12 New York Bagel Shops With Wicked Halloween Flavors You Have To Try
Halloween isn’t just about candy and costumes in New York City—it’s about bagels, too. Every October, the city’s most inventive bagel artisans transform their doughy rings into spooky, seasonal treats.
Think black-and-orange swirls, midnight sesame crusts, mummy-wrapped schmears, and pumpkin-pie cream cheese that tastes like a crisp stroll through Central Park. Some shops add cinnamon-spice riffs; others tuck in chocolate chips or paint edible spiderwebs on glossy rounds.
I’ve hunted down the most hauntingly delicious options, from neighborhood stalwarts to buzzy newcomers, so you can bite into a proper Big Apple Halloween breakfast—festive, photogenic, and frighteningly good with hot coffee.
1. Liberty Bagels Midtown: Halloween Bagel Headquarters
Orange and black swirls make Liberty Bagels’ Halloween creation the most photogenic breakfast in Manhattan. I stumbled upon these colorful treats last year while rushing to work and ended up being fashionably late—totally worth it!
Their pumpkin cream cheese delivers actual pumpkin flavor rather than just spice. The bagel itself maintains that perfect Liberty chew we locals crave, while the festive coloring doesn’t affect the taste one bit.
With multiple Midtown locations, you can snag these limited-edition bagels throughout October. Pro tip: they sell out by mid-morning on weekends, so set your alarm!
2. Ess-a-Bagel: Spooky Swirls and Seasonal Schmears
Legendary Ess-a-Bagel breaks tradition each October with their purple-black swirled creations that look straight out of a witch’s cauldron. The first time I bit into one, an elderly regular next to me nodded approvingly—the ultimate NYC bagel endorsement!
Their pumpkin spice cream cheese tastes like someone magically transformed a perfect slice of pumpkin pie into a spread. The combination of their dense, chewy bagels with the seasonal schmear creates the ultimate fall breakfast experience.
Lines form early at both their Midtown and Gramercy locations, but watching their bakers hand-roll these Halloween masterpieces through the kitchen window makes the wait entertaining.
3. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company: Pumpkin Paradise
Warm pumpkin-spiced aromas hit you the moment you open Brooklyn Bagel’s door in October. My morning commute now detours past their Astoria shop just to catch that scent!
Unlike places that simply add food coloring, their pumpkin bagels contain real pumpkin puree folded into the dough. This creates a subtle orange hue and adds moisture that works magic with their signature cream cheese.
On Halloween itself, they go all out with special designs and holiday decorations throughout their Manhattan and Queens locations. Their pumpkin cream cheese completes the experience—less sweet than competitors’ versions, allowing the natural pumpkin flavor to shine.
4. Tompkins Square Bagels: East Village Autumn Excellence
Tattoo-covered bakers crafting seasonal specialties makes Tompkins Square Bagels the epitome of East Village cool. I once saw a famous actor (can’t name-drop) ordering a dozen pumpkin bagels here—clearly the local celebrity choice!
Their pumpkin bagel avoids the common pitfall of excessive sweetness. Instead, it delivers subtle autumn spices that perfectly complement their cinnamon-maple schmear, creating a breakfast that tastes like a crisp fall morning.
The shop’s vintage Halloween decorations create a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the whole experience. Grab one of their seasonal bagels and enjoy it while people-watching in the nearby park for peak New York autumn vibes.
5. Bagelsmith: Williamsburg’s Haunted Dough Factory
Night owls rejoice! Bagelsmith’s 24-hour Williamsburg location means Halloween bagel cravings can be satisfied at any hour. Last Halloween, I stumbled in at 2 AM after a costume party to find them pulling fresh pumpkin bagels from the oven!
Their pumpkin cream cheese contains visible spices and tiny chunks of actual pumpkin. Paired with their slightly sweet pumpkin bagel, it creates a breakfast that perfectly balances savory and sweet notes.
The staff often dons Halloween costumes throughout October, adding to the festive atmosphere. Their limited-time fall combo special (pumpkin bagel + pumpkin cream cheese) comes with a seasonal coffee at a discount that makes this Brooklyn staple even more irresistible.
6. Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish: Tribeca’s Pumpkin Paradise
Financial district workers form long lines at Zucker’s during Halloween season. My banker friend swears their pumpkin cream cheese helps her survive quarterly report season!
While they stick to traditional bagel varieties year-round, their seasonal cream cheese game reaches artistic levels in October. Their pumpkin schmear achieves the perfect texture—whipped enough to spread easily but still dense enough to satisfy true New York bagel standards.
