Sometimes, it’s a perfectly compact yet magically filling breakfast. Other times, it’s a delicious snack that keeps you happy and satisfied between larger meals. Whenever and however you enjoy a bagel, it’s undeniably one of the good things in life.
Of course, one American city is more associated with great bagels than any other. And yes, you can find plenty of incredible bagel shops in New York City. For this article, however, we’ll show you some additional places to find some of the best bagels all across America.
1. Forage Market: Lewiston and Portland, Maine
As of late, the Pine Tree State has been taking America’s culinary scene by storm. Forage Market is here to ensure that no bagel is left unturned. When Allen Smith first launched Forage in Lewiston, most folks outside Maine didn’t understand the concept of wood-fired bagels.
Yet once Saveur magazine caught wind of Smith’s wood-fired creations, Forage’s bagels quickly became one of the nation’s most celebrated artisan bagel shops. If you find yourself in Portland or Lewiston, grab a bagel breakfast sandwich and taste why Forage is all the rage.
2. Ess-a-Bagel: New York City, New York
If you’re not a New Yorker, you may wonder why so many New Yorkers are obsessed with Ess-a-Bagel. But once you reach Midtown Manhattan, you must come here to get your hands on one of these oversized edible gems. Whether you fill yours with whitefish salad and nova, hot roasted roast beef and bacon, or red sauce and mozzarella, you will quickly realize why this family-owned and operated institution remains such a favorite.
3. Belle’s Bagels: Los Angeles, California
Nestled in the charming neighborhood of Highland Park, Belle’s Bagels might be one of the only bagel shops worth driving through LA traffic to reach.
Like jostling for an invitation to an A-List Oscars party, Angelenos line up outside on weekend mornings in anticipation of becoming one of the privileged few to enjoy everything from cacio e pepe to vegan cashew bagels. (Pro tip: If you’d rather not get lost in the crowd, you can order online for next-day pickup.)
4. Benchwarmers Bagels: Raleigh, North Carolina
In a land often defined by locals’ love for biscuits and grits, Raleigh’s Boulted Bread changed the local bakery game even more by launching Benchwarmers Bagels. So, what’s a Carolina-style bagel like? Benchwarmers’ menu includes traditional bagel creations, such as lox and deviled egg, and more inventive fare, like duck rillette and sour cherry. Whatever you get, this “benchwarmer” will hit a home run.
5. Absolute Bagels: New York City, New York
Once upon a time, Manhattan’s Upper West Side was the neighborhood for the best bagels. Yet, in recent years, many old-school bagel shops closed. Thankfully, Sam Thongkrieng came to the neighborhood to open Absolute Bagels. Now, the Upper West Side has a new favorite that’s open throughout the day to serve freshly baked bagels that are generously sized with plenty of room to load up on fixings.
6. Bagel Hole: New York City, New York
Since the 1980s, this iconic Park Slope, Brooklyn establishment has kept everyone talking and even played a role in a rather toasty Twitter scandal at city hall. And yet, the Bagel Hole still serves some of the best petite-sized bagels you’ll find anywhere. Yes, they’re small. No, they’re not served toasted. Once you bite into these hand-rolled and perfectly blistered creations, you’ll totally understand why the Bagel Hole always ends up being the talk of the town.
7. Life’s A Bagel: Las Vegas, Nevada
With so many New York transplants moving to Sin City over the years, it’s no surprise that Las Vegas has plenty of its own high-achieving bagel shops. For the city’s most sinfully scrumptious bagels, head off-strip to the leafy suburb of Summerlin for Life’s A Bagel. They have all the traditional favorites, such as cinnamon raisin and onion, and some fascinating bagel flavors, including French toast and orange cranberry.
8. Bagelsaurus: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Over the years, everyone from the editors at Bon Appétit to Food Network star Guy Fieri has sung the praises of Chef Mary Ting Hyatt and her unique bagels at Bagelsaurus. Boston locals used to line up outside to grab their perfectly crusty and chewy bagels made from sourdough starter. Now that Bagelsaurus has online ordering, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on them.
