The 24 Best Bagels in NYC, Ranked
Ah, New York City: land of the free and home of the bagel. Trek one block radius of your apartment and you’re likely to hit a decent place to grab a whole-wheat everything with schmear. But when a serious carb craving hits, only the chewiest, warmest, crispy-on-the-outside, doughy-on-the-inside bagel will do. So, our New York-based editors weighed in to create a handy list of where to get the best bagels in NYC. (Did we mention all of these spots also offer takeout and/or delivery?)
The 19 Best 24-Hour Restaurants in NYC for Your Round-the-Clock Cravings
24. The Bad Bagel
"The thing that stands out about, besides the enormous selection of cream cheeses (and tofu cream cheese varieties for vegans), is their ability to put a fresh, crispy hash brown patty on any bagel sandwich," says PureWow assistant editor Delia Curtis. "The service is fast and it’s located on the main Wyckoff Avenue strip, meaning you can mosey around the neighborhood with your bagel and a coffee and check out the shops in the area or pull up to Maria Hernandez Park to people watch." Our rec? A toasted everything or sesame bagel with sausage, egg and cheddar with jalapeño cheddar cream cheese and a hash brown
23. Knickerbocker Bagel
"With lines to the door nearly every day, Knickerbocker Bagel is a true Bushwick staple," asserts Curtis. "They have a never-ending menu and something for everyone. From loaded bagels and massive sandwiches to fresh squeezed OJ and a pastry case full of sweet treats, it’s a one-stop shop for all your breakfast and lunch needs. The bagels are gooey and warm and perfect for a hangover on a Sunday morning."
22. Leon's Bagels
"Their motto says it all: It's nothing fancy, just some damn good bagels that are fresh, fluffy and never disappoint," raves PureWow executive managing editor Catrina Yohay. "Love the grab-and-go counter in SoHo and that the line always moves pretty quick. I have the appetite of a child, so my go-to order is cinnamon raisin with strawberry cream cheese, but everyone raves about their breakfast sammies."
21. Finn's Bagels
Finn's Bagels
If your go-to order is a BEC, head to Finn's for a bagel sandwich with a near-perfect egg-to-cheese ratio. The staff is friendly and attentive too, often greeting regulars by name and having their orders memorized. Now that's service.
A post shared by DB (@dee__bees) on Aug 12, 2017 at 2:42pm PDT
20. Bagelsmith
Location: Bedford and Williamsburg (189 Bedford Ave.; 566 Lorimer St.)
Delivery Services Offered: Seamless, Door Dash, Delivery.com, Bagelsmith website
Pro tip: Top one of those chewy wheels of deliciousness with jalapeño-cheddar cream cheese. In addition to their bagels, Bagelsmith is also famous for their massive sandwiches, whether loaded with sausage or avocado.
A post shared by BITE WITH ME (@bite_with_me) on Jul 29, 2017 at 7:48am PDT
19. Bagels & Schmear
Location: Flatiron (116 E. 28th St.)
Delivery Services Offered: Grubhub
A no-frills joint with top-notch bagels and avocado cream cheese? I'm in, especially when you can have it brought straight to your door.
A post shared by Brooklyn Bagel Blog (@brooklynbagelblog) on Mar 1, 2018 at 5:08am PST
18. Davidovich Bakery
Location: Three locations across Manhattan
Delivery Services Offered: Doordash, Davidovich Bakery website
These hand-rolled-bagel wizards also provide their goods to Barney Greengrass for brunch. For now, though, I recommend going straight to the source for takeout. If you prefer your bagels minimally doughy, try their flagels on for size.
Order now
A post shared by OriginalGluttoness (@ogluttoness) on Mar 3, 2015 at 6:07am PST
17. Bagel Buffet
Location: Greenwich Village (510 6th. Ave.)
Delivery Services Offered: Doordash, Grubhub, Seamless, Bagel Buffet website
Don’t be fooled by the store’s unassuming exterior—the good stuff is inside. And you can grab it to go or order online or for delivery. Try the Bagel Addiction, a buttered bagel piled high with sliced lox, scallion cream cheese, tomato and onions.
A post shared by Leo's Bagels (@leosbagels) on Dec 11, 2017 at 10:14am PST
16. Leo's Bagels
Location: FiDi (3 Hanover Sq.)
Delivery Services Offered: Seamless, Grubhub, UberEats, DoorDash, Delivery.com, Leo's Bagels website
The Financial District deserves a good bacon, egg and cheese, too. Leo's offers takeout to boot, so you can get your fix right away. Treat yourself to some rugelach after you get your bagel on.
A post shared by Shelsky's of Brooklyn (@shelsky_s) on Jun 18, 2017 at 6:13am PDT
15. Shelsky's Smoked Fish
Location: Cobble Hill, Park Slope (141 Court St.; 453 4th Ave.)
Delivery Services Offered: DoorDash, Grubhub, Sauce, Shelsky's website
"Shelsky's has the best lox I've had in the city," asserts PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "Their bagels are just the right amount of chewy. My go-to order is actually the Tuna Super Spicy Funk sandwich, which has tuna salad and chili crisp." (We also recommend topping a poppyseed bagel with lox, sable and creamed herring.) Place a pickup order by phone, or save yourself the work and get it delivered.
A post shared by Zabar's & Co. Inc. (@zabarsisny) on Aug 2, 2017 at 6:30am PDT
14. Zabar's
Location: Upper West Side (2245 Broadway)
Delivery Services Offered: Zabar's website
No fancy cream cheese flavors here, but this market and its delicious bagels (brought in by a secret supplier) are quintessential New York. And they can be shipped nationwide—score!
