There is no secret that New York City is known for its bagels. But the big question is, where can you find the best one? New Yorkers are very passionate about their bagels and arguing about where to get the best one is a never-ending subject.
You can easily travel within one block from your hotel or apartment and you’re likely to hit at least one decent place to grab a bagel from. But if you’re not kidding around and want to know where to get the best bagels in NYC right now, look no further.
The New Yorkers have voted! The following list was created by our Instagram community where everyone got to vote on their favorite bagel shop. We have H&H, Ess-a-Bagel, Zucker’s, and more on the list and they are all ranked in order with the most popular one first. But remember, all of the following bagel shops are great. Enjoy!
1. H&H Bagels
Our community voted H&H Bagels to be the best bagel in New York City. H&H has been making bagels in New York City since 1972, and still uses the same recipe as the first day they opened. Their bagels are kettle boiled, bathed in cold water, oven baked, and delicious! These bagels have a larger whole and are very wide which helps maintain the chewiness, with just the right softness in the middle. H&H Bagels has been featured in You’ve Got Mail, Sex and the City, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and Seinfeld.
Address: Multiple locations
2. Zucker’s Bagels
According to the local New Yorkers, this is the second best bagel shop in the city. Zucker’s has a few locations around the city but originally opened their first location in Tribeca. They make bagels the old-fashion way, hand rolled, and kettle boiled, with a golden exterior and perfectly chewy on the inside. Unlike other bagel shops, their bagels are seasoned on both sides!
Address: Multiple locations
3. Ess-a-Bagel
Ess-a-Bagel was voted number three on the list of the best bagels in NYC. Only a few bagel shops have mastered this level of perfection. The bagels here are tall and have that bubbly crust with perfect chewiness without being tough. This is the place to go if you want a bagel with as much deliciousness as history. Ess-a-Bagel has been around since 1976.
Address: 831 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
4. Liberty Bagels
Liberty Bagels was voted number four on our list. Their old-fashioned, hand rolled, and kettle boiled bagels are some of the best in the city with a perfect texture, and unbeatable taste and the option of cream cheeses are plentiful! Liberty Bagels use only fresh ingredients, bake them daily, and offers a variety of flavors.
Address: Multiple locations
5. Bergen Bagels
Bergen Bagel is one of the larger and fluffier bagels New York City has to offer, with multiple locations around Brooklyn. One bagel will keep you more-than-full for a long time. Here you can get freshly baked bagels around the clock, with a wide selection of their own cream cheeses such as olive, walnut raisin, sun-dried tomato (my favorite), and tofu vegetable. Be ready for a line if you come here during the morning rush hour.
Address: Multiple locations
6. Bagelsmith
Bagelsmith is famous for its massive and sturdy bagels. This was my personal go-to place when I used to live on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, and I could not recommend this more! They don’t have many seats there so I would recommend taking your bagel to-go.
Address: Multiple locations
7. Forest Hills Bagel
Forest Hills Bagel has been the go-to bagel place for Forest Hills residents for decades. Here you can get old-fashioned hand rolled bagels that are freshly made every day. Go and try them for yourself! The bagels at Forest Hills Bagel are some of the best bagels you can find in Queens (and NYC) and have a large variety of flavors.
Address: 104-41 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375
8. Murray’s Bagels
Are you looking for one of the best bagels in NYC, this is one of the spots to visit! Their large mouthwatering hand rolled bagels have a light flavor with a slightly sweet taste. You will not be surprised at why they have long lines at practically any given hour of the day after trying their bagels. Walking into Murray’s Bagels gives you an old-school New York vibe with the brick walls, small tables, and old wooden floors.
Address: 500 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011
9. Tompkins Square Bagels
Tompkins Square Bagels makes the most delicious bagels with almost too many good and creative choices of bagel flavors and spreads. I can assure you that the long lines are worth it for these hand rolled bagels. This is the perfect place for you if you’re into some odd flavors such as chocolate chip cookie bagel, pairing it with pear or birthday cake cream cheese. Their regular bagels are also delicious! I would highly recommend this bagel shop to everyone.
Address: 165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
10. Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys
Kossar’s Bagels are among the best in New York City. They’re kettle boiled, baked on burlap boards, and finished on stone. Kossar’s still make their bagels in the authentic old-fashioned way and still use the same recipe since they opened in 1936. From plain to pumpernickel to poppy, they have a wide selection of bagels and spreads to choose from.
