15 Must Try Bagel Shops Where The Everything Bagel Is Absolute Perfection
Finding the perfect everything bagel feels like discovering buried treasure. When that golden crust hits your taste buds with just the right mix of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and salt, you know you’ve found something special.
I’ve searched high and low to bring you the best bagel shops across the country where the everything bagel isn’t just good it’s absolutely mind-blowing.
1. Russ & Daughters – New York City
If you’re hunting for bagel royalty, this Lower East Side legend has been serving perfection since 1914. Their everything bagel comes loaded with the ideal blend of toppings that stick to every inch of the surface.
What makes this spot unforgettable is how they balance tradition with quality. The bagels arrive fresh every morning, boiled and baked to create that signature chewy interior and crispy exterior. You’ll taste why generations of New Yorkers have lined up here.
Order yours with a schmear of their house-made cream cheese, and you’ll understand what bagel heaven truly means. The crunch, the flavor, the texture everything works together beautifully.
2. Ess-a-Bagel – New York City
Walking into this Manhattan institution feels like stepping into a bagel lover’s dream. Their everything bagels are famously huge, hand-rolled, and covered so generously with toppings that you’ll find flavor in every single bite.
What sets them apart is their commitment to making bagels the old-fashioned way. They kettle-boil each one before baking, which creates that perfect chewy texture inside while keeping the outside wonderfully crisp. The garlic and onion flavors shine through without overpowering your senses.
Locals swear by getting there early because these beauties sell out fast. Pair yours with lox or keep it simple with butter either way, you’re in for a treat.
3. Montreal Bagel Co. – Montreal, Canada
Are you ready for a bagel experience that’s completely different? Montreal-style bagels are smaller, sweeter, and denser than their New York cousins, and this shop does them brilliantly. They wood-fire every batch, giving each everything bagel a subtle smoky flavor.
The dough here contains honey, which adds a gentle sweetness that plays beautifully against the savory everything topping. You’ll notice the bagels have a smaller hole and a chewier bite than what you might expect. It’s a style that’s been perfected over decades.
Grab a bag straight from the oven if possible. The warmth brings out all those amazing flavors, and you’ll find yourself reaching for just one more.
4. Zaro’s Bagels – New York/New Jersey
Though this chain has multiple locations, their consistency is what keeps me coming back. Every everything bagel delivers the same excellent quality, whether you’re grabbing breakfast in Manhattan or New Jersey.
Their secret lies in their topping mixture, which includes just the right ratio of seeds to aromatics. The garlic never tastes burnt, and the onion adds a pleasant sharpness without being too strong. Each bagel gets boiled before baking, creating that signature dense yet springy texture.
I love that you can count on them for a reliably great bagel any day of the week. They’re perfect for busy mornings when you need quality fast.
5. The Bagel Store – Brooklyn, New York
When innovation meets tradition, magic happens. This Williamsburg hotspot became famous for rainbow bagels, but their everything bagel is where classic craftsmanship truly shines through.
What makes their version special is the freshness of their topping blend. They mix their everything seasoning in-house daily, ensuring maximum flavor and crunch. The bagels themselves are perfectly sized not too big, not too small and have that ideal New York density.
It’s worth noting that this place gets crowded on weekends, so plan accordingly. Their everything bagel with scallion cream cheese has become my personal go-to order. The combination simply works on every level imaginable.
6. Bagel Oasis – Fresh Meadows, New York
Hidden in a Queens neighborhood, this gem serves everything bagels that rival any Manhattan spot. Locals guard this secret carefully, but I’m letting you in on the magic.
Their bagels come out warm throughout the day, not just in the morning rush. The everything topping is applied with a heavy hand, which means you get maximum flavor without any bare spots. The dough has a slight tang that suggests proper fermentation time.
Did you know that many professional chefs make special trips here for their bagel fix? That tells you everything about the quality. Order a baker’s dozen and freeze some they reheat beautifully and taste almost as good as fresh.
7. Kettleman’s Bagel Co. – Ottawa, Canada
How does a Canadian capital city produce such incredible bagels? This 24-hour shop combines Montreal tradition with Ottawa hospitality, creating everything bagels that draw crowds at all hours.
They roll every bagel by hand and boil them in honey water before baking in a wood-fired oven. This process gives their everything bagels a distinctive sweetness and a chewy texture that’s absolutely addictive. The topping mixture includes generous amounts of sesame seeds that add a nutty richness.
I’m always impressed by their round-the-clock availability. Whether you’re craving a bagel at noon or midnight, they’ve got you covered with the same excellent quality.
8. Black Seed Bagels – New York City
It’s fascinating when two bagel traditions collide in the best possible way. This shop brings Montreal-style techniques to New York, creating everything bagels with a unique personality all their own.
