10 Best Bagels in Brooklyn (The Local Foodie) (2024)

Boiled and baked, a proper New York bagel is like the city itself: a bit tough on the outside, but it will invariably keep you coming back for more. Thankfully there’s no shortage of great bagels in Brooklyn to choose from. Whether you’re visiting NYC for the first time (or a tenured local), these are the joints I consider essential. Let’s dive in!

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Why Are New York City Bagels So Good?

The million dollar question: Why are New York bagels so damn good?

I can sit here and regale you with all the conspiracies theories I’ve heard over the years, but, simply put, I think it’s the water (and that’s the hill I’m ready to die on). The city’s water has low mineral content (like calcium and magnesium), making it “soft.” The soft water affects the gluten in the dough, creating a chewier bagel than elsewhere. The math checks out to me but hell, I’m not an expert, merely a hungry local.

List of the Best Bagels in Brooklyn

Shelsky’s of Brooklyn

Shelsky’s of Brooklyn hearkens back to the golden era of New York delis. Opened in 2011, the local joint made a lasting impression on locals in short time. 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.

Address: 141 Court St, Brooklyn, NY

Bagel Pub

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.

Knickerbocker Bagel

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 and recommend the Loxury (smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onion & capers). I find that Knickerbocker is one of the few Brooklyn bagel joints that’s generous when it comes to toppings like smoked fish. Highly recommend!

Location: 367 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Frankel’s Delicatessen

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. Made with house-cured pastrami lox, scallion cream cheese and tantalizing cucumber salad, it’s a fun twist on a classic.

Address: 631 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY

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

Bagel Hole

Bagel Hole is historic landmark in the world of Brooklyn bagels. Sticking to traditional baking methods since 1985, these bagels are smaller and denser than the average bagel. 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.

Address: 400 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY

La Bagel Delight

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.

Sam’s Bagels

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.

Location: 7715 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY

H&L Bagels

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.

Location: 8818 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY

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

Terrace Bagels

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 between airy and dense, every bite is satisfying.

Ordering Bagels in Brooklyn (Local’s Advice)

Know what you want beforehand: Grabbing a bagel is meant to be a quick affair. Lines are long enough as it is and you don’t want to be the holdup. Since most bagel shops have large displays of schmears and bagels it’s best to stay off your phone and rehearse your order before reaching the front of the line.

Avoid rush hour:Lines are inevitable at the most popular Brooklyn bagel joints, if you’re keen to avoid a long wait time, consider avoiding the morning rush. Stop by first thing in the morning (before the party animals wake up) or after 2pm. Visiting on weekdays helps too.

The Best Bagels in Brooklyn (Post Summary)

In sum, these are the best bagels in Brooklyn:

1. Bagel Hole
2. Terrace Bagels
3. H&L Bagels
4. Frankel’s Delicatessen
5. Shelsky’s of Brooklyn
6. Sam’s Bagels
7. Knickerbocker Bagel
8. La Bagel Delight
9. Court St. Bagel
10. Bagel Pub

Map of Brooklyn Bagel Shops

And there you have it, a quick roundup of the best bagels in Brooklyn. I hope you enjoyed the post!

Cheers!