POV: It’s Sunday morning after a wild night out on the town.
Your head is pounding at a mile a minute, and the classic case of hangxiety is about to kick in.
You scroll through your texts, completely mortified at what you “accidentally” texted your ex.
Feeling as helpless as ever, there is only one thing that can save you from this misery: the ever-so-iconic New York City bagel.
See Also: The Most Over-The-Top Bagels In NYC, From French Toast Dough To Everything Seed Grilled Cheese
Doughy on the inside and crunchy on the inside, the bagel has played an important role in New York’s food culture since its inception.
Craving carbs and well, more carbs, your hands begin to shake (we swear, it has nothing to do with the Patron shots).
You struggle to type “best bagels in NYC” into Google but know that your lord and savior awaits.
Here is what you found.
Russ And Daughters View this post on Instagram
Multiple Locations/Website
Arguably one of the most famous culinary destinations in NYC, Russ & Daughters is more than an appetizing shop—it’s a cultural icon. While everything at this landmark spot is fantastic (think matzo ball soup, babkah, and of course, sturgeon), we’re obviously in it for the bagels. Our go-to order is the Daughter’s Delight, made with Gaspe Nova, wild Alaskan salmon roe, and smotherings of melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese. If you’re looking for a kick, order the Super Heebster with Whitefish & Baked Salmon Salad, horseradish dill cream cheese, and wasabi flying fish roe.
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463 W Broadway, Manhattan/Website
Unless you live under a rock, you’re familiar with the insta-famous Sadelles bagel tower. She’s big, mighty, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, she’s from Major Food Group, so naturally, she’s nothing short of fabulous. Patrons can choose from various accompaniments, like house salmon, smoked Scottish salmon, sable, sturgeon, whitefish salad, or salmon salad. All are great, but it’s criminal to skip out on the whitefish salad. Plus, all selections are served with bagels, tomato, cucumber, onions, and capers. You don’t want to miss this!
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Multiple Locations/Website
Voted the Food Network’s “favorite NYC bagels,” Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company is clearly doing something right. And after trying these award-winning bagels ourselves, we can attest there is something different about this place. Maybe it’s the fact that each bagel is hand-rolled and kettle-boiled, something not every bagel shop does. We highly recommend ordering the Astor sandwich made with turkey, bacon, romaine, and jalapeno asiago cream cheese, or the Cooper topped with smoked Nova salmon, avocado, onion, tomato, capers, and a lemon squeeze.
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Multiple Locations/Website
The lines at this iconic bagel shop may be daunting, but it’s totally worth the wait. Besides, a little birdie once told us you can call ahead and skip the line! Totally the move. If you’re making the trip to Ess-a-Bagel, you absolutely must order A Signature Favorite, which comes with nova, scallion cream cheese, freshly-sliced tomato, lettuce, onions, and capers. Hangover bagels with the girls? Ess-a-vibe.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Making bialys since 1936 and “perfecting bagels along the way,” Kossar’s is a true NYC institution. And boy, do we understand why. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but highlights include The Canal Street (homemade tuna salad with melted sharp cheddar), The Delancey (whitefish salad, jalapeno-caper cream cheese, pickled red onions, greens), and The Little Orchard (egg salad, greens, tomato, flake salt, cracked pepper).
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3 Hanover Square, Manhattan/Website
If you live downtown, run don’t walk to Leo’s Bagels. Everything here will immediately cure that gruesome hangover, but the Bacon Egg and Cheese (BEC) is seriously #baegoals. Diners can completely customize their sandwich, including the type of cheese, meat, and any additional accompaniments they might want. This sandwich is great made the standard way, but we recommend adding an extra fried egg and avocado mash. 10/10!
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Multiple Locations/Website
Another NYC staple, Tompkins Square Bagels is some of the best NYC has to offer. Paying homage to the traditional bagel breakfast sandwich, while still adding its own unique twist, our favorites include the Murray The Cop (pesto, eggs, roasted peppers, and fresh mozzarella), the El Chapo (braised pork, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, chipotle mayo), and the Triple Crown (Canadian bacon, apple smoked bacon, scallion cream cheese, spiced honey maple glaze, egg, and cheese). Oh, and how could we forget about the classic BEC? In the words of Chandler Bing, could the cheese pull BE any better?!
