists, Murray’s Bagels doesn’t toast their bagels (they believe the freshness makes it unnecessary), so expect a perfectly chewy texture with a strong, authentic flavor.
Leo’s Bagels
- Location: Financial District
- What to Try: Everything Bagel with Nova and Scallion Cream Cheese
- Overview: Popular with the downtown crowd, Leo’s is known for its classic, hand-rolled bagels. They offer a wide variety of bagel sandwiches with fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially the smoked fish.
Bagels in New York – Black Seed Bagels
- Locations: Nolita, East Village, NoMad, Rockefeller Center, Chelsea, and more
- What to Try: Sesame Bagel with Salmon and Labneh, Everything Bagel with Avocado and Egg
- Overview: A blend of Montreal-style (wood-fired) and New York-style bagels, Black Seed’s bagels are slightly smaller and less doughy, with a unique smoky flavor. They offer creative toppings and gourmet spreads.
Baz Bagel & Restaurant
- Location: Little Italy
- What to Try: Poppy Seed Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese, Sesame Bagel with Whitefish Salad
- Overview: With a retro diner vibe, Baz Bagel offers bagels that strike a perfect balance between dense and fluffy. Their traditional Jewish-style bagels are paired with fantastic spreads and smoked fish.
Bagels in New York – Davidovich Bakery
- Locations: Essex Market, Harlem
- What to Try: Whole Wheat Everything Bagel, Egg Bagel with Smoked Salmon
- Overview: Davidovich Bakery specializes in hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels made in small batches. They offer a wide variety of flavors, including unique options like whole wheat and egg bagels.
Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys
- Location: Lower East Side
- What to Try: Bialy with Cream Cheese, Sesame Bagel with Whitefish Salad
- Overview: While they’re famous for their bialys, Kossar’s also serves excellent bagels. Their bagels are a bit lighter and fluffier, and they offer some of the best cream cheese and spread options in town.
Bagels in New York – Pick-A-Bagel
- Locations: Upper East Side, Midtown
- What to Try: Whole Wheat Everything Bagel with Tofu Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese
- Overview: Pick-A-Bagel is a classic New York spot with large, soft bagels that are perfect for breakfast sandwiches. They also offer a wide variety of vegan spreads.
Tips for Enjoying NYC Bagels:
- Toppings: Traditional favorites include cream cheese, lox, and whitefish salad. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, many shops now offer creative spreads like jalapeño cream cheese or Nutella.
- Toasting: Some New Yorkers believe a fresh bagel shouldn’t be toasted, so if you’re ordering at places like Murray’s, be aware they may refuse to toast it!
Enjoy your bagel tour around the city!
