Best bagels in Brooklyn

Shelsky’s of Brooklyn hearkens back to the golden era of New York delis. Opened in 2011, the local joint. Each bagel is hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and then baked to perfection. Top it with a few slices of premium lox and you get the quintessential Brooklyn bagel experience.

Bagel Pub feels like the quintessential Brooklyn bagel shop, the service is typically friendly and you’re bound to rub elbows with locals. The popular neighborhood haunt displays an impressive variety of options that cater to a wide range of palates. The shop is known for generous servings of schemer, so I definitely recommend splitting a bagel if you’re visiting with a friend in tow. I’ve been coming here for years and the quality has never once dropped. That kind of consistency is rare in NYC.

This charming family-owned Brooklyn bagel shop has carved out a reputation as a go-to spot for locals since opening in Bushwick in 2018. I’m partial to the bagel sandwiches. I find that Knickerbocker is one of the few Brooklyn bagel joints that’s generous when it comes toppings like smoked fish. Highly recommend!

Opened in 2016 by two brothers, Frankel’s Deli offers all the standard fixings of a typical Jewish deli. The bagels maintain an ideal balance between crispy crust and chewy interior, which means a standard bagel with schmear will leave you content, but that sort of misses the point.

The real star is Frankel’s house-cured salmon. After years of visiting, my go-to order remains unchanged, the signature Frankel #1 bagel sandwich.

Good to know Frankel’s appears in our roundup of the best bagels and lox in NYC.

Bagel Hole is historic landmark in the world of Brooklyn bagels. Sticking to traditional baking methods since. They weigh in at about 4 ounces each (compared to standard 6 ounce NYC bagels). The size isn’t just for show; the smaller size results in a pleasantly chewy bagel with subtle flavor. Crowned with schmear, it’ll easily tide you over until lunch.

With roots firmly planted in Brooklyn since 1986, La Bagel Delight is committed to sticking with the time-honored process of bagel making. The bagels are substantial but not overwhelmingly large, ensuring each bite delivers a range of textures, from the firm crust to chewy inside.

There’s four bagel shops in Brooklyn to choose from, all independently owned and operated. I prefer the 7th Avenue location since it’s a 10 minute walk from Prospect Park. There’s a charming old-school New York feel to this place that I absolutely love, it feels like stepping back in time. I’ve recommended this spot to more. I first discovered this place on a whim and it immediately became part of my regular rotation. The consistency is what keeps me coming back, you always know what you’re getting.

Sam’s Bagels punches above its weight in the breakfast sandwich arena. Every bagel is handcrafted with meticulous care, boiled to achieve that iconic, chewy texture, and then baked to a perfect golden-brown. Order a bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel and you’ll see why locals consider these some of the best bagels in Brooklyn.

Location7715 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY This one of my go-to spots whenever I find myself in the neighborhood.

At H&L, bagels are half the story, it’s the great service that keeps locals coming back. The owner himself doles out orders from behind the counter, but everyone that works at this popular joint keep good service top of mind.

While you order you can catch a glimpse of bagels being rolled and pull out of the oven, piping hot, it doesn’t get fresher than this. If you’re visiting Bay Ridge, pop in if you’re in the mood for Brooklyn’s best bagels.

Please Note H&L Bagels is a cash-only establishment but there’s an ATM in the shop.

Opened in 1991, Terrace Bagels has been dishing out some of the best bagels in Brooklyn for more than three decades. Their unwavering commitment to traditional bagel baking methods seems to be the secret to success. The bagels are a pleasant mix. It’s the kind of spot that makes exploring this part of the city feel rewarding. Whether you’re a regular or just passing through, you’ll feel right at home here.

If you haven’t had a bagel from Why Are New York City Bagels So Good?, have you even been to New York?