Bagel preferences are highly regional, which is why any New Yorker from the UWS will swear that Absolute Bagels is the best bagel shop in the city.
They have a leg to stand on.
The bagels are a bit on the smaller side, but they are always blisteringly fresh. It’s a joy to watch them grab your bagel right out of a steaming pile and spread a generous schmear of cream cheese. This is one of the few shops in the city you’re guaranteed to enjoy even with no spreads or toppings.
This place is as no-frills, old-school as it gets. As far as we can tell they have zero online presence. You can’t get them delivered – not even through a third party app!
Absolute is a bit a victim of their own success. The line can get absolutely (ba-dum-cha) ridiculous at prime times. Here’s a video of the line at one of our recent attempts to visit:
If you’re interested in trying the best bagels in New York City, Absolute Bagels has to be on your list. But if you try to go on a weekend morning – we tried to warn you!
