Top 100 Bagel Shops in New York 2024

From Manhattan and Brooklyn to all across the state, here are New Yorkers' favorite places for a great bagel and schmear

Maybe it's the water, or centuries-old baking techniques,but there's no place on earth boasting a higher concentration of outstanding bagels than New York-with Manhattan and Brooklyn as epicenters. While it's possible to find great bagels across America, discovering the perfect, New York-made round is near the top of every Empire Stater's bucket list. Not surprisingly, New York is the top state for bagel searches on Yelp.*

Our first-ever compilation of New York's Top 100 Bagel Shops will guide you to the best of the best. From decades-old shops to viral newcomers and post-pandemic pop-ups, these bagel spots are drawing crowds for expertly crafted dough rings that are enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too!

Get the Top 100 Bagel Shops in New York list to go: Follow the Collection.

Here are some of the trends we found this year:

Basics and beyond.While spots like Apollo Bagels (#8) choose to focus on a few classic bagel varieties-plain, sesame, and Everything-other shops are shaking things up. Liberty Bagels (#2), for one, is known for its festive Rainbow Bagel featuring all 7 colors of the spectrum. Between the Bagel (#4), on the other hand, pushes culinary boundaries with its Korean-inspired Seoul Meets Bagel, which is stuffed with bulgogi and kimchi. (They're part of a trend: Nationally, searches on Yelp for Korean bagels have increased 181% year-over-year.**)

Savoring the spreads. Tradition dictates a schmear-the Yiddish term for "spread" (typically cream cheese)-on every bagel. These days, schmears can be almost anything spreadable, from vegan concoctions to savory or sweet flavors (Liberty Bagels' Birthday Cake spread, anyone?).

Don't scoop here. The West Coast "scooped" trend-removing interior dough from a fresh bagel to cut calories and reduce spread "squish"-is not a New York thing, so don't even think of asking for it at most places on our list. In fact, our #1 pick, PopUp Bagels, only sells whole, unsliced bagels and spreads by the container; fans in the know dip torn bagel pieces directly into the cream cheese.

Worth the wait.You can skip the block-long queues at many of these top spots by pre-ordering online. But really, isn't waiting in line (and complaining about it) part of the classic New York bagel experience?

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Did your favorite place make it into the Top 100 Bagel Shops in New York? Let us know on Instagram and TikTok with #YelpTop100. Remember, we only know how good a spot is if you take the time to review it. So share your thoughts on Yelp, and maybe your favorites will be on a future list!

How we did it: This is an all-time list of the top bagel shopsin New York state, according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the bagels category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of August 5, 2024. If a business with multiple locations appeared more than once on the list, we kept the highest-ranked location.

On weekends, bakers at this Greenwich Village hotspot churn out fresh bagels every 6 minutes."The longer the line, the hotter the bagel!" says founder and Chief Brand Officer Adam Goldberg, who started handing out bagels from his Connecticut kitchen during the pandemic and rose to near-instant fame with his NYC brand. PopUp now has 11 locations across New York and New England, and its popularity is rising. Searches in New York for PopUp Bagels have increased a whopping 2,751% on Yelp year-over-year.**

The line moves "extremely fast " because there are no special orders or sandwiches here-you can't even get your bagel sliced. Instead, customers "rip and dip"-tearing off a chunk of the "hot and fresh [bagel] with crispy exterior and chewy interior," then using it to scoop house-made schmears from an 8-ounce container. The menu includes just 5 bagel flavors, alongside plain and scallion cream cheese, as well as special schmears like Sweet Basil or Cacio e Pepe Butter. Minimum order is 3 bagels with 1 schmear, so bring a couple of friends.

Yelpers say:"I was worried this place would be overhyped, but these are the best bagels I've ever had! And all of the staff are super-friendly. The salt bagels with the schmear were amazing! Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. 10/10 recommend!" -Yelp EliteElliana T.

Find more bagels in New York City, New York.

The Rainbow Bagel, featuring all 7 colors of the spectrum (and free on birthdays), is Liberty's claim to social-media fame. "We focus on making those bagels beautiful-it's really an art," says owner Victor Mejia, who has been crafting bagels to perfection for 35+ years. Customers typically order Rainbow Bagels with the popular Birthday Cake cream cheese, which is "super creamy, with sprinkles and just the right amount of sweetness." Or choose from more than 25 scratch-made schmear flavors daily.

