Whether you’re looking for the perfect hangover cure or are simply on your way to work, good mornings (and afternoons) start with fresh bagels. Below is our list of some of the best bagels on the Upper East Side.
These bagel shops on the Upper East Side offer extensive menus ranging from colorful rainbow bagels to delicious homemade cream cheese and pastries. Each of the UES bagel shops below also offer a variety of fish spreads – from white fish salad to nova lox and more, you’re never out of options.
Let’s not forget that each shop also offers coffee- who doesn’t want to be walking into the week or weekend with a bagel and iced coffee in hand? Keep reading to learn about some of the best bagels on the UES!
Best Bagels on the Upper East Side
The Bagel Shop (1659 3rd Ave., between 92nd and 93rd Street)
Featuring breakfast sandwiches all day and, according to many Upper East Siders, very big bagels, The Bagel Shop offers unique spreads and bagels ranging from rainbow to regular and poppy. While visiting this popular UES bagel shop be sure to try their bacon egg and cheese, a plain bagel with lemon honey feta cream cheese, or an everything bagel with lox and cream cheese.
H&H (1551 2nd Ave., between 80th and 81st Street)
“Like no other bagel in the world”, H&H Bagel started in 1972 and has since emerged in various parts of the city, totaling 5 locations. For the past 50 years, H&H has continued to use their original recipe (artisanal water bagel) to make their bagels. Be sure to try their belly lox sandwich, egg whites and avocado on pumpernickel, or their hot Italian egg and cheese on an everything bagel.
Bagel Bobs (1641 York Ave., between 86th and 87th Street)
A New York staple for 21 years and counting, Bagel Bobs’ menu features egg sandwiches, smoked fish, and delicious lattes and specialty brews. Bagel Bobs trademark mix features high-gluten flour and NYC water, which makes all the difference in their 14 varieties of boiled, Kosher and baked food creations. While at Bagel Bobs, be sure to try their latte with a breakfast omelet, plain bagel with jalapeno cream cheese, paninis and more.
Tal Bagels (1228 Lexington Ave., between 83rd and 84th Street)
Tal Bagels offers an extensive menu of spreads, bagels, fresh bakery products, and homemade soups. Tal Bagels are made from flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt, with no chemical/preservatives added, and their variety ranges from plain, poppy and everything, to cinnamon, and salt (the list goes on). While at Tal Bagels, be sure to try their homemade matzo ball soup, sesame seed bagel with lox spread, and their bacon egg and cheese on a salt bagel.
Bagelworks (1229 1st Ave., between 66th and 67th Street)
Whether you’re looking for delicious gluten free bagels, vegan cream cheese, or just a regular plain bagel with sundried tomato cream cheese, there is something at Bagelworks for everyone. Bagelworks features tasty bagels and homemade cream cheese spreads from their famous rainbow bagel to their blue cheese parsley cream cheese spread. While at Bagelworks, be sure to try their walnut raisin cream cheese spread on a plain bagel, bacon cheddar cream cheese spread on everything, or a white fish salad sandwich.
Pick a Bagel (1475 2nd Ave., at 77th Street)
Pick a Bagel has been around for nearly 30 years, with its first location opening in 1988. Their menu offers an extensive variety of bagel choices as well as spreads. Pick a Bagel also has classic twists on sandwiches, such as their supreme cali turkey special and supreme reuben. While at Pick a Bagel, be sure to try their executive breakfast, plain bagel with olive cream cheese, or poppy seed bagel with strawberry cream cheese.
B&B Bagels (1370 1st Ave., between 73rd and 74th Street)
Making their grand opening to the Upper East Side in May of 2022, B&B Bagels offers an array of bagels, bialys, and fun cream cheese flavors such as rainbow, herb, tofu and more. In addition, they offer sandwiches, fresh pastries, and regular breakfast meals such as pancakes. While at B&B Bagels, be sure to try the turkey bacon egg and cheese sandwich, bialy with veggie tofu cream cheese, or everything bagel with rainbow cream cheese paired with a mini rugelach.
What is your go-to bagel order? Leave a comment below!
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