A bagel may just be the simplest indulgence. Perhaps you take it with a cream cheese schmear or loaded with lox, capers and red onion. Either way, its chewiness on the inside and delicate crispness on the outside is pure bread heaven. These top bagel shops combine this deliciousness with a dollop of history and community, for your next feel-good meal.
The savory counterpart to another regional favorite – doughnuts – bagels reign supreme in the Northeast.
Connecticut
Norwalk
Sugar & Olives makes its signature bagels with its own rye flour-based sourdough starter that bubbles with active yeast as it rises on the counter during production. This natural leavening takes four days, creating nine fresh varieties. Pumpernickel caraway everything and cinnamon raisin are the newest flavors. Or try gluten-free with hot honey pistachio cream cheese for your morning kickstart.
Check out Sugar & Olives Diamond Dish recipe for Kale Ribbons With Miso Maple Dressing.
Greenwich
Since 1994, Upper Crust has kettle boiled and hearth baked more than 18 varieties of 5-ounce “bull style” bagels fresh daily, including weekly specialty bagels like apple walnut, pesto and sun-dried tomato. No matter how you slice it, its Beach Club sandwich makes a great lunch with turkey or roast beef, or try The Vegg, featuring a veggie burger with lettuce, tomato and Bermuda onion.
Massachusetts
Longmeadow
Do you like your bagel savory or sweet? This bagel shop makes both. Your little one might like peanut butter and jelly or Nutella on a plain bagel, while you might try something bolder, like the jalapeno cream cheese on a caraway bagel with notes of fennel. The egg and cheese breakfast sammy will satiate every taste bud. If you like it that much, take a dozen bagels with cream cheese to go.
North Reading
The turkey club is a popular choice at Beyond Bagels, a small but friendly bagel shop in North Reading. Also try the Lox Supreme with scallion bacon cream cheese. A dozen freshly-baked bagel flavors are the tastiest backdrop for hearty additions like these that satisfy the hungriest appetite for breakfast or lunch. Don’t forget an espresso or chai. Cash only.
New Jersey
Robbinsville Twp.
Start with Bagels n’ Cream’s famed egg bagel and you have nowhere to go but up. Hot out of the oven, it’s the perfect blank slate for the nearly 50 custom breakfast and lunch sandwiches served at this independent bakery. Pumpernickel rye is also a crowd pleaser, or try the biali to kick up the flavor profile. Fresh roasted coffee, as well as baklava for dessert, make this a one-stop shop. If you can’t make it in person, order online for delivery.
Boonton Bagels and Gourmet Deli
Boonton
There’s just something about the Nova Scotia lox and cream cheese at Boonton Bagels that makes use smile with anticipation. Perhaps it’s because it crafts custom bagel sandwiches with the freshest ingredients. Try the Italian egg sandwich with peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, or any of its specialty sandwiches like the Michael Jordan (corned beef and pastrami with coleslaw and Russian Dressing) or the Jennifer Lopez (roast beef, lettuce, tomato and Russian dressing).
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Serving traditional sourdough bagels and lox for more than 100 years, Russ & Daughters was founded by a Polish immigrant selling herring from barrels in 1908. His three daughters helped it grow to an appetizing store, selling the best bagels and their accompaniments. Now operated by fourth generation cousins, Russ & Daughters and its Orchard Street café remain must-visit foodie destinations. Try the Yum Kippered (baked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel) or the whitefish salad for Russ family recipes, and make sure you take some to go.
Southampton
Since 1949, Goldberg’s has dominated New York’s bagel heritage, from Brooklyn and Queens to Long Island. Four generations later, its 14 flavors of freshly baked bagels include sesame, pumpernickel and egg everything, as well as 13 cream cheese varieties and add-ons like hash browns, tomato and lox. Its extensive menu includes a host of specialty breakfast and lunch sandwiches, so every picky eater will find something tempting to nosh.
Rhode Island
Providence
Founded by a chemical engineer-turned baker, Rebelle Artisan Bagels hand rolls then cold ferments every bagel. They’re bathed in brewer’s grade malted barley, dipped in poppy seeds, sesame seeds or the house-blended everything mix, then baked on soaked cedar planks in a 24-hour process that elicits crispy yet chewy perfection. Try the house-made whitefish salad or house-cured lox on a pretzel bagel with Avi’s Pickles, then take home a signature pop tart and a half-dozen everything.
Newport
Rhode Island’s newest and most secret bagel shop doesn’t have its own storefront – yet. Jamo’s Bagels are boiled and baked New York-style at Foodworks Restaurant in Portsmouth, then sold at locations across Aquidneck Island on weekends, including Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, and The Nitro Bar in Newport, which can craft your bagel into a mouthwatering egg sandwich. Make sure to pre-order your favorite jalapeno cheddar bagel or get it delivered before it sells out.
