Bagels are one of the most iconic foods to try in New York City. The best bagels in New York City are found in old school delis & appetizing stores as well as in new, dedicated bagel shops. I didn’t even like bagels before I tried them in New York, but after I moved to New York City I got hooked! I’ve rounded up the best bagels in New York City, so that on your next visit to New York you can make a beeline straight for the Big Apple’s best bagels. You can find the best bagels in NYC all over Manhattan and Brooklyn, so no matter your plans you’ll be able to swing a side trip to one of these spots.

A brief history of bagels in NYC

Like so many quintessential American dishes, bagels have Eastern European, specifically Jewish, roots. Ashkenazi Jews brought bagels to New York City in the 19th century, when they fled Poland and Eastern Europe. Jewish immigrants moved to New York City in several waves throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Most Jewish immigrants settled on the Lower East Side, which is still considered one of the most historic Jewish neighborhoods in the city. Over time, the original Polish bagel has adapted to result in the unique New York City bagel of today.

When the garment industry moved from the Lower East Side to Midtown West, many Jewish families move to the Upper West Side, which is nearby. The Upper West Side is still an important Jewish neighbourhood, and has many classic Jewish delis.

Before bagels arrived in New York, the earliest versions can be traced back to 16th century Poland. Some say they came to Poland by way of German immigrants, whose pretzels morphed into bagels. Some say they came from Viennese bakers. Other insist they were born out of necessity, when medieval law only let Jewish bakers sell bread that had been boiled.

Regardless of what the truth is, the bagel evolved once it arrived in New York City into the unique product it is today.

1. Ess-A-Bagel

Ess-A-Bagel does the best bagels in New York City. Founded in 1976, Ess-A-Bagel has stood test of time and is widely regarded as some of the city’s best bagels. They’re also some of the biggest bagels in the city, so David & I usually share one between the two of us. When we first arrived in New York, we had a temporary apartment in Midtown Manhattan, and it was my first breakfast in New York City. They also have a second location near Herald Square and Penn Station – another sad part of town, saved by a giant bagel.

2. Russ & Daughters

Russ & Daughters is a New York City institution. The appetizing store on the Lower East Side has been in its current location on the Lower East Side for more than 100 years and is the first known business in the USA with “& Daughters” in its name. Russ & Daughters is known for having some of the best bagels in New York City, and is also one of the last “appetizing stores” in the city. An appetizing store sells fish and dairy, and basically everything that you’d need to load up a bagel with! Appetizing stores developed as a response to Jewish dietary laws, which dictated that meat & dairy products must be sold separately. Stores selling cured meats and pickles became known as delis, and stores selling fish & dairy became appetizing stores. Today, Russ & Daughters Cafe next door to the original appetizing store, offers visitors a place to sit down and enjoy one of the best bagels in the city.

3. Tompkins Square Bagel

Tompkins Square Bagels came to the rescue on a long day of apartment hunting in New York City. I wondered if they tasted so good just because I was so hungry and exhausted, but further investigation has proved that they’re actually something special. It’s an unassuming, true neighbourhood joint, and they churn out some of New York City’s best bagels. The beauty of Tompkins Square Bagels is that it’s off the tourist trail, despite being a local legend. It’s also opposite Tompkins Square Park in East Village, so you can take your bagel to-go for a picnic.

Every time I go, I always swear that next time I’m going to try one of their sweet varieties, like the blueberry bagel or the sweet potato cream cheese. I haven’t yet been able to pass up a classic nova salmon bagel, but maybe next time!

4. Black Seed Bagels

Black Seed Bagels in Nolita dares to do what so few have done successfully before: break the bagel rules. Black Seed Bagels are a hybrid between Montreal and New York style bagels, in partnership between Montrealer Noah Bernamoff and New Yorker Matt Kliegman. Montreal has it’s own strong bagel culture, where recipes use no salt, and instead, sugar. Black Seed Bagels use traditional New York bagel dough, boil it in honey water & bake in a wood burning oven, per Montreal tradition.

Despite only opening in 2014, Black Seed Bagels are regarded as some of the best bagels in New York City, and they’re easily one of my favourites. Grab a bagel from the Nolita store & then take it to nearby Elizabeth Street Garden for an impromptu picnic. If you need coffee as well, pick this up first from Bluestone Lane or Cafe Integral, both nearby.

5. Shelsky’s of Brooklyn

Brooklyn was once dotted with Appetizing & Delicatessens, the homes of traditional Jewish cuisine. Over the 20th century, these spots all but disappeared. Shelsky’s of Brooklyn in Cobble Hill is a new Appetizing & Delicatessen that aims to bring the best bagels in New York City back to Brooklyn. They’ve got more 30 styles of smoked fish, as well as other traditional Jewish baked foods like bialys and pastrami on rye. Cobble Hill is one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Brooklyn, so it’s worth making a detour and spending some time exploring the area!

6. Baz Bagel

Baz Bagel in Little Italy is owned by Bari Musacchio, whose family is Italian and Jewish. The Italian side of her family lived on Mulberry Street in Little Italy and the Jewish side of her family lived on the nearby Lower East Side. Baz Bagel is new, but with an adorable soda fountain-meets-diner decor. They make some of the best bagels in New York City, with recipes passed down through the generations. Other classic Jewish dishes you’ll find include latkes, chicken soup and kasha varnishkes. They also make room for innovation, with their Baz Original Bagel Sandwiches.

I love going to Baz, particulary pre-pandemic when I could dine in. I took my whole family here for bagels when they visited from Australia!

7. Zuckers Bagels & Fish

Zuckers Bagels & Fish has six locations around New York City, but you can’t beat the one on the Upper West Side, for bagels near Central Park. Zucker’s Bagels offers several smoked fish varieties, and is the perfect spot for a classic NYC bagel – smoked salmon, red onion, capers, tomato and a schmear of cream cheese. Heaven!

How to order the best bagel in NYC

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to bagels, but my tried and true favourite is an Everything Bagel with with nova salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onion & capers. Nearly every bagel shop offers this combination. An Everything Bagel is a bagel that uses lots of popular bagel toppings, such including poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion and garlic flakes, pretzel salt and pepper.

For an old school topping, try a bagel with lox & a schmear, AKA brined salmon & cream cheese. The Lox & Schmear combo was born in the 1930s, as a kosher alternative to Eggs Benedict, which was also invented in New York City. Be warned, lox is not the same as smoked salmon (nova). Lox is just brined, not smoked, so it’s a lot saltier.

Have you tried a New York City bagel? Which is your favourite?