BY KATARINA HYBENOVA, ANGELA MATUA, BRIANNA ELLIS AND ANTHONY GIUDICE
Breakfast… many would argue that there isn’t a better meal of the day, especially when our sweet borough of Queens offers so many excellent bagel options! Here at QNS we set off on a mission to find the best bagels in town and we narrowed our findings down to 10 amazing places for your next breakfast feast (or lunch — nobody said you can’t eat breakfast all day long!).
Did we miss your favorite bagel shop? Leave us a comment!
28-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria
Astoria Bagel Shop, an old-school, no-frills eatery makes all of their bagels in-house. Unlike similar spots, Astoria Bagel doesn’t have a grill, so if you’re craving a bacon, egg and cheese, head elsewhere. However, it does offer a variety of smears and is constantly hailed by Yelp users as one of the best bagel shops in the city. Make sure to bring cash as this place does not take credit cards.
2. Bage Cafe
85-30 37th Ave., Jackson Heights
Bagel Cafe has changed hands several times. It was previously known as M&V Bagels and then Slim’s Bagels before its most recent iteration. With friendly staff, good coffee and generous portions, the shop is popular with locals as well as NYPD and EMS staff. Our fave: bacon egg and cheese on everything bagel.
3. Top Bagel
40-18 Bell Blvd., Bayside
Top Bagel in Bayside is the essential place to grab your bagel and start your day. The eatery offers a delicious variety of bagels, ranging from plain, Asiago cheese, cinnamon raisin, egg/egg everything, French toast, poppy, whole wheat and multi-grain. Spread your bread with more than 20 tasty toppings like butter, blueberry, cinnamon walnut raisin, garlic fresh herb scallion, Nutella and tofu flavors. The easy-going and affordable bagel spot, which opened in March last year, serves more than just bagels. Feel free to try different salads, buffalo wings, paninis, omelets, breakfast wraps and more.
4. Bagel Oasis
83-12 Horace Harding Expwy, Fresh Meadows
Bagel Oasis is a veteran spot in Fresh Meadows that has cemented its presence in the borough since 1961. The shop has a satisfying selection of bagels such as plain, poppy, sesame, sesame egg, onion and egg onion, pumpernickel and other great choices. For reasonable prices, you can enjoy a regular bagel, a flagel, a dozen bagels or mini ones starting at 95 cents to $11.50. Enhance your breakfast bite with vegetable cream cheese, bacon-scallion, bacon cream cheese, lox spread, sliced nova and other types. Customers can also devour chicken and steak sandwiches, as well as fish platters.
69-35 Myrtle Ave., Glendale
Glendale Bagels is a bagel lover’s dream. The shop offers several different types of bagels, from plain to everything bagels, and a wide selection of spreads including the standards such as butter and cream cheese, but also unique spreads like walnut raisin, olive pimento, strawberry and lox spread. Glendale Bagels is more than just a bagel shop as they serve up all different types of sandwiches on heroes and wraps. Some favorites include the “NYPD” (egg whites, melted Swiss cheese, and grilled turkey on a wheat wrap), the “Hungry Man” (three eggs, sausage, ham, bacon and melted cheese on a hero), and the “Glendale Bagel” (turkey, melted Swiss cheese, bacon, coleslaw and Russian dressing).
116-63 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills
If you like to cheat on New Yorker’s traditional bagel with Polish bialys, then Hot Bialys & Bagels in Forest Hills is your place to go. Bialy, which is a Yiddish word, for a chewy yeast roll, has taken over New York by storm. And for a good reason. Bialys are delicious hearty treat to transform your breakfast into a weekday culinary adventure. Unlike a bagel, which is boiled before baking, a bialy is only baked, and instead of a hole in the middle it has a depression. Order a bialy with veggie cream cheese and throw in an egg with a soft bacon. Yum!
1909 Utopia Pkwy, Whitestone
Back in February Utopia Bagels, a 35-year-old bagel heaven in Whitestone, reopened after renovations doubling its previous size with lots of new added features and expanded menu. The community responded in the best (as well as the worst possible way) — they literally flocked the bagel shop. So don’t get intimidated by the long lines, put your patient face on, because the wait is well worth it! Our tip: try chicken time on a flagel.
35-62 76th St., Jackson Heights
If Juju’s Bagels Cafe is not yet your weekend breakfast spot, you should change that immediately. Delicious bagels, crispy croissants as well as hearty bialys will feed your belly as well as your heart. The regulars of this adorable establishment swear by the owner Sam who is beloved for his kindness and friendly treatment of his customers. Try literally any dish, you won’t be sorry!
11408 Beach Channel Dr., Rockaway Park
If you’re looking for some bagel joy at the Rockaways, head to Rockaway Bagels and you’re up for a treat. Rockaway Bagels offer a huge selection of freshly baked bagels as well as delish salads. The owners are very organized and you’ll be grateful for their speedy service thanks to which you won’t have to wait in long lines.
2417 149th St., Whitestone
If you don’t live in Whitestone, I bet you are jealous of this neighborhood’s residents. Man, Whitestone has good bagels! Whitestone Bagels Factory is an excellent choice for breakfast any day. On the weekends, be prepared for some lines. We would kill for their everything bagel with eggs, bacon and cheese. (Obviously!) Coffee is strong and tasty as well!
