It’s said that New York City has one of the best bagels in the whole world. Why not the best? Because Montreal has the best (you can say that I am biased lol). Anyway, bagels are definitely a must eat when you visit NYC, and voila, here’re my top 5 bagel shops in NYC.
Ess-a-Bagel
This bagel shop has 2 branches and is one of the most popular bagel sellers in NYC. The hostel I stayed in was pretty near; every time I passed by, there’s always a long line.
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company
It looks like a bagel shop from Brooklyn, but the interesting thing is that 3 out of 4 branches are in Queen. The last one, also the one I went, is in Chelsea. Besides the bagel sandwich I ordered, their omelet breakfast (on others’ tables lol) looks good too.
Bagelsmith Bedford
The bagel shop in Brooklyn. It’s the smallest but at the same time, my favorite one. They don’t have much space and many seats, but only four tall chairs by the window. It’s a nice place to start a day with delicious bagels in the early morning (before the queue comes up).
NY Jumbo Bagels
It’s located in Midtown East. Compared with other bagel shops, it’s rather simple and more fast food like, but it still tastes as good.
Best Bagel & Coffee
The most popular one among the all five. It’s located in Garment District, not far from Penn Station. I bought a bagel sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, roast pepper, and fried pork chop, as lunch on my way back to Montreal. Even though it’s already cold when I had it (after 4 hours), it’s still yummy.
@ChanneLing , that fried pork chop bagel sandwich would be number one for me. All of these photos make me feel like I am right there in the shop, scarfing down bagels alongside you.
For breakfast or lunch, I like cheese omelet, chicken, and avocado. For sweet toppings, cream cheese is always the best, especially berries flavors (strawberries, blueberries, etc.) ;).
I have to go with a savory option almost every time. Bacon, egg, and cheese with a runny fried egg are always great. Also love avocado, sausage, or chorizo!
Among all the bagels listed above, my favorite was the last one, pork chop with veggies; and my second favorite was the one with blueberry cream cheese. One savory, one sweet ;).
Bagel is indeed a good choice for breakfast or lunch, convenient to takeout, easy to carry, and healthier than doughnuts lol. (I love doughnuts but we all have to admit that these little rings taste like heaven but unhealthy like hell XD)
@ChanneLing I agree I’ve never tried a sweet bagel now that I think about it. Here, we only have Dunkin’ Donuts and they do offer nice salmon bagels, which I love. Can’t wait to try some real delicious ones!
@DanniS Dunkin’ Donuts! We used to have it but sadly, it gave up on Canada and Taiwan a few years ago :'(.
I seldom have chain doughnuts when I was in Montreal so ain’t quite sure the doughnut market there. (I know a few indie doughnut shops though.) But in Taiwan, Mister Donut and Krispy Kreme are the two most popular chains.
Do you have any independent doughnut shop that you’d recommend in your region?
@ChanneLing Unfortunately we don’t have any other donut places here. So for donuts I definitely go there, but like you said, I try not to go too often even if they are tasty
I’ve never tried a sweet bagel now that I think about it. Here, we only have Dunkin’ Donuts and they do offer nice salmon bagels, which I love. Can’t wait to try some real delicious ones!