12 New York Bagel Shops That Locals Swear Serve The Best In The City
New York bagels are legendary for good reason. They are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and simply perfect when fresh out of the oven.
While debates about the best bagel joint can spark passionate arguments among New Yorkers, certain spots consistently earn high praise from locals who know their dough.
Here’s where to find the most authentic, mouthwatering bagels across the five boroughs.
1. Ess-a-Bagel: Where Tradition Meets Perfection
Standing in line at Ess-a-Bagel since 1976 has become a rite of passage for true New Yorkers. Their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled beauties feature a glossy exterior that gives way to that perfect chewy interior.
The schmears here are legendary – thick, creamy, and available in dozens of flavors. Last time I visited, I watched in awe as the counter staff constructed a towering lox sandwich that looked like it belonged in a museum.
2. Liberty Bagels Midtown: Size Matters
Liberty Bagels doesn’t just make bagels – they craft edible masterpieces. These supersized beauties sport a shiny, crackling crust that yields to a fluffy interior with just the right amount of chew.
What really sets them apart are their wild cream cheese concoctions. From jalapeño-everything to cookies-and-cream, they’ve reimagined what belongs on a bagel.
Manhattan office workers form lines out the door daily, proving these carb bombs are worth every calorie.
3. PopUp Bagels: The Newcomer Everyone’s Talking About
PopUp Bagels started as a pandemic side hustle and exploded into a phenomenon that has Martha Stewart singing its praises. Their signature style? Fluffy, tear-apart bagels with a distinctive malty flavor and rotating seasonal schmears.
Unlike traditional New York bagels, these are designed for dipping rather than sandwiching. I once drove 40 minutes just to catch their weekend pop-up, only to find they’d sold out in two hours – but when I finally scored some the following week, I understood the hype immediately.
4. Bo’s Bagels: Harlem’s Hand-Rolled Heaven
Bo’s brought proper bagel culture uptown, and Harlem residents couldn’t be happier. Each bagel is meticulously hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked to achieve that magical balance of crispy exterior and chewy center.
The everything bagel here deserves special mention – perfectly seeded with a garlicky punch that lingers pleasantly.
Their egg sandwiches have developed a cult following, with locals willing to brave weekend lines for a taste of breakfast perfection.
5. Apollo Bagels: East Village Sourdough Sensation
Apollo takes a slightly different approach to the classic New York bagel. Their sourdough-style creations feature a distinctive tangy flavor profile and an addictive crust that shatters just right with each bite.
The minimalist shop focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than offering endless varieties. Their classic cream cheese is whipped to perfection – light, airy, and generously applied.
Even bagel purists who initially scoff at the sourdough twist find themselves converted after just one taste.
6. Knickerbocker Bagel: Bushwick’s Boiled Beauty
Tucked away on a Bushwick street corner, Knickerbocker stands as Brooklyn’s hand-rolled bagel sanctuary. The tiny shop produces bagels with an almost magical texture – crackling crust giving way to a stretchy, airy interior that makes you slow down to savor each bite.
I stumbled upon this gem during a rainy morning bike ride and found myself sharing the counter with local artists and longtime residents alike.
Their scallion cream cheese has converted even the most dedicated plain schmear devotees.
7. Black Seed Bagels: Montreal-NYC Hybrid Magic
Black Seed brilliantly marries New York tradition with Montreal technique. Their smaller, denser bagels get a honey bath before being baked in wood-fired ovens, creating a distinctive sweet-smoky flavor profile unlike anything else in the city.
The slightly caramelized crust gives way to a chewy interior that makes these perfect vehicles for their house-cured salmon.
The aesthetic of their shops – all sleek tile and marble counters – makes the bagel-eating experience feel surprisingly sophisticated.
8. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company: Supersized Satisfaction
Don’t let the name fool you – Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company operates in Queens and Manhattan, not Brooklyn! Massive, hand-rolled creations strike the perfect balance between chewy and fluffy.
The everything bagel here is a masterpiece of seed distribution – every bite delivers the perfect ratio of garlic, onion, poppy, and sesame.
Their egg sandwiches reach towering heights that challenge even the most ambitious eaters, while their coffee provides the perfect accompaniment.
9. Utopia Bagels: Queens’ Crown Jewel
Utopia has been Queens’ bagel standard-bearer for decades, drawing devotees from all boroughs. Old-school approach yields bagels with a substantial crust that audibly crackles when broken, revealing a perfectly dense yet tender interior.
On Sunday mornings, the line stretches down the block as families order dozens to go. My Queens-born friend insists we make the pilgrimage monthly, claiming no other bagel compares.
After several visits, I’ve stopped arguing – these truly are bagel perfection.
10. Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish: Lox Lover’s Paradise
Zucker’s celebrates the bagel’s perfect partner: impeccably sourced smoked fish. Their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled beauties serve as the ideal foundation for towers of Nova Scotia salmon, whitefish salad, and silky sable.
The vintage deli atmosphere enhances the experience – white subway tiles, glass display cases, and skilled counter staff who assemble each sandwich with surgical precision.
“Ultimate Bagel Sandwich” with scallion cream cheese, lox, tomato, onion, and capers represents the pinnacle of New York breakfast achievement.
11. Davidovich Bagels: Artisanal Viennese Tradition
Davidovich keeps old-world bagel craftsmanship alive in modern Manhattan. These hand-rolled, kettle-boiled treasures follow a traditional Viennese recipe that yields a distinctively aromatic crust and honeycomb interior.
While many shops have mechanized their process, Davidovich’s bakers still form each bagel by hand. The result is a slightly irregular shape that proves its artisanal pedigree.
12. Kossar’s Bialys & Bagels: Lower East Side Legacy
Operating since 1936, Kossar’s isn’t just a bagel shop – it’s a living museum of Jewish baking traditions. While famous for their bialys (bagel’s indented, onion-topped cousin), their hand-rolled bagels deserve equal acclaim.
The shop’s vintage charm remains intact despite a gentle renovation. Watching the bakers work their magic through the open kitchen window connects you to generations of Lower East Side history.