The 15 Best Bagel Shops in America

Our favorite dinosaur (aside from the T. rex and Brontosaurus, of course), is the elusive Bagelsaurus that resides in Harvard’s backyard of Cambridge. While its bagels are exceptionally light and fluffy, the modern shop is known for its decades-old sourdough culture that has produced thousands of the A.M. staple since 2013 (including owner Mary Ting Hyatt’s signature sea salt variety topped with honey-rosemary cream cheese).

Don’t be confused by the name: Bialy’s Bagels offers a wide assortment of hearty bagels and not just its flatter, more lightweight counterpart, the bialy. And while a robust menu will certainly appease any palate (especially with the beloved mish mosh, the store’s take on an everything bagel), its customizable sandwiches with toppings like avocado mash and truffle schmear are what keep customers coming back for more.

The irony of Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company is that, despite having “Brooklyn” in its name, there is not a single location in the borough. If you can get over this odd factoid, you’ll nosh on what is, arguably, one of the best bagels in the country with an ample offering of “crazy cream cheeses” like honey bacon sriracha, cannoli, and pimento olive, to boot.

Call anyone who may be headed to our nation’s capital for bites of chewy perfection. The D.C. deli serves up classic bagels by the dozen, but its sandwiches are the real headturners. Satisfying a sweet tooth? Go for the Summit: peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, and banana on a challah bagel. Searching for spice? The bestselling Sun City’s got bacon, pastrami, Impossible sausage, a bodega-style egg, American and cheddar cheeses, and is then topped with spicy honey on an everything bagel. Needless to say, you may not be hungry again until dinnertime.

It takes a whole lotta courage to declare that the City of Angels’ bagels are just as good as those in the City That Never Sleeps. But we must say—these are pretty dang close. Different in structure, though beautifully artisanal (often burnt with lopsided edges), a Courage bagel is one to be remembered and a rare pandemic success story as owner Arielle Skye went from bike deliveries to a full-fledged brick and mortar.

Small but mighty Liberty Bagels has managed to do the impossible by staking its claim as one of New York’s most sought-after bagel haunts. Home of the famous rainbow bagel, the store is so much more than a colorful-hued concoction that trends on Instagram—its menu is extensive with nearly 20 daily flavor offerings, as well as innovative cream cheese pairings. Don’t overlook their breakfast sandwiches, as well, piled high with everything from classic eggs to grilled chicken, pastrami, and even hash browns.

Aside from—you guessed it—some of the country’s best lox paired with capers, onion, cucumber, and cream cheese, this Columbus-based eatery serves up a mouthwatering array of bagel-based sandwiches, including a raved-about cauliflower melt with artichoke, pepperjack, and romesco. Between The Lox Bagel Shop and Bialy’s Bagels, we’re not entirely sure why Ohio’s bagel scene has seemingly exploded overnight, but we (and hungry Midwesterners) are entirely here for it.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to be the mantra for Kentucky-based Native Bagel Company which only churns out a handful of flavors each day until they sell out. All bagels are vegan (aside from honey wheat and cheese), with highlights including more out-of-the-box iterations such as berry lemon zest and pretzel. Best of all, the shop converts to an equally delicious restaurant named Nightjar during the evening hours.

Slapping “New York” on a bagel shop name may be an obvious marketing gimmick, but it works for this Lincolnwood gem that has become a Chicago-area institution, serving bagels and bialys that taste straight out of the Big City. Planning an event or a group brunch? The bakery is also renowned for its over-the-top party trays that feed a minimum of 10 people, which sure beats standing in line on the weekend.

Uniquely wood-fired, sourdough-based, and baked from locally sourced flours, these bagels tout “New York-style chewiness” and “Montreal-style char.” But don’t let the burnt ends dissuade you—they’re scrumptious, especially when paired with the cafe’s Vietnamese coffee or impressive range of indulgently sweet lattes.

New York’s neighbor took notes and followed through with a bagel shop that has developed an understandably cult-like following for over 30 years. Enjoy the light, fluffy, perfectly symmetrical Kosher rounds before venturing into the city or stay put after realizing that New Jersey has been quietly churning out food that will give any state a run for its money.