Order now
A post shared by H&H Midtown Bagels East (@hhmidtownbagelseast) on Sep 13, 2017 at 7:00am PDT
13. H&H Midtown Bagels
Not to be confused with the original H&H (may she rest in peace), this also pretty-damn-decent spot is filling the void left by the dearly departed. They're available for pickup and delivery, and like Zabar's, these bagels can be shipped nationwide.
A post shared by Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co. (@bkbagelny) on Dec 1, 2017 at 6:39am PST
12. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company
Location: Five locations across Manhattan and Queens
Delivery Services Offered: ChowNow, Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats, Seamless
"Brooklyn Bagels in Astoria was my go-to for years," says VP of news and entertainment Phil Mutz. "Such a great BEC or a cinnamon raisin bagel with butter—*chef's kiss*."
"My husband jokes that we will leave New York the day I can replicate Brooklyn Bagel's everything bagel with bacon scallion perfectly," adds PureWow's VP of editorial Candace Davison. "I've studied how to create such a wonderfully chewy-yet-pillowy bagel, so completely barnacled with seasoning, and while I come close, it's just not the same."
Available for pickup and delivery, the hardest part about ordering from Brooklyn Bagel is choosing which bagel-and-schmear combo to go with (but we highly recommend the everything with bacon-scallion cream cheese).
Order now
A post shared by Mary Baker (@quite_contrary7) on Jun 25, 2017 at 10:03am PDT
11. Bo’s Bagels
Location: Harlem (235 W. 116 St.)
Delivery Services Offered: Doordash, Grubhub, Bo's Bagels website
When a Harlem couple couldn’t find good bagels in their neighborhood, they took matters into their own hands—and as their beautifully blistered rounds prove, they’re very capable hands indeed. Grab a half-dozen for takeout or delivery to enjoy an A1 breakfast for days.
A post shared by Bagel Pub (@bagelpub) on Jul 30, 2015 at 5:38am PDT
9. Bagel Pub
Location: Five locations across Brooklyn and Manhattan
Park Slope residents and beyond, rejoice: This is the perfect vehicle for lox and capers, and you can have it delivered. Bagel Pub's bagels are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled and baked daily for your noshing pleasure.
A post shared by Utopia bagels (@utopiabagels) on Feb 26, 2018 at 3:40pm PST
8. Utopia Bagels
Location: Bay Terrace (1909 Utopia Pkwy., Whitestone)
If you aren't within delivery range, you’ll have to travel to where the subways don’t go to grab takeout from this Queens institution, but once you sink your teeth into a fresh-baked salt bagel with all the fixings, the commute will have been worth it. (Psst: If you're bringing the kids, keep an eye out for their rainbow bagels and birthday cake cream cheese. It turns breakfast into a party.)
7. Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish
Location: Seven locations across Manhattan
Delivery Services Offered: Grubhub, Seamless, DoorDash, Uber Eats
One of the co-founders also started Murray's Bagels, so you know these are the real deal. Takeout and delivery are available, so honestly, what are you waiting for? The pastrami, egg and cheese won't disappoint.
A post shared by Black Seed (@blackseedbagels) on Jan 12, 2018 at 9:29am PST
6. Black Seed Bagels
Location: Ten locations across Brooklyn and Manhattan
Delivery Services Available: Seamless, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Black Seed Bagels website, Goldbelly
New Yorkers are naturally skeptical of any outsider bagels. But Black Seed’s Montreal-style bagels—boiled in honey, then baked in a wood-burning stove—won our editors over, and now we can’t imagine life without them. Prepare to get to know the delivery folks real well.
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5. Best Bagel & Coffee
The name makes a lofty promise, but I guarantee these made-on-premises, kettle-boiled bagels don't disappoint. Might we suggest a blueberry bagel with blueberry cream cheese for fruit lovers?
A post shared by Ben Gilbert (@bawcesawce) on Mar 19, 2017 at 7:08am PDT
4. Bagel Hole
This Park Slope shop provides the bagels for Russ & Daughters. 'Nuff said. "They actually refuse to toast their bagels!" says VP of design and branded content Angela Pares. (That's how consistently fresh they are.) "But it doesn't matter because they are that good. A classic sesame with scallion and tomato is my jam." Call or order online to grab one—or a dozen, we won't judge—for takeout.
A post shared by New Fork City® (@new_fork_city) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:03am PDT
3. David's Bagels
Location: Gramercy (273 1st Ave.)
Delivery Services Offered: Seamless, Grubhub, Postmates, David's Bagels website
An East Village classic with mind-blowingly awesome bagels and possibly the friendliest staff in town, offering their wares via takeout and delivery. First-timers will love the honey-wheat sesame bagels, promise.
A post shared by J. Kenji López-Alt (@kenjilopezalt) on Jun 2, 2017 at 7:26am PDT
2. Absolute Bagels
Location: Manhattan Valley (2788 Broadway)
Delivery Services Offered: carry-out only
This Thai family-run bakery is serving little wheels of heaven, warm out of the oven. "Skip the BEC (it's good, but not the best in the city)," advises PureWow editor Abby Hepworth. "Go for the bagel of your choice with any of the cream cheese options. They also have spectacular lox. But the real star of the show are the bagels themselves. They're hands down the best in all of NYC—and, yes, I will die on that hill." (We chalk it up to their shiny, crackly outer crusts and dense, chewy interiors.) They only offer takeout, but it's worth the trek, no matter where you live.
1. Ess-a-Bagel
The original and still-reigning queen, offering takeout and delivery. "I never understood the New York City bagel snobbery until I ate a fresh Ess-a-Bagel," says PureWow senior editor Dara Katz. "Ask for what's hot, so your bagel comes out all steamy and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, no toasting necessary. I also love their whitefish salad." Please, take our life savings.
