Bay Area’s Best Bagels
Photo By Wise Sons
It’s hard to believe there are people in existence who probably don’t like bagels (gluten-free friends: you’re the only allowed exception). As the eighth wonder of the world, these fluffy marvels comfort us, make the perfect on-the-go meal, and support our cream cheese obsessions like no other. This guide goes out to all of the Bay’s best bagels, because is there such a thing as too many options here?
San Francisco
(Multiple Locations)
This popular Bay Area Jewish deli chain doesn’t just do business in pastrami — they’re also open for warm, toasted bagels alongside an assortment of artisan baked breads and pastries. With five trendy locations, Wise Sons is at the heart of traditional treats.
(Dogpatch // Ferry Building)
Organic, wood-fired — music to our bagel-craving ears. These two locations double as on-site creameries, guaranteeing homemade cream cheese, butter, and other delectable cheese products. Locally owned and operated, this space is also a dedicated community marketplace for Oakland’s own Red Bay Coffee!
(2049 Irving St // Inner Sunset)
Sometimes donut shops and bagel shops collide, and who’s really complaining? Uncle Benny’s Donut and Bagel is the perfect place to stop on your morning walk around Golden Gate Park. Plus, if you claim their check-in on Yelp, you’ll get a free glazed beauty.
Photo By House of Bagels
(5030 Geary Blvd // Richmond)
House of Bagels has been boiling classic, New York-style bagels since 1962, and these chewy masterpieces have won countless awards for being the Bay’s best. If you’re looking to shake things up, check out their famous “cragels” — croissant-bagel hybrids way worth the hype and the Instagram story brag.
(151 Townsend St // China Basin)
Another Bay-gel staple since 1979, The Bagel Bakery has your bagel omelettes, your spreads, your bagelwiches, and all the bakery goodness you could ask for on the side. What could possibly sound better than a bagel dog right now?
(1263 Fell St // NoPa)
This trendy bagel spot started off as a super popular weekend