Yep, there’s an actual bagel war going on in NYC right now with heated curbside debates breaking out around which is truly king when it comes to the humble breakfast staple. And while you can probably find a bagel on the menu of every corner deli in Manhattan and beyond, here are our top favourite bagel joints in the city that are guaranteed to satisfy your tastebuds straight from a New York local.
So how do we choose what goes on our best list? Our Manhattan gal on the ground is working over-time sampling far and wide to bring you the hottest new openings and undisputed classics that leave all the other bagels for dead, constantly updating the picks so you can experience the every best of the city.
And so, without further ado, here’s our 12 must-visit bagel spots to try on your next trip to New York City in 2026.
Appolo Bagels
242 E 10th St, East Village, Manhattan
73 Greenwich Ave, West Village, Manhattan
New to the NYC bagel scene but already making waves, Apollo Bagels is quickly becoming a must-visit for any bagel aficionado. Known for their perfectly chewy texture, hand-rolled process, Apollo stands out for its innovative yet simple take on bagels. For something a bit different, try a butter and jam combo, or cream cheese and tomato. Or, if you’re more of a clasic bagel goer, the bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, caper, red onion and dill is a symphonic masterpiece of flavours you know and love. The perfect addition to your bagel bucket list.
Image credit: Apollo Bagels
Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, Lower East Side, Manhattan
A New York institution and one of the most iconic Jewish delis in the city, Russ & Daughters has been serving traditional Jewish specialties since 1914. Located on the Lower East Side, this spot is renowned for its expertly crafted bagels, smoked fish, and cream cheese spreads. A must-try is their classic bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers, and red onion—a timeless favorite that encapsulates authentic New York Jewish deli fare. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a ticket!
Image credit: Russ & Daughters | Website
Tompkins Square Bagels
Various Locations
Located in the heart of the East Village, Tompkins Square Bagels is known for its wide array of inventive flavors and toppings. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic everything bagel or feeling adventurous with a birthday cake cream cheese spread, they’ve got you covered. PS: word on the street is that this is Timothee Chalamet’s favourite bagel joint.
Image credit: Tompkins Square Bagels | Website
Popup Bagels
177 Thompson St, New York
As the name suggests, Popup Bagels brings a fresh and exciting twist to the bagel scene with its rotating menu of seasonal flavors and pop-up locations across the city. They do fun, crazy collaborations with a ton of brands, the latest ones include a caviar bagel collab with Caviar Kaspia and a beer-infused bagel one with Blue Moon.
Image credit: Popup Bagels | Instagram
Brooklyn Bagels & Co
286 8th Ave, New York
Bringing a taste of Brooklyn to Manhattan and Queens, Brooklyn Bagels & Co serves up classic New York-style bagels that are hand-rolled and freshly baked every day. With a wide selection of traditional and specialty cream cheeses, as well as hearty breakfast sandwiches, it’s no wonder this cozy neighborhood spot is a local favourite. They have a total of five locations throughout Manhattan and Queens.
Image credit: Brooklyn Bagels & Co | Instagram
Bagel Pub
Various Locations
Originally from Brooklyn, Bagel Pub is a beloved neighborhood institution known for its thick doughy bagels and generous portions. If you’re feeling adventurous, they have a selection of fun flavored cream cheese options, from zataar, jalapeno cheddar, to nutella cream.
Image credit: Bagel Pub | Instagram
Ess-A-Bagel
Various Locations
A New York institution since 1976, Ess-A-Bagel is famous for its oversized, hand-rolled bagels and mouthwatering array of spreads and toppings. Whether you prefer a classic plain bagel with lox and cream cheese or a hearty egg sandwich on an everything bagel, you can’t go wrong with any order here.
Image credit: Ess-A-Bagel | Instagram
Murray’s Bagels
500 6th Ave, New York
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Murray’s Bagels has been serving up some of the city’s best hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels for over 28 years. With a commitment to quality and tradition, they use only the finest ingredients and time-honored techniques to create their deliciously chewy bagels.
