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Top 5 NYC Old School Bagel Shops That You NEED To Try
January 3, 2025, 1:27.13 am ET

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Photo: H&H Bagels

1. H&H Bagel

H&H Bagel has been around since the 1970s and has been making strides when it comes to expanding their stores across New York. H&H Bagels first originated in Broadway and West 80th street in Manhattan in the year 1972. Known for its original water bagel recipe, it has cemented its place in New York as one of the go-to bagel shops. With its fresh ingredients and a prominent role in pop culture—appearing in shows like Seinfeld and Friends—H&H Bagels has become a New York City icon.

2. Ess-a-bagel

Ess-a-bagel was first established in 1976 on 21st street and 1st avenue in the Gramercy section of Manhattan before closing its original location in 2015. The shop has since become a go-to for bagels that are freshly made through a hand-rolled process with immense flavors from original recipes.


Photo: Cititour

3. Russ & Daughters

Russ & Daughters opened in 1914 and began its journey as an appetizer store. Its lifecycle would start with a Jewish immigrant named Joel Ross who’d started off with a pushcart before opening his current location on 179 East Houston St. This shop is known for its quality lox and bagels, a delicacy beloved by locals and tourists alike.

4. Kossar's Bagels & Bialys

Kossar’s Bagels and Bialy’s has been known for its Old World bagels since 1936. They are also the oldest bialy bakery in the U.S. considered a “cousin” to the bagel. The bialy originated in the U.S. from Jewish immigrants arriving from Bialystok, Poland, which they usually ate with every meal, creating a New York City tradition.

5. Barney Greengrass

Barney Greengrass has been open since 1908 with its current location being 541 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side. While this shop has a lot more to offer than bagels on its menu, its bagels in flavors like poppy seed, pumpernickel and “everything” shouldn’t be slept on as that’s what they are still widely known for to this day.

- Thomas Sayegh


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