12 Seattle, Washington, Bagel Shops Proving The West Can Do Dough

Seattle, a famous city in Washington, has quietly become one of the best cities for bagels outside New York, and I can personally vouch for this transformation.

Over the past few years, talented bakers have opened shops across neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Fremont, each bringing their own twist to the boiled-and-baked tradition.

You’ll find everything from wood-fired bagels with honey-kissed crusts to kettle-boiled classics piled high with house-cured lox, and the quality rivals anything you’d find on the East Coast.

1. Rubinstein Bagels – Capitol Hill, SLU & Eastlake

Crackly crust meets deep chew at Rubinstein, the shop that basically launched Seattle’s bagel renaissance.

Chef Ethan Stowell’s operation has three locations now, each turning out hand-rolled bagels that snap when you bite them and give way to a tender, satisfying interior.

The everything bagel with scallion schmear is a masterclass in balance, with onion, garlic, sesame, and poppy seeds clinging to every surface.

Their house-lox sandwich layers silky cured salmon over cream cheese, capers, and red onion, creating a combination that tastes both luxurious and comforting.

2. Westman’s Bagel & Coffee – Capitol Hill & U-District

NYC-style bagels get a proper Seattle home at Westman’s, where every bagel is hand-rolled, boiled, and baked fresh daily.

I grabbed a Classic Lox here on a rainy Saturday morning, and it reminded me why I fell in love with bagels in the first place.

The technique is traditional, resulting in a chewy texture with just enough density to hold up under generous schmears and sandwich fillings.

Their cinnamon-raisin bagel with honey butter is a sweet revelation, perfect for anyone who prefers breakfast on the sweeter side without venturing into pastry territory.

3. Bagel Oasis – Ravenna

Old-school charm defines Bagel Oasis, a Ravenna institution that’s been slinging bagels to loyal Seattleites for decades.

This is the kind of place where regulars know the staff by name, and the daily variety is impressive enough to keep you coming back week after week.

Sesame bagels here have a nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with both plain and jalapeño cream cheese. The vibe is unpretentious and welcoming, making it a neighborhood anchor that proves staying power matters just as much as trendy openings.

4. Eltana – Capitol Hill & Stone Way

Wood-fired bagels sound unusual until you taste one at Eltana, where the baking method creates a lighter, glossier bagel with a subtle honey sweetness. This isn’t your typical dense New York style, but it’s become beloved in Seattle for good reason.

The sesame bagel with za’atar labneh brings Middle Eastern flavors into the mix, offering a tangy, herby contrast to the sweet bagel base.

Their maple-walnut schmear is dangerously good, with crunchy walnut pieces suspended in creamy, lightly sweetened cheese that makes every bite feel indulgent.

5. Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen & Bakery – Pinehurst

Legit kettle-boiled bagels anchor this Jewish deli and bakery in Pinehurst, where traditional techniques meet generous portions.

Zylberschtein’s feels like stepping into a classic East Coast deli, complete with hefty sandwiches and the smell of fresh-baked goods.

Their egg-and-cheese on a plain bagel is simple perfection, with fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheese tucked into a chewy, substantial bagel.

The whitefish salad is another standout, creamy and well-seasoned, offering a lighter alternative to lox that still delivers serious flavor and satisfaction in every bite.

6. Oxbow – Montlake

Bright and airy, Oxbow comes from the team behind Sea Wolf Bakers, bringing their bread-baking expertise to bagels, spreads, pizza, and coffee. The space feels welcoming and modern, perfect for lingering over a weekend breakfast.

Salt bagels here are a revelation, with coarse salt crystals adding bursts of flavor that complement the tangy dill schmear beautifully. I tried their seasonal bialy on my last visit, and the onion-filled pocket was caramelized to perfection.

This spot proves that bagels can sit comfortably alongside other artisan-baked goods without losing their identity.

7. Old Salt Fish & Bagels – Ballard

Smoked-fish specialists meet bagel masters at Old Salt, where house-cured fish gets paired with excellent bagels in Ballard. This is the place to go when you want your bagel topped with something truly special.

Lox and labneh on a poppy seed bagel showcases their curing skills, with silky salmon draped over tangy, thick labneh. The whitefish salad is equally impressive, flaky, and rich without being heavy.

Old Salt continues to thrive even after Manolin’s closure, proving that their fish-and-bagel focus has serious staying power in Seattle’s competitive food landscape.

8. Loxsmith Bagels – Beacon Hill (plus West Seattle hours)

What started as a fan-favorite pop-up has blossomed into a storefront on Beacon Hill, with Loxsmith building a devoted following for their Seattle-style lox builds.

The journey from pop-up to brick-and-mortar is always exciting to watch, and this one paid off.

The Loxsmith signature sandwich comes loaded with capers and red onion, offering bright, briny notes that cut through rich cream cheese.

Their bacon-egg-cheese on sesame is a solid breakfast move, with crispy bacon and fluffy eggs nestled in a perfectly chewy bagel.

9. Hey Bagel – University Village (U-District)

Andrew Rubinstein’s newest venture flips the bagel script by serving them hot and meant to be torn and dipped rather than sliced. This approach changes everything about how you experience a bagel, making it more interactive and fun.

The hot everything bagel with scallion schmear is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, when the crust is at its crispiest and the interior is still steaming.

Bialys appear when available, offering a flatter, onion-topped alternative that’s equally addictive. Hey Bagel proves that innovation can coexist with tradition.

10. Backyard Bagel – Fremont & Laurelhurst

Small-batch production and a chewy-crackly crust have made Backyard Bagel a neighborhood favorite in Fremont that regularly sells out. Getting there early is key, especially on weekends when locals line up for their weekly bagel fix.

Plain or sesame bagels with herb schmear are simple but executed flawlessly, letting the quality of the bagel shine through.

Weekend breakfast sandwiches are worth the wait, with eggs, cheese, and your choice of protein tucked into those perfect bagels.

A second location in Laurelhurst (Union Bay) is now open, which should ease the sellout situation.

11. TOASTED. Bagels & Coffee – U-District & South Lake Union

Mediterranean inspiration meets bagel tradition at TOASTED., a halal cafe offering house drinks and a full sandwich lineup across two locations.

The zaatar-egg sandwich brings Middle Eastern spices to your breakfast routine, with the herby zaatar blend adding complexity to fluffy scrambled eggs.

Pairing a pistachio latte with a sesame bagel creates a nutty flavor harmony that works surprisingly well.

I appreciate how TOASTED. brings different cultural influences to the bagel world, proving that this bread format can carry flavors from anywhere while still maintaining its essential bagel-ness.

12. Blazing Bagels – SoDo & Blakeley (Ravenna/U-Village north)

Big menu and quick service make Blazing Bagels the go-to spot for office dozens and custom sandwiches across two Seattle locations. Sometimes you need efficiency without sacrificing quality, and that’s exactly what this operation delivers.

Everything bagels with garlic-herb cream cheese pack serious flavor, with enough garlic to wake you up without overwhelming the bagel itself.

The pizza bagel is a kid-friendly option that adults secretly love too, topped with marinara and melted cheese.

Early opening times at the SoDo location make it perfect for grabbing breakfast before work.