Best Bagel in NYC? Why Tompkins Square Bagels is a Manhattan Classic

Tompkins Square Bagels, located in Manhattan's East Village, is widely regarded as one of NYC's top bagel spots. Known for its hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels, the shop has built a reputation over the past decade for its dedication to quality and community. The menu features over 30 cream cheese flavors (including the viral birthday cake cream cheese) and specialty sandwiches like "The Jonas", inspired by Joe Jonas. Vegan and dairy-free options are also available with tofu-based spreads.

The store's open kitchen allows customers to see the bagel-making process, and its East Village roots are reflected in its support for local artists and institutions. With multiple locations, catering services, and nationwide shipping via Goldbelly, Tompkins Square Bagels offers a taste of NYC to both locals and fans across the country.

Key Highlights:

• Bagel-Making Process: Hand-rolled and kettle-boiled for a chewy interior and crisp crust.

• Menu Variety: Over 30 cream cheese flavors, vegan options, and specialty sandwiches.

• Community Ties: Strong connections to the East Village through local collaborations.

• Service Options: In-store, delivery, catering, and nationwide shipping.

If you're after a quintessential NYC bagel experience with bold flavors and a neighborhood vibe, Tompkins Square Bagels is a must-visit.

How Tompkins Square Bagels Makes Their Bagels

Tompkins Square Bagels has earned its reputation by sticking to time-honored methods that define what a true New York bagel should be. Owner Christopher Pugliese, who started mastering the craft at just 15 years old, relies on traditional hand-rolling and kettle-boiling techniques. These methods are the secret behind bagels with that perfect combination of a chewy interior and a crisp, golden crust. Hand-rolling ensures the dough has just the right density and texture, while boiling the bagels before baking gives them their signature contrast. As Sam Silverman, known as New York's "Bagel Ambassador", puts it:

"Boiling the dough before baking it is what gives bagels their characteristic crunchy outside and chewy inside, so what started as a loophole to discriminatory legislation would become exactly what makes bagels special."

The bakery’s open kitchen design lets customers see this meticulous process in action, watching as bakers transform simple dough into the bagels they love.

While tradition is at the heart of their process, Tompkins Square Bagels also stands out with its bold and creative flavor offerings. Their menu boasts 23 house-made cream cheese varieties and 10 tofu-based spreads for those looking for plant-based options. You’ll find classics like scallion cream cheese alongside imaginative options such as cookie dough, birthday cake, and peanut butter Nutella. One enthusiastic customer raved:

"Best bagels in NYC! Love their apple cinnamon cream cheese!"

Beyond spreads, the bakery offers specialty items like "The Sullivan" sandwich, which features an oat-crusted multi-grain bagel topped with Scottish double-smoked salmon and cucumber dill cream cheese.

Menu Options and Specialty Items

Tompkins Square Bagels takes the classic bagel experience to the next level with a menu that celebrates the rich culinary diversity of New York City. Their offerings now include over 30 cream cheese flavors, ranging from savory and dessert-inspired varieties to Mediterranean and Mexican influences. Of course, they also feature timeless favorites like Lox Spread.

For those seeking dairy-free options, they’ve got you covered with an impressive selection of tofu spreads. With eight plant-based choices such as Tofu Lox, Spinach Lox, Garlic Herb, and Olive Pimento, vegans and dairy-free customers can enjoy the same bold and inventive flavors. These spreads pair perfectly with their bagels, which stand out for their uniquely light and airy texture - a refreshing contrast to the denser, chewier bagels found elsewhere in the city.

In April 2025, the bakery introduced a standout addition to their menu: "The Jonas" sandwich, inspired by none other than customer Joe Jonas. This specialty creation is a flavor-packed masterpiece featuring maple bourbon salmon made with Samaki Co. salmon, Evan Williams bourbon, Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, horseradish cream cheese, fresh cucumber slices, tomatoes, and a drizzle of Mike's Hot Honey. It’s a perfect blend of traditional bagel craftsmanship and modern, adventurous flavors - an excellent example of their dedication to keeping things both classic and exciting.

Tompkins Square Bagels also offers customizable catering options, bringing their signature flavors to all kinds of events. From corporate breakfasts featuring staples like bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches to upscale brunch spreads with smoked salmon and scallion cream cheese, their catering menu is designed to suit any occasion and showcase the best of NYC’s bagel culture.

Role in the East Village Community

Tompkins Square Bagels has become a cornerstone of the East Village, embodying the neighborhood's vibrant artistic energy and strong sense of community. Owner Christopher Pugliese perfectly captured this connection, describing his shop as a heartfelt tribute to the place he now calls home:

"Tompkins Square Bagel's is truly my love letter to the East Village; a place I now call home."

