Manhattan is famous for its iconic skyline, world-famous landmarks, vibrant culture, and world-class dining. From fine dining to street food, there is something for every taste and budget in Manhattan. More than anything, it’s a foodie paradise, with an abundance of top-rated restaurants and diverse cuisines. Bagels are no exception.
The Lower East Side in Manhattan is where bagels first appeared in NYC when Polish immigrants brought the food with them in the late 19th century. Since then, the bagel has both become a bedrock of New York City’s culture, and has spread far beyond the borders of the five boroughs.
But there’s no place like home, and the bagel shops in Manhattan are some of the best in the world. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the city, these bagel shops are sure to satisfy your cravings for this classic breakfast food. So without further ado, let's dive into the list of the best bagel shops in Manhattan.
#1 Utopia Bagels
Locations: Murray Hill, Whitestone
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. They’ve 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 watch 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 owner Scott Spellman…is the bagel really that great? Our answer is a resounding 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.
This shop has been called by some as the best bagel in the country- we find it hard to disagree, hence receiving the coveted top spot on our list.
Locations: Stuyvesant Town, Midtown, Korea Town, Time Out Market
Ok, so after all that hype…. this second one was actually very easy to choose. Lifelong New Yorkers, visitors, and those fresh to the city all agree that Ess-a-Bagel is the best that the city has to offer. No small feat for a bagel shop in NYC! It opened in 1976, winning the title of “Best Bagel in the Tri State Area” in just 2 short years, and has been defending that title ever since.
Ess-a-Bagel redefined what it meant to create a quality bagel, and continues to hold that standard high. Always busy, but worth the wait, Ess-a-Bagel has come to be a definitive experience for all bagel-lovers who pass through its doors. Fluffy, chewy, generously topped with seasonings and flavors, and never lacking in schmear, Ess-a-Bagel is a must-do for anyone who wants the true New York bagel experience.
Location: Greenwich Village
Get ready to have your bagel beliefs challenged by the new sensation in town - PopUp Bagels. Originally hailing from Westport, CT, they've stormed NYC's bagel scene with a bang. Crowned as the 'Best Bagel' two years running at BagelFest and featured in a New York Times article A New York Bagel From an Unexpected Borough: Connecticut, they're certainly turning heads. What started as a backyard pickup window has now expanded to various pop-up and permanent spots for you to snag your fresh bagel fix, including a brick-and-mortar in the heart of Greenwhich Village.
They may be on the smaller side, but what they lack in size, they make up for in freshness - no bagel in their shops is more than 45 minutes out of the oven. Sold by the 3, 6, or dozen with a side of schmear, these aren't just bagels, they're an experience. No need for fancy sandwiches here - just rip, dip, and savor every bite.
Location: Upper West Side
Everyone has loyalty to their local bagel shop, and this holds especially true for Absolute Bagels. Upper West Siders maintain that it’s the best bagel in the city and, while it would be easy to assume that a little bit of neighborhood bias is peeping through… they’re spot on with this one. Their founder worked for Ess-a-Bagel for many years upon moving to New York, and his tutelage shows.
The bagels are on the smaller side, but they are always blisteringly fresh. It’s a joy to watch them grab your bagel right out of a steaming pile. Absolute is a bit a victim of their own success, and the line can get absolutely (ba-dum-cha) ridiculous at prime times, so try and go off-peak if possible.
Locations: East Village
Tompkins Square Bagels is all about the beginning-to-end experience. Owner and operator Chris Pugliese has been in the bagel business since he was a teenager, and his life-long dedication to the bagel craft is what has launched this shop onto this list. The line is perpetually long (annoying, sure, but always a good sign) but as you wait in line you get to watch (and smell) the bagels being made. The bagels are always fresh and fluffy, and you have a nearly infinite menu of options for cream cheese and toppings, so this is the spot to get creative with your order.
Though some may turn their nose up at this establishment as “trendy” we personally love being able to participate in the fads, and Tompkins does options like dairy-free cream cheese like no other. After you receive your deliciously inviting and piping hot bagel, it’s a short walk to Tompkins Square Park, to be enjoyed in the sunshine.
Locations: Midtown West, Midtown East, Jackson Heights
Liberty 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.
