Introduction
Is there anything more debated regarding New York’s food than the best bagels in NYC? Every local has a favorite “regular” spot and a hill they are willing to die on. But to cut through the noise, I decided to put the heavy hitters to the test. To keep this guide as practical as possible for your next trip, I followed a strict set of ground rules.
Forget the “vibe”—I judged these spots on the things that actually matter when you’re hungry and on the move. From the viral Instagram spots to the legendary icons, here are the 5 spots that actually live up to the hype. Remember to stick around until the end for my #5 best bagel shop—it’s a local secret that might just be the best value in the city.
At a Glance: Top Bagels in NYC Comparison
| Bagel Shop | Best For… | Location Score | Price Range | Options Score |
| Best Bagel & Coffee | Midtown Commuters and Visitors | 10/10 | $$ | 8/10 |
| Liberty Bagels | Instagram & Viral Vibes | 10/10 | $$$ | 9/10 |
| Tompkins Square Bagels | Creative Flavors | 8/10 | $$ | 10/10 |
| Utopia Bagels | The Legendary “Crunch” | 7/10* | $$ | 10/10 |
| Broad Nosh Bagels | The Local Secret | 9/10 | $ | 9/10 |
Note: Utopia’s score is based on the original Queens flagship location; their Manhattan location is a 10/10 for accessibility!
Map
I’ve pinned all five locations (and my honorable mention) on the map below. If you’re staying in Midtown, start with Best Bagel & Coffee; if you’re exploring the East Village, Tompkins Square is your home base.
The Ground Rules: How I Ranked Them
To find the definitive best bagels in NYC, I evaluated each shop based on three non-negotiable categories:
- Location & Accessibility: Is it easy to get to via the subway, or are you trekking 20 minutes into a residential area? (Crucial for a tight itinerary!)
- Price & Value: Does a basic bagel with schmear break the bank, or is it a “true New York” bargain?
- Options Available: I looked for a massive variety of hand-rolled bagel flavors and creative cream cheeses.
Best Bagel & Coffee (The Midtown Favorite)
Location: 225 West 35th Street (Near Penn Station/Madison Square Garden/Herald Square). Take the A, C, or E train to 34th Street-Penn Station and exit via the 35th St and 8th Ave stairs. Walk less than 5 minutes down the street, and you’re there!
- Location Score: 10/10. It doesn’t get more central than this!
- Price: $$ (Mid-range, but the bagels are massive).
- Options: Known for their “Everything” bagel and a killer lox spread. They also have plenty of pastry and coffee options!
The Vibe Check: This is the ultimate “power breakfast/lunch” of bagel shops. It’s fast-paced, efficient, and usually has a line out the door, but don’t let that scare you—the staff moves like a well-oiled machine. It’s the perfect place to grab a massive, hand-rolled bagel before heading to a Broadway show, catching a train at Penn Station, or going on a shopping spree at Macy’s Herald Square. If you go in the morning, you’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with locals on their daily routine—it’s the best way to soak up the authentic energy of the city before the tourist crowds wake up. To see their full menu, visit their official website.
Pro-Tip: If you’re overwhelmed by the options, go for the “Everything” bagel. It has just the right amount of seasoning, and it’s the one I always go for whenever I visit.
Liberty Bagels (The Viral Instagram Spot)
Location: 260 West 35th Street (down the street from Best Bagel and Coffee!) There is also a smaller spot around just the corner, on 462 7th Ave, along with other locations).
- Location Score: 10/10.
- Price: $$$ (You pay a slight premium for the “viral” factor).
- Options: The “Rainbow Bagel” king. If you want wild colors and sweet spreads, this is the one.
The Vibe Check: You come here for the “wow” factor. While many “viral” spots trade quality for looks, Liberty actually delivers a solid, chewy bagel. It’s bright, colorful, and definitely the most tourist-friendly spot on the list. If you have kids (or just a very active TikTok account), this is a mandatory stop.
Pro-Tip: Since the price is a bit higher here, make it worth it by trying one of their birthday cake or funfetti cream cheeses—it’s an experience you won’t find at a standard neighborhood joint.
Only have 24 hours in the city? See how you can fit a Midtown bagel run into my Ultimate 1-Day NYC Itinerary.
Tompkins Square Bagels (The Creative King)
Location: 184 2nd Avenue (East Village)
- Location Score: 8/10. While they have four spots across the city, their 2nd Avenue and Avenue A locations are the heart of the East Village. They are easily accessible via the F train at 2nd Ave or the L train at 1st Ave.
- Price: $$ (Mid-Range). A classic bagel with house-made cream cheese starts around $5.95, while their massive specialty sandwiches, like “The Weezer,” run closer to $16.25.
- Options Available: 10/10. This is their superpower. They offer over 25 rotating cream cheese flavors—ranging from savory Chipotle Avocado to dessert-like Birthday Cake and Espresso. They also cater heavily to dietary needs with a wide variety of tofu spreads and gluten-free bagel options
The Vibe Check: This is the heart and soul of the East Village. It feels like a neighborhood living room where the music is good, and the energy is high. Because the options are so vast (the cream cheese case looks like an ice cream parlor), people tend to linger here. It’s less of a “grab and go” and more of a “sit and savor.” This bagel shop has more locations than Liberty and Best Bagel, so take some time to sit and savor your bagel!