Yelpers also flock here for the shop's other "tasty, soft, just perfect" bagels with "great chew"-hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, then baked throughout the day to meet demand. Popular flavors include the Everything Bagel and Victor's favorite, the Jalapeno Cheddar Everything, dotted with fresh serrano peppers and cheddar powder (with seasonings on both top and bottom). "My bakers are probably the best in the city," says Victor, who opened this shop near Penn Station in 2018 with partner Alex Vithoulkas (the pair run 3 other New York-area locations). Don't be discouraged by the line. Fans note that "these workers move fast," usually with a smile.

Yelpers say:"Best bagels I've ever had, OMG. Worth the wait for sure! Perfectly crusty and chewy bagels, generous heaps of cream cheese, tons of classic and unique sandwich options. I'm craving a NY bagel as I write this review. This location is very small, so be prepared. The seating is mostly [a] counter…facing the walls." -Yelp EliteMichelle Z.

Naming your shop "best bagel" in the Big Apple is really throwing down the gauntlet. Yet this popular spot has earned customers' love with "massive," hand-rolled, "fluffy and delicious< /a>" bagels and "stuffed-to-the-brim" specialty sandwiches, advertised on photos hanging from the ceiling. "The real secret is consistency," says Manager Mikey Ji.

Bakers here churn out 2,000 to 3,000 bagels daily, with choices like Blueberry, Cinnamon Raisin, and Everything topping the most-popular list. The flavored cream cheese lineup includes mashups like Wasabi, which fans call "heaven, a good little kick with the salty salmon," and Avocado Lime (which Mikey recommends with the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich). All are hand-mixed, resulting in a perfectly fresh schmear for your bagel.

Yelpers say:"Worth the hype! Deciding what to order was a bit overwhelming, since the options were endless and the line moved very quickly. The bagels were massive and fresh, with the perfect dough consistency. The proportions of everything inside my bagel were perfect, and I could only finish half of it in one sitting. Highly recommend!" -Yelp EliteAllie G.

This Astoria shop's Korean spin on bagel sandwichesis sheer kismet.Bagel lovers everywhere come for the signature Seoul Meets Bagel, or SMB as it's affectionately known. The classic egg-and-cheese bagel is bursting with bulgogi (Korean-style marinated beef ribeye), sauteed kimchi (for "punch and crunch"), and gochujang mayo (flavored with the sweet-spicy Korean chili paste).

Owner Ben Suh never intended to become a bagel baker. When the pandemic halted plans to convert a bagel place into a rotisserie chicken shop, Ben and team decided to explore the equipment left onsite. "We had nothing to do but clean the store and eat lunch," he recalls. A best-sandwich competition among the staff gave birth to the now legendary SMB-and crowd faves like the DAPS (Dank A$# Pork Sandwich) with spicy pork, mozzarella, grilled onions, and grilled jalapenos. Weekend waits can reach 45 minutes (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are quieter), but they rarely sell out. "We usually over-order" meats, Ben says, and leftovers are donated or offered on Too Good To Go, an app connecting consumers with surplus food.

Yelpers say:"We took a 1-hour-plus subway [ride] to Astoria for their famous Korean-inspired bagel, and it truly lived up to its hype. Not only is the food delicious, but also this is the kindest bagel shop ever. My boyfriend said [the SMB] is the best bagel sandwich he has had. One sandwich can fill up 2 grown people." -Yelp EliteRuby C.

Find more bagels in Astoria, Queens.

Great bagels were hard to find in upstate New York until partners Luke Esposito and Meg Dellas opened this popular Syracuse shop in 2018. Now, the scent of its wood-fired oven wafting for blocks is a testimony to Water Street's success. Locals have crowned it "the best bagels in the city," and "university students from all over the world clamor for [these] amazing gems." "I wanted to bring something to Syracuse that wasn't here," says Meg, who was born into the restaurant industry. Her great-grandfather foundedVarsity Pizza, which is still going strong after nearly 100 years, and her dad opened nearbyFaegan's Cafe & Pub.

