The 10 Best Bagel Shops You Can Brunch At Around The US

Bagels are a staple in any true brunch-lover's diet. Whether you're a tried and true everything bagel fan, opt for a seasonal pumpkin spice flavor with a creative spread, or love a classic plain bagel stacked high with cream cheese and lox, there are endless options to indulge in.

However, bagels didn't become a regular addition to the U.S. dining scene until the 1960s. While there are varying stories on the origins of bagels, it is known that bagels started to appear in the United States in the 19^th century when European Jews began immigrating to the country.

By the 1960s, the bagel-making machine (invented by Canadian baker Meyer Thompson in 1918) found its way to the U.S. and made bagels much easier to produce. This increased accessibility and they quickly became popular amongst the mainstream, spreading from New York City to all across the country. Today the bagel is so beloved, that it's estimated more than 200 million Americans eat bagels each year. Now you can brunch with bagels pretty much anywhere across the U.S, so here are some of the top spots.

Call Your Mother began with owners, Chef Daniela Moreira and Andrew Dana, selling their bagels at farmer's markets. But now, their venture has grown into a thriving bagel enterprise with more than a dozen locations across the country in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado.

The vibrant, fun, Call Your Mother locations are almost as appealing as their nationally recognized wood-fired bagels, which combine elements of a classic NY-style bagel and sweet Montreal-style bagels. While the bagels are delicious alone, we recommend opting for one of their signature bagel sandwiches like The Boca Club with whitefish salad, bacon, and lettuce on a sesame bagel, or try something new like The Jetski, made with brisket, pastrami, two types of cheese, and jalapeno all melted together on a cheddar bagel. If a straight-up bagel and schmear is more your style, make sure to try one of their unique cream cheese options, like Cheez-It or apple pie. 

This best-loved Southern bagel destination brought the taste of a classic New York bagel to Atlanta back in 2007 with a recipe that involves hand rolling and kettle boiling the dough to perfection. In addition to its bagels, BBs Bagels is also known for its cozy, comfortable setting that feels like your favorite old-school diner, but one where you can also settle in and watch the sports game.

The eatery serves up all the classic bagel flavors from egg to sesame to chocolate chip, as well as some specialty flavors like French toast — all of which pair perfectly with their classic cream cheese. On the weekends, patrons can even indulge in a bread product closely related to the beloved bagel — the bialy (basically a combination of a bagel and an English muffin). If you make a visit to the Big Peach state, swing by BB's and dig into the classic smoked salmon platter which features a plain bagel with salmon and a variety of toppings including tomatoes, capers, onions, and cream cheese.

This old-school, deli is an LA mainstay that has been around for more than 90 years and is the perfect place to brunch if you want to dine like a local while enjoying a fantastic, New York-style bagel on the West Coast. Plus, in true Los Angeles fashion, the deli even has a gluten-free version of its famous bagels, making it a must-visit for any gluten-averse bagel lovers.

While the bagels here typically come as a side, they're delicious and hearty enough to be a main dish. The bagel options include such flavors as jalapeno cheese – served as part of The Spicy, which includes pastrami, pepper Jack cheese, and spicy mustard. Or, diners can have a more substantial meal and enjoy their bagel as part of one of Canter's fish plates which come with tomatoes, onions, and olives and a variety of fish options that include white fish, sable, lox, and smoked salmon. 

Baked goods enthusiasts will feel like they've died and gone to heaven upon entering Mindy's Bakery with its impressive assortment of croissants, donuts, and most importantly — bagels. The bakery is led by the James Beard Foundation-recognized chef Mindy Segal, who became known for her restaurant HotChocolate, which was a Chicago staple for 15 years.

Mindy's Bakery, which opened just last year in 2022, has already become a Chicago favorite, offering a cozy space perfect for sipping one of their signature hot chocolates while indulging in a bagel, or two. While most of the bagel flavors are classics, such as plain, sesame, and everything, the cream cheeses are one of a kind, offered in flavors like Giardiniera and chive pesto. Just make sure to pair whatever you order with one of their signature hot chocolate blends which come in classic hot chocolate, dark chocolate, or Mexican chocolate.

Saul's has been a beloved Jewish eatery in the Berkeley area for nearly 40 years, known for serving up authentic Jewish cuisine long before others in the area followed suit. However, one step inside will make it clear that the trend-forward delicatessen isn't stuck in the past and is instead offering a retro atmosphere and creative dishes. 

Its bagel offerings include must-try dishes that prominently feature its bagels — which are now house-made as of earlier this year. Choices include two savory bagel sandwich options — the mushroom egg bagel topped with scrambled eggs, greens, cheddar cheese, and chili crisp as well as the salami egg bagel topped with an egg over medium, sauteed greens, and zhoug (a spicy cilantro sauce). Pair your sandwich choice with a cup of hot coffee or their Bloody Maury crafted with vodka, tomato, horseradish, lemon, and pickle brine for the perfect low-key brunch.