Updated May 14, 2025
After scouring the scene for 3 years, here are my tried-and-true picks for the Best Bagels in NYC you can’t get elsewhere!
The equally tummy and heart-filling bagels are just one aspect of Jewish culinary heritage we get to enjoy in New York City.
There’s nothing that quells the Sunday Scaries like Bagel Sundays with lovely company and a strong iced coffee.
Bagels actually originate from Polish Jewish communities. Given that NYC is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, it’s not an understatement that New York truly has some of the best bagels in the world!
Here are my tried-and-true picks for the Best Bagels in NYC!
Best Bagels in NYC
Best Bagels in Manhattan
1. Barney Greengrass: Smoked Fish Sit-Down Experience
This historic Jewish deli has been open since 1908. It’s a great spot to entertain visitors, but don’t write it off as a touristy place, cuz that’s not the vibe it gives!
The crowd was surprisingly local, with several older couples who looked like they frequent the place.
I found out why. The nova and whitefish salad platter was so good.
The nova was flavorful af and cut thin. The whitefish salad was delicious and packed with fish.
All the veggies were noticeably fresh and added tons of zest.
The bagels were pleasantly a little bit sweet.
Address: 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 (Cash Only)
2. Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish: Incredible Lox Bagel
Wow. Zucker’s is a gourmet bagel experience. You can tell that they pay attention to every part of the bagel sandwich, even though it may seem like a pretty casual staple. For example, the egg in their bagel sandwiches is so buttery and sumptuous.
As their name suggests, Zucker’s has excellent smoked fish. Their lox bagel sandwich, named “The Traditional,” has super fresh salmon with an all-consuming, fishy flavor that’s a pleasant olfactory delight.
Zucker’s cuisine tends to be on the saltier side, but it really does hit the spot. Personally though, my favorite was still the sausage, egg and cheese bagel sandwich (notice a pattern there?!).
The prices are pretty standard for NYC bagel sandwiches. The Classic BEC is $9.50, and The Traditional lox bagel sandwich is $15.50.
Zucker’s has 7 locations in Manhattan, including on the Upper West Side and near Times Square.
3. Liberty Bagels: Rainbow Bagels
I’ve spent many a Sunday munching down on a thicc bagel sandwich from Liberty Bagels.
Their iconic rainbow bagels are not only a visual delight, but such a happy, sweet treat (enjoyed with cream cheese!).
They have 4 locations in Manhattan and 1 in Queens. I’ve frequented the one on 5th Ave, because it’s the perfect stone’s throw from the southeastern corner of Central Park.
The lines there can get long (given its proximity to the 5th Ave blitz and MoMA too), but the trick is to order for pickup first (via Seamless, Grubhub, Uber Eats).
Address: Liberty Bagels 5th Ave, 16 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022
4. Tompkins Square Bagels: Highly Satisfying Bagels
Thick slabs, pillowy sink, with a chewy finish.
The everything bagel and sausage weren’t overwhelmingly salty and I didn’t leave feeling sick (that MSG comedown is real). The egg was most notable — soft and airy in texture, while thick and buttery in taste.
The price is great too; the sausage, egg and cheese was under $11 with tax!
There’s a pretty good amount of seating inside. But in good weather hop on over to the namesake square and join the many other bagel-ers reveling in the same pleasures as you.
The line gets long but trust me, this operation moves fast & smooth! I waited around 15-20 minutes during weekend peak brunch hour.
Address: 165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
5. Baz Bagel: Even The Plain Is Delicious
Delicious, pillowy bagels with plenty for your teeth to sink into and a chewy texture throughout.
They have flagels but call me traditional, I prefer their thick bagels.
I loved all the flavors I tried: plain, pumperknickel and cinnamon raisin.
All the spreads were great too; they are on the fluffier, lighter side (plain, scallion and veggie). The veggie spread was pretty flavorful.
Address: 181 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
6. Popup Bagels: Fluffy Bagels
Breaddy, fresh and fluffy, Popup Bagels are tasty just on their own. And that’s how you know it’s a serious bagel!
The bagels are slightly smaller than the usual and are lighter weight than the typical NYC bagel. If you like pretzel rolls, that’s the kinda vibe it low-key exudes.