Did we forget your favorite bagel spot? Tell us about the best bagel shops near you in the comment below.
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Lox Stock & Bagel in West Hartford, CT @ Bishops Corner has the best bagels evuh!
Sorry y’all missed them.
Bada Bing Bagels in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Is sn absolute delight. The New York owners do it old school and kettle cook there Bagels then slow cook to perfection.A taste of home in the south.
We live around the corner from Boonton Bagels and they are amazing. Handmade every day.
The owner was unaware of this distinction.. is it possible to get one of those official signs which designate it as a favorite in Jersey? I would love to give it to him. Thanks.
Cape Cod was previously a desert when it came to good bagels, but in 2022 the Bagel Hound on Rte. 6 in Wellfleet became an oasis. As a former New Yorker, I am an experienced judge of bagel quality. The little Bagel Hound shop in Wellfleet, MA turns out a product equal to NYC’s best.
Try Barrington Bagel Shop in G.B., MA. They are the best I’ve had. I recently had a gift frpm Russ & Daughters which wasn’t as good as I’m used to @ Barrington Bagels
Derocco’s witches, bagels and brew. Naugatuck, CT. Best bagels and sandwiches ever!
One Mighty Mill in Lynn,MA. They use their own stone milled organic flour to make their bagels. The everything bagel is my favorite.
Bagel Alley in downtown Nashua NH right off Main St.
How could you have missed Bagel Master in Syosset? Simply the best old world bagels made the original Polish/Jewish way. Not to be missed.
The best bagel shop in union nj is Bagels & Beans near 5 points
Great bagels & coffee
Hard to believe this one didn’t make the list
Best of the best
Back Bay Bagel on Rt. 123 in Easton near the Brockton line have excellent bagels, especially the cinnamon sugar.
Bagelsaurus in Cambridge and Goldilox Bagels in Medford, MA.
You simply can’t go wrong at either!
Bagels on Hudson in Croton, New York is fantastic.
“Bagel Express” in Warwick, RI.
There is one bagel that all else are compared to and not can match. Ess-A-Bagel in Manhattan (NYC) is the top bagel in the U.S.!
Spot in Norwood, MA!!
Carlos’s Bagels in Hawthorne, New Jersey serves fabulous variety of homemade bagels and the best sliced salmon anywhere!! Stunning decor too!
Sorry but I don’t believe any list of “can’t-miss” bagel shops in MA that doesn’t include Katz’s in Chelsea. Folks travel for many miles to buy bagels here, and they originated the pizza bagel!!
AM Bagel’s in Derby CT – outstanding bagels, the best in South Central CT!
I think Providence Bagel Co. should be included in your list. They have two locations, Providence and North Prov., RI
Simply the best bagels in RI!
Bagel Cafe in New Providence, NJ has great bagels and excellent made-to-order bagel sandwiches.
Bagel cafe is great
Ami’s in Waterbury, CT, sets the standard for Western Connecticut.
It’s shameful that you missed the two outstanding bagel shops in the Bronx, one on the corner of Netherland Avenue and West 235 Street and the other on the corner of Riverdale Avenue and West 236 Street. WAKE UP to what’s best in the Bronx, which also produces the best cheese cake at S&S on West 238 Street.
The first bagel shop you are referring to is called “Bagel Corner” at 581 W 235th St, The Bronx, NY 10463. Wonderful place for a tasty bagel for sure.
Jamo’s Bagels on Aquidneck Island (Newport, RI) has closed.
Bagel Boys in Middletown. Two locations.
Bagel Girls Cafe in Chester, NY is the best! Real old fashioned hand rolled water bagels. Freshly baked every day all day. From plain, cinnamon raisin, egg everything, french toast, rainbow and so many more varieties!
Sammy’s Bagels in Teaneck, NJ are the best bagels around.
Scratch Bagels in South Portland alone are worth the trip to Maine!
The Bagelry at Olmo in New Haven, CT. In a city that gave birth to Lender’s, this upholds the tradition!
Without a doubt you missed Utopia Bagels in Whitestone (Queens), New York. Anyone who eats these bagels will agree they stand out, water bath and baked – they are the quintessential authentic bagel. They’re renowned for their texture and taste, bar none. Utopia Bagels also has a full range of “schmears” as well as sandwiches and desserts.
Liberty Bagel in NYC. BOMB!
Bagelz in Wakefield , RI. makes the best and most affordable bagels in the Rhode Island area. ,,, The sandwiches are outstanding.
These are the real deal.
If you are anywhere near the North Shore of Massachusetts, stop in at Bagel World. Locations are in Reading, Peabody, and Salem. You will not find a better bagel. PERIOD. You can thank me later.