Water Street's secret? A long cold proof (when the dough rests and rises), which develops the bagel's flavor before boiling and baking. Arrive early for the popular Spicy Everything Bagel and Rosemary Salt Bagel (with fresh rosemary mixed in the dough), which sell out quickly. Tip from Meg: "If you show up on Sundays at close, there might be some bagels you get to take home, since we are closed Mondays."

Yelpers say:"My favorite bagels in Syracuse. The outside [is] crusty and the inside [is] chewy. There's a great selection of bagels; Rosemary Salt is amazing. Their homemade cream cheese spreads are full of flavor. They get very busy at times, especially weekends, but have a great system and everyone is friendly and helpful." -Yelp EliteErica O.

At this 110-year-old smoked-fishinstitution, the decision to start making bagels was all about preserving culinary history. "We developed the recipe to stay true to the traditional New York bagel, which has been increasingly hard to find," says Emily Cintron, a spokesperson for the iconic Lower East Side shop. The Russ & Daughters version takes a full 24 hours to make-from mixing, proofing, and boiling the dough in water with malt syrup (to yield a crispy exterior), to baking on burlap-covered wooden planks.

Fourth-generation owners (and cousins) Josh Russ Tupper and Niki Russ Federman guard tradition carefully-the "chewy but fluffy" bagels are classic size, and you won't find a rainbow, blueberry, or asiago-flavored one among the 5,000 baked daily. You will find the perfect toppings, though-everything from lox sliced "fresh off the fish" and pickled herring to Horseradish-Dill Cream Cheese and Vegan Scallion Cream Cheese. "They move the line quickly-remember to grab a ticket when you come in!" recommends Yelp EliteDayna G. There are now 4 New York locations, including one that opened in 2023 at Hudson Yards.

Yelpers say:"To understand how a slab of smoked salmon lying across a bagel became the symbol for an entire city, you have to come to Russ & Daughters. The fish, salads, and shmears are lovingly arranged and meticulously labeled inside the old-fashioned glass cases, with an expert staff happy to act as docents in this museum of Eastern European Jewish cuisine. This is the place to pick up an unforgettable brunch spread or the quintessential bagel sandwich." -Yelp EliteJason S.

This cash-only Upper West Sidefixture still draws bagel-loving throngs after more than 30 years. Staff is "friendly and manages crowds well" from behind a counter, where a giant kettle boils the puffy bagels before they hit the oven. The result? An ideal texture that's "perfectly crisp on the outside with a delicious, warm, chewy inside."

Thailand-born, London-educated owner Sam Thongkrieng honed his bagelmaking craft at New York shops like Ess-a-Bagel (#10 on this year's list) before opening his own place. These days, you may encounter a weekend line up to "30 minutes" (less on weekdays), but according to fans, "it is worth it."

Yelpers say:"Their bagels have a thin, shiny, crackly crust. It's dense and chewy but tender and easy to bite through, the perfect texture. The Egg Bagel was amazing, and Blueberry Cream Cheese was rich and fruity. The Everything Bagel was a flavor bomb with its malty base and generous toppings. The bacon, eggs, and cheese inside [my sandwich] complemented the bagel well." -Yelp Elite Jennifer H.

After hosting pop-ups from Paris to Ibiza,this wildly popular Brooklyn bagel brand opened an East Village spot this spring, and a West Village location in August. Bucking the tradition of many New York bagel shops, Apollo uses a sourdough base that creates a "chewy, salty deliciousness." Yelpers who crave these unique creations wait patiently in "notoriously long< /span>" lines that they assure are "absolutely worth it."

A pandemic project of partners Joey Scalabrino and Mike Fadem, who also operate Brooklyn pizzeriaLeo, the shop offers just 3 "perfectly crispy and fluffy " bagels-plain, sesame, and seed-crusted Everything-as well as 6 open-faced bagel sandwiches. Fans rave about a "lox bagel worth the hype," and a "5-sta r" tomato-and-cream-cheese sandwich with seasonings that make "the tomato taste like magic," according to Yelp Elite Mona N.

