In the world of bagels, it's stiff competition. From Seattle to New York City, all kinds of bakeries, delicatessens, and cafes tout their bagels as best. Some are fried, some are boiled, some are wood-fired. Some claim that the unique quality of local water makes a bagel taste great. Others might credit the seasoning of their oven. There are a lot of players in the game but only a few reign supreme above the rest. Introducing the ultimate guide to the top 10 bagel shops in America that you simply must visit in 2024!
Specializing in Eastern European breads, Kaufman's has been serving Skokie and the Chicago areas for decades. The lovingly crafted bagels at Kaufman's are good with just a simple spread of cream cheese, but they also make killer sandwiches. If you're really hungry, order David's CJF which is sable, tomato, onion, cucumber slices, and vegetable cream cheese stacked on top of a pumpernickel bagel.
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Deemed a "Charlottesville institution," Bodo's Bagels is a local icon. Boiled bagels are made from scratch every single day and you won't find any fats, preservatives, dairy or soy in their recipes. Options range from everything and garlic to poppy seed and cinnamon raisin. All of their sandwiches come on your choice of bagel, whether that's lox and cream cheese or egg salad. This will soon become your go-to breakfast spot.
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Hand rolled and kettle boiled. That’s what is says front and center on BB's Bagels' website. Established in 2007, BB's Bagels specializes in those soft, chewy, and wonderfully fresh-tasting bagels that you'd find in New York City. Visit BB's website and you'll find an extensive list of commandments that include things like "There will no custom orders" and "One shall not whine." Abide by these rules, and you'll be all set. Bagel options include the basics like sesame and everything but also specialty items like French toast and cranberry. You can't go wrong with any of them.
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Serving Cincinnati since 1969, Marx Hot Bagels are crafted with high gluten, unbleached flour, and no preservatives. To cook them, the bagels are boiled in water then baked on stone shelves. There are more than 30 varieties of bagels available every single day. Their specialties? Their white albacore tuna, egg salad or classic nova lox and cream cheese. Order one of these and you'll be coming back again and again.
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Take a trip out to the West Coast for some of the best tasting bagels in Los Angeles. Bagel Broker has been family owned and operated since 1987. Whether you're a lifelong Angeleno or you're just in town visiting, go to Bagel Broker for a perfectly-made bagel with their iconic lox spread. Bagel Broker's most famous bagel? Plain. That's how you know it's good. When they do the simpler things right, you know you're getting excellent quality.
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Burlington brings something new to the table: Montreal-style bagels. For a little background, Montreal-style bagels are wood-fired. The bagels are also generally smaller, thinner, sweeter, and denser than your typical East Coast bagels. Myer's Bagels' Montreal recipe has been perfected over the years. Choose from flavors such as sesame sunflower, Montreal spice, cinnamon raisin, and maple. The shop also has rotating beer on tap including local favorites Magic Hat and Frost Beer Works.
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Specialty teas, pastries, and scrumptious hand-rolled wood-fired bagels. The friendly and laid-back atmosphere at Eltana will make you want to hang out there for hours. Order a simple sesame bagel with plain cream cheese or mix it up by ordering a cinnamon raisin with honey almond cream cheese. Yum!
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The boiled bagels at Wholy Bagel are made from scratch every night ensuring you're always biting into freshness. Bagel flavors include options like everything, jalapeno cheddar, blueberry, cinnamon raisin, and rye, and cream cheeses like garlic and herb, olive and pimento, strawberry, and even chocolate chip. Order one of their signature sandwiches like the nova lox made with cream cheese, tomatoes, red onions, and capers. Is your stomach rumbling yet?
Enjoy a New York-style bagel right in Delray Beach, Florida. The secret to their success? Their special proprietary water—"Brooklynized" water. Their water treatment system "can successfully replicate the natural composition of the water that flows through the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York," according to their website. These kettle boiled bagels make the perfect vehicle for a delicious sandwich like the "Brooklyn," made with eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, and American cheese. Find additional locations all across the state.
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New York City is the Bagel Capital of the World and Best Bagel and Coffee in Midtown must be added to your bucket list. These hand-rolled bagels are baked daily with flavors like egg, whole wheat, onion, pumpernickel, salt, and sesame. Top your bagel with one of their satisfying spreads like scallion, sun-dried tomato, and veggie cream cheese or for something sweet, strawberry jelly. For an authentic New York bagel experience, don't miss out on Best Bagel and Coffee.