New York vs Montreal: Where to find the best bagels in London

So much more than just a bread roll with a hole in the middle, bagels are having a bit of a moment in the capital. Unlike London’s best sandwich spots, the best bagel shops in London fall into a distinct camp of their own. From the longstanding bagel joints that line Brick Lane, to a new generation of bakeries bringing their trendy flavours and fillings to the capital, our comprehensive guide takes you on a whistlestop tour of all the best bagels in London.

Now, we’re not saying that Londoners know more about bagels than anyone else. In fact, many of these places were launched by born-and-bred New Yorkers that have migrated to the capital, hungry for a taste of home. As a result, you'll find plenty of places serving New York bagels in London that are genuinely authentic. Boiled and baked to perfection, a classic NYC-style bagel is known for its shiny crust and distinctive chew, and typically slathered in thick ‘schmears’ of cream cheese – along with any other bagel fillings you can think of.

On the flip side, many believe that Montreal bagels are the superior sort. These are typically denser than New York bagels and have a harder crust, due to being boiled in honey and water before baked in the oven. Often, they’re smaller and thinner in size, and are usually only available in plain, sesame or poppy seed varieties, whereas New York bagels come in a huge range of flavours.

Whichever team you play for, there’s no denying the effect that these doughnut-shaped balls of chewy dough have had on the capital. We recommend making some space in your diary, and your stomachs, to give these guys a go. Keep on scrolling to discover the best bagels in London, from Brick Lane and beyond.

Good Things Deli, Stoke Newington

What: From the same folks who brought us The Good Egg in Soho and Stokey, Good Things Deli is basically a bagel-focused sub-branch from the popular all-day restaurant. The team decided to open Good Things off the back of multiple lockdowns, when they would often find queues of locals lining up outside its Stoke Newington cafe to order bagels and coffee to go. Unable to keep up with demand from its tiny kitchen, it decided to open a totally seperate site so it could keep giving people what they want. Freshly baked on site every day, the deli on Church Street serves up hand-rolled, sesame-covered bagels filled with the likes of trout lox, dill and house schmear, matzo fried fish, gem and horseradish mayo and caramelised banana with tahini, date syrup, cream cheese and streusel.
Where: 56 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NB
Book now: Good Things Deli

It’s Bagels, Primrose Hill

What: It’s Bagels was co-founded by photographer (and New Yorker!) Dan Martensen and Caravan head baker Jack Ponting back in 2019, who felt that London lacked places serving proper NYC-style bagels at the time. Their authentic creations have taken the capital by storm, with the duo setting up their first permanent site in Primrose Hill in 2023. Choose from the likes of plain, poppy, sesame, and garlic and onion paired with various schmears and toppings.
Where: 65 Regent's Park Road, NW1 8XD
Book now: It’s Bagels

B Bagel, Various London locations

What: Now boasting three sites across London, B Bagel offers a wealth of classic and contemporary fillings along with dedicated breakfast bagels and vegan options. Hot salt beef, pastrami and mustard, or egg mayo, are perfect for purists, while risk-takers are bound to find joy in the likes of sabich (houmous, tahini, harissa, pickles, egg, aubergine) and shawarma chicken. Plus, early birds can grab a free coffee with any breakfast bagel at its Soho and Fulham sites.
Where: Various London locations
Book now: B Bagel

Papo’s Bagels, Dalston

What: Papo’s Bagels is the brainchild of husband-and-wife New Yorkers Georgia and Papo, who launched the brand during the pandemic after struggling to find proper NYC-style bagels in London. Following a decent stint as a delivery service, the duo has since opened a permanent site over on Shacklewell Lane where you can order its signature chunky bagels. The filling to go for here is oak smoked salmon with cream cheese schmear, capers, onion and tomato, but tuna melt is another firm favourite with locals.
Where: 73-75 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB
Book now: Papo’s Bagels

The Bagel Guys, Hackney

What: Serving stellar sourdough bagels over at Netil Market in London Fields, The Bagel Guys is another spot set up by two New Yorkers (those guys really do know what they’re doing). They’re best known for their gooey egg and cheese bagel, which adheres to a strict recipe of crisp streaky bacon, folded eggs, American cheese and a generous hit of house sauce. It‘s a hangover cure of the gods.
Where: 13-23 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
Book now: The Bagel Guys

Rinkoff Bakery, Whitechapel

What: Rinkoff is a Jewish family-run bakery in East London that's been serving its challah breads, sourdough, cheesecake, muffins, croissants and pastries since 1911. Amongst a wealth of doughy delights are its bagels, which are jaw-achingly chewy - just the way we like them - and filled with classic combos like salt beef and mustard, and smoked salmon and cream cheese. Grab them at its deli on Vallance Road, or its main bakery on Jubilee Street. 
Where: 224 Jubilee Street, E1 3BS 
Book now: Rinkoff Bakery

Beigel Bake, Shoreditch

What: Without a doubt one of London’s most longstanding bagel shops, Beigel Bake on Brick Lane has been serving its traditional bagels 24 hours a day since 1974. That's a lot of bagels. You won't go far wrong with its original salt beef bagel, which sees thick slabs of salt beef finished with pickled gherkins and mustard. Fillings here tend to keep things classic and simple, such as tuna mayo, cheddar cheese, hummus, and even Nutella! 
Where: 159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB
Book now: Beigel Bake

Beigel Shop, Shoreditch

What: People have been making the pilgrimage to Beigel Shop on Brick Lane for the last 150 years, with its iconic red and yellow signage now synonymous with the brand. Not to be confused with Beigel Bake just a few doors down, this bagel institution is open 24/7, 365 days a year. There really isn’t another bagel shop in London like it. Customer favourites include hot salt beef with English mustard and sweet and sour gherkins, salmon and cream cheese, and roast chicken salad with mayo. It’s also fantastic value, with a cream cheese bagel starting from just £2.
Where: 155 Brick Lane, E1 6SB
Book now: Beigel Shop

Bagel King, Camberwell

What: Tirelessly serving the community of Camberwell from dawn until dusk, Bagel King is another gem that stays open all day, every day, seven days a week. Its fillings are diverse and wide ranging, from ackee and saltfish to peri peri chicken, but they’ll also let you make up your own crazy combinations if you ask politely.
Where: 280 Walworth Road, SE17 2TE
Book now: Bagel King

Panzer’s, St John’s Wood

What: Panzer’s is an artisan deli, grocery and eatery located in St John’s Wood serving a huge range of tasty treats. Its cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, every day, where it serves its signature Panzer’s smoked salmon with a toasted bagel, cream cheese and pickles. For something a little lighter, you can order one of its homemade bagels with butter, jam and cream cheese for just £3.50, or simply buy a bundle from the bakery to takeaway.
Where: 13-19 Circus Road, NW8 6PB
Book now: Panzer’s

Hungry for more? Now check out the best cheap eats in London for tasty bites on a budget.