Liberty Bagels is always the starting point on our Classic Bagel Tour. Book a spot on the tour to skip the line and try several of Liberty’s amazing bagels.
Locations: Park Slope, Crown Heights, Sunset Park, Chelsea, West Village
Spanning across multiple neighborhoods in both Brooklyn and Manhattan, Bagel Pub provides a dizzying range of choices in both flavor of bagel and cream cheese. In addition to bagels, they offer the breakfast version of a 3 course meal, with an extensive menu of deli sandwiches, fresh juices and of course, coffee. Their interiors are bright and clean, but aren’t overly trendy. True bagel enthusiasts can identify Bagel Pub from their simply by their signature mountains of cream cheese.
Location: Harlem
Bo’s is Harlem’s best bagel shop by a country mile. Their bagels have a perfect crust, density and doughiness, and are some of the best-seasoned on this list. The crust is seriously worth rehashing: crackly, crunchy and just the right amount of singed. Double-sided toppings balance a creamy and perfectly proportioned schmear. Bo’s earned a spot on Food & Wine’s Best Bagels In America - we don’t disagree!
Location: Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Astoria
Fun Fact! Despite its name, there are actually no locations in Brooklyn. Spread throughout Astoria and Manhattan, this establishment has made a name for itself and, like many other spots on this list, has a consistent line out the door. One patron claims that this is “the place that first made me fall in love with bagels” - as glowing of a review as you could possibly hope for.
These bagels are large and airy, the perfect size for a loaded Bacon, Egg and Cheese (saltpepperketchup). For those not looking to enter into an immediate food coma, they also have mini bagels. Found in Chelsea and just north of Washington Square Park, this is another shop where you can take your bagel on a short walk and enjoy it picnic-style in the fresh air.
Locations: Soho
Baz Bagel, like the name suggests, is a spunky little spot. Baz opened in 2014 when owner Bari Musacchio (also a partner in the excellent pizza spot Rubirosa) decided that SoHo, needed its own bagel spot. Baz's hand-rolled bagels, which are kettle-boiled, seeded and baked fresh on-site, have earned Baz a reputation as one of the best shops in NYC. Signature bagels to try out are the pumpernickel everything, which is a tangy, funky, and savory delight, as well as their fun rainbow bagels!
Location: Midtown West
Right down the street from Liberty’s Bagel is Best Bagel- which has its own approach to bagel making. While Liberty's Bagels is zesty, lively, if not a little chaotic, Best Bagels is simple and thoughtful. A peaceful endeavor in a city as bustling and chaotic as NYC, and they uphold it well. Using all natural ingredients, with reasonable prices and a great cup of coffee to pair with your bagel, this shop is a little oasis in the craziness of midtown Manhattan.
Actions speak louder than words and Best Bagel is truly thoughtful, with tons of dairy free options for those that enjoy a bagel piled high with cream cheese, but can’t usually partake. Gargantuan and fluffy, finishing a whole bagel is no small feat, and you definitely get bang for your buck. We would especially recommend their egg bagel and their garlic bagel: while both these flavors are usually bold choices, at Best Bagel they are subtle, fluffy, and delicious.
Locations: Lower East Side, Hudson Yards, Upper East Side
Kossar's Bagels and Bialys is the oldest operating bialy bakery in US. This Lower East Side stalwart has been making bialys and other baked treats since 1936. They use traditional ingredients and flavors, and all the classics are done right.
You should probably try a bialy while you're here. Bialys, the "cousin" to the bagel, are a bread that originated in the Bialystok, Poland. They are made of a similar ingredients, but the dough isnt' boiled before it's baked. Flavors usually include plain, onion, and garlic. We like to describe them as a "Jewish english muffin." While you should never have to toast a fresh bagel, you should always toast a bialy unless it's really fresh (like within 20min fresh).
One other non-bagel item to try here is the babkah french toast. A rich and decadent treat, this french toast infused with chocalate melts in your mouth.