Yelpers say:"These bagels are good, great even. Crunchy around the edges, soft and chewy toward the center. Not too dense, with a smoky charred flavor from the oven. The crusty, craggy texture of it reminded me very much of a sourdough boule. It's not your classic New York bagel, but it is absolutely worth the wait to sink your teeth into." -Yelp EliteMichelle C.

With 18 bagel flavors and 10 spreads,this upstate New York shop (and its sister cafe on Utica's west side of town) has locals and visitors lining up for "plu mp" rounds that are "crispy outside [and] soft, fluffy, [and] fresh inside." Yelpers say they compare favorably with "all the best bagel places in NYC and New Jersey," which is no surprise, since owner Willie Rodriguez ran a bagel shop on Long Island for 17 years before opening his own spot in 2016. All of the bagels are made on site at this family business-and if you time it right, you can see the rounds sliding hot out of the oven.

The staff moves "extremely quic kly" to prepare a wide array of popular bagel sandwiches, including top-selling Mr. Willie's Philly Cheesesteak, packed with steak, onions, and peppers, and a "cheesy, saucy, crispy, and m elty" grilled Eggplant Parmesan bagel. The small spot has a few tables and plenty of parking, making it perfect for a "quick breakfast or lunch on the go."

Yelpers say:"Wow, wow, wow. The bagels were soft, chewy, and perfect. The best I've had in my life. I bought a dozen to take home, and I couldn't stop eating them. They were so addictive. The staff at Willie's were so friendly and helpful. They really care about their customers and their bagels." -Elizabeth L.

Find more bagels in Upstate New York.

This iconic shop produces 6,000 hand-rolled bagelsdaily, each with "a perfect balance of a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior." Second-generation owner Melanie Frost-niece of Florence and Gene Wilpon, who co-founded Ess-a-Bagel in 1976-says consistency is what keeps lines stretching out the door. "[The bagels are] large, filling, and, as we always say, made with love-something we believe you can truly taste," Melanie says.

While the shop stays true to its roots, with 12 bagel flavors and 14 special sandos-like the "generously st uffed" Signature Favorite packed with Nova lox and scallion cream cheese-it also dabbles in creativity. The 38-spread menu includes such palate pleasers as Red Velvet, Sun-Dried Tomato, Avocado Garlic, and tofu-based options. Look for unique collabs like the Banana Pudding Cream Cheese Bagel, based on Magnolia Bakery's famous dessert, which is now back by popular demand. Lines start forming around 7:30 am and can grow to "45-plus minutes." Regulars advise arriving at 2 pm when crowds thin out. There's also an Express Line for order pickups only.

Yelpers say: "Ess-a-Bagel is one of the best-known bagel shops in NYC, and for good reason. The bagels are always big, fresh, fluffy, and delicious. Cut and rolled by hand, it's Ess-a's chewy, crusty bagels that keep regulars coming back week after week (some since the day they opened) and visitors satisfied as they look for a true taste of New York. It's packed most times of the day, [with a] mix of tourists who heard it's the best bagel in the city and locals who deal with the crowds because it's that good." -Yelp Elite Jason S.

Find more bagels in Manhattan.

Hungry for more bagels? Check out the rest of Yelp's Top 100 Bagel Shops in New York, and remember to tell us what you thinkby tagging us on social media with #YelpTop100.

11. Bear's Cup, Bolton

12. Sunrise Bagel & Deli, Kingston

13. Bagels Santa Fe, East Meadow

14. Broad Nosh Bagels & Deli, Manhattan

15. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, Manhattan

16. Utopia Bagels, Whitestone, Queens

17. BTS - Bagel To Sandwich, Manhattan

18. Pio Bagel West, Manhattan

19. The Bagel Shop and Deli, Middletown

20. Brownstein's Deli and Bakery, Rochester

Find more bagels in Queens, New York.

21. Tompkins Square Bagels - 2nd Ave., Manhattan

22. Empire Bagels, Bronx

23. Mixtape Bushwick, Brooklyn

24. Tomi's Bites, Hopewell Junction

25. Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery, Buffalo

26.La Bagel Delight, Brooklyn

27. Bagel Train, Suffern

28. Bagel World, Brooklyn

29. DeWitt Bagel Co., DeWitt

30. The Bagel Emporium - Tarrytown, Tarrytown

Find more bagels in Westchester, New York.

