New York City has long been celebrated for its bagel culture, with its unique water contributing to a bagel's taste and texture unlike any other. The city offers an exciting array of bagel shops, where a blend of old-world techniques and innovative flavors come together to create mouthwatering treats — from Harlem to Midtown.

This article will take you through five of the top-rated bagel shops in New York City, a haven for bagel enthusiasts. Is there such a thing as the perfect bagel? Let’s find out.

Absolute Bagels

Located on the Upper West Side, Absolute Bagels is a beloved institution among New Yorkers. It is often considered one of the best bagel shops in the city, adhering to traditional boiling-and-baking techniques, giving their bagels a crunchy exterior and soft, chewy interior.

Their extensive menu includes classic flavors like sesame, poppy, and everything, alongside creative renditions like sunflower and pumpernickel raisin. Try their bagels with a generous schmear of cream cheese, or choose from a variety of spreads, sandwiches, and salads for a heartier meal.

Ess-a-Bagel

Ess-a-Bagel, an East Side establishment founded in 1976, is celebrated for its hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels. These larger-than-average bagels come with a perfect density and chew that patrons swear by.

Their variety of flavors, from the staples to the less traditional, like whole wheat everything and pumpernickel everything, ensure there's a bagel for every palate. Don’t forget to try their wide selection of cream cheese spreads – the Lox spread is a fan favorite.

Murray's Bagels

In the heart of Greenwich Village, you'll find Murray's Bagels, a shop known for its “no toasting” policy - their bagels, they say, are perfect as is. These are sure to become your favorite bagels.

The process here is traditional: hand-rolled and boiled in water before baking, resulting in a dense, chewy interior and a glossy, crisp crust. Their "everything" bagel is often hailed as one of the best in the city, and their variety of sandwiches — particularly the ones with Nova Scotia Salmon — are praised for their generous fillings and delicious flavor combinations.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company

Despite its name, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company is located in Manhattan and Astoria, Queens. It's renowned for its hefty, doughy, delicious bagels with a slightly crunchy exterior, offering a delightful contrast in textures.

They boast a range of unique cream cheese flavors like jalapeño asiago and bacon scallion. Their bagels are slightly more oversized than most, but they're so delicious you won't mind the extra size. Their rainbow bagels have also garnered attention, providing a fun twist on the traditional bagel.

Black Seed Bagels

Black Seed Bagels is where Montreal-style meets New York-style bagels.

The bagels here are hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and then baked in a wood-fired oven, a nod to the Montreal-style tradition. The result is a smaller, denser bagel with a slightly sweet taste. They offer inventive sandwiches, and their Tobiko spread, a cream cheese blended with flying fish roe, offers an unusual but scrumptious twist.

New York City's bagel scene is a testament to the city's love for this classic bread product. The diverse range of offerings ensures there's a bagel out there for everyone, whether you prefer a traditional plain bagel with cream cheese or an innovative sandwich on a fresh everything bagel.

So next time you find yourself in the Big Apple, don't miss the chance to experience these top-rated bagel shops and their delicious creations.

Bagel Hole

In the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn, you'll find Bagel Hole, a small shop with big acclaim, including being named the creator of the best bagel in the city by many connoisseurs.

Their bagels are smaller and denser than your typical NYC bagel, but they are rich in flavor with a perfect crusty exterior and chewy interior. It's a no-frills establishment focusing solely on their art: bagels and classic spreads, and they do it masterfully.

Kossar's Bagels & Bialys

As a Lower East Side staple since 1936, Kossar's Bagels & Bialys is not just a bagel shop; it's a culinary landmark. Known as the oldest bialy bakery in the United States, they also offer some of the best traditional bagels in NYC.

Their bagels are boiled and baked on wooden planks, providing a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy inside. Their bialys are also worth a try, with the classic onion filling being a crowd favorite.

Tompkins Square Bagels

Tompkins Square Bagels, located in the East Village, brings a more artisanal touch to their bagels. Their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and freshly baked bagels are known for their excellent consistency and taste.

