12 Tasty Upper East Side Bagels (Local's Guide) (2026 Guide)

When friends visit and ask me where to find great Upper East Side bagels in Upper East Side, I always have a list ready. These aren’t random picks from the internet. they’re places I actually go to, sometimes multiple times a week. Let me share my favorites with you.

Quick Summary. Looking for upper east side bagels in Upper East Side? Here are my top picks. Bagel Bob’s, Popup Bagels, B&B Bagels, and more.

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Best Bagels Upper East Side (UES)

Table of Contents. UES Bagels

Table of Contents. Best Upper East Side Bagels

Best Bagels Upper East Side (UES)
Best Bagels Upper East Side (Post Summary)
- Further Reading for the Upper East Side
- More Great Bagel Spots in NYC
Map of the Best Upper East Side Bagels

Bagel Bob’s

Website. Bagel Bob’s
Address. 1641 York Ave, New York, NY 10028

Bagel Bob’s is a New York City staple for Upper East Siders (and pretty much everyone else too). This no-frills bagel shop offers traditional NYC bagels in an unpretentious environment that makes it clear the focus is on taste.

My mouth is watering just thinking about them. These Upper East Side bagels are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked fresh daily. This means the odds of you getting a fresh, warm bagel are very high.

If you’re looking to mix things up, try the flat bagel (also called a flagel). Since these are some of the best bagels in the Upper East Side, it’s not uncommon for there to be a line. Make sure to come early and be prepared to wait, but trust me these UES bagels are worth it!

Something to Note. Bagel Bob’s is CASH ONLY.

Website. Popup Bagels
Address. 1457 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028

You heard it hear folks, the newest Yes. It’s seriously hard to beat a Popup bagel. The smell of this place is taking over the UES by storm and the taste is every bit as good.

Bagels don’t get fresher than those at Popup which typically roll right out of the oven shortly after ordering. The deal here is novel and breaks New York tradition. Some love it, some hate it. So goes the world.

At Popup, the minimum order is three bagels, and that comes with a healthy carton of schmear for $12. You choose the schmear and can mix and match the bagels.

As a local, I’ve gotta say the arrival of Popup comes with no small amount of excitement. This place already has lines around the block each morning and deservedly so.

Good to know. Popup Bagels is Kosher certified.

B&B Bagels

Website. B&B Bagels
Address. 1370 1st Ave., New York, NY 10021

Where are all my early birds? One of the earliest opening bagel shops on the Upper East Side, B&B Bagels starts the day at 5:00am.

Relatively new to the scene, B&B Bagels has already made an impression locals and tourists alike, humming their praises through full mouths, for delicious Upper East Side bagels. Offering both savory and sweet options, it can often be difficult to make a decision.

The modernness of the shop is either adored or hated, but I think it’s a nice change to the typical over-the-counter deli we’re used to. Not saying one is better than the other, but it’s nice to have options.

Worth the drive, worth the wait, worth every penny.

Orwashers

Website. Orwashers
Address. 308 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075

Originally founded in 1916, Orwashers is one of the longest-running bagel shops on the Upper East Side (and they recently branched out with a second bakery in the Upper West Side).

Serving New Yorkers for over 100 years with their signature sourdough bagels, their success can be attributed to traditional baking methods that have been perfected over time. So it’s no surprise that they serve some of the best bagels in the UES. Swing by for all the classics.

Local tip. A little secret I picked up from a local. the back patio is where the magic happens. Skip the main room.

Kossar’s

Website. Kossar’s
Address. 1409 York Ave, New York, NY 10021

In terms of bagel sandwiches, it doesn’t get much better than Kossar’s on the Upper East Side. The line wrapping around the block says it all.

These bagels are typically hot, fresh, and go great with the delicious lox they have on offer here. One of my closest friends considers Kossar’s as the best bagel on the Upper East Side.

Kossar’s flagship store on the Lower East Side dates back to 1936 putting them in the realm of institution status. In fact, they claim to be the oldest operating Bialy shop in the US.

Unpopular opinion. Unpopular opinion. most “famous” bagel shops are riding on reputation alone. More Great Bagel Spots in NYC is actually better.

