The Absolute Best Bagel Shop In Every US State
One food genre that really brings out the fire in folks' bellies is the morning bagel. Let's just say this hole-y bread can really get people hot and bothered when it comes to debating the details. We've done our homework, asked around, and researched all about how to pick the best bagels at the grocery store, and we've even pitted those grocery store bagel brands against each other, ranking them from worst to best. We even dove in to what goes in those bagels, judging store-bought cream cheeses from worst to best.
It was a lot of work, and there came a point when we wondered why do all this? From comparing bagel labels to hunting for which tastes best, so much energy is expended. And then? You take that info and must go home and toast, schmear, and construct a whole bagel creation yourself. Instead ... hear us out ... you could let the professionals handle it.
A stellar bagel shop already has that stuff covered. Dough is mixed, shaped, boiled, and baked by experts who know exactly what they're doing. And that's where this list comes in, highlighting the absolute best bagel shop in every state, from no-frills neighborhood counters to spots putting their own spins on this beloved breakfast bite. After reading this, you'll be about to head to a winning spot, point at a bagel, and let them do the rest.
Alabama: Canadian Bakin
Canadian Bakin grew from a farmers market bagel operation into a bonafide bakery and café, offering hand-rolled bagels in various flavors, with much anticipated specials like jalapeño and cheddar popping up. Bagel sandwiches are also on offer, like the Fathead, combining cream cheese, bacon, and maple syrup, or the Lox and Loaded, showcasing smoked salmon, tomato, onion, capers, and cream cheese. Locals say this is the spot for Alabama's best bagels.
(256) 489-2323
501A Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Alaska: The Bagel Shop
The Bagel Shop uses a simple recipe of flour, water, yeast, salt, barley malt, and cornmeal to power its bakes, with seeded varieties receiving egg-white brushings before toppings of sesame, poppy, garlic, and onion are applied (plain bagels remain vegan). Creative bagel sandwiches and schmears abound, and even Sunset Magazine considers the shop an essential Homer dining stop. Customers specifically sing the praises of the bagel and lox sandwiches featuring fresh local salmon.
(907) 299-3228
3745 East End Rd, Homer, AK 99603
Arizona: Bagelfeld's
Ever wondered where the name for the everything bagel seasoning came from? Or even what exactly it entails? You could go down that rabbit hole, or just head to Bagelfeld's, and let it dazzle you with its version, and much more. The menu spans a far wider spectrum of flavors (said to sell out quickly), while the schmears get especially playful, like honey brown butter or lemon herb.
Multiple locations
Arkansas: Benny's Bagels
Benny's Bagels has fast become a Fayetteville favorite, enticing a morning crowd daily thanks to fresh-made, New York-style bagels boiled fresh, and cream cheese created in-house. Customers are spoiled with sammie choices, like the Bee Sting, with bacon or sausage, egg, pepper jack, hash brown, and hot honey. Fun fact: University of Arkansas alumni opened the shop, creating a bustling campus-adjacent option locals say absolutely makes the grade.
bennysbagelsfayetteville.toast.site
(479) 332-0600
826 N Leverett Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701
California: Hank's Bagels
Hank's Bagels serves legit New York-style bites that locals fiercely defend. Ranked by reviewers among the Angel City's best bagels, Hank's keeps fans returning for a taste of the crispy, crackly outer crust. The bagel menu offers everything from plain to salty chocolate chip, rosemary sea salt, and rotating specials. Its signature sandwich showcases maple-glazed bacon, cheddar, eggs, aioli, and tomato, and other sammie options feature fixings like smoked whitefish salad, lox, and more.
Multiple locations
Colorado: Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen
Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen serves customers bagels that run the gamut of flavors (plain, salt, poppy seed, onion, garlic, egg, everything, sesame, pumpernickel, cinnamon raisin, and wheat) alongside an equally dizzying array of spreads (cream cheese, butter, jam, peanut butter, Nutella, and hummus). Guests can even take control of their bagel destiny, building their own sandwiches. It's so good, national news outlets have highlighted its hand-sliced meats and authentic Jewish eats.
