Top 3 Bagel Shops in NYC
Ah, the sanctity that is the New York City bagel shop. Not only is it a right of passage here, but it’s an often unassuming, all-walks-of-life-are-welcome emporium. There’s no prejudice at these classic New York landmarks. Just money. That’s the great equalizer here.
Much like the subway, you’ll encounter an impartial cross-section of New Yorkers: from the dusty construction worker to the SoulCycle Mom both waiting on line, itching for that warm cup of joe and a fresh out the oven NYC Bagel. There is nothing quite like these bagels; with the thin crispy exterior crust and pillowy soft interior. It’s texture porn in your mouth. Add a creamy schmear of scallion cream cheese to complete this taste trifecta and your tastebuds will be in a state of nirvana!
Without further ado, here are my Top 3 Favorite Bagel Shops in New York City:
Ess-a-Bagel
The bagels here are chewy but not too dense! They really OD on the cream cheese too. Which is always a welcomed edition. It’s really everything you’d want in a New York bagel experience. The lines can get a bit crazy, but luckily it moves fast! Prices are also super reasonable and the staff couldn’t be more friendly; defying the stereotype that New Yorkers are rude!
DO NOT ask for your bagels toasted. To me this is a major faux pas. A bagel warrants toasting only when it’s been at least a half-day old. But when these puppies are fresh out of the oven, why OH why would you toast them?!
Recommendation: Everything bagel with nova lox and cream cheese. Don’t get me started on lox spread. Ugh.
Price: $
H&H Midtown Bagels
This Upper East Side bagel shop draws a big crowd and for good reason! The bagels are truly sublime. But what you may not know is that their best thing on the menu in my opinion is the king of all breakfast sandwiches - The glorious Bacon, Egg and Cheese. It’s the Holy Trinity of breakfast, done right. Nothing ails a night of debauchery quite like this sacred sandwich.
The craftsmen/women at H&H have perfected the balance of crispy bacon, semi-runny fried egg, classic american cheese on a fresh multi-textured bagel.
It’ll run you about $7-8 with tax. So not the cheapest Bacon, Egg, and Cheese you’ll find in the city. But it’ll damn sure be one of the very best you’ll experience on this Island!
Recommendation: Bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel. Nuff said.
Price: $$
Russ & Daughters
What can you say about this classic New York landmark in the heart of the Lower East Side that food snobs have not already waxed poetic about? Well, for starters my Grandfather used to come here back in the 1930’s when bagels were only a few cents. Russ and Daughters has been around since 1914 as a cornerstone of Jewish culture in the LES. Fast forward 80+ years later and I had lived just a few blocks away and thus took full advantage; eating my fair share of bagels to be well-versed in their offerings here.
I’ll start with the fish. Russ and Daughters has a laundry list of fish on offer. Various types of smoked and cured salmon, sable, sturgeon, whitefish, tuna, herring…the list goes on. At Russ & Daughters the fish here is superior to all!
Smoked salmon are not created equal. So go big or go home…I go with the most expensive Gaspé Nova Lox on top of a fresh bagel with scallion cream cheese. It is worth it! Accept no substitutes. Some people like the red onions/tomatoes/capers nonsense. I don’t mess with all that. Too many competing flavors. Often simple is better, and Russ and Daughters knocks it out of the park with their distinguished sandwich.
The bagels are firmer than most but it has this unique crust unlike any other bagel I have had. It’s an acquired taste, but I absolutely love it! The cream cheese is excellent as you’d expect. I will mention that Russ & Daughters will set you back more than other bagel shops, but to me it’s worth the money for this experience.
Russ and Daughters hits all the marks for me. For more than a century, this fourth generation, family owned shop has continued to deliver a uniquely magical experience. To complete your bagel pilgrimage, Take a seat on the lone bench outside if available. As you nosh on a bagel, you’ll find yourself people watching the hipsters walking by. This is New York City old and new coexisting in harmony, and that’s an unforgettable experience.
Recommendation: Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese and Gaspe nova lox.
Price: $$$
What're you waiting for?! Go get your bagel bliss on! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. What're your favorite bagels in New York?