They offer several unique cream cheese flavors like birthday cake and bacon-cheddar, along with a host of other toppings, making this place a must-visit for the adventurous bagel enthusiast. And you have to try their breakfast sandwiches for brunch — they are to die for.

Russ & Daughters

A century-old business, Russ & Daughters is an iconic NYC institution. While they're known for their appetizing shop and café with a vast selection of Jewish delicacies, their bagels should not be overlooked.

Their bagel sandwich, "The Classic," featuring gaspe nova smoked salmon, cream cheese, and other accouterments, is a masterpiece. It's an essential stop on any bagel tour of the city.

Shelsky's Brooklyn Bagels

A relative newcomer to the bagel scene, Shelsky's Brooklyn Bagels quickly established itself as a top contender. They stick to traditional methods: the bagels are hand-rolled, boiled in a kettle, and then baked on burlap-covered wooden boards. The result is a bagel with a glossy, crackling crust and a dense, chewy interior.

Their "Peter Shelsky" sandwich, a delightful assembly of smoked sturgeon, kippered (baked) salmon, and pickled herring, is a testament to their inventiveness.

What Makes NYC Bagels Special?

The New York City bagel is no ordinary bread product; it's a symbol of the city's diverse culinary landscape and has a unique quality that sets it apart from bagels elsewhere. But what exactly makes the NYC bagel so special? The answer lies in a combination of tradition, technique, and a certain magic ingredient: New York City water.

Tradition

The tradition of bagel making in NYC dates back to the late 19th century, with the influx of Eastern European Jewish immigrants who brought their culinary traditions, including the art of bagel making, with them. This rich history has fostered a deep appreciation and standard for quality bagels within the city.

Technique

The distinct character of a New York bagel comes from its preparation method. NYC bagels are first boiled, typically in slightly sweetened water, before they're baked. This crucial step gives them a shiny, chewy exterior while the interior remains soft and dense.

New York City Water

Many purists argue that the city's water, known for its low concentration of calcium and magnesium, plays a key role in the taste and texture of a true NYC bagel. The soft water allows for higher gluten content in the dough, contributing to a better rise and a superior chewy texture that NYC bagels are famous for.

Size and Texture

New York bagels tend to be large with a dense and chewy texture. There is a noticeable crust that provides a satisfying crunch when toasted. They're usually quite filling, often eaten as a meal in themselves or sliced in half to serve as the base for hearty sandwiches.

Variety

NYC is known for its wide range of bagel flavors and fillings. From the standard plain, poppy seed, and sesame bagels to the beloved 'everything' bagel and more experimental flavors, there's a bagel for every taste. This variety extends to the fillings and spreads as well, with a multitude of cream cheese options, smoked fish, deli meats, and more.

The NYC bagel is not just a food item; it's an emblem of the city's cultural heritage and culinary innovation. Whether enjoyed simply with a schmear of cream cheese or as the foundation of a loaded sandwich, the New York City bagel is indeed something special.

How To Choose the Right Bagel for You

When confronted with the delicious variety that New York City's bagel shops have to offer, choosing the right bagel might seem like a daunting task. Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect choice:

Consider the Basics: If you're new to the world of good bagels, starting with the basics can be a good idea. A plain, sesame, or poppy seed bagel is a classic choice, giving you a sense of what a well-made, traditional bagel should taste like.

Think About Toppings: The bagel flavor you choose should complement your intended toppings or fillings. For instance, if you're planning on a sweet spread like strawberry cream cheese or a slather of honey, a cinnamon raisin bagel might be a good match. For savory spreads like scallion cream cheese or smoked salmon, try an 'everything' or onion bagel.

Rolling Up the Dough: Concluding Our New York Bagel Journey

These bagel shops, each with their unique take on the classic New York bagel, continue to elevate the city's bagel scene. With traditional techniques, quality ingredients, and innovative flavors, they keep the love for this humble, round bread alive and thriving. Whether you are a local or a visitor, exploring the bagel landscape of New York City will surely be a memorable adventure.