Multiple locations
Connecticut: Olmo
Olmo sets itself apart by milling its own flour and serving New Haven-style bagels boasting a bump-riddled, blistery crust overlying a pillowy interior patrons can't seem to get enough of. Sandwich builds, with choices like pastrami, egg, cheeses, and more, are also on the menu. One visitor deemed them the top bagels they've tasted, while locals warn they sell out fast. The shop has also earned repeated acclaim at the BagelFest in NYC.
(203) 624-3373
93 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06510
Delaware: The Blue House Bagel Co. and Cafe
The Blue House Bagel Co. and Cafe has been spotlighted by local news praising its detailed production process, where each bagel endures a three-day journey from start to finish. Each bagel gets liquid malt before small-batch steam baking ensues, resulting in a gloriously chewy, gold-kissed outside and feather-light inside. Locals love them, and the Connecticut Post naming the shop among the best bagels in Connecticut solidifies its status as top tier.
(860) 352-2936
161 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT 06019
Florida: Pork Roll Pete's
Pork Roll Pete's bagel shop has a uniquely Northeastern appeal, pairing wildly popular, fresh-baked bagels with New Jersey pork roll, New York ingredients, and Italian imports. Bagel flavors span from plain, sesame, and everything to jalapeño cheddar, French toast, and more, with cream cheese, lox, and bagel sandwiches also available. The shop even uses a water-making system that emulates water in the Big Apple.
(941) 896-3333
4657 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34210
Georgia: Macon Bagels
Macon Bagels is makin' big waves in Georgia, thanks to the husband and wife owners and their bakery boasting hand-rolled creations and scratch-made fare. Bagel flavors include plain, sesame, and everything to adobo cheddar, while house-made cream cheeses include unique picks like honey pecan and jalapeño ranch. Sandwiches get creative, from the sweet honey pecan-profiled Sweet Thing to the lox-loaded Out of Towner. With consistent diner traffic, this downtown fave seems here to stay.
(478) 227-4517
470 3rd St, Macon, GA 31201
Hawaii: Tali's Bagels and Schmear
Hawaii-based Tali's Bagels and Schmear brings the New York-style bagel to the islands, with authentic, local flair. Co-founded by a New Yorker and a Hawaiian, the popular shop has earned high praise on coveted best bagel lists. Its crisped-to-perfection, blistery yet chewy bites come in regular or mini sizes, alongside scratch-made schmears and incredibly inventive sandwiches. Try The Bubble with house-made tahini egg salad, or the OG NYC with savory lox fixings.
Multiple locations
Idaho: Teton Bagel
Teton Bagel started out small (a mere home kitchen experiment), but has grown into a bustling brick-and-mortar. Owner Ryan Bestor makes everything from scratch, hand-rolling, boiling, and fresh-baking bagels daily. Specialty bagels, plus breakfast sandwiches, are a big draw, including the Sunday Morning with bacon, egg, cheese, and garden cream cheese, plus the Teton Breakfast, showcasing bacon, egg, avocado, hash browns, and more. Locals call this Rexburg shop worth the trek.
(986) 497-7834
175 W 2nd S, Ste 105, Rexburg, ID 83440
Illinois: Bad Guy Bagels
According to its solid fan base, the only thing bad about Bad Guy Bagels is in its name. In fact, thanks to its New York-style bagels praised for boasting cloud-like interiors and crisp exteriors, paired with house-made cream cheese spreads that have local tongues wagging, this shop is the opposite (think splendid). Even New York transplants applaud these "bad guys" for delivering the precise type of Big Apple bagels they've been missing.
(630) 800-3665
501 E State St, Geneva, IL 60134
Indiana: Sidedoor Bagel
Indianapolis residents turn to Sidedoor Bagel to get their morning fix according to national food publications. Its three-day sourdough process uses locally grown, stone-ground organic flour, with every bagel hand-rolled, boiled, and baked. Seasonal flavors like jalapeño cheddar pretzel and salt and vinegar, and various schmears (including a vegan one made locally) have big fans. Sandwiches range from the Indiana BLT to Lox and Loaded, and locals never get bored anticipating new flavors.