Locations: Kip’s Bay
This small space gives “hidden gem, hole in the wall” vibes. If you can avoid the hungover weekend crowd, we would, but if you can't (or are a part of the weekend hungover crowd) don’t worry, the line moves fast. While the everything seasoning can be a little skimpy, which is usually a pet peeve, they do not skimp on the bacon on an BEC - a fair trade off. We recommend the House Special (capers, red onion, tomatoes, cream cheese, and lox on an everything bagel) as well as the Garlic Bagel and its crunchy little garlic bits. With chewy bagels packed with flavor, it’s hard to go wrong at Bagels & Schmear.
Locations: Stuyvesant Town
David’s Bagels are goliath sized. These bagels are enormous and springy, this is the place to go if you want a little more bang for your buck. It has a classic New York energy: a little scruffy, perhaps, but efficient, quick, and they serve you generous portions. This wouldn’t be the spot to find trends or fads, it sticks to the classics and does them well. They’ll heap your giant bagel up with schmear and you’ll be full for a whole day.
Locations: Tribeca, Financial District, Chelsea, Flatiron, Grand Central, Bryant Park, Upper West Side
Zucker’s Bagels are bagels by the people, for the people. Owned by longtime friends and lifelong New Yorkers, Zucker's claims to fame goes beyond their excellent bagels. Ok YES the bagels are chewy and doughy and delicious with a golden brown exterior and a covering of seeds that is generous, to say the least.
But Zucker’s takes more than its bagels seriously - it takes its dedication to their community seriously as well. Zucker’s uses environmentally friendly packaging, delivers food by bicycle, and has supported a number of school and sports teams. Zuckers also paired with The Bowery Mission, and donates 500 bagel breakfasts on a daily basis, totaling approximately 180,000 meals per year. You can feel good knowing that ordering your favorite breakfast sandwich is also giving back to the community.
Locations: Nolita, East Village, Nomad, Rockefeller Center, Chelsea, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill, Bushwick, Battery Park City
Baked in wood-fired ovens and tossed into piles of steaming hot fresh bagels, Black Seed is one of the most unique bagels in New York City. Bringing in the style of our closest neighbor to the north, Montreal, the bagels are boiled in honey water for a touch of sweetness. While many New York Bagels are large, savory and chewy, Black Seed’s are small, sweet, and unassuming. However, don't be lulled into a false sense of security due their size and sweet nature: Black Seed crafts them into killer sandwiches that leave you wanting more. We highly recommend the pastrami, egg and cheese, a slight deviation from a classic, and it absolutely melts in your mouth.
Locations: Lower East Side, Brooklyn Navy Yard
The Russ family tradition of bringing excellent food to the Lower East Side has been in full swing for over a century, and has a rich history of making a name for itself. Currently in the hands of a fourth generation of Russes, there is a quality and attention to detail that can only be found after a century of honing a skill. The bagels are on the smaller side, but getting a Russ & Daughters bagel with lox or whitefish is a unique and scrumptious experience.
Locations: Financial District
Leo’s Bagels boasts hand rolled and delectable bagels in many varieties, perfectly suited to those hopping on the ferry, before heading into work in FiDi, or about to stroll around the seaport. The closest bagel shop to Wall Street, this shop fuels the bedrock of America's financial system.
Locations: Soho
You won’t be waiting on lines out the door, or shouting your order over a cacophony of other patrons at Sadelle’s. Already established for its excellent Jewish fare, at Sadelles you can sit down, and bagels are often brought out on majestically stacked trays. The bagels here are as much of an aesthetic experience as a culinary one, and feeling relaxed and at ease in a bagel establishment is a unique experience in itself.
Locations: Essex Market, East Village, Greenwhich Village
Davidovich is a wholesaler with a few retail locations across the city. At first glance, they are small and somewhat humble. However, their bagels' unique texture and flavoring, along with delicious coffee on site, set them apart and make for a fantastic way to start the day. They are also one of the hip spots that have a rainbow bagel for those looking to infuse some whimsy into their breakfast. These bagels are stacked high with cream cheese, and their breakfast sandwiches come with hashbrowns- a real crowd pleaser. This shop is a great staple for those who find themselves on the LES.
Book an nyc bagel tour
Join us on a journey through the bustling streets of New York City, sampling some of the best bagels the city has to offer. Your guide, Sam Silverman, will lead you to hidden gems and beloved local spots, giving you the inside scoop on the history and culture of the bagel in New York City.