31. Downtown Bagels, Middletown

32. Railroad Bagel Express, Babylon

33. Rico Bagel, Manhattan

34. Heaven's Hot Bagel, Manhattan

35. H & L Bagels, Brooklyn

36. Bagels & Schmear, Manhattan

37. Knickerbocker Bagel, Brooklyn

38. BO's Bagels, Manhattan

39. Baker's Dozen Bagels, Kew Gardens, Queens

40. NY Bagels & Cafe, Manhattan

Find more bagels in Brooklyn, New York.

41. Scarsdale Bagels, Scarsdale

42. Mike's Bagels, Manhattan

43. Country Hot Bagels, Northport

44. Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea, Saratoga Springs

45. NY Jumbo Bagels, Manhattan

46. Bagel Boy, Brooklyn

47. Broad Street Bagel, Kinderhook

48. Nyack Hot Bagels, Nyack

49. Bagelworks, Manhattan

50. Barney Greengrass, Manhattan

Find more bagels in the Bronx, New York.

51. Astoria Bagel Shop & Deli, Astoria, Queens

52. Zabar's, Manhattan

53. Broadway Bagel, Manhattan

54. New York City Bagel & Coffee House, Astoria, Queens

55. Pearl's Bagels & Bakery, Albany

56. The Bagel Emporium - Yorktown Heights, Yorktown Heights

57. Baked in Brooklyn Bakery Store, Brooklyn

58. Bagel Land, Rochester

59. Shelsky's of Brooklyn Appetizing & Delicatessen, Brooklyn

60. Wally's Bagels, North Babylon

Find more bagels in Long Island, New York.

61. Park Place Bagels, Bronxville

62. Bagel Market, Manhattan

63. Monticello Bagel, Monticello

64. Eastdale Ave Bagels, Poughkeepsie

65. Boardwalk Bagel, Atlantic Beach, Queens

66. JK Bakery, Flushing, Queens

67. Modern Bread and Bagel, Manhattan

68. Turnpike Bagels Deli & Bakery, Levittown

69. Toast & Roast Bagels and Coffee, Astoria, Queens

70. Rhinebeck Bagels & Cafe, Rhinebeck

Find more bagels in Schenectady, New York.

71. Glendale Bagels & Quality Deli, Glendale, Queens

72. Smith Street Bagels, Brooklyn

73. Bagel Parlor, Whitestone, Queens

74. H&H Bagels, Manhattan

75. Bagels & Bakes, Schenectady

76. Bagel Bob's, Manhattan

77. David's Bagels, Manhattan

78. Have-a-Bagel, Brooklyn

79. Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca

80. Lox of Bagels, Saugerties

Find more bagels in Flushing, Queens.

81. Goldberg's Famous Bagels & Deli, Yonkers

82. Zimi Bagel Café, Pearl River

83. Harrison Bagels, Harrison

84. Kossar's Bagels & Bialys, Manhattan

85. Bagel Plaza, Merrick

86. Hot Bagels, Brooklyn

87. Whitestone Bagel Factory, Whitestone, Queens

88. Bagel Bazaar, Brooklyn

89. Rockaway Bagels, Rockaway Park, Queens

90. Sam's Bagels, Brooklyn

Find more bagels in Buffalo, New York.

91. A&S Bagels, Franklin Square

92. Bagels on the Square, Manhattan

93. Bagels & Brew, Astoria, Queens

94. Bagels & More, New York

95. Bagel Oasis, Fresh Meadows, Queens

96. My Three Sons Bagel Cafe, Stewart Manor

97. Village Bagel, Syosset

98. Bergen Bagels, Brooklyn

99. Hot Bialys & Bagels, Forest Hills, Queens

100. Pantano's Doz Bagels, Garden City Park

Find more bagels in Albany, New York.

Yelp's Top 100 Bagel Shops in New York 2024 was written and reported by Jeanne O'Brien Coffey.

*Yelp analyzed the volume of consumer searches of the phrases mentioned between September 2023 and August 2024.

**Yelp analyzed the change in consumer searches of the phrases mentioned from August 2023 compared to August 2024. To compare the change in volume of a specific search query, we evaluated the number of times per million searches the query was entered.

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