National Bagel Day
Who says you have to travel to New York for a real bagel experience? (Many people, actually, but we think they’re mistaken.) Here in Boston, there are plenty of bakeries giving the NYC bagel a run for its money. Whether you prefer a simple schmear, a stacked sandwich or even the perfect pizza bagel, you’ll find your ideal bagel amid our picks!
Levend Bakery
Levend Bagelry. It’s easy to get lost amid the dozens of delicious offerings at Boston Public Market, but Levend is worth finding. Their signature “Rise and Shine” breakfast sandwich, well, shines, thanks to Canceaux sauce: “slightly sweet, mildly spicy and entirely delicious”. Here for lunch? Grab a pizza bagel. The bagel type is your choice, but we recommend the herb bagel to amp up the savory flavors. Plus, snag rewards by ordering on Ritual or Food for All. Located at 100 Hanover Street in the Boston Public Market.
Bagelsaurus. This Cambridge outpost usually has a line out the door, and for good reason. What started as a Brookline-based popup in 2013 has evolved into a Porter Square phenom! Come prepared with your order (or call ahead) and be ready to wait, but it’s well worth it! You can even take a grab bag to go - their assorted next-day bagels are the best kind of mixed bag. Located at 1796 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
Pavement Coffeehouse. Known for its cozy and inviting cafes, Pavement’s homemade bagels are a worthwhile claim to fame. Their coffee shops - there are eight around the city! - are a great place to post up, get caffeinated and crank out some work, and their bagels are necessary fuel for a study session. Omnivores and vegans alike rejoice: in addition to typical cream cheeses, eggs and breakfast meats, Pavement offers flavorful tofu spreads, tempeh and seitan! Multiple locations, including Allston, Brighton, Fenway, and Harvard Square.
Rosenfeld’s Bagels. If you know, you know. This bakery doesn’t look like much from the outside - tucked in the basement of an unassuming building on the edge of Newton Centre - but its wares are the stuff of legends. In addition to their classic boiled bagels, they offer a wide array of Kosher specialties, spreads and pastries, perfect for the High Holidays or any day! Located at 1280 Centre Street in Newton.
Finagle a Bagel. Ubiquitous? Sure. Just another chain? We think not! Finagle is famous for cranking out bagels in Back Bay and Beacon Hill, but did you know they’ve mastered brunch, too? Their world headquarters is tucked deep in Newton’s westmost corner (in fact, just a few blocks from where this blogger grew up!). Stop by for weekend brunch in their test kitchen and see what you can finagle! Multiple locations, including Copley, MGH and the Newton test kitchen/HQ.
