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The Best Bagels in NYC, According to a New Yorker

Utopia opened in 1981 and until June 2024, fans who wanted to visit the iconic bakery had no choice but to make a pilgrimage to Whitestone, Queens. Thankfully, there’s now a sprawling location on the corner of 34th Street and Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill where bagels are baked on site. They strike an ideal balance between a crispy crust with tiny air bubbles and a solid, but not overwhelming, chewy interior.

Tal Bagels

357 1st Ave., New York, NY 10010

We’ll forgive you if you’re skeptical of a bagel chain with five locations in Manhattan, but don’t allow that to keep you away from Tal Bagels. The bagels here have crusts with lots of tiny bubbles that shatter at first bite. And while the team mostly sticks to the classics, the olive-rosemary bagel is a welcome offering.

Absolute Bagels

2788 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

Absolute is an icon in New York’s bagel scene. Sam Thongkrieng, who moved from Bangkok to New York and then worked at Ess-A-Bagel in the 1980s, opened the shop near Columbia University in 1990. On weekends, lines here are virtually unavoidable, with students, neighbors, and bagel hunters waiting for the slightly doughy bagels with a nice crust that are as big as a hand. If a full size bagel feels like too much, opt for one of the more modestly sized mini-bagels and wash it down with Thai iced tea. Be sure to bring cash.

Robert K. Chin/Alamy

Tompkins Square Bagels

165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

The lines at the original location of this beloved bagel shop just off of Tompkins Square (there are two others in Manhattan) are legendary, but the friendly team moves through them efficiently. Fans come to Tompkins Square Bagels for oversized, puffy bagels (including one flavored like French toast), bagel sandwiches, and a wide selection of house whipped cream cheeses like lox dill, plus a slew of sweet options including ones dotted with fresh fruit. There’s some seating in a space that feels a bit like a 90s era coffee shop, but it’s best to escape the mobs by going to the namesake park.

Author

  • Nathaniel Morgan

    Nathaniel, often known as Nate, is an adventurer at heart with a deep love for traveling. His sun-kissed skin, unruly curly hair, and a smile that never fades, tell stories of the countless sunrises he has seen around the world. He has a knack for immersing himself in different cultures and is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path experiences. His backpack is always ready, and his camera is his most prized possession.

Written by
Nathaniel Morgan

Nathaniel, often known as Nate, is an adventurer at heart with a deep love for traveling. His sun-kissed skin, unruly curly hair, and a smile that never fades, tell stories of the countless sunrises he has seen around the world. He has a knack for immersing himself in different cultures and is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path experiences. His backpack is always ready, and his camera is his most prized possession.

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