NFT: Best Bagel joint in NYC?

for me.

is the gold standard but I think David's Bagels (in terms of the bagel itself) is as good or better. Tompkins Square Bagels might be pound for pound the best (including the spreads etc), others swear by Murray's, I've never had absolute bagels but they show up on many "best in the city" lists.

fresh bagels (before they sold - but still for a while after Kraft bought them) so I always viewed them as the gold standard (fresh - not the frozen or packages ones in the store).

I tried Ess (3rd avenue) based on DMM's recommendation and they're legit.

I like Murray’s bagels. If your willing to venture out the best bagels imo are at “bakers dozen” in greenpoint, Brooklyn. Right on manhattan ave.

In comment 14944958 pjcas18 said:

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fresh bagels (before they sold - but still for a while after Kraft bought them) so I always viewed them as the gold standard (fresh - not the frozen or packages ones in the store). I tried Ess (3rd avenue) based on DMM's recommendation and they're legit.

The Lender's onion bagel with butter was awesome. ... for a bagel you buy in the supermarket

Tal's bagels are very good.

I love Essa Bagel too.

Zucker's is really good but nothing comes close to Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company (specifically the one in Chelsea). And if you want the best fish- Russ & Daughters.

that's where it all began for me -- I also like Murray's.

Ess - is a knock-off of the Bagel Wheel moved to Manhattan - but they are pretty good

48 bagels for 70$ from St. Viateur in Montreal...

Not bad price-wise, I don't know how they keep though.

Right around penn station and the garden. Hands down no question. The chain ones are not as good as people think imo. No offense.

In comment 14944965 Pete44 said:

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Tal's bagels are very good. I love Essa Bagel too.

Tal's is good but I find their bagels pretty small.

Staying in Manhattan I like Broadway Bagel on the Upper West Side. Overall, I like Bagels & Co out in Fresh Meadows Queens.

excellent (which you can basically find in most, not all, NYC neighborhoods, and crap (which are most bagels in NYC and elsewhere). Over the course of my two decades in NYC, I have lived in Murray Hill for a decade, Brooklyn Heights for five years and Park Slope the last five years. In each neighborhood, I have found bagels that are simply excellent. For instance, in Park Slope Bagel Market, Bagel Hole, and Bagel Word are all excellent options. In Brooklyn Heights you have Montague Bagels, which is is just almost, if not just as good, as Ess-a-Bagel, Zuckers, H and H (when it was up, Brooklyn Bagel, etc etc. Those are all great bagels, btw, but unlike Pizza, the good ones are very similar as to never travel for a bagel. Now, of course, it might make some sense to travel for other stuff such as smoked fish, such as Barney Green Grass, Murray's. Shelsky's etc.

Oof I moved to Texas from the city going 8 months ago and haven’t had a decent bagel in months. I can’t wait for Covid to clear and business travel back to NY to start. I worked on 3rd and 53rd for years and Essa holds up, despite the trendiness.

I mean after a day or two they're ok toasted, but to be worth eating fresh they need to be fresh boiled and baked the same day.

I can't even imagine stuffing my freezer with bagels for a "deal" when that same space can hold Haagen Daz or rib eye steak on sale.

this thread now morphs into what to put on the perfect bagel...

They
used to have common ownership. Ess is great too as is Absolute on Upper Broadway. I lived in the W. 70's for 27 years but was never a fan of H&H - too sweet. Also not a fan of Tal's.

...is Ben's from Spring Valley that is sold at Fairway and Murray's Cheese. As for smoked fish, I agree with the poster ho mentioned Russ & Daughters, although Zabar's is excellent too. And Barney Greengrass has great sturgeon.

Next question

In comment 14945005 Frank in Silver Spring said:

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this thread now morphs into what to put on the perfect bagel...

regular cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion and some capers.

I like Zuckers, but not sure if it's any better than some others.

Essa bagels are too big, IMO.

Best Bagels on 35th between 7th and 8th.

in Williamsburg. Drooling just thinking about them...

.

Proper bagel here in Nashville is pretty awesome but they really pack people in.

Started making my own. Not very complicated, some trial and error but now I no longer want to buy them when I can make them. Materials cost is about $2 a dozen and you can make them any size you want. I make smaller, 3 oz bagels because it seems the trend in the stores is to make them as big as dictionaries.

King Arthur flour has a standard recipe on their web site, it's a good place to start.

now on 5th avenue in Park Slope

In comment 14944968 gidiefor said:

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that's where it all began for me -- I also like Murray's. Ess - is a knock-off of the Bagel Wheel moved to Manhattan - but they are pretty good

gidie - That is a great choice. I grew up on Highway Bagels (Kings Highway be. E. 19th & Ocean Ave.). They used to be good. Went back there last year after about 25 years and not so good.

A lot of NY bagel places are hit and miss now. A lot no longer par boil the bagels; they just bake, which is not a NYC bagel.

But 'Best Bagel' on 35th street near Macy's is pretty good.

In comment 14946050 AnnapolisMike said:

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But 'Best Bagel' on 35th street near Macy's is pretty good.

I work in that neighborhood and that place has AWESOME bagels. I don't partake too often as I try to watch my carb intake, but it makes for a solid cheat.