This deep bond with the East Village is evident in every aspect of the shop. From the start, Pugliese made it a priority to support local talent and craftsmanship. The shop's walls double as a rotating gallery, showcasing colorful works by East Village artists and celebrating the neighborhood's creativity. Even the shop's construction was a community effort, relying on neighborhood artisans to create a space that feels authentically local - not a cookie-cutter chain. It’s a space that reflects and uplifts the creative spirit of the area.

This local pride also shines through in the menu. In May 2021, Tompkins Square Bagels introduced "The Grieve", a specialty sandwich honoring the East Village news site @evgrieve. The sandwich - featuring chicken cutlet, roasted peppers, mozzarella, and onions - was a nod to the blog's early support of the shop. It’s a delicious example of how TSB celebrates its connections with local institutions.

Such partnerships highlight how Tompkins Square Bagels has built enduring relationships with the people and organizations that make the East Village unique. Naming menu items after local icons is just one way the shop fosters a sense of belonging and engagement, a rarity in Manhattan's ever-changing food scene.

The East Village is the perfect setting for a space like this - where students, artists, longtime residents, and newcomers can come together over a bagel. Tompkins Square Bagels serves as a hub for the neighborhood, offering not just food but a slice of East Village life. This close relationship with the community fuels everything from menu ideas to the shop's welcoming atmosphere.

Even as the business has grown to include catering and nationwide shipping, the East Village location remains its beating heart. It’s a place where local creativity continues to shape this Manhattan favorite, ensuring it stays true to its roots while reaching new heights.

Locations and Service Options

Tompkins Square Bagels has expanded its reach, now serving Manhattan locals and bagel lovers across the country. Despite its growth, the shop maintains its dedication to hand-crafted quality, which has become a hallmark of the brand. While the flagship store in the East Village remains the heart of operations, they've introduced several service options to ensure everyone can enjoy their signature NYC bagels.

For Manhattan residents, local delivery through Uber Eats is available for just $5. With an impressive 4.8-star rating from over 6,000 reviews, customers frequently highlight the fast service and fresh bagelsclassic NYC bagel combinations. These delivery options also set the stage for customizable catering services and nationwide availability.

Catering is another popular offering, perfect for corporate events, office meetings, or private gatherings throughout Manhattan. These spreads are fully customizable and feature classic NYC bagel combinations like smoked salmon paired with scallion cream cheese. Customers can choose between pickup or delivery for added convenience.

For those living outside Manhattan, nationwide shipping ensures you don’t miss out on the authentic NYC bagel experience. Orders are handled through Goldbelly, with careful packaging to preserve freshness. A Baker’s Dozen is currently on sale for $36.76 (regularly $45.95), or you can add cream cheese for $55.96 (regularly $69.95). Nationwide shipping has earned a 91% customer satisfaction rate, proving its reliability.

Patricia T. from Mullica Hill, New Jersey, shared her delight in August 2025 after receiving her Goldbelly order:

"The bagels were perfectly wrapped for freshness and tasted delicious!! The cream cheese was perfectly chilled and so yummy!!"

Whether you're grabbing a quick breakfast in Manhattan, catering a special event, or treating yourself to a taste of NYC from across the country, Tompkins Square Bagels ensures every bite delivers the authentic flavor and tradition that have made it a Manhattan favorite.

1. Tompkins Square Bagels

How They Make Their Bagels

At Tompkins Square Bagels, the magic happens right in front of you. Their open kitchen showcases the traditional art of bagel-making - hand-rolled and kettle-boiled to perfection. This time-honored technique is the foundation of their menu, which blends old-school craftsmanship with flavors that cater to modern palates.

Menu Options

The menu is a mix of classic and creative. You’ll find unique cream cheese flavors and their standout pastrami lox, alongside staples like bacon, egg & cheese or smoked salmon paired with scallion cream cheese. Whether you’re craving something adventurous or sticking with a classic New York favorite, there’s something for everyone. The flagship location also doubles as a lively community hub, capturing the vibrant spirit of the East Village.

Community Role

Nestled in the heart of the East Village, Tompkins Square Bagels isn’t just a place to grab breakfast - it’s a cornerstone of the neighborhood. The open kitchen invites customers into the process, creating a welcoming atmosphere where bakers and locals connect. It’s more than a bagel shop; it’s a gathering place that reflects the diverse and dynamic community it serves.

Service Options

From Manhattan locals to fans across the country, Tompkins Square Bagels delivers a quintessential NYC experience. The flagship location handles it all - whether it’s serving regulars in the shop, delivering across Manhattan, or shipping their bagels nationwide. Despite its growth, the shop remains true to its roots as the neighborhood spot where it all began.

