Best Bagels Restaurants in East Village (10003)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Apollo Bagels
Oven-hot, blistered bagels with standout smoked-fish builds.
Notable Picks
8.6
A newer East Village counter spot doing sourdough-leaning, oven-hot bagels with a shattery crust and pronounced chew. The menu is tight, focused on fish-forward sandwiches and top-tier cream cheeses. Lines can be real, but the bagels deliver on texture and flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked salmon bagel with dill and capers, Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, Whitefish salad bagel
What makes it special: Oven-hot, blistered bagels with standout smoked-fish builds.
#2
Bagel Bob's
8.0
Old-school neighborhood shop turning out no-frills, properly dense bagels all day. The vibe is classic counter-service New York, with fast turnover and a loyal local base. Great for a straightforward bagel-and-schmear or a hefty breakfast sandwich.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, Sesame bagel with butter, Turkey egg & cheese sandwich
What makes it special: Classic, unfussy bagels at a neighborhood-friendly price.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A long-running East Village standby serving fresh, traditional bagels with generous spreads and breakfast staples. The bagels skew soft-chewy with good toasting, and the counter crew keeps things moving. Solid everyday choice with a laid-back neighborhood feel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg bagel with bacon, egg & cheese, Everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, Nova lox on a sesame bagel
What makes it special: Decades-deep local shop with dependable, traditional bagels.
A counter-service bagel shop that’s a neighborhood workhorse for fast, no-nonsense breakfast. The kettle-boiled bagels hold up under classic spreads and egg sandwiches, and the line moves quickly even during peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Everything Bagel with Lox Cream Cheese, Classic Bacon Egg & Cheese, Veggie Cream Cheese on Sesame
What makes it special: Old-school NYC bagels done right, very early hours.
#5
Bagel Belly
7.6
A smaller East Village shop with hand-rolled bagels and a friendly, low-key counter setup. The bagels are sturdy and satisfying, and the sandwich menu leans creative without going overboard. A good under-the-radar stop when bigger spots are slammed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bacon, egg & cheese on an everything bagel, Rainbow bagel with funfetti cream cheese, Smoked salmon bagel sandwich
What makes it special: Underrated local counter with playful spreads and solid bagels.