WOW Bagels
Willis Avenue
Williston Park, New York
Best bagels on Long Island!!!!
Main Street Bagel Factory, Hudson MA
If you have never had a Tandem Bagel Co bagel in Western Mass you are MISSING OUT! Soo so many varieties. Wild cheddar (everything bagel w cheddar melted on top) is my favorite but they also have things like blueberry pancake, asiago, multigrain. SOOO MANY!
I’d also suggest Comfort Bagel in Holyoke Mills for a small lil mom n’ pop shop that sells out almost daily! Apple cheddar bagel is perfection!
The bagel barrel in Bridgeport is the best of Connecticut winner.
Your list is not complete until you include Bagels 4 U, which has stores in Springfield and East Hanover, NJ.
Bagels 4 U is very good! They used to have a location in New Providence, but closed it several years ago. I guess the town wasn’t big enough to support four bagel shops!
Even in Maine we can get great bagels! Check out Bagel Central in Bangor, ME
The best bagel shop in Berkshire County, MA is Great Barrington Bagel on route 7 in Great Barrington, MA.
G B Bagel IS THE BEST BAGEL STORE IN THE NORTHEAST IF NOT THE ENTIRE USA!!!
Absolutely the best in New England!
Spot Bagels in Norwood, MA makes the best bagel around. The owner, Perry, trained in NYC.
SPOT! makes the best bagels in Ma.;
NOTHING compares to N.Y. bagels, not even close. Perry doesn’t make the bagels and has a terrific attitude; his wife is the star if their bagel shop!
Bristol Bagel Works on Hope St, Bristol RI has the best bagels in RI.
Andyman’s in Amesbury have my favorites. Soft inside with a crisp outside and many varieties. LInes form early on the weekend.
Providence Bagel
2 locations here in Rhode Island
1 in Providence
1 in North Providence
They’re the best bagel shop here in Rhode Island and I’m initially a NYer
And one in Mansfield MA, now.
The best in Queens, if not all NYC, is Utopia Bagels on, of course, Utopia Pwy.
If you’re ever in Sparta NJ try bagful of bagels on Rt 15. The bagels are excellent and they have other delicious baked goods. They even make their own corned beef!
Linden Bagel in NJ, excellent bagels with a nice selection!
The best bagels just like your traditional New York style, old-school bagel is in Stamford Connecticut. Eric’s Bagels. No bagel shop though. You got to pre-order online about 2 days in advance. They are worth you planning on picking up along your route. They also have delicious Pretzels and Bagel Breads. You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for the suggestion, Nicole!
Real bagels need Nyc water! And Brooklyn bagels are the best: we get ours at Gerritsen Bagels on Gerritsen Ave in Brooklyn!
Kupel’s in Brookline, MA.
Bagelsaurus in Cambridge, MA, reigns supreme among the bagels I’ve tasted.
Best bagels around is at the Bagel Shop on Hicksville Road, Bethpage. Very light and delicious.
When in Philadelphia, PA, Spread Bagelry is a must. There are 8 locations in the Greater Philadelphia Area. They specialize in Montreal-style bagels which are boiled in honey water and then baked in a wood oven. So delicious. Great for breakfast, brunch or lunch. They also make their own cream cheeses and other spreadable salads and jams. So good. They are addictive though. You’ve been warmed. Their rewards club is stellar too. Don’t miss their whitefish salad made in-house. it’s the best I’ve ever had…and I’ve had a lot.
Hightstown Bagels, Hightstown NJ – right off NJ Tpke Exit 8 – and much welcomed respite from NJ Tpke food fare!
YOU MISSED DUNKIN’ DONUTS ALL ON LONG ISLAND!
NYC’s Ess-a-bagel! C’mon!!
Was waiting for it.. Yes, ESS-A-BAGEL.. what every bagel should be judged against. I’ve not found a better bagel anywhere. Both locations in Manhattan are the same… The Best!!
Nyack Hot Bagel on rte 59 in Rockland County NY. Excellent bagels and bialys.
http://nyackbagels.com/
Bagel Hole on at at 700 7th Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets in the Park Slope
neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.
They have been consistently better than any others I have tried, for decades. They are
not big and puffed up but are the size that many will remember from their childhood, with
a good crust and proper chewy interior. I have recommended them to many people who
thank me for the suggestion.
And, they give a baker’s dozen (13 vs. 12) which others do not do and younger people will
not even know the concept of.
Also, Russ and Daughters bagels are not sour-dough bagels.
S is correct! As someone who comes from a three generation bagel dynasty, I can attest to the delicious quality of bagels made the old fashioned way at The Bagel Hole in Brooklyn
Definitely Kinderkamack Bagels on Kinderkamack road in River Edge, NJ.
