Best Bagels in New York City
Not many things are more “New York” than a bagel, and New Yorkers are loyal to their favorite bagel stores. In fact, discussions about who makes the best bagel can lead to broken friendships. Following are the top contenders:
Absolute Bagels--2708 Broadway, btw. 107th and 108th streets (tel. 212/932-2052). The egg bagels, hot out of the oven, melt in your mouth, and their whitefish salad is perfectly smoky, not overpowering.
Apollo Bagels—73 Greenwich Ave. at Seventh Ave. Montreal-style bagels (they’re chewier), with generous portions of smoked salmon, high-quality cream cheese, and heaps of dill, inspire lines out the door daily. Also at 242 E. 10th St., and 133 N. 7th St. in Brooklyn.
Bo’s Bagels—235 W. 116th St. nr. Frederick Douglas Blvd. Tradition rules for the prep of these Harlem bagels: after a 24-hour fermentation period, they’re boiled and then baked. Along with the usual spreads, Bo’s serves up a very popular bagel version of pigs in a blanket. Also at Broadway and 155th St.
Ess-a-Bagel—831 Third Ave., btw. 50th & 51st streets (tel. 212/980-1010). When it comes to size, Ess-a-Bagel’s are the best of the biggest: plump, chewy, and oh so satisfying. Also at First Ave & 19th St. and 32nd St. btw. Sixth & Seventh aves.\
Kossar’s Bialys—367 Grand St., at Essex Street (tel. 877/4-BIALYS [424-2597]). Bialys—flat, yeast rolls with savory fillings—are the star offerings here, but don’t ignore Kossar’s bagels. Also hand-rolled, they have a slightly crunchy exterior with a tender, moist middle. Sure, you came for the bialys, but you will leave with both.
Liberty Bagels—260 W. 35th St., near Eighth Ave. Hand-rolled and kettle-boiled the old-fashioned way, these were named the best bagels in Manhattan by a dude on TikTok who seems to have nothing better to do than try every bagel shop in the city. Now in 6 locations including Grand Central Terminal.
Modern Bread and Bagels—472 Columbus Ave. at 83rd St. Modern in this case means gluten-free and kosher, making these the bagels of choice for those with celiac disease and other types of gluten aversions. Also at 1427 Third Ave. btw. 80th & 81st sts., 630 Lexington Ave. and 139 W. 14th St. btw. Sixth & Seventh aves.
Tip: New Yorkers do brunch, but for breakfast we tend to grab-and-go. And to do that "Big Apple"–style, you gotta get a bagel with a schmear (that's a local term for just a bit of cream cheese) and eat it while walking down a packed sidewalk or in the subway. No, really.