Zucker’s commitment to quality means their seasonal offerings never taste artificial. Their Manhattan locations transform with subtle Halloween decorations that maintain their upscale vibe while still embracing the spooky spirit, making them perfect for both casual breakfasts and office catering.
7. Bagel Pub: Crown Heights’ Halloween Headquarters
Rainbow bagels might have made them Instagram-famous, but Bagel Pub’s Halloween creations deserve their own spotlight. My first bite of their pumpkin bagel last October literally stopped me mid-conversation—that good!
The Crown Heights original location transforms into a spooky bagel wonderland each fall. Their pumpkin cream cheese contains the perfect amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, avoiding the overpowering clove flavor that ruins many seasonal spreads.
With their recent expansion to Midtown, Manhattan residents no longer need to make the Brooklyn pilgrimage for these festive treats. Their Halloween bagels feature subtle orange marbling that’s both festive and sophisticated—perfect for bringing to the office without looking like you’re carrying a costume party prop.
8. Davidovich Bakery: Lower East Side Legend
Tucked inside Essex Market, Davidovich Bakery might be easy to miss if not for their bold black-and-orange Halloween bagels catching your eye. I discovered them while sheltering from rain last October—a delicious stroke of luck!
Their traditional kettle-boiling method ensures these festive bagels maintain the perfect chewy texture despite their Halloween makeover. Unlike some competitors, their colored dough doesn’t affect the flavor one bit.
What makes Davidovich special is their shipping option—my West Coast relatives now demand annual Halloween bagel deliveries. Their Clinton Street presence and Essex Market stall offer two Lower East Side locations to grab these seasonal treasures, which pair perfectly with their regular cream cheese varieties.
9. H&H Bagels: Upper West Side Halloween Institution
Mention H&H to any longtime New Yorker and watch their eyes light up with bagel reverence. Their seasonal cream cheese lineup proves this institution still innovates after decades in business.
Their Pumpkin Spice cream cheese tastes like autumn in spread form—not too sweet, with authentic spice notes. The Cinnamon Apple variety offers a refreshing alternative for those experiencing pumpkin fatigue by late October.
With locations across Manhattan plus spots in major transit hubs, H&H makes Halloween bagel hunting convenient. While they don’t color their dough for Halloween, their commitment to seasonal flavors without compromising their legendary bagel quality makes them essential to any NYC Halloween bagel pilgrimage.
10. Utopia Bagels: Queens’ Spooky Season Sensation
Queens locals guard the secret of Utopia Bagels fiercely. My first taste of their pumpkin bagel with cinnamon-apple cream cheese came after a long subway journey based on a tip from a Queens-native coworker.
Their pumpkin bagels maintain that perfect outer crunch while adding just enough seasonal flavor to the dough. The texture remains authentically New York—dense yet airy inside with that distinctive outer chew that makes NYC bagels superior.
With their expansion into Midtown and Long Island City, these Queens treasures are now accessible to Manhattan dwellers too. Their Halloween bagel and schmear combinations sell out daily, proving that despite their growing footprint, they haven’t sacrificed quality for quantity.
11. Middle Village Bagels: Queens’ Pumpkin Powerhouse
Family-owned Middle Village Bagels transforms into pumpkin central each fall. Walking in on a crisp October morning, I was greeted by the owner himself, proudly showcasing his seasonal creations!
Their pumpkin bagels contain visible spices mixed right into the dough. This creates a marbled effect that’s both visually striking and delicious, with bursts of cinnamon and nutmeg in every bite.
Their pumpkin cream cheese achieves the perfect balance—creamy without being runny, flavorful without tasting artificial. The small-batch production means flavors change slightly throughout the season as they adjust their recipes, giving regulars something new to discover with each visit to this Queens neighborhood favorite.
12. PopUp Bagels: The Halloween Bagel Hunter’s Prize
Finding PopUp Bagels feels like a treasure hunt—their rotating locations and limited drops create genuine bagel excitement. I once followed their Instagram clues across three neighborhoods to score their seasonal schmears!
Their caramel apple cream cheese (cleverly named “Big Apple”) delivers sophisticated fall flavor without excessive sweetness. The slight tartness balances perfectly with their traditional bagels.
While they don’t color their dough for Halloween, their limited-edition fall schmears have developed a cult following among NYC bagel enthusiasts. Their pop-up model means locations vary, but their website and social media provide updated information on where to find these seasonal treasures throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.