2. Other NYC Bagel Shops

How They Make Their Bagels

In New York City, most bagel shops stick to the time-honored tradition of kettle-boiling, which gives bagels their signature chewy texture and shiny crust. This process is a hallmark of the city's bagel-making heritage. While many shops follow this approach, Tompkins Square Bagels takes it a step further with a meticulous, artisanal method. Their hand-rolling process demands a skilled touch and precise timing, setting them apart from others that may rely on machines for shaping. This blend of tradition and craftsmanship underscores the deep historical roots of NYC's bagel culture.

Menu Options

When it comes to variety, NYC bagel shops deliver. You’ll find everything from classic options like sesame and everything bagels to creative, seasonal flavors. Traditional spreads such as scallion cream cheese and lox are staples, but many shops also whip up hearty breakfast sandwiches like the beloved bacon, egg, and cheese. To stand out, some establishments expand their menus with unique specialty items and inventive sandwich combinations. Prices can differ based on the ingredients, the creativity of the flavors, and the shop's location.

Service Options

To keep up with modern preferences, NYC bagel shops have adapted their services in impressive ways. Online ordering, pickup, and delivery have become common, making it easier than ever to grab a bagel on the go. Catering is another big draw, with customizable platters tailored for everything from office meetings to family gatherings. And for those who crave NYC bagels far from the city, many shops now offer nationwide shipping, using techniques to ensure the bagels stay fresh during transit. It’s a way to bring a taste of New York to anyone, anywhere.

Final Thoughts

Tompkins Square Bagels has solidified its place as a Manhattan gem by blending time-honored techniques with a fresh, modern approach. Owner Christopher Pugliese brings decades of expertise to the art of bagel-making, ensuring every hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagel reflects the rich tradition of New York’s famed bagel culture. His commitment to quality shines through in the "extreme care" and "attention to detail" that go into every bite.

While rooted in tradition, the shop isn’t afraid to experiment. By crafting bagels with a perfect balance of texture and flavor, Tompkins Square Bagels successfully bridges classic recipes with contemporary tastes. This thoughtful evolution ensures that both purists and adventurous eaters find something to love.

Deeply connected to its East Village surroundings, the store prides itself on being a "neighborhood shop" created by locals, for locals. It’s more than just a place to grab a bagel - it’s a welcoming spot where, as Pugliese puts it, "everyone feels at home".

With its wide array of cream cheeses, mix-ins, and vegan-friendly options, the shop caters to a variety of preferences while staying true to its roots. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick breakfast, ordering catering for a special event, or taking advantage of nationwide shipping, Tompkins Square Bagels delivers an authentic taste of New York with a modern twist.

For anyone craving a true NYC bagel experience, this East Village institution stands as a testament to the city’s enduring love for quality, tradition, and innovation.

FAQs

What makes Tompkins Square Bagels a must-try for bagel lovers in NYC?

What sets Tompkins Square Bagels apart is their dedication to tradition. Every single bagel is hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked fresh daily right in their shop. This age-old method gives their bagels that perfect combination: a chewy, flavorful interior with a golden, crisp crust.

But it’s not just about the process - it’s about the ingredients, too. They use only top-notch ingredients and focus on every detail, from preparing the dough to crafting their wide array of inventive cream cheese flavors. This commitment to quality and creativity has earned them a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of both New Yorkers and visitors alike.

How does Tompkins Square Bagels contribute to the East Village community?

Tompkins Square Bagels isn’t just a place to grab breakfast - it’s a cornerstone of the East Village community. By sticking to time-honored hand-rolling methods and using fresh, top-notch ingredients, it keeps the legacy of New York City's classic bagels alive and well.

This shop goes beyond serving food; it’s a gathering spot where neighbors, students, and commuters feel right at home. With its warm atmosphere and friendly service, it creates a sense of belonging that resonates with locals and visitors alike. Thanks to its commitment to tradition and quality, Tompkins Square Bagels has earned its place as a neighborhood favorite.

How can I enjoy Tompkins Square Bagels if I’m not in Manhattan?

If you’re not in Manhattan, don’t worry - you can still enjoy the mouthwatering flavors of Tompkins Square Bagels! They ship their legendary French Toast Bagels and other popular options nationwide, letting you experience a taste of NYC wherever you are.

For those in the greater New York City area, including spots beyond Manhattan, delivery and catering are available through well-known platforms. Whether you’re planning an event or simply need a bagel fix, Tompkins Square Bagels brings their iconic creations straight to your door.