That’s my explanation for downing 3 in a row… (My cat was very interested, too.)
Grab a few bagels and slather on the scallion cream cheese at nearby Washington Square Park.
Address: 177 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
Best Bagels in Brooklyn
7. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company: Thicc Bagel Sandwiches
In my humble opinion, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company has the best bagels in NYC!
Their bagels are satisfyingly HUGE, with a chewy exterior but a deceivingly tender and juicy interior.
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee is reliably delicious. Everything I’ve tried, every time I’ve gone, has been delicious. I personally love their bacon or sausage, egg and cheese bagel sandwich.
What I love about their everything bagel is that it’s completely packed with the poppy seed and roastic garlic toppings. They don’t skimp on the bottom of the bagel, either (it’s packed with the toppings!). Yuuuuum!
The bagel sandwich prices are also pretty reasonable for NYC. Their sausage, egg & cheese was around $8.50.
Their two locations in Manhattan, in Greenwich Village and in Chelsea, are also both amazing.
Do expect lines during the morning rush hour, especially on weekends. The lines do go by fast, but it can be challenging to grab seats, so if you want a more calm experience, I recommend you go during off-peak hours (past 1pm). Even when I went at odd hours, the bagels tasted fresh.
8. Leon’s Bagels: Just the Right Thickness & Slightly Toasted
The bagels here are just incredible; slightly toasted on the outside, and not too thick but satisfying to bite into.
I had the sausage, egg & cheese on an egg everything bagel ($10) and can’t wait to go back again.
There’s some outdoor seating by the take-out store front. You could also walk 2 blocks to McCarren Park (if you’re able to wait that long, that is).
Address: 128 Bedford Ave Suite B, Brooklyn, NY 11249
9. Shelsky’s Brooklyn Bagels: Chewy Bagels
Shelsky’s has an unassuming exterior, but you’ll be blown away by how delicious their bagel sandwiches are. Their bagels are extra chewy and are kettle-boiled in classic NYC fashion. In my humble opinion, they’ve got the best bagels in Brooklyn!
The portions at Shelsky’s are not the largest, but their sandwiches are great for breakfast or a weekend pick-me-up that won’t leave you feeling extraordinarily sluggish.
Shelsky’s menu is on the classic side, in both of its bagels and schmears (spreads), and they definitely get the basics right. They still have over 20 bagel flavors, including 3 gluten-free options!
Expect lines during the weekend morning rush hours, which move reasonably fast.
10. Bagel Pub: Thicc Bagels
Bagel Pub has big, fluffy bagels that’ll fill you up properly. Although there’s limited seating in-store, I love the retro NYC interior decor, from the detailed ceilings to the mosaic pattern tiles on the floor across their 6 different locations.
Bagel Pub has a super wide and beautiful selection of over 20 cream cheeses, which range from the classics to chipotle bacon cream cheese and sweet delights like strawberry cream cheese.
If you’re looking for a place to meet up with a friend for coffee and a bagel, then Bagel Pub is an excellent choice, because most of their locations have plenty of seating and a rustic vibe that’s worth the sit down.
They also have delicious fresh juices. I love their refreshing Green Machine Juice, which is a mix of cucumber, celery, kale, spinach and apple.
In Brooklyn, I would recommend the Park Slope location on 9th St and 5th Ave (287 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215), because it has ample backyard seating available during the warmer months.
Best Bagels in NYC
I can stand by these tasty af bagel places for the Best Bagels in NYC!
Popup Bagels has great bagels that aren’t too heavy and can be enjoyed more like bread. For the decadent bagel sandwich experience, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company doesn’t disappoint.
- Barney Greengrass: Smoked Fish Sit-Down Experience
- Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish: Incredible Lox Bagel
- Liberty Bagels: Rainbow Bagels
- Tompkins Square Bagels: Highly Satisfying Bagels
- Baz Bagel: Even The Plain Is Delicious
- Popup Bagels: Fluffy Bagels
- Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company: Thicc Bagel Sandwiches
- Shelsky’s Brooklyn Bagels: Chewy Bagels
- Bagel Pub: Thicc Bagels
Thanks for checking out my guide on the Best Bagels in NYC!
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