1103 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Iowa: The Bagel Shop
Having outgrown its food truck beginnings, The Bagel Shop now serves hand-rolled bagels from a Muscatine brick-and-mortar shop. Owners Gavin Meerdink and Leslie Rada offer customers scratch-made bagels, boiled and baked daily, with a rotating selection that includes Asiago, jalapeño cheddar, blueberry, and cinnamon crunch. House-crafted cream cheeses up the ante (think Oreo, strawberry, and even dill pickle). Customers especially praise the ample and uniquely decadent spreads that can make breakfast feel downright dessert-worthy.
(563) 554-3594
413 E 2nd St, Muscatine, IA 52761
Kansas: Bakers Haus
The bagels at Bakers Haus follow an old-school routine (think hand-shaped dough, traditional boiling, then baking ... every single day). Inventive and rotating bagel and schmear choices keep the menu fresh, while solid bagel sandwiches from breakfast classics to pulled pork options are praised (there is even house-cured lox available). Locals deem these bagels Wichita's best, and the shop's gluten-friendly offerings are another reason customers keep returning.
(316) 358-0608
8641 W 13th St N, Ste 100, Wichita, KS 67212
Kentucky: Native Bagel Company
One thing folks have strong opinions about is how much cream cheese belongs on their bagel. And while we won't dare tread into those emotionally charged waters, we will highlight Berea, Kentucky's Native Bagel Company for its unique, house-made cream cheeses customers crave (no matter how much they spread on that bread). Imagine tantalizing flavors like honey rosemary or maple bacon, and when paired with scratch-made bagels like lemon berry zest? Yes chef.
(859) 756-6185
436 Chestnut St, Berea, KY 40403
Louisiana: Humble Bagel
We have covered unique schmears before, like beets blended into cream cheese for ultimate bagel bliss. Humble Bagel is all about presenting similarly inventive cream cheeses that customers praise. Owned by a Long Island baby and a Washington, D.C. transplant, the hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels that are fresh-baked everyday are no slouches either. The menu showcases specials like pumpernickel, sourdough, egg, and chocolate chip, as well as schmears and sandwiches that frequently sell out.
(504) 355-3535
4716 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Maine: Blue House Bagels
Blue House Bagels takes the route less traveled, specifically the small-batch route. Hand-shaped bagels undergo 36-hour cold fermentation before being boiled and baked on pickup morning (the destination of which happens to be an actual blue domicile). The menu showcases standards alongside Hot Green, Cacio e Pepe, and Old Bay, plus several cream cheeses. Customers praise them as the best New York-style bagels in the state. Just plan accordingly: orders open about a week ahead and sell out.
(954) 649-6519
63 Kent St, Portland, ME 04102
Maryland: Twin Bears Bakery
Twin Bears Bakery is a family-run operation hyper-focused on naturally fermented sourdough and bagels. Using local grain, traditional methods, and small-batch production, bakers trained at the elite San Francisco Baking Institute whip up fresh bagels that are the sweethearts of an ever-rotating menu. Local customers are enthusiastic, calling them the area's sole bagel worth buying, while bloggers and national food publications include Twin Bears' bagels among Frederick's best.
(301) 500-0356
125 S Carroll St, Ste 104, Frederick, MD 21701
Massachusetts: Black Sheep Bagel
Black Sheep Bagel Cafe lives up to its contrarian name, whipping up hand-rolled bagels with flavors that are anything but baaa-shful. Alongside familiar offerings like plain and everything, you'll find Cajun spice, za'atar, and rosemary sea salt. The spreads are equally inventive, with maple bacon, pesto, fig jam, and cinnamon honey butter. Bagel sandwiches? Build a Lox Classic, deviled egg salad, or breakfast BLT bagel sandwich, then understand why locals and national food editors keep pointing people here for bagels.
