Best Places To Get Great Bagels Outside Of New York
Let’s face it—New York has always been the bagel capital of America, setting the gold standard with its perfectly chewy, golden-crusted rings of dough.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to book a flight to JFK just to get your hands on a truly great bagel. I’ve spent years crisscrossing the country in search of the real deal, and trust me, my waistline has taken one for the team.
From traditional, wood-fired Montreal-style bagels to bold and inventive West Coast spins, exceptional bagels have officially broken free from their Big Apple roots. These standout spots prove great bagels can thrive well beyond NYC.
1. Montreal’s St-Viateur Bagel Shop
Hand-rolled and honey-water boiled! That’s the secret behind St-Viateur’s legendary bagels that have kept Montrealers lining up since 1957. I stumbled upon this 24-hour bakery during a late-night food crawl and watched, mesmerized, as artisans hand-tossed dough rings into a wood-fired oven.
Their bagels emerge thinner, sweeter, and denser than their New York counterparts – a delightful Canadian twist on tradition. The sesame seed variety reigns supreme here, though the poppy seed runs a close second.
What makes this place extra special? The warm bagels come to you still radiating heat from the oven, no toasting required. Pure bagel bliss!
2. Philly’s Spread Bagelry
“You haven’t lived until you’ve tried a Montreal-style bagel in Philadelphia!” That’s what the chatty owner told me when I first visited Spread Bagelry. This Philly gem imports special wood from Canada just to fuel their authentic Montreal-style ovens.
The everything bagel here deserves its own fan club – perfectly chewy with a hint of sweetness that balances the savory toppings. My personal obsession is their truffle spread, which turns breakfast into a gourmet experience.
Locals know to arrive early on weekends or face the inevitable line that stretches down the block. Trust me, even with the wait, these bagels are worth setting your alarm for!
3. Chicago’s Mindy’s Bakery
James Beard award-winning chef Mindy Segal pivoted from fine dining to bagels, and Chicagoans couldn’t be happier! When I bit into her sourdough bagel with a schmear of house-cultured cream cheese, I nearly cried tears of joy right there on Division Street.
Unlike traditional bagels, these sourdough beauties have a distinct tang and an almost mochi-like chew that’s completely addictive. The bialy – bagel’s hole-less cousin – deserves special mention for its caramelized onion center that will haunt your dreams.
Pro tip: grab one of their bagel sandwiches packed with locally sourced ingredients. The smoked trout with dill cream cheese converted even my bagel-skeptic friend into a true believer!
4. Portland’s Bernstein’s Bagels
Hipster paradise meets bagel heaven at Bernstein’s! The first time I walked in, the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked dough nearly knocked me sideways. These Portland artisans ferment their dough for 36 hours before hand-rolling, boiling, and baking each bagel to perfection.
The result? A gloriously crisp exterior that gives way to a chewy, malty interior that would make any New Yorker do a double-take. Their rosemary salt bagel paired with house-made vegetable cream cheese is my go-to order.
Bernstein’s small-batch approach means they sometimes sell out by early afternoon. I learned this lesson the hard way after showing up at 2pm to find nothing but crumbs and broken dreams!
5. Detroit’s New York Bagel
Don’t let the name fool you – this Motor City institution has been serving up Detroit-style bagels since 1921! My cousin in Ferndale insisted I try this place, claiming it would change my bagel worldview. She wasn’t wrong.
New York Bagel’s creations are smaller and denser than their Big Apple namesakes, with a distinctive malty sweetness and a chewy bite that’s absolutely worth the drive. The salt bagel here is legendary – perfectly crusted with large crystal salt that creates an addictive savory crunch.
Family-owned for four generations, the staff still uses original recipes and techniques. Watch through the kitchen window as bakers hand-roll each bagel before its traditional water bath and oven time!
6. San Francisco’s Wise Sons Bagel
Foggy mornings in San Francisco call for Wise Sons’ perfect bagels! After years of the city’s notorious bagel drought, these brave souls tackled the water chemistry issues that supposedly prevented good bagels in the Bay Area.
The result is bagel magic – a distinctly San Francisco take with organic local ingredients and a sourdough starter that gives these beauties their characteristic tang. Their double-baked everything bagel with salmon schmear made me temporarily forget about my return flight home.
Founders Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman are bagel scientists, tweaking recipes until they achieved the perfect chew-to-crust ratio. The shop’s minimalist design lets the star attraction – those golden rings of perfection – take center stage.
7. Austin’s Nervous Charlie’s
Texas and bagels might seem like strange bedfellows, but Nervous Charlie’s proves this unlikely marriage works beautifully! Founded by East Coast transplants who couldn’t find a decent bagel in the Lone Star State, this Austin hotspot imports water from New York to recreate authentic boiled bagels with Texas flair.
My morning there started with their jalapeño cheddar bagel – a spicy southwestern twist that had me reaching for my cold brew between bites. The shop’s quirky décor and friendly staff make the experience even more enjoyable.
Weekend brunch here is practically a religious experience for Austin locals. The line might look intimidating, but trust a seasoned bagel hunter – these hand-rolled beauties are worth every minute of the wait!
8. Seattle’s Eltana Wood-Fired Bagel Cafe
Rain-soaked Seattle mornings become instantly brighter at Eltana! These aren’t your typical bagels – they’re smaller, flatter Montreal-style creations with a distinctive honey-water bath before hitting the blazing wood-fired oven.
The first time I tried their za’atar bagel slathered with feta spread, I nearly proposed marriage to the baker on the spot. Each bagel emerges with a crackling exterior that gives way to a perfectly chewy center – bagel nirvana achieved!
Eltana’s Capitol Hill location offers prime people-watching through steamy windows while you savor your bagel with a cardamom-spiced coffee. Their innovative spreads like date-walnut cream cheese prove that bagel tradition can happily coexist with culinary creativity.
9. Denver’s Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen
Altitude sickness? Nah, that’s just bagel withdrawal! Josh Pollack, a Jersey transplant, was so desperate for proper East Coast bagels in the Mile High City that he engineered a water system to mimic New York’s mineral content. Talk about dedication!
The result is Denver’s bagel mecca – Rosenberg’s – where I watched in awe as they hand-rolled, boiled, and baked bagels that could make a Brooklyn native weep with joy. Their salt bagel with house-made gravlax is transcendent, striking the perfect balance between chewy and crisp.
Located in historic Five Points, the deli’s vintage vibe completes the experience. My Colorado friends now understand why I refused to eat their grocery store “bagels” for years!
10. Washington DC’s Call Your Mother
Pink-striped and proud, this self-proclaimed “Jew-ish” deli has become DC’s hottest bagel destination! When a friend dragged me to Call Your Mother at an ungodly weekend hour, I was skeptical – until I sank my teeth into their wood-fired bagel with candied salmon cream cheese.
These aren’t traditional New York or Montreal styles, but something wonderfully unique – a hybrid with a distinctive sweet-and-salty flavor profile and a satisfyingly chewy texture. Their “Shyne” sandwich with pastrami-spiced salmon should be required eating for all Capitol visitors.
Founded by chef Daniela Moreira and her partner Andrew Dana, this vibrant spot injects fun into bagel culture with creative flavors and Instagram-worthy decor. Even politicians stand in line here – I spotted a famous senator patiently waiting his turn!