12 Illinois Bagel Spots Where Early Birds Get The Good Stuff

Early mornings in Illinois begin with the scent of dough meeting heat, the quiet symphony of proofing racks, boiling pots, and ovens working before sunrise. Step into a bagel shop at that hour and the world feels gentle again: soft light through the window, steam rising from trays, the promise of chew and crust in perfect balance.

I’ve made a habit of stopping in, coffee warming one hand while the other reaches for something fresh from the board. Every baker has their secret, every regular their favorite order.

These twelve shops share the same devotion to craft and comfort, opening early, feeding the faithful, and proving that a good bagel can turn morning into a small celebration.

1. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen (Skokie)

The clatter of trays and hum of regulars set the rhythm inside Kaufman’s. It feels more like a neighborhood anchor than a deli, where everyone has their “usual” and mornings still mean conversation. The air smells of rye bread and roasted coffee.

Their bagels are classics, kettle-boiled, hand-rolled, and firm enough to fight back when you tear in. The sesame and onion versions are near-perfect.

I love pairing a warm bagel with their smoked whitefish salad. It’s old-school comfort with real presence.

2. New York Bagel & Bialy (Lincolnwood)

Rows of bagels gleam in metal trays just behind the counter, stacked high and still warm from the oven. Each one has a glossy crust that tells you it’s been boiled properly. The sesame, egg, and pumpernickel are top-tier.

This spot has been around since 1965, quietly setting the standard for every bagel that came after. Generations of locals still swear by it.

Go early, ideally before 8 a.m. The plain bagels sell out fast, and they’re the base for the best lox sandwich in town.

3. Chicago Bagel & Bialy II (Buffalo Grove)

The smell of malt and steam hits you before the door fully opens. Inside, it’s pure bustle, bakers sliding boards into ovens, customers greeting each other like it’s a weekly ritual. The place hums with friendly chaos.

Bagels here are chewy and dense in the best possible way, with a crust that sings under the knife. Cream cheese flavors run wild, from vegetable to jalapeño.

This is my go-to road detour on northbound mornings. A sesame bagel and coffee can fix almost anything.

4. Brobagel (Chicago – Wicker Park)

The morning crowd at Brobagel moves like clockwork, parents, cyclists, artists all weaving in for their fix. It’s a bright, brick-lined shop that feels more communal kitchen than café. The smell of toasted sesame fills the air.

Each bagel is hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked on cedar planks, giving that satisfying chew and crisp balance. Flavors lean savory: asiago, garlic, salt.

If you want breakfast that tastes alive, grab an egg-and-cheddar sandwich and stand by the window. It’s pure Chicago rhythm.

5. The Bagelers Coffeehouse (Chicago – Lincoln Park)

The first bite at The Bagelers tells the story, a perfect crust giving way to soft, springy dough. Their bagels are golden, chewy, and clearly made by people who care about the details. The cream cheese blends are whipped daily.

Opened by classically trained bakers, the café marries European technique with New York structure, creating bagels that feel both refined and familiar. The espresso program’s strong, too.

Come early on weekends. By midmorning, the line snakes out the door, and you’ll understand why.

6. Steingold’s Of Chicago (North Center)

A faint scent of smoked fish lingers before you even reach the counter, hinting at what this modern deli does best. The vibe feels half Jewish-deli tradition, half art-school reinvention, sharp, witty, and deeply satisfying.

Their bagels are crisp-edged, with glossy tops that give just enough resistance. The pastrami and house-cured lox sandwiches are near legendary.

I come here for the balance, old recipes, modern flavor. Order the “Steingold’s Special” and eat it right away. It’s bagel architecture at its finest.

7. Bagel Art Café (Evanston)

The smell of fresh coffee and toasted poppy seeds greets you the second you push open the door at Bagel Art Café. Students mix with retirees, everyone pausing for the same reason, the bagels are exceptional. The walls hum with quiet morning chatter.

Here, bagels are kettle-boiled and baked daily, forming a crisp outer layer with that perfect pull inside. Smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, and onion form the local favorite.

Arrive early for seating near the window; the sunlight makes the lox shine brighter.

8. Once Upon A Bagel (Highland Park)

Bagels come out of the oven in batches, steaming against the glass, filling the space with the unmistakable scent of malt and yeast. The texture here hits that elusive middle ground, soft but structured, ready to be topped with anything.

This family-run shop has anchored Highland Park’s mornings for decades, serving bagels, challah, and deli favorites since 1981. Regulars treat it as ritual, not habit.

Grab an everything bagel with whitefish salad, then linger over coffee. You’ll leave carrying that warmth with you.

9. Corey’s NYC Bagel Deli (Chicago – Loop)

Steam curls around the griddle at Corey’s while cooks shout orders and slice tomatoes in rhythmic unison. It’s a small space but full of motion and the smell of toasted onion bagels. The city energy is baked in.

Owner Corey Kaplan built the shop around classic New York technique: boiling, then baking to a dense chew with a hint of sweetness. Sandwiches stack high, unapologetically big.

I come here after early meetings downtown. A bacon-egg bagel with coffee feels like a small personal victory.

10. Upper Crust Bagels (Lake Forest)

Morning light hits the glass counter just right, glinting off trays of warm bagels stacked like small golden suns. There’s a steady rhythm here — locals chatting, kids choosing muffins, regulars getting their “usual.”

The atmosphere feels soft around the edges, unhurried. The bagels are firm, slightly sweet, and always fresh. Cinnamon raisin is the sleeper hit, but the everything bagel defines balance.

Cream cheese spreads run generously thick. Come early, grab a window seat, and watch the quiet parade of Lake Forest mornings.

11. Tilly Bagel Shop (Chicago – Lincoln Park)

A bagel sliced open at Tilly’s releases a cloud of steam, carrying that distinct malty scent that only comes from the boil-and-bake process. The crust crackles under your fingers. The texture lands between pillowy and taut, just right.

Founded by husband-and-wife bakers, this spot leans on precision and patience. You’ll see the team shaping bagels by hand, no shortcuts in sight. Each one feels deliberate.

If you’re new, start with salt bagels and scallion cream cheese. The balance of tang and chew is unbeatable.

12. Zeitlin’s Delicatessen (Chicago – Ravenswood)

There’s a tiny bell that rings when you step into Zeitlin’s, and the smell hits instantly: warm bagels, brined pickles, smoked meats. The space feels lived-in, with deli cases full of nostalgia.

Zeitlin’s was founded by longtime deli lovers who wanted to bring back that classic East Coast feel. Their bagels are smaller and denser, perfect for egg sandwiches or pastrami stacks.

I love that it still feels personal here, a few seats, a lot of pride, and every bagel baked like someone’s watching.