Despite what those losers in San Francisco might think, New York is the undisputed bagel capital of the world. But no matter how blessed with Brooklyn water each bagel might be, some spreads and crispy, chewy skins are more exceptional than others. Here are our top five favorite bagel spots in the city:
Controversial candy corn bagels from The Bagel Store (Jen Carlson / Gothamist)
THE BAGEL STORE: Williamsburg almost lost this little Bedford Avenue gem when a rent increase pushed owner Scott Rossillo out of his North 3rd Street Space. Thankfully, Rossillo just moved his operation down to the Southside, and they're still cranking out hot handmade bagels for morning commuters there, and at a second outpost on Metropolitan Avenue. The Bagel Store's perhaps best known for their specialty limited-edition bagels: seasonal offerings include spinach artichoke ($2 per bagel), sun-dried tomato ($2), banana ($1.75) and bacon-egg-and-cheese ($2.50). They also offer vegan bacon egg and cheese bagels on request, plus themed ones like a red velvet Valentine's Day bagel in the shape of a heart ($2) and a Mardi Gras french toast bagel with extra sprinkled sugar ($1.50). Now we've seen everything!
The Bagel Store is located at 349 Bedford Avenue between South 3rd and 4th Street and at 754 Metropolitan Ave between Graham Ave and Humboldt Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-7220, thebagelstoreonline.com). Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
BAGEL HOLE: Serious Eats crowned this Park Slope spot as the top bagel-maker in the city in 2009, and the boiled little rings of heaven they bake certainly warrant the award. Bagel Hole's bagels are fresh, crispy and chewy enough to eat with just a light cream cheese schmear, or even plain for the hardcore carbo-loader. But if you need a little more than just bread, they also offer overstuffed sandwiches made with Boars Head meats or homemade tuna, egg, chicken and whitefish spreads.
Bagel Hole is located at 400 Seventh Avenue between 12th and 13th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-788-4014, bagelhole.net).
MURRAY'S BAGELS: It's hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this Greenwich Village bagel shop so great, but it might be their stellar selection of classic and specialty spreads that compliment the bagels with crispy skins and soft, doughy insides they bake. Salt lovers should try a plain bagel with kalamata olive cream cheese ($3.50); bump it up to an everything bagel for an extra kick if you dare.
Murray's Bagels is located at 500 Avenue of the Americas between 12th and 13th Street in Greenwich Village (212-462-2830, murraysbagels.com). Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
72ND STREET BAGEL: No Upper West Side bagel shop can replace beloved bagel-maker H&H, which met its tragic demise in 2011. But 72nd Street Bagel does its part to fill the void, serving up classic bagels individually and by the dozen, along with simple spreads and catering platters. It's also a great place if you're trying to cut down on calories and carbs; they offer diet-friendly mini bagels for 80 cents each, plus they've got fat-free lox spread, a rarity even in New York.
72nd Street Bagel is located at 130 West 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side (212-595-1300, 72bagel.com).
Atlas' hangover panacea. (Chris Robbins / Gothamist)
ATLAS CAFE: You already know that the best way to cure a hangover in this city is with one of Atlas' everything bagels with lox and cream cheese. But this Lower East Side sandwich shop is more than just a walk-of-shame pitstop. They don't bake their own bagels, but they do stock H&H ones, which makes them well worth a visit, and they offer free wifi so you can work while you nosh. Try a Ghandhi—it's a healthy combination of hummus, cucumber, avocado and tomato, and it'll only cost you $4.50.
Atlas Cafe is located at 37 Clinton Street between Stanton and Rivington Street on the Lower East Side.
