Best bagels on the Upper East Side, 2026.

Bagel Bob’s is a New York City staple for Upper East Siders (and pretty much everyone else too). This no-frills bagel shop offers traditional NYC bagels in an unpretentious environment that makes it clear the focus is on taste.

My mouth is watering just thinking about them. These Upper East Side bagels are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked fresh daily. This means the odds of you getting a fresh, warm bagel are very high.

If you’re looking to mix things up, try the flat bagel (also called a flagel). Since these are some of the best bagels in the Upper East Side, it’s not uncommon for there to be a line. Make sure to come early and be prepared to wait, but trust me these UES bagels are worth it!

Something to Note. Bagel Bob’s is CASH ONLY.

You heard it hear folks, the newest Yes. It’s seriously hard to beat a Popup bagel. The smell of this place is taking over the UES by storm and the taste is every bit as good.

Bagels don’t get fresher than those at Popup which typically roll right out of the oven shortly after ordering. The deal here is novel and breaks New York tradition. Some love it, some hate it. So goes the world.

At Popup, the minimum order is three bagels, and that comes with a healthy carton of schmear for $12. You choose the schmear and can mix and match the bagels.

As a local, I’ve gotta say the arrival of Popup comes with no small amount of excitement. This place already has lines around the block each morning and deservedly so.

Good to knowPopup Bagels is Kosher certified.

Originally founded in 1916, Orwashers is one of the longest-running bagel shops on the Upper East Side (and they recently branched out with a second bakery in the Upper West Side).

Serving New Yorkers for over 100 years with their signature sourdough bagels, their success can be attributed to traditional baking methods that have been perfected over time. So it’s no surprise that they serve some of the best bagels in the UES. Swing by for all the classics.

In terms of bagel sandwiches, it doesn’t get much better than Kossar’s on the Upper East Side. The line wrapping around the block says it all.

These bagels are typically hot, fresh, and go great with the delicious lox they have on offer here. One of my closest friends considers Kossar’s as the best bagel on the Upper East Side.

Kossar’s flagship store on the Lower East Side dates back to 1936 putting them in the realm of institution status. In fact, they claim to be the oldest operating Bialy shop in the US.

Unpopular opinion. Unpopular opinion. Most “famous” bagel shops are riding on reputation alone. More Great Bagel Spots in NYC is actually better.

Ask any local about their favorite bagel spot in the Upper East Side and the honest ones will mention Bagelworks. Established in 1983, Bagelworks has been churning out top-tier, high-quality bagels for over 40 years.

The scratch-made bagels have made loyal followers out of New Yorkers who trust thatSince they do all the baking in-house, the likeliness of you getting a fresh bagel is very high.

Expect long lines since these are some of the best bagels on the Upper East Side. The staff is some of the friendliest folks in the business and they do their best to keep the line moving.

If you’re a fan of smoked fish, Sable’s makes some of the best lox bagels in the Upper East Side. Locals often draw comparisons between Sable’s and the well-known Zabar’s on the Upper West Side, a NYC staple since 1934.

Comparing the two makes sense since the owners of Sable’s (Danny and Kenny Sze) managed the appetizer department at Zabar’s for over a decade. They were able to learn the ins and outs of the bagel business as well as where to get the best smoked fish in New York City.

The smoked fish is always fresh and this Upper East Side bagel shop only uses the highest quality ingredients. If anyone is in the market for good caviar (at a decent price, might I add), Sable’s has long been a neighborhood favorite.

Gourmet Bagels on Lexington Avenue is a go-to morning pit stop for lots of folks in this neighborhood. You can grab a hot coffee, a solid Upper East Side bagel, and be on your way without any chaos. Besides quality bagels, they offer sandwiches, wraps, and burritos for a quick, on-the-go bite.

Although there are a few chairs available, I personally enjoy taking a stroll to Central Park, a few blocks away. Having one of the best bagels from the UES in the park, does it get any better? I doubt it.