Address: Multiple locations
11. Bread Brothers Bagel Cafe
This bagel shop will make you crave bagels for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Scattered around Brooklyn is the local favorite Bread Brothers Bagel Cafe, which has the most amazing bagels, and a wide selection of cream cheeses. I saw they had red velvet flavor one time!
Address: Multiple locations
12. Shelsky’s
A really good spot that made the list of the best bagels in NYC is Shelsky’s in Brooklyn. Pair this small, dense, and chewy bagel with one of their many cream cheese flavors. You will definitely come back for more!
Address: Multiple locations
13. Riverdale Bagels
Riverdale Bagels was voted on the list, and I’m not surprised. Their bagels are made every day using the old-fashioned method, first boiled and then baked. These perfectly gold brown bagels are definitely worth a visit to the Bronx. If you haven’t tried it, go check them out!
Address: 5650 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY
14. Tal Bagels
Tal Bagels has several locations around Manhattan and is another favorite among New Yorkers. They have earned its reputation as one of New York’s best bagels for its amazing bagels and fast service. It’s not the largest bagel the city has to offer, which is great if you don’t want to fill up so much on only bread.
Address: Multiple locations
15. Absolute Bagels
Even though you already have your favorite bagel spot in NYC, you need to give this bagel shop a shot. Absolute Bagels is located near Columbia University, is a cash-only hole-in-a-wall bagel shop, and is the best bagel shop in the area. Their bagels are chewy and delicious! Be ready for long lines here, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. If the weather allows it, I recommend taking your bagel to go and enjoy it in Central Park.
Address: 2788 Broadway, New York, NY 100025
16. Pick A Bagel
Pick A Bagel was my favorite bagel spot when I used to live on the Upper East Side, and I’m so happy it got voted on the list. I used to love bringing my everything bagel with sundried tomato cream cheese and iced coffee to Central Park. This is a great place to get a classic authentic and massive New York bagel from. Everything is freshly baked in-house, and they have a wide selection of bagels and cream cheese flavors.
Address: Multiple locations
16. Leo’s Bagels
You can find one of the best bagels in New York City in the Financial District and the heart of Wall Street. Leo’s Bagels serves one of the puffier bagels out there with a perfectly gooey chew and crispy outside. This is a must-try!
Address: 3 Hanover Sq, New York, NY 10004
Summary of the best bagels in New York City:
- H&H Bagels
- Zucker’s Bagels
- Ess-a-Bagel
- Liberty Bagels
- Bergen Bagels
- Bagelsmith
- Forest Hills Bagels
- Murray’s Bagels
- Tompkins Square Bagels
- Kossar’s Bagel & Bialys
- Bread Brothers Bagel Cafe
- Shelsky’s
- Riverdale Bagels
- Tal Bagels
- Absolute Bagels
- Pick A Bagel
- Leo’s Bagels
Common questions about bagels in New York:
Why New York has the best bagels?
People say that the bagels are so good in New York City because of the tap water they use to make them. The water has a low concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which affects the result of the bagel dough.
Where to get a rainbow bagel in NYC?
Liberty Bagels. You can get rainbow bagels from many bagel shops in NYC.
Can you get New York bagels shipped?
Yes. You can order NYC bagels nationwide from a company called Gold Belly. Gold Belly offers delivery from Ess-a-Bagel, Zucker’s, Pick A Bagel, Tompkins, H&H, and more.
Where can I find the best gluten-free bagels in NYC?
Tompkins, Zucker’s, Bagelsmith, Murray’s all have gluten free bagel options.
What is the most popular bagel in New York?
According to our community, H&H has been voted to be the most popular bagel in New York City. This also might be the most famous bagel shop since the Upper East Side location has been featured in You’ve Got Mail, Sex and the City, and Seinfeld.
What kind of bagels do they have in New York?
There are endless options for bagels in New York. The most common flavors would be cinnamon raisin, everything, blueberry, egg, garlic, onion, plain, poppy seed, salt, pumpernickel, and multigrain. Some places such as Tompkins Square Bagels offers a few unusual flavors such as chocolate chip cookie, and pumpkin.
How much is a bagel in New York?
A traditional New York bagel could cost between $1 to $8 depending on the bagel shop and what you put on it.
Why is there a hole in the bagel?
The hole in the bagel is good for both cooking and transport reasons. The hole allows the bagel to have a bigger area which makes it easier to consistently cook the bagel all the way through. It also allows the bagel to be threaded on a dowel after cooking for easy transport.
