Queens is the heart and soul of New York. This may be a hot take, but hear us out. Next to its flashier brethren Brooklyn and Manhattan, it seems quiet, almost suburban in some areas, but don’t let that fool you. Ringing around the city from Astoria and College point, all the way down to Rockaway, Queens has an area that is four times as large as Manhattan, and a history all its own. Queens is full of families that have been in their neighborhoods for generations, remnants of the Old New York that have been pushed out of Brooklyn and Manhattan. A quieter history, to be sure, but one that is rich and deeply rooted. Our Queens bagel shops are very much the same- many of them have been around for 30+ years, run by folks that have been working in bagels their whole life and are eager to serve their community with the highest quality food. Our Queens’ bagel shops have managed to put in that extra bit of love that you just can’t get anywhere else.
#1: utopia bagels
Locations: Whitestone (Queens); Murray Hill
What can we say about Utopia bagels? A quintessential New York bagel shop off the beaten path for most, but well worth the pilgrimage. What makes Utopia Bagels elite is the attention to detail: every facet of the shop is built out to facilitate a top-notch bagel experience.Utopia is Action Bronson’s go-to bagel-shop, and we could just end the review there: enough said. However, when it comes to Utopia, there is a lot more to say. Utopia has been featured on BuzzFeed’s Worth It and Eater: The Secrets Behind One of New York’s Best Bagels. Although we are bagel experts, not film critics, we cannot recommend enough that you see the cinematic masterpiece that is The Greatest Bagel on Earth. It’s about Utopia Bagels, with Action Bronson as our tour guide: truly a film after our own, bagel shaped hearts. Besides its celebrity endorsement and the lovability of the owner Scott Spellman…. Is the bagel really that great? Our answer is: yes. Hand rolled, and treated with love at every step, the energy and pizzazz of Scott, the owner, shines through these bagels. With a crunch on the outside that belies the chewiness of the inside, these bagels have a tight crumb that gives the bagels a springy quality. Utopia seeds both sides, placing the bagels in a bed of seeds while seeding the top. Most bagel shops don’t do this, and it makes a huge difference in the seed coverage. This shop has been called by some as the best bagel in the country- we find it hard to disagree, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
Locations: Jackson Heights Queens
Liberty's Bagels is one of the best spots to get a colorful rainbow bagel. While colorful bagels don't necessarily have superior taste or texture… They sure are fun! While the line is always long (yes, this is a theme amongst the shops on this list… fair to say if the line is long, the bagel is good) Liberty has won loyalty through their packed-on cream cheese, of which there are many flavors to choose from, and their warm and chewy bagels that need no toasting. Although many of the more classic flavors have a spotlight on this list, Liberty’s crowd favorite is the jalapeño everything bagel, for those who like to start their morning off with a little kick. The whole restaurant has a charged atmosphere, and while your order may not be the exact same every time, it is always mouthwatering
Location: Astoria
Fun Fact! Despite its name, there are actually no locations in Brooklyn… but there are three in Astoria Queens! So if you’re in Astoria, this is the spot for you. This establishment has made a name for itself and, like many other spots on this list, has a consistent line out the door. These bagels are large and airy, with visible air bubbles- a great quality when taking into account the enormous size of them. Their large size is perfect for a loaded Bacon, Egg and Cheese (saltpepperketchup). For those not looking to enter into an immediate food coma, they also have mini bagels. Although in true NY bagel fashion… they may not be so mini.
Locations: Astoria
True to their name, Between the Bagel serves up generous portions of cream cheese, eggs, cheese and bacon, we recommend showing up hungry. On top of the heavy helpings of toppings (and on bottom of), these bagels are dense, with a tight crumb and a crispy crunch shell on the outside. These bagels can and will keep you full all day, if you can finish them. In a delightfully modern take, we recommend the Seoul Meets Bagel. Korea meets Queens with this bagel, which is Bulgogi, Egg, American Cheese, Sauteed Kimchi and Gochujang Mayo on your choice of bagel. As for your choice of bagel, we are would like to spotlight their Jalapeno Everything bagel- a truly unique mashup of two of New Yorks most popular bagels.
#4: Between the Bagel, NY
Location: Forest Hills
Forest Hills Bagels has been at the top of their game for the past 25 years. With the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, this shop is the best place to get a jump start to your day. Walk in groggy and hungry, walk out in minutes jolted awake by their infectious energy and with a bagel that is hot right out of the oven. Despite the speed, the bagel had a perfect schmear to bagel ratio. Although there are many factors in identifying the New York-iness of a bagel, the schmear level is a true indicator of an authenticity. Forest Hills Bagels passed that test with flying colors. Aside from the schmear, their bagels have a certain quality that is hard to come by: their secret is hand rolling each bagel. Although most shops use a machine, Forest Hills Bagels is hand rolling bagels all day long, making each bagel deliciously unique and perfect.
Locations:
You gotta getta at Gotta Getta bagel. They’re family-owned, Kosher, and delightfully creative in their bagel creations. They’re flavors are creative and unique, with offerings such as the onion pumpernickel, whole wheat cinnamon raisin, diet vegetable, and rye. They also have specialty flavors such as rainbow, french toast, and blueberry. Gotta Getta bagels are on the breadier side, with a chewy outside and gentle smattering of seeds for a subtler flavoring. As for what to put on your bagel once you’ve selected your flavoring … we recommend keeping it simple. They have a wide variety of high quality lox, and creamy fluffy cream cheese that will knock your socks off.
Location: Fresh Meadows
Tucked under the Long Island expressway, this is your last bagel stop before exiting the city entirely. They are open 24 hours so if you’re taking your leave of NYC for the idyllic suburbs of Long Island, no matter how early or late, they’re there to fuel your long journey to Long Island. They’re big- not the largest bagels on the list but definitely a respectable size, well seeded, and reasonably priced. They have all your classic flavors, as well as whole wheat sesame and whole wheat everything for those looking for healthier options. If you’re up for a more novel experience, try the flagel! A bagel, but flat. It lacks the fluffiness of a typical bagel but maintains the chew, so if the crusty outside of the bagel is your favorite part, this is the bagel for you.
Locations: Whitestone
A neighborhood over from Utopia, Whitestone stands its ground, not to be outshone by its flashier neighbor. It’s mission statement is simple, but all the more powerful for it: to feed it’s community highest-quality fresh, local and wholesome food. With an outdoor seating area to hang out with friends or say hi to folks as they pass, this shop is clearly a focal point of the neighborhood. They’ve got it all: rainbow bagels, egg everything, oat… Every palate is catered to. They’re bagels are hearty with a homey feel to them, a real brick of bread that keeps you full all day. They’re spreads are fresh, with real fruit and veggies in their schmears.
Location: Ridgewood
Bakers dozen is a neighborhood establishment in Ridgewood that is distinguished by its incredible customer service. We took to yelp to see which bagel was the fan favorite- and it seems like every single bagel knocks it out of the park. Every review named this spot as the best bagel in Ridgewod, and every review named a different sandwich. It seems like no matter what you order here, you’ll be impressed.
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