Pro-Tip: Ask for your bagel “scooped” if you want to fit more of their legendary Pear and Walnut or Espresso cream cheese inside without it becoming a giant mess.
Utopia Bagels (The Legendary NYC Icon)
Location: 120 East 34th St (Manhattan) or 190-05 Utopia Pkwy (Queens)
- Location Score: 7/10 for Queens, 10/10 for Manhattan. Their original Queens location is a “pilgrimage” spot, but their newer Manhattan location in Murray Hill makes getting this legend much easier for travelers. To get to the Manhattan location, take the subway to 33rd St on the 4 or 6 line and walk right around the corner!
- Price: $$ (Standard NYC pricing). A bagel with plain cream cheese is around $5.50, while their famous “Build Your Own Nova” sandwiches are about $15.00 – $17.00.
- Options Available: 10/10. Their menu is massive. Beyond every bagel flavor imaginable (including French Toast and Red Velvet), they offer an incredible range of tofu spreads, low-fat options, and unique sandwiches like the “Hobo” (egg, cheese, and home fries).
The Vibe Check: This is the heavyweight champion of NYC bagels. Whether you’re at the original Queens flagship or the bustling Manhattan location, there is a sense of history here. The bagels are known for being massive, with a crust that has a distinct, legendary crunch. It feels like a high-energy factory dedicated to perfection.
Pro-Tip: If you go to the Manhattan location, use their kiosk or mobile order ahead of time if the line is long; the “pick-up” flow is surprisingly fast. When I visited in the early afternoon, there was no line, but the line could wrap around the block.
Broad Nosh Bagels (The Local Secret)
Location: 587 9th Ave (Hell’s Kitchen), 2350 Broadway (Upper West Side), West 58th Street (Columbus Circle), 425 Madison Ave (close to Grand Central)
- Location Score: 9/10. Their Hell’s Kitchen spot is a perfect “hidden in plain sight” gem near Times Square and the Port Authority. Their Upper West Side location is right across the street from the Shops at Columbus Circle and the 59th Street-Columbus Circle subway station.
- Price: $ (The Value King). This is one of the most affordable high-quality spots left in Manhattan. A dry bagel is under $2.00, and a classic Bacon, Egg, and Cheese is usually under $10.00, which is a steal for the area.
- Options Available: 9/10. They have all the classics plus some standout specialty spreads like Honey Sriracha Scallion and Cookie Butter. They also serve Carnegie Deli pastrami, which is a massive bonus for sandwich lovers.
The Vibe Check: Broad Nosh feels like the neighborhood spot you wish you lived next to. It’s less “Instagram-famous” and more “actually famous with people who live here.” It’s clean, friendly, and reliable. It’s the perfect place to escape the midtown madness for a quiet, top-tier breakfast.
Pro-Tip: This is my go-to for a “plane bagel.” If you’re heading to the airport from Port Authority or Penn Station, grab a baker’s dozen here—they stay fresh longer than most!
Honorable Mention: PopUp Bagels (The “Rip & Dip” Sensation)
Location: Multiple (Including 177 Thompson St in Soho, Union Square, and Upper West Side)
- Location Score: 9/10. With shops in almost every major neighborhood, you’re never far from a hot batch.
- Price: $$ ($12 – $15 for a 3-pack with schmear).
- Options Available: 5/10 (Limited by Design). They only offer 5 bagel flavors (Plain, Everything, Sesame, Poppy, Salt) and a rotating weekly menu of 3 unique schmears. No eggs, no bacon, no toasting—just fresh bagels and cream cheese.
The Vibe Check: PopUp Bagels is less of a traditional deli and more of a “viral event.” There is almost always a line, but it moves fast because the menu is so simple. The experience is all about the “Rip & Dip”—you get a bag of three piping hot, smaller-than-average bagels and a tub of schmear, and you’re meant to tear them apart and dunk them while they’re still steaming. It’s the ultimate social media food, but the quality of the “hot out of the oven” dough actually backs up the hype.
Pro-Tip: Don’t try to take these home. Because they are so fresh and airy, they lose their magic once they cool down. Find a nearby stoop or park bench (like in Union Square Park) and eat them immediately!
If you get a bagel here, walk right next door to get Breads Bakery’s famous chocolate babka, which I talk about in my best bakeries in Manhattan post, and is often said to be the best in Manhattan!
The Verdict: Which Bagel Should You Choose?
While you likely can’t go wrong with any bagel shop in NYC, these are the best of the best. Whether you’re looking for the viral “Rip & Dip” experience at PopUp Bagels or the classic, no-nonsense grit of Best Bagel & Coffee, you now have a roadmap to the city’s most elite dough.
- If you want the Ultimate Icon: Go to Utopia.
- If you want the Best Midtown Convenience: Best Bagel & Coffee.
- If you want the Wildest Flavors: Tompkins Square Bagels.
But remember: a great trip to New York is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re planning a longer stay, make sure to check out my 5-day NYC itinerary, where you can include a visit to any of these bagel shops! Moreover, a bagel might be the quintessential breakfast, but the city’s food scene really comes alive as you move downtown. Check out my guide to the best pizzas in NYC, including Rubirosa (order the tie-dye pizza!), or grab a late-night pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Deli, as featured in my guide on the best Jewish Delis in NYC.
