Boston’s bagel scene varies from family-run bakeries that have been around for more than 80 years to national chains that claim they make “the bagel as it should be.”
Whether you’re looking for just a bagel with cream cheese or a classic lox sandwich, there are plenty of places to satisfy your urge in and around the city.
So in honor of National Bagel Day on Wednesday, Jan. 15, here’s where you can find some of the best bagels in the Boston area.
100 Hanover St., Boston
Bagel Guild’s handmade sourdough bagels are made with local grain from Holyoke. The shop, located inside Boston Public Market, has 11 varieties offered each day, as well as a rye bagel that’s only on Friday and a jalapeño cheddar that’s only available Friday through Sunday. In addition to bagels, Bagel Guild offers several spreads and sandwiches.
323 Main St., Reading
Known for having the “North Shore’s Best Bagels,” Bagel World’s Reading location is among several in the area. The Boston area shop received a “Best of the Readings” title in 2020 from the Reading Chamber of Commerce. Bagel World specializes in producing Polish-inspired bagels, sandwiches, spreads and more.
1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Bagelsaurus’ handmade bagels are available for online and walk-in ordering from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and only walk-in ordering from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You’ll have to get there early because these bagels often sell out before the end of the day. Bagelsaurus has daily bagel options such as plain, sesame, poppy, everything and onion. Special options — which vary by the day — include chocolate chip pretzel, egg/french toast, blueberry, cheddar garlic, deli rye and bialys.
83a Seaport Blvd., Boston
Better Bagels is a New York-style bagel company that started as a pop-up and transitioned into a brick-and-mortar. The shop has two stores in Boston: one in Seaport and the other in Post Office Square. Better Bagels’ menu consists of several spreads, sandwiches and beverages.
56 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge
Black Sheep Bagel Café has become a Harvard Square staple and added a small market space in Cambridgeport ever since it opened in 2018. The shop’s hand-rolled bagels come in creative flavors such as cajun spice, za’atar and rosemary sea salt (only available Friday through Sunday).
312 Shawmut Ave., Boston
Brick Street Bagels’ unique concept has been the talk of the South End for years. The shop does bagel drops every day and people can only order by signing up for them online. In addition to traditional bagels, sandwiches and spreads, Brick Street Bagels has previously offered innovative items such as a “Bagel Pocket” and pizza bagels.
2 McCraw St., Roslindale
Exodus is a family-owned and operated business that produces “over 6,000 bagels a week along with all the schmear & shtuff that goes on them,” its website states. Exodus’ menu consists of several sandwiches, including the Vegan Classic (carrot lox, Tofutti cream cheese, capers, red onion and tomato) and The Bubby (chicken liver paté, horseradish beets and greens).
186 Winthrop St., Medford.
The anticipation of getting Goldilox Bagels comes from having to place orders that can only be picked up from 7-11:30 a.m. on Friday and 8-11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The shop’s menu includes items such as the Just Right Breakfast Sandwich and pizza bagels. People can also get a bagel and spread or an order of bagels from 6 to 36.
139 Park St., Chelsea
Katz Bagel Bakery, founded in 1938, is a local icon that claims to have invented the pizza bagel. The family-run operation keeps it simple by serving an array of bagels, cream cheeses and pastries.
421 Harvard St., Brookline
This Jewish bakery has been making kosher bagels since 1978. Kupel’s offers traditional Jewish breads and pastries in addition to bagels and spreads.
15 Hampshire St., Cambridge
Mamelah’s Delicatessen has added locations in Brookline, Somerville, and High Street Place in Boston since originally opening in 2016 in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. The shop quickly earned titles including “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Deli” while developing a loyal fan base for Mamaleh’s Nova Lox Sandwiches, Reubens and other deli classics. Those who love Mamaleh’s enough to sign up for the shop’s rewards can get $5 toward their next $15 purchase.
70 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston
This popular New York City bagel shop opened its first Boston location in January, bringing its signature grip, rip and dip strategy along with it. Every bagel is baked fresh and served hot, whole and straight from the oven. Customers can choose from everything, sesame, salt, plain or poppy seed bagels, while schmears include plain cream cheese, scallion cream cheese, salted butter and caramelized onion cream cheese. The Boston location exclusively sells PopUp Bagel’s TikTok famous Grillo’s Pickles Pickle de Gallo schmear as well.
249 Third St., Cambridge
This award-winning Providence bagel shop found its new home in Cambridge in June 2023, opening just steps away from Chef Milena Pagán’s alma mater: the Massachusetts Institute for Technology. The shop features Rebelle’s hand-rolled bagels, made from scratch, and its spread of cream cheeses, including smoked harissa, roasted poblano pepper, and Mexican street corn. Those who join Rebelle’s loyalty program can get $5 off their next order.
1280 Centre St., Newton.
Rosenfeld’s Bagels has been a Newton favorite since 1973. The shop has been keeping the traditional art of pastry making alive for more than 50 years by boiling their bagels, hand-making every challah loaf in-house, and hand-mixing all of their spreads. Rosdenfel’s more than a dozen bagel options include classics such as cinnamon raisin, onion, and whole wheat as well as more unconventional options including caraway and pumpernickel.
