It’s no secret that New York City’s bagels are legendary, and city-dwellers never hesitate to share their strong opinions on where to find the best ones. Whether a purist in search of the perfect schmear or eager to explore more adventurous flavors, we have rounded up the city’s 9 must-visit bagel spots.
Ess-a-Bagel (StuyTown, Midtown, and Upper East Side)
Ess-a-Bagel has been a New York bagel icon since 1976, serving up what they call the “quintessential New York bagel” at spots from Chelsea to Dumbo. Using hand-rolled, kettle-boiled methods, this family-owned gem doesn’t mess around. Their “Signature Favorite” sandwich—sliced nova, scallion cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers—is a must.
Apollo Bagels (East Village & West Village)
Though a newcomer to the Big Apple’s bagel scene, Apollo Bagels has quickly risen to prominence, and for good reason. Curation is the name of the game here: just three different kinds of bagels are available–plain, everything, and sesame–and they are masterfully made from sourdough. The spreads are as limited as the three more substantial sandwich options.
Tompkins Square Bagels (East Village)
At Tompkins Square Bagels in the East Village, you’ll instantly feel the NYC buzz—yes, there’s a line, but don’t worry, the staff takes good care of you before you hit the counter. Kettle-boiled and baked over wood planks, these bagels are soft and chewy inside with a crunchy exterior when toasted. Pro tip: don’t toast if you’re diving into their unique cream cheese flavors like wasabi or cookie dough. And if you’re a bacon, egg, and cheese fan, “The Jersey,” with Taylor ham, is the ultimate upgrade.
PopUp Bagels (Greenwich Village & Upper West Side)
With the tagline “Not famous… But known,” PopUp Bagels already wins you over. Founder Adam Goldberg’s mission was simple: make perfect bagels—crispy crust, soft center, just the right size. After winning Brooklyn’s BagelFest twice, these fresh-from-the-oven rolls became a NYC staple—no sandwiches, just bagels. Their “grip, rip, and dip” style lets you pair hot loaves with signature cream cheese or weekly specials.
Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side & Hudson Yards)
Founded in 1914 by Joel Russ, Russ & Daughters has grown from a humble herring pushcart to an iconic family-run fourth-generation institution. The shop is famous for Jewish appetizing classics served atop their bagels, ranging from spreads to smoked and cured fish and caviar.
Knickerbocker Bagel (Bushwick)
Knickerbocker Bagel employs time-honored techniques to craft bagels with a chewy interior and crisp, golden exterior. They have around 20 bagel varieties and a wide selection of cream cheeses. Baking over 1,000 bagels fresh daily, Knickerbocker Bagel is a neighborhood favorite.
Utopia Bagels (Murray Hill & Whitestone)
Founded in Whitestone, Queen, in 1981, Utopia Bagels has grown from a local gem to a must-visit for the quintessential New York-style bagel. Known for their epic cheese pull-on breakfast sandwiches, current owner Scott Spellman has revealed that their secret lies in the amount of water used in crafting their bagels—a key factor that sets them apart from other popular shops. They also keep things exciting with creative collabs like the “Bikini Bottom Bagel,” inspired by Spongebob—a pineapple-flavored bagel topped with a smash burger, sunny-side egg, cheese, bacon, and a crispy hash brown.
Tal Bagels (StuyTown & Upper East Side)
With bagels made fresh daily, sitting for 24 hours before being boiled and baked to perfection, Tal Bagels has been an Upper East Side mainstay since 1988. Their shmear and lox game? Legendary—and best enjoyed from a park bench, true New Yorker style. While they’re known for the classic bagel with lox and shmear, Tal’s popularity has led to multiple locations and mouth-watering deli sandwiches, like beef shoulder and pastrami.
Bagels & Schmear (Kips Bay)
While just a few years old, Bagels & Schmear is very much beloved, with tons of bagel varieties, schmears, and “salads” to boot. (It’s in the name, after all.) Expect long lines on weekends, but brunch cravings will surely be satisfied.
