Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Bagel Lovers
Top Things to Do in New York City for Bagel Lovers
1. Ess-a-Bagel
A Midtown mainstay since the 1970s, Ess-a-Bagel draws lines for its hand-rolled, extra-large bagels with a glossy crust and pillowy interior. The menu spans classic schmears to heaping nova and sturgeon sandwiches perfect for a Central Park picnic nearby.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a rite of passage for bagel devotees who want the quintessential oversized New York bagel loaded with lox and cream cheese.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive between 7:30–9:30 am on weekdays for the freshest pulls and shorter lines; late mornings on weekends get crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for your bagel “scooped” if you like more filling-to-bread ratio, and try the famous tofu scallion spread if you want a lighter schmear.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers rave about generous portions and classic flavor; some note waits but agree the line moves quickly and is worth it.
2. Absolute Bagels
On the Upper West Side near Columbia University, this humble counter turns out hand-rolled bagels with a deeply satisfying chew and malty flavor. The vibe is old-school, the prices fair, and the product beloved by locals and students alike.
✓ Why Go:
For many purists, this is the city’s gold standard of texture and bake—simple, perfect, and unfussy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Hit the opening hour (typically 7 am) for warm bagels straight from the oven; expect lines after 10 am on weekends.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order sesame or everything with scallion cream cheese and a slice of tomato—classic, balanced, and fast to assemble.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise consistent quality and value; occasional comments mention cash-only tendencies at times and limited seating.
3. H&H Bagels
A name synonymous with New York bagels, H&H’s Upper East Side shop turns out shiny, kettle-boiled rings with a soft, steamy crumb. It’s ideal for grabbing a bag of mixed flavors and cream cheeses to share.
✓ Why Go:
Legend status and a crowd-pleasing style make it a must for first-timers and nostalgic returnees.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings 8–10 am for fresh varieties without the midday rush; weekends see a brunch surge.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pick up tubs of schmear and a half-dozen to go—cost-effective and perfect for a DIY spread back at your hotel.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the classic New York bite and breadth of flavors; some note premium pricing but few leave disappointed.
4. Russ & Daughters
This century-old Lower East Side appetizing institution pairs pristine smoked fish with excellent bagels for iconic lox-and-schmear combinations. The counter-service ritual and heritage tins make it feel like edible NYC history.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the definitive place to build a bespoke bagel with silky nova, capers, and red onion—an essential New York breakfast.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive by 9 am on weekends or mid-afternoon on weekdays to avoid peak queues.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask staff to recommend a salmon flight—try Gaspe, Scottish, and pastrami-cured nova on split mini bagels to compare styles.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers gush about top-tier fish and tradition; lines and limited standing space are common notes, but quality wins out.
5. Kossar's Bagels & Bialys
Founded in 1936, Kossar’s is America’s oldest bialy bakery and a LES staple now also known for stellar bagels. Watch bakers at work and taste the Old World in every onion-studded bialy and sesame bagel.
✓ Why Go:
Bagel lovers broaden their horizons with bialys—chewier, flatter cousins perfect with butter or whitefish salad.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning bakes 7–10 am yield the warmest bialys; late afternoons are quieter for sit-down snacking.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a warm onion bialy with scallion cream cheese and a side of pickles—simple, nostalgic, unforgettable.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise heritage flavors and fair prices; some mention variable seating but consistent baking.
6. Tompkins Square Bagels
East Village favorite known for hand-rolled bagels and a playful spread roster—from birthday-cake cream cheese to jalapeño cheddar. Big, fresh, and perfect for fueling a stroll through Tompkins Square Park.
✓ Why Go:
Creative schmears meet classic technique, making it ideal for groups with different tastes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays before 10 am or after 2 pm to miss brunch waves; weekends see steady lines.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try an everything bagel with whitefish salad or the nova lox breakfast sandwich—staff are happy to customize.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers love the chewy texture and fun flavors; waits are expected but service stays upbeat.
7. Black Seed Bagels
This Nolita pioneer popularized a Montreal–New York hybrid: smaller, wood-fired bagels with a gentle sweetness and lacquered crust. Sandwich combos spotlight house-cured fish and inventive spreads.
✓ Why Go:
For a different but deeply delicious style—lighter, slightly sweet, and great for layered sandwiches.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-morning 9:30–11 am for steady oven flow and minimal wait; afternoons are calmer for sit-down.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order sesame with beet-cured salmon and horseradish cream; ask which varieties just came out of the oven.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise the wood-fired flavor and size; purists debate the style, but most agree sandwiches are exceptional.
8. Utopia Bagels
A Queens destination bakery with a viewing window to watch hand-rolling and boiling in action. Bagels are deeply browned, hefty, and beloved citywide—worth the subway ride.
✓ Why Go:
For an old-school production vibe and some of the city’s most consistent, crusty-on-the-outside bagels.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning 6:30–9 am for peak freshness and minimal queues; late night also sees hot batches from continuous baking.
✓ Insider Tip:
Get a dozen to-go and a classic bacon-egg-and-cheese on an everything for the ride back.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it a pilgrimage-worthy bakery with friendly staff; distance from Manhattan is the only drawback mentioned.
9. Bagel Hole
Tiny Park Slope shop revered by purists for small, dense, incredibly flavorful bagels baked throughout the morning. No frills—just excellent dough with a crisp shell and serious chew.
✓ Why Go:
If you prioritize flavor-to-size ratio and classic texture, this is a bucket-list stop.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning is best; arrive before noon to catch multiple hot batches and avoid sellouts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Keep it simple: sesame with plain or scallion schmear lets the dough shine.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Devotees laud it as the connoisseur’s pick; space is tight and cash may be preferred, but quality is unmatched.
10. Murray's Bagels
Greenwich Village staple known for traditional, never-toasted bagels with a serious chew and balanced salt. The lox-and-schmear combinations and classic deli salads keep locals returning.
✓ Why Go:
Murray’s embodies the no-toast philosophy—if the bake is right, you won’t need it—making it a lesson in bagel craftsmanship.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays 8–10 am for peak freshness; weekend lines are steady but move quickly.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order an everything with nova, scallion cream cheese, tomato, capers, and onion—ask for a light smear to keep balance.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers appreciate the classic style and strong fish program; seating can be limited during rush hours.