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500 6th Ave, Manhattan/Website
If you’re looking for a classic New York-style bagel, look no further than Murray’s Bagels. And yes, while you can get a decent bagel practically anywhere in the city, the offerings at this buzzy bagel shop are far superior. You absolutely can’t come here without getting the Bubeleh made with two farm-fresh eggs, Nova Scotia salmon, and a crispy potato latke, or the Oy Vey! made with farm-fresh eggs, bacon, sausage, cheddar, and a potato latke. Yes, mom, the guy I met last night was Jewish. *rolls eyes*
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Multiple Locations/Website
Zucker’s is a no-brainer when it comes to the best bagels in NYC. Described as your “quintessential neighborhood shop,” Zuckers is the perfect place to go when you’re looking for that classic New York City bagel experience. The menu has a wide variety of options, but we can’t come here without ordering the Reuben. Made with your choice of corned beef, pastrami, or roast turkey, along with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, this bagel is worth writing home to mom and dad about.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Many New York City spots are overhyped on social media, but Black Seed Bagel is not one of them. Truly living up to its reputation, this classic bagel shop is everything we wanted and more. We’re clinically obsessed with the pastrami egg and cheese (house-smoked pastrami, cage-free eggs, and white cheddar), and don’t even get us started on the Black Seed BLT (bacon, butter-lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, and spicy mayo). Plus, these bagels are thicc with two c’s.
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181 Grand St, Manhattan/Website
Baz Bagel is one of those spots that we just can never get enough of. No seriously, we could eat a bagel from here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu standouts include the latke hash egg and cheese sandwich, Egg-Cellent Idea made with egg salad, salmon caviar, chives, and lettuce, and The Mel’s turkey reuben. If you’re coming here around lunchtime, we highly suggest ordering the Mystic Pizza bagel. Rest assured, it will transport you right back to the second-grade cafeteria. Ah, the good ol’ days.
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2788 Broadway, Manhattan
When searching for the best bagels in NYC, you absolutely must try Absolute Bagels. The bagels here are so good, they don’t even allow toasting. A bagel with the perfect crunchy to doughy ratio? Sign us up. Everything here is very classic and no-frills, so we follow suit with our bagel order. We typically get a bacon egg and cheese sandwich or lox with cream cheese. This may sound boring, but trust us, it’s far from it.
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235 W 116th, Manhattan/Website
If you’re venturing to Bo’s Bagels and not ordering The Andrew, you’re seriously doing something wrong. Made with egg, sausage bacon, Vermont maple syrup, and scallion cream cheese, this bagel is a true culinary delight. We don’t know who you are Andrew, but we would offer you our hand in marriage. Ok, Amy, let’s get back on track here.
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141 Court St, Manhattan/Website
We were immediately drawn to Shelsky’s of Brooklyn for their salt and pepper bagels, and to our surprise, it was even better than we imagined. The Holy Mackerel is so good, it literally got us saying “Holy Mackerel.” Are we 80 years old? Other menu highlights include The Whitefish Club made with door country whitefish filet, tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and cream cheese, and The Newhouse made with hand-sliced wild Alaskan sable, scallion cream cheese, and tomato. Oh, and how could you come here without getting a Shrimp Roll?
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1330 3rd Ave, Manhattan/Website
With an emphasis on smoked salmon, sturgeon, caviar, and of course, their standout bagels, Sable’s has gotten a lox of love over the years. And for good reason. Everything at Sable’s is mouthwateringly delicious, but can we take a moment to appreciate the famous lobster salad sandwich? You don’t typically associate lobster salad with your typical bagel place, but that’s why Sable’s is a frontrunner in the competitive world of NYC bagels. A+ work!
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541 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan/Website
An oldie but a goodie, Barneys Greengrass is the type of place you would read about in NYC history books. Reigning the streets of Manhattan since 1908, this storied establishment is truly the best of the best. Everything on the menu will be sure to impress your palette, but it’s wrong to come here and not try the fish. Lox, whitefish, sturgeon, sable, you name it—everything here is top-notch. Anthony Bourdain even mentioned Barney’s as one of his favorite Jewish delis, so naturally, it must be amazing.
Photography by: Courtesy Unsplash