Multiple locations
Michigan: Eastside Bagel
The sun isn't the only thing rising in the east to brighten Motor City mornings. Detroit's Eastside Bagel serves fresh bagels, whipped cream cheeses, and tasty breakfast combos. Choose a Canadian bacon, egg white, and cheese, or turn your bagel into a deli sandwich, like the Chicken Caesar. There's even a brisket option. Locals call Eastside Bagel the best around, and a recent Metro Detroit poll concurred.
(586) 775-8820
21601 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Minnesota: Asa's Bakery
Named by national publications among the best bakeries and bagel destinations, Asa's Bakery proves that primo bagels take time. Specifically, days. By swapping standard yeast for a slow-fermented, naturally leavened sourdough, Asa's serves the most uniquely flavorful, beautifully blistered bagels. Order one with butter, or plain, dill scallion, or seasonal cream cheese, or make your bagel into a sandwich with lox or smoked whitefish salad. There are even vegan choices on offer.
(612) 615-9132
5011 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Mississippi: Leña Pizza + Bagels
With bagel offerings national food writers have hailed as mouthwatering, Leña Pizza + Bagels gives Saturday mornings in Cleveland, Mississippi their own dough-centric ritual. Each Saturday, from opening until all sold out, the shop serves scratch-made, hand-rolled bagels finished in a wood-fired oven. The menu changes weekly, ensuring breakfast is never boring, and the owners bring authentic techniques from time spent studying in a Naples, Italy, kitchen.
(662) 545-4771
331 Cotton Row, Cleveland, MS 38732
Missouri: Blackhole Bakery
Blackhole Bakery exerts a powerful gravitational pull over Kansas City, with a simple bagel selection of plain, everything, or sesame, created completely from scratch, plus house-made cream cheeses of plain, strawberry, honey walnut, or veggie. Local news coverage points to these bagels for their blissful bite and hearty interiors, while social media foodies recommend stopping in for a tasty bagel-and-schmear combination. There are even fresh-made pastries and croissants to enjoy here too.
(816) 885-6836
5531 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Montana: The Sourdough Bagel
The Sourdough Bagel masters the art of natural fermentation with its fresh bagels in flavors ranging from sea salt and everything to jalapeño cheddar and dark chocolate sea salt. Spreads include whipped cream cheeses like rosemary honey or red onion and chive, unique cream cheese frostings, and several butters. Sandwiches bring more choices, like the popular Great Salmon Caper. Tourism guides call it a gem worth discovering, and customers agree.
(406) 969-1117
219 N 29th St, Billings, MT 59101
Nebraska: Know Good
When it comes to knowing how to make a spot-on bagel, Omaha's Know Good has it all figured out. Alongside house-made bagels, customers can choose schmears ranging from herby dill to pimento cheese and vegan veggie. Bagel sandwiches include The Orange Boy (smoked salmon, pickled onions, capers, and dill cream cheese) and a house-made veggie patty pick. Locals call Know Good treks a weekly breakfast tradition, while reviewers champion the shop's budget-aware, inspired fare.
3528 Center St, Omaha, NE 68105
Nevada: Abel's Bagels
Abel's Bagels was born after the now-owner relocated from New York and saw the need for a proper bagel shop in Sin City. Abel's serves hand-rolled, boiled, then baked New York-style bagels, alongside breakfast sandwiches and various add-ons and spreads (think classic or vegan cream cheeses, butter, jams, peanut butter, egg salad, and smoked salmon with schmear). Locals and even national publications name Abel's among Vegas' best bagel bets.
(702) 516-4244
7150 S Durango, Ste 130, Las Vegas, NV 89113
New Hampshire: Big Dave's Bagels & Deli
Big Dave's Bagels & Deli brings big New York flavors to its bagel-loving clientele. The owner knows his stuff, having learned the trade from legendary bagel maker Arthur Goldberg. The menu has plenty of goodies, including the jalapeño-parmesan bagel, which even impressed food guru Guy Fieri. The celeb chef was a fan of the Kweenie (Big Dave's signature pastry), so save room for that too.