The parking lot is always packed— people come from all over to taste one of their sublime bagels. Worth the trip, and the small parking lot!
Olmo in New Haven. Nothing more need be said. Thanks to the others for entering the competition lol.
Ess A Bagel Third Avenue at 52nd Street in Manhattan are the best bagels in NYC, much better than Russ and Daughter. Their Nova and other appetizing is quite good as well.
Yup, another excellent palate… Ess-A-Bagel is #1
Bagels Plus in North Conway, NH has incredible bagels!
What about New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont bagels.
How did you miss Shef’s Bagels in Cheshire, CT? Best bagels around. Great owners and staff.
Best by far Bagel Alley, Nashua, NH – huge delicious bagels and interesting cream cheese varieties – all wonderful in a cozy little sit down joint
Hands-down the absolute best. We drive up there from MetroWest Boston. Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with the Walnut-Raisin cream cheese, big cup of coffee. Does not get any better.
Café Fresh Bagels, Needham, MA has great bagels, huge bagel sandwiches, a variety of flavored cream cheese as well as other menu items.
Yes, yes, and YES to Cafe Fresh Bagels! They also have shops in Norwood and Dedham and Framingham. Great bagels!
If you venture north by northwest to Bloomfield Hills, MI – northwest suburb of Detroit, New York Bagel has fantastic bagels. With a name like that it has great – and deep – roots!
Bagel Boy, in Brooklyn NY should be on the top of everybody’s list. 15 types of bagels with various toppings. MMMMM
Bagel Boy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is the best deli! All the different bagels and toppings – oh wow.
Bagelz in Wakefield (Narragansett), RI offers bagels that rival those I grew up with in Brooklyn and Manhattan, NYC.
SPOT Bagel in Norwood, MA is absolutely amazing! Great space, great bagels, and more! And to top it off, every day from 3 pm to close bagels are 3/$1.
The NJ stores mentioned may have decent bagels, but the writer sounded more impressed with what goes ON the bagel “crafted” sandwiches, variety of 50 sandwiches etc. For the best naked bagel, go to Hot Bagels in Fair Lawn on River Road. Maybe also try Saddle River Road Bagels in Fair Lawn. Neither are fancy. Maybe some cream cheese or a Taylor ham & egg
Main Street Bagels and Appetizing in Queens is the absolute best, and I’m a native New Yorker, so you know my bagel standards have to be high. Not only are their bagels amazing, their other pastries (try the chocolate croissants!) are fantastic, and the service is amazing – the line can look a mile long but you’ll only be waiting five minutes. 72-26 Main Street in Flushing – you will NOT regret it! (It’s Kosher, so don’t come on Saturday.)
Utopia Bagels in Whitestone, Queens, NYC. Best bagels hands down !
How can you not list The Bagel Corner in the Riverdale section of the Bronx? I’ve been getting bagels there since the mid 70’s.
Bagel gourmet/cafe/ole is one of the best bagel shops in town. Being a New Yorker I can appreciate a good toasted bagel! They have been around for 20+ years and supply most of the local restaurants!
The Bagel Pub stores in Brooklyn have outstanding bagels. Even though it us a chain, it’s offerings stand out.
Mary Lou says the best Bagels in our area is definitely Bagel Delite in Newtown, CT. Worth a few more miles to get them. Bagels are usually still warm when you get them. The smiles of the workers is great too!!!
You can’t make a list of best bagels in Connecticut and not include Shef’s Bagels in Cheshire. Done the old fashioned way -boiled then baked. Tender and delicious inside and crispy outside, great coffee and awesome staff!
Rebelle’s closed last year citing Covid as the reason.
Have they silently reopened?
Rebelle’s is open weekends and has been for quite a while.
The best bagels on North Shore of MA are made by Bagel World, with shops in Salem, Peabody, and Reading. They rival any I’ve ever had, even the great spinoffs from NYC, Philly, and Boston.
Carolyn, you are spot on regarding Bagel World ! Best bagels AND sandwiches I’ve discovered in the area…and I’ve tried them all.
Absolutely right about Bagel World in Peabody and Danvers MA
100% Bagel World and I’m from NY!!!! If only they could match NY speedy service, though they do have a drive thru!!!!
Best bagels in Southeast Massachusetts is :
Life’s a Bagel
Washington Street
Canton Massachusetts
The BEST bagel shop on Long Island, NY is Bagel Boss in Hicksville. Open 24 hours (except on Jewish holidays), BB also has a large variety of schmaers, baked goods, & fishes (think lox)!
The best Bagel shop is in Bristol RI. Bristol Bagel Works on Hope St. Best homemade bagels anywhere.
I agree – Bristol Bagel Works have the best homemade bagels!