Ah Ess-a, the bagel that launched a thousand bagel shops... Well maybe not a thousand but certainly more than a few across the city. Ess-a-Bagel sets the standard for all NYC bagels. The interior is perfectly airy and chewy while the exterior satisfies a bite with a crunchy texture few bagel shops have mastered to this level of perfection. Be forewarned! The long lines at Ess-a-Bagel are warranted. Arrive after 2pm to skip the lines.

Locals have been calling these some of the best bagels in NYC for years, and it's hard to disagree. Offering all the standard fixings of a typical Jewish deli, Frankel’s velvety lox & cucumber combo sets them apart from the rest. The family owned business makes some of the most popular bagels in Brooklyn and is more than worthy of gracing a list of the best bagels in New York City. Hand-rolled and soft as a pillow, there’s no denying that Frankel’s serves some of the best bagels in the city.

You might assume this bagel shop is located in Brooklyn - they don't. Rather, there are four shops peppered across Manhattan and Queens. But I digest... Airy on the inside with a crusty outside. Airy on the inside with a crusty outside. The kalamata olive/feta spread is particularly exceptional and easily one of the most memorable in New York.

The masterminds behind Bo's Bagels, Ashley Dikos and Andrew Martinez, opened one of the best bagel shops in New York City in 2017 when they weren't finding viable options in Harlem. Most New Yorkers will agree that Bo's Bagels has mastered the perfected the texture of the bagel in ways most foodies dream of. The exterior is crispy to the bite while the interior remains chewy.

A staple for Columbia students (located firmly within the University's bounds), Absolute is the kind of place you return to again and again after finding out about it. The bagels are served hot from the oven and have a perfectly chewy texture. This is the kind of spot where toasting only detracts from the overall bagel experience.

A moment of silence for some of the best lox in New York City. Russ & Daughters has a gravitational pull on anyone who has been before. Russ & Daughters has the kind of bagel sandwich that has you considering taxiing into the city on a layover just to indulge. The bagels at Russ & Daughters are exceptional, as you would expect, but the smoked fish is where they shine.

Tompkins Square Bagels is named for the park a stone's throw away. The divine bagels churned out at this beloved bagel shop are hand rolled and kettle boiled. If that's not enough, they're also baked fresh until 1pm. So if you have a hankering for one of NYC's best bagels at lunch time, they have you covered. The bagels are hefty in size but the plethora of air pockets makes them light, chewy and downright irresistible.

At face value it may seem like Black Seed Bagels has two strikes against them: They're the newish kids on the block (opening in 2014) and they serve Montreal-style bagels (hand-rolled and then poached). However, within one bite, you'll realize why these are some of the best bagels in New York City. Black Seed Bagel's signature recipe was created by their James Beard-nominated executive chef, Dianna Daoheung. And dang, she knows her stuff.

Let's get real, how often does a place called "best" anything live up to the hype? It's like asking for respect, you either have it or you don't. No need to sell us on being the best, right? Well, enter Best Bagels & Coffee, a NYC bagel shop that has finally proved the idiom wrong. The aptly named bagel shop serves up some of the best bagels in New York City. The bagels are big and chewy inside with a perfectly toasted exterior. What more can you ask for?

Bagel Bob's is a New York City staple for NYU students and pretty much everyone else too. The no frills bagel shop offers traditional NYC bagels in an unpretentious environment that makes it clear the focus is on taste. If you're looking to mix things up, try the flat bagel or get a traditional bagel with spread. There's two locations to choose from including the flagship shop by NYU.