(603) 356-3283
1130 Eastman Rd, North Conway, NH 03860
New Jersey: Hudah Babylon Bagel & Restaurant
Hudah Babylon Bagels & Restaurant provides customers with near-endless ways to create their ideal bagel bliss, with options from plain to French toast, chocolate chip, and spinach asiago. Then come scratch-made cream cheeses, including French toast, cinnamon apple, chocolate chip, and jalapeño. You can even build a BLT, egg salad, or lox bagel sandwich. Both local news outlets and diners praise the bagels and scrumptious spreads.
(856) 270-5463
475 Hurffville – Cross Keys Rd, Washington Township, NJ 08080
New Mexico: Horizon Bagels & Cafe
Albuquerque's breakfast scene is broadening its horizons thanks to Horizon Bagels & Cafe, which offers a wide-spanning menu of freshly boiled-and-baked bagels alongside bagel sandwiches and more. Green chile and red chile bagels can be paired with schmears such as garlic herb, green chile, vegan, or rotating specialties. Reviewers, news outlets, and diners delight in this bagel destination, with the veggie sammie on a green chile bagel earning particular enthusiasm.
facebook.com/p/Horizon-Bagels-Cafe
(505) 221-0668
4000 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
New York: Utopia Bagels
The menu at Utopia Bagels leaves little doubt that this shop is down to have some flavor-filled fun. Alongside classic bagels like sesame and whole wheat everything, you'll find French toast and the specialty, color-riddled rainbow bagel. Cream cheese options range from plain and veggie to more fanciful delights like Oreo, birthday cake, walnut raisin, and olive, with tofu spreads available too. Expert foodies include Utopia among New York's best, while locals agree, praising the lox sammie especially.
Multiple locations
North Carolina: Family Dough Bagels
Family-run Family Dough Bagels brings Brooklyn-style bagel know-how to North Cackalacky where it makes scratch-made everything onsite. The menu boasts bagels, cream cheeses, butters and various spreads (Nutella, peanut butter, jelly, and lox), plus breakfast bagel sandwiches like the Pork Roll Egg & Cheese. A local reader poll named it the winner for best bagels, and one visiting New Yorker found the experience especially nostalgic (read: authentic).
(980) 207-4893
7102 Brighton Park Dr, Ste 500, Mint Hill, NC 28227
North Dakota: Boppa's Bagels
Boppa's Bagels whips up a whimsical menu filled with bagels like rainbow, cheese, and pesto tomato, alongside plain, flavored, and even specialty funfetti cream cheese. Breakfast and deli bagel sandwiches are also solid selections, while seasonal specials bring new bites regularly. Foodies are fans of the bagels' fluffy textures, with Very Berry and jalapeño cream cheeses earning rave reviews. The rainbow bagel (and its eye-catching aesthetic and incredible chew) also makes a memorable impression on reviewers.
Multiple locations
Ohio: Bears Bagels
Bears Bagels takes the old-school route seriously, hand-shaping, resting, boiling, then baking its bagels for bites that present the most craveworthy combination of chewiness and cloud-like interiors. The bagel shop also boasts bialys, specialty schmears, and bagel sandwiches with selections ranging from GoldieLox with pastrami-seasoned salmon to a sweeter Brunch It showcasing strawberry schmear, peanut butter drizzle, honey, and more. Local news features Bears Bagels, and food editors especially praise its tender, fresh bagels.
(614) 319-3561
4142 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
Oklahoma: Brice's Coffee & Bake House
Brice's Coffee & Bake House pairs its bagels with the full coffee-shop treatment (think espresso drinks, pastries, croissants, and a bounty of other breakfast options). Bagel fans can reach for classic cream cheese or go bigger with bagel sandwiches like the chicken mayo or lox. Tulsa locals dream about these bagels, especially touting their tasty, near-perfect texture. One diner's lox everything bagel order reportedly even won over a fish-averse hubby. Those are bragging rights right there.