Bagelworks

Website. Bagelworks
Address. 1229 1st Ave., New York, NY 10065

Ask any local about their favorite bagel spot in the Upper East Side and the honest ones will mention Bagelworks. Established in 1983, Bagelworks has been churning out top-tier, high-quality bagels for over 40 years.

The scratch-made bagels have made loyal followers out of New Yorkers who trust thatSince they do all the baking in-house, the likeliness of you getting a fresh bagel is very high.

Expect long lines since these are some of the best bagels on the Upper East Side. The staff is some of the friendliest folks in the business and they do their best to keep the line moving.

Sable’s Smoked Fish

Website. Sable’s Smoked Fish
Address. 1330 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075

If you’re a fan of smoked fish, Sable’s makes some of the best lox bagels in the Upper East Side. Locals often draw comparisons between Sable’s and the well-known Zabar’s on the Upper West Side, a NYC staple since 1934.

Comparing the two makes sense since the owners of Sable’s (Danny and Kenny Sze) managed the appetizer department at Zabar’s for over a decade. They were able to learn the ins and outs of the bagel business as well as where to get the best smoked fish in New York City.

The smoked fish is always fresh and this Upper East Side bagel shop only uses the highest quality ingredients. If anyone is in the market for good caviar (at a decent price, might I add), Sable’s has long been a neighborhood favorite.

Bagels & Co.

Website. Bagels & Co.
Address. 1428 York Ave, New York, NY 10021

One of the best family-friendly bagel shops in the Upper East Side is Bagels & Co. The motto here is that “simple. Using fresh ingredients, high-quality bagels, and serving generous portions, it’s no accident Bagels & Co. made our list of best Upper East Side bagels.

The large plump bagels are full of chewy air pockets and the shop itself is clean and pleasant, which is always appreciated in a city like NYC. I suggest ordering the poppy seed bagel with the olive cream cheese, the flavor from both the bagel and spread packs a punch!

Gourmet Bagels

Website. Gourmet Bagels
Address. 874 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10065

Gourmet Bagels on Lexington Avenue is a go-to morning pit stop for lots of folks in this neighborhood. You can grab a hot coffee, a solid Upper East Side bagel, and be on your way without any chaos. Besides quality bagels, they offer sandwiches, wraps, and burritos for a quick, on-the-go bite.

Although there are a few chairs available, I personally enjoy taking a stroll to Central Park, a few blocks away. Having one of the best bagels from the UES in the park—does it get any better? I doubt it.

Best Bagels Upper East Side (Post Summary)

B&B Bagels
Bagelworks
Bagel Bob’s
Bagels and More
Bagels & Co.
Sable’s
Gourmet Bagels
Daily Bagel
Orwashers
Kossars

More Great Bagel Spots in NYC

Best Bagels in NYC. You Asked, Locals Answered— 15 BEST Bagels in New York City
Bagel & Lox. 5+ Best Bagels & Lox in New York City (Hungry Local’s Guide)
Brooklyn’s Best Bagels. The 10 Best Bagels in Brooklyn (The Local Foodie)

The vibe here is warm and unpretentious. the kind of place where you can settle in and lose track of time. I usually order the go-to order and have never been let down. It’s one of those things that tastes like they actually care about getting it right.

Map of the Best Upper East Side Bagels

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What are the best Upper East Side Bagels?

Based on our experience as NYC locals, Table of Contents. Best Upper East Side Bagels tops our list. See our full ranked list above for all 10 recommendations.

How were these spots chosen?

Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.

And there it is, my rundown of the best Upper East Side bagels! Let me know if there’s any you recommend I try.

Cheers.

Still exploring? You should also see my 11 Delicious Upper East Side Bakeries (Local’s Guide). it’s a must-read for any NYC food lover.

I want to hear from you. Which NYC bagel shop did I leave off this list that absolutely needs to be here?

Final Thoughts

If I had to pick just a few favorites from this list, I’d point you toward Bagel Bob’s and Popup Bagels. they consistently blow me away. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these spots. Have a favorite I didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments. I’m always on the hunt for my next go-to.

What would you add to this list?

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