9. Courage Bagels: Los Angeles, California
Though you might have to muster some courage to drive through the LA traffic to Silver Lake to reach Courage Bagels, once you’re here, you will be rewarded. If you’re a New York-style purist, give these Montreal-meets-SoCal fusion bagels a fair shake. But once you try these rustic and somewhat charred-on-the-outside (though still chewy on the inside) sourdough bagels, you’ll understand how and why Angelenos consider Arielle Skye a culinary superhero.
10. BernBaum’s: Fargo, North Dakota
Scandinavian and Jewish-American food in Fargo? Yes, it’s real. BernBaum’s serves Nordic-Jewish new-wave deli fare in North Dakota’s most storied town. From bagels loaded with vegan “lox and eggs” to shakshuka focaccia, BernBaum’s doesn’t hold back on cutting-edge fare to start your day in the most uniquely tasty way.
11. Bernstein’s Bagels: Portland, Oregon
Noah Bernstein and Peter Hurteau may have launched this shop in 2017, but it didn’t take long for Bernstein’s Bagels to quickly gain traction and cement its reputation as Portland’s best bagel shop. The bagels may be small (a la Bagel Hole), but they’re definitely New York-style and will satisfy any East Coaster who can’t wrap their heads around most West Coast bagels.
12. Bialy’s Bagels: University Heights, Ohio
For over half a century, Bialy’s Bagels has been a Cleveland institution, serving phenomenal bagels that even win the praise of New Yorkers who have difficulty appreciating bagels made west of the Appalachian Mountains. Since 2017, Rachel and Sarah Gross have added a bit more contemporary flare to this Cleveland classic. They now serve bagel sandwiches, so you can have it all here.
13. Call Your Mother: Washington, D.C., and Denver, Colorado
These bagels are so good that this establishment has extended its reach beyond the DMV region all the way to the Mile High City. Yes, this “Jew-ish Deli” might not always adhere to tradition, but with yummy offerings like Za’atar and candied salmon cream cheese, chicken caesar, and mashed avocado with latke, egg, and cheese, it’s hard for you (and your mother) to stay mad.
14. Feldman’s Bagels: Burlington, Vermont
Vermont is not always all about maple syrup, cheddar cheese, and ice cream. You can also find great bagels! More specifically, Feldman’s Bagels in Burlington has all the classic NYC-style bagels you want and creative cream cheese schmears to tickle your fancy, such as maple walnut, olive pimiento, and (vegan) Tofutti. And while you’re here, make sure to try their great selection of coffees and teas.
15. Lenore’s Handmade Bagel Co.: Dallas, Texas
During the darkest days of the COVID pandemic, Lenore’s launched with a novel concept: Instead of trying to recreate the classic New York style, why not source the best local and regional ingredients (such as Yecora Rojo flour from Austin’s Barton Springs Mill) to make real Texas-style bagels? Since then, Lenore’s has taken off, bringing top-notch bagels, cream cheeses, and cured fish to the Lone Star State.
16. Bagelfeld’s: Phoenix, Arizona
Launched in 2020, Bagelfeld’s has already gotten the attention of everyone from the Phoenix New Times to Bon Appétit with their simple yet scrumptious New York-style bagels, as well as their tasty cream cheeses (such as honey-brown butter and pepper-garlic). Sure, the menu might not always have a ton of options, but with bagels this good, it doesn’t have to.
17. The Bagel Deli & Restaurant: Denver, Colorado
Here’s another bagel shop Guy Fieri made famous on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. But if you’re worried that The Bagel just serves made-for-TV stunt food, rest assured that they really do make delectable Colorado-style comfort food. Perhaps best known for their Bagel-Dict™ (or eggs benedict on a bagel) creations, The Bagel also serves plenty more bagel-icious dishes (and non-bagel offerings) that you simply have to taste to believe.