Multiple locations
Oregon: Pipsqueak Bagels
Pipsqueak got its start at the Milwaukie Farmers Market before recently moving into a permanent home. Its hand-rolled, boiled bagels arrive to customers' mitts, boasting a crisped-to-perfection exterior and chewy-as-can-be interior, with flavor choices including asiago black pepper, rosemary sea salt, and cheddar jalapeño. Schmears range from smoked salmon to honey walnut and vegan cream cheese. Locals and experts give their approval, which explains why lines are reportedly a common thing here.
3844 SE Gladstone St, Portland, OR 97202
Pennsylvania: Vanilya
There's absolutely nothing "vanilla" about the menu at Vanilya. This bakehouse presents patrons with an eclectic, New York-style showcase of bagels spanning from cacio e pepe to za'atar and beyond. An inventive collection of spreads is also served (cucumber dill, cranberry orange, blueberry lemon, and cinnamon raisin cream cheeses are just the beginning). Bagel sandwiches include fried salami with egg and cheese, plus pastrami and more. Food editors and locals both deem Vanilya among Philly's best.
(917) 751-7044
1611 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Rhode Island: Cafe Tempo Coffee House
If your morning needs a change of pace, Cafe Tempo has you covered. The beat goes on with house-made bagels (sweet, savory, and seasonal specials) plus spreads of lox, jalapeño, honey walnut, chive, and blueberry. Bagel sandwiches abound, from pepperoni, cheese, and egg on an onion bagel to prosciutto, basil, egg, tomato, and provolone on asiago. Local publications and diners alike point hungry bagel fans here without hesitation.
(401) 737-0109
32 Toll Gate Rd, Warwick, RI 02886
South Carolina: Jersey Bagel Brothers
Jersey Bagel Brothers brings a Northeast sensibility to the Palmetto State, with scratch-made bagels and cream cheeses. The popular Jersey bagel sandwich, showcasing Taylor ham, double cheese, and an optional egg, is a particular draw for Northerner customers craving a taste of home. Diners recommend the shop, appreciating the bagel size and uniquely crunchy veggie cream cheese. Lines are only further evidence that these bagels bring it.
instagram.com/jerseybagelbrothers
(864) 451-7349
1340 N Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607
South Dakota: Bagel Dons
Bagel Dons is a hands-on operation, where every bagel is rolled and baked in-house. Alongside classics like everything and blueberry bagels, the shop shakes things up with rotating specials. Past creations have included Cinnamon Crunch cereal bagels with Cinna-Toast Crunch cream cheese and apple cider bagels with cinnamon toffee spread. Popular breakfast sandwiches are also available all day.
(605) 689-0171
100 Douglas Ave, Ste 101, Yankton, SD 57078
Tennessee: Benji's Bagel & Coffee House
Benji's Bagel & Coffee House infuses New York technique into its Tennessee offerings via hand-rolled bagels that are kettle-boiled and baked on stone. Flavors include za'atar, rosemary salt, and cheddar jalapeño, while schmears venture beyond plain with lemon caper, mixed berry, and more. The Albanian bagel sandwich is a shoutout to the owners' roots, featuring feta and olive cream cheese, prosciutto, arugula, and a fried egg. Experts rank Benji's among the city's best, and customers concur.
Multiple locations
Texas: Starship Bagel
Houston, we have a solution to the perfect bagel, thanks to Starship Bagel's small-batch, New York-style sensations. Its bagels are fermented 24 hours before boiling and baking, producing the crisp exterior and chewy center that helped earn national attention. Bagel flavors include classics, pretzel, and za'atar, with schmears including honey almond, green olive, lox spread, and more. The Millennial Falcon sandwich earned a nod from Guy Fieri, while the 2025 BagelFest crowned these the Best Bagels in America.
