Best NYC Bagels
It’s often said that NYC has four major food groups: pizza, hot dogs, cheesecake, and bagels. All of these NYC foods are delicious, and a truly complete trip to NYC will include at least one of each. Today, we are going to focus on the New York City bagel. Other cities have tried to replicate the deliciousness of NYC bagels. Some cities even import water from NYC hoping to replicate the perfect texture NYC bagels boast. Yet, true New Yorkers always know these are imposters. Something about the five boroughs just makes fabulous bagels. Let’s explore what makes NYC bagels special, and where you can find the best of the best.
Bagel History
We must start with some basic bagel history. The bagel can be traced back to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants who came to NYC from Eastern Europe in the 1800s. Immigrants bring many things with them to a new country, including their food.
Many of these NYC immigrants sold food from push carts on the streets of the Lower East Side. Bagels, with their trademark hole in the middle, were perfect for displaying on a string or on a stick. Bagels were and continue to be fabulous NYC street food.
Bagels became so popular amongst these immigrant communities that unions were formed! Bagel Bakers Local 338 became one of the strongest. Bagel Bakers Local 338 was extremely difficult to join. Most new members were related to pre-existing members. Membership stayed in the family, as it were. How amazing were members at making bagels? Well, it’s said that in the 1960s, there were 350 members of Bagel Bakers Local 338 and they rolled 250,000 bagels a day! For their efforts, members were paid the equivalent of over $1400 a week in today’s money, and received health benefits.
Bagel Bakers Local 338 wielded a lot of power because New Yorkers simply cannot live without their bagels. However, an invention came along that changed everything. That invention was the Thompson Bagel Machine. Yes, even in the 1970’s, machines were taking people’s jobs.
However, true New Yorkers still value the handmade bagel, and seek it out in the city. Where can one find a hand-made bagel in NYC? Let’s find out.
Best Bagels in NYC
Russ & Daughters: Located at 179 E Houston St., Russ & Daughters is a classic traditional NYC bagel. They’ve been rolling out hand-rolled NYC bagels since 1914, so you know they do it right. Swing by nearby Russ & Daughters cafe for treats. Also, fun fact: Russ & Daughters was the first business in NYC to be named “& Daughters” instead of “& Sons.”
Zucker’s Bagels
Zucker’s Bagels have a golden brown brown exterior and dense chewy interior that leaves New Yorkers and guests alike craving more. They have several locations throughout the city. Their sandwiches are a must-try. While Zucker’s was founded in TriBeCa in 2006, it was founded by a Lower East Native who knows NYC bagel traditions.
Ess-a-Bagel
Many New Yorkers claim Ess-a-Bagel makes the best bagel in NYC. They have various locations throughout NYC, including two in Midtown, perfect for visiting guests. Former New Yorkers have been know to make a trip to the Big Apple just to stock up on Ess-a-Bagels bagels. Ess-a-Bagels also does fun collaborations with other New York City institutions such as Charles Pan Fried Chicken and Magnolia Bakery
Learn More with a Tour
NYC Bagel Tours offers tours where you can taste some of NYC’s very best bagels. One of NYC Bagel Tours’ most unique offerings is a bagel making class. You will learn the history of bagels, bake bagels, eat bagels, and have a few extra treats along the way. This is a truly unique New York experience. If you’re visiting for a short time and are looking for the best things to do in NYC that are “off the beaten path,” a bagel making class perfectly fits the bill. (And it also makes for a fun active date night!)
The classes take place near Times Square, which means you can take a group photo and then see it on the Welcome To Times Square Billboard. Learn more about how your photo can show on a Times Square billboard for as low as $150 a day!