Their bagels are smaller and denser, with a hint of sweetness from the honey-boiled dough. The everything topping features premium seeds and spices that taste noticeably fresher than average. You’ll notice the wood-fired baking gives each bagel a subtle smokiness that enhances rather than overwhelms.
The Nolita location has become a neighborhood favorite, though lines can get long during peak hours. Trust me, the wait is absolutely worth it for these beauties.
9. Absolute Bagels – New York City
When Columbia University students and Upper West Side locals agree on something, you know it’s legit. This no-frills shop produces some of the largest, most generously topped everything bagels in the city.
Their topping mixture leans heavy on the garlic and onion, which makes for an incredibly aromatic experience. The bagels themselves are hand-rolled to impressive sizes, giving you plenty of surface area for your favorite spread. They maintain that classic New York chew while staying light enough to finish without feeling stuffed.
Morning hours bring the freshest batches straight from the oven. Grab one warm, and you’ll taste why this place has earned its devoted following over the years.
10. St-Viateur Bagel – Montreal, Canada
Since 1957, this Mile End institution has been perfecting the art of wood-fired bagels. Their everything version showcases Montreal’s unique bagel style with a lighter, sweeter approach that’s completely captivating.
What strikes you first is the incredible aroma from their wood-burning oven, which runs continuously day and night. The bagels emerge with a beautiful golden color and a subtle smokiness. Their everything topping focuses more on sesame seeds than New York versions, creating a nuttier, less aggressive flavor profile.
Watching the bakers work is like seeing culinary poetry in motion. Each bagel gets hand-rolled, boiled briefly, and then baked to perfection in mere minutes.
11. Murray’s Bagels – New York City
Greenwich Village knows good food, and this beloved spot has been delivering exceptional everything bagels since 1996. Their approach combines old-school techniques with careful attention to ingredient quality.
The everything topping here achieves perfect balance no single flavor dominates, and each bite delivers that satisfying crunch. They boil their bagels in small batches before baking, which creates a distinctive texture that’s chewy without being tough. The crust develops a beautiful shine that catches your eye immediately.
I’ve found their consistency to be remarkable across different visits and times of day. Whether you’re an early bird or prefer a late breakfast, you’ll get the same excellent bagel experience.
12. Rosenberg’s Bagels – Denver, Colorado
Who says you need to be on the East Coast for authentic bagels? This Denver shop proves that outstanding everything bagels can thrive anywhere with the right dedication and skill.
The owner trained in New York before bringing that expertise to Colorado. Their everything bagels feature a perfectly crispy exterior that gives way to a wonderfully chewy interior. The topping blend includes coarse salt that adds little bursts of flavor without making things too salty overall.
It’s worth mentioning that they use high-altitude baking adjustments to replicate East Coast results. The attention to detail shows in every bite, making this a must-visit for any Denver bagel enthusiast.
13. Fairmount Bagel – Montreal, Canada
Are you looking for bagel history you can actually taste? This shop has been operating continuously since 1919, making it one of North America’s oldest bagel bakeries still using original methods.
Their everything bagels come fresh from wood-burning ovens that never go cold. The bagels are smaller and denser than American versions, with a natural sweetness from honey water boiling. Each one gets hand-shaped by skilled bakers who’ve perfected their craft over years of practice.
The 24-hour operation means you can satisfy bagel cravings anytime. There’s something magical about getting a warm everything bagel straight from the oven at three in the morning.
14. Tal Bagels – New York City
With multiple Manhattan locations, this reliable chain delivers consistently excellent everything bagels wherever you find them. Their approach emphasizes quality control and traditional preparation methods.
Each everything bagel gets kettle-boiled before baking, creating that signature New York texture we all crave. The topping mixture includes premium ingredients that taste fresh rather than stale or burnt. You’ll notice the garlic has a mellow, roasted quality rather than harsh bite.
I appreciate that they offer various sizes to match different appetites. Their regular size is substantial without being overwhelming, making it perfect for a satisfying breakfast that won’t leave you uncomfortably full.
15. Beauty’s Bagels – Oakland, California
When West Coast creativity meets East Coast tradition, something special emerges. This Oakland favorite brings New York bagel techniques to California, creating everything bagels that honor tradition while adding their own personality.
Their bagels get made fresh daily using a long fermentation process that develops complex flavors. The everything topping includes high-quality seeds and aromatics that taste noticeably better than standard versions. Each bagel achieves that perfect balance between crusty exterior and chewy interior.
Did you know they source many ingredients locally when possible? This commitment to quality ingredients shines through in every bite, making them worth seeking out if you’re in the Bay Area.