Image credit: Murray’s Bagels | Instagram
H&H Bagels
1551 2nd Ave, New York
A New York institution since 1972, H&H Bagels is renowned for its classic, no-frills approach to bagel-making. Using a time-honored recipe and the finest ingredients, they produce some of the city’s most iconic and beloved bagels. Whether you prefer a plain bagel with a schmear of cream cheese or a hearty sandwich piled high with your favorite toppings, you can always count on H&H for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Image credit: H&H Bagels | Instagram
Black Seed Bagels
252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn
With its Montreal-inspired bagels and inventive flavor combinations, Black Seed Bagels has quickly become a favorite among New Yorkers in search of something a little different. Their wood-fired, hand-rolled bagels are smaller, sweeter, and denser than the traditional New York variety, making them the perfect canvas for their creative toppings and spreads.
Image credit: Black Seed Bagels | Instagram
Baz Bagel
181 Grand St, New York
Located in the heart of Little Italy, Baz Bagel puts a modern twist on the classic New York bagel shop with its inventive flavors and stylish decor. From the savory everything bagel topped with scallion cream cheese to the sweet cinnamon raisin bagel slathered in Nutella, there’s something for everyone on the menu. If you’re not in the mood for bagels, they also serve a variety of traditional Jewish breakfast items like latkes, lox, and challah.
Image credit: Baz Bagel | Instagram
Utopia Bagels
Various Locations
An utterly essential New York bagel shop since the ‘80s, Utopia Bagels built its cult following in Whitestone, Queens long before expanding into Manhattan and Long Island. The bagels are everything you want—properly chewy, generously sized and unapologetically classic. But let’s talk about the real headline act: the cream cheeses. They’ve got serious street cred for a reason, with flavours that go well beyond the standard schmear. Do yourself a favour and order the Oreo cream cheese at least once—it’s full-on, in the best possible way.
Yes, there’ll probably be a line. And yes, it’s worth it. It moves fast, and you’ll be clutching your still-warm bagel before you know it.
Image credit: Utopia Bagels| Instagram
Liberty Bagels
Various Locations
Fresh, hand-rolled and baked daily, Liberty Bagels has firmly cemented itself in NYC’s bagel conversation—thanks in no small part to its wildly photogenic rainbow bagel. Yes, it’s colourful. Yes, it’s all over your feed. And yes, it actually tastes good too.
They lean into the fun with seasonal specials (hello, Valentine’s Day red velvet cream cheese), but it’s not all novelty here. The classics hold their own, with generously sized bagels and seriously loaded schmears. If you’ve got a purist in tow, the garlic cream cheese is a quiet overachiever and well worth the order.
Image credit: Liberty Bagels | Facebook
Between The Bagel
31-13 30th Ave, Astoria, Queens
This is where you go when you want your bagel anything but traditional. Between The Bagel is serving up big, fluffy rounds stacked high with Korean-inspired fillings that have earned a cult following well beyond Astoria. Think Seoul meets NYC breakfast counter.
The beef bulgogi egg and cheese is the order—sweet, savoury, messy in the best way—and yes, people genuinely line up for it. The owner is a local legend, the energy is infectious, and the combinations are bold without feeling gimmicky.
Image credit: Between the Bagel | Instagram
Frankel’s Delicatessen
631 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn
Frankel’s is the real-deal New York deli—no gimmicks, no fuss, just outrageously good bagels and smoked meats done properly.
The order? Pastrami salmon with scallion cream cheese and dill cucumber on a pumpernickel bagel. It’s salty, herby, smoky and perfectly balanced—basically everything you want from a bagel, dialled all the way up.
Opened in 2016 by Greenpoint locals Zach Frankel and Taylor McEwan, the spot channels old-school deli energy with a modern Brooklyn polish. Beyond the bagels, there’s hot pastrami, stacked breakfast sandwiches and all the smoked fish your heart could want—but honestly, once you’ve had that pumpernickel situation, it’s hard to stray.
Image credit: Frankel’s | Instagram
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