Multiple locations
Utah: Baby's Bagels
Began as a trio of buddies baking East Coast-inspired bagels from home has evolved into a bonafide shop named Baby's Bagels. Its exquisitely textured bagels come in flavors like everything, sesame, poppy, salt, and pumpernickel, with stellar, scratch-made spreads including scallion, dill pickle, muhammara, and rotating specials. The muhammara sandwich is unique, showcasing red pepper-walnut spread, herbs, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil. Local publications rank Baby's among the best around.
(385) 340-4486
204 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Vermont: Wee Bird Bagel Cafe
Wee Bird Bagel Cafe makes its hand-rolled, boiled, and baked bagels from scratch every morning. This woman-owned, vegetarian cafe also offers plenty of vegan and gluten-free choices. Bagels can be paired with spreads or turned into sandwiches like the Morning Orchard, with egg, cheddar, apple, arugula, and maple mustard. Menu specials, like blueberry, are big hits, helping explain why locals, publications, and tourism guides recommend Wee Bird among the best.
(802) 565-5125
22 Pleasant St, Randolph, VT 05060
Virginia: Bagel Station 523
Local favorite Bagel Station 523 brings its owners' Dominican and Chinese backgrounds into an unusually creative bagel menu. Formerly operating under the name Bagel Street, the shop hand-rolls, kettle-boils, and bakes its bagels, then adds unique spreads like ube, strawberry cheesecake, and yuzu kosho. Sandwiches are also wondrous rarities, like the Sichuan Street, with Chinese sausage, egg, Kewpie mayo, and hot honey.
(703) 229-2488
523 Maple Ave W, 1st FL, Vienna, VA 22180
Washington: Hey Bagel
HEYYYY! Have you heard about Hey Bagel, Seattle's star bagel shop? It just earned BagelFest West's 2026 award for Best Bagel. The shop serves never-toasted bagels and bialys, with bagel flavors including sea salt, garlic, salted poppy, and everything (blueberry clove and pumpernickel on specific days). Spreads span from chili crisp to spicy scallion, whole lox, and raspberry curry hot honey, and even expert foodies count Hey Bagel among the city's finest.
(206) 517-9962
4610 Village Ct NE, Seattle, WA 98105
West Virginia: Belington Bakery
Belington Bakery is a small-town bakery and cafe serving scratch-made bagels daily. Among its most popular offerings is the pepperoni bagel, a unique West Virginian take on the quintessential pepperoni roll. Locals enjoy it with bacon and egg, while other popular bagel combos include bacon, egg, and cheese on molasses-oat, and smoked salmon sandwiches. Community foodies describe this spot as a treasure, praising both its bagels and sammies.
(304) 614-6544
122 Crim Ave, Belington, WV 26250
Wisconsin: Allie Boy's Bagelry & Luncheonette
Allie Boy's marries New York bagel traditions with Middle Eastern influences, reflective of the owners' respective New York and overseas upbringings. The ever-shifting menu showcases bagels with creative spreads including bacon jam, almond praline butter, whipped honey butter, and roasted shallot cream cheese. Also featured are unique creations like a bagel tartine with tamago egg salad, green onion, and furikake, plus sandwiches like smoked whitefish salad. Its popularity has already led to another location.
Multiple locations
Wyoming: Mort's Bagels
Move over "Home on the Range," because Mort's Bagels is the sweetest tune playing in Cheyenne these days. Mort's Bagels offers a rotating menu featuring dazzling flavors including almond poppy, lemon-orange-cranberry, cheddar dill, parmesan, chocolate chip, and razzleberry. There are also flavored cream cheeses, honey butter, and bagel sandwiches. Owners Bill and Stephanie Snow opened the shop after retirement, much to customers' glee. Folks particularly praise the Wyoming Sunrise sandwich and lox.
(307) 637-5400
1815 Carey Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001
Methodology
To discover each state's star bagel shops, we gleaned information from food experts, regional publications, and the people who actually eat these bites on a regular basis (you!). Social media and local forums provided another layer of insight, highlighting favorite orders, flavors, and specialties that keep folks talking. The result is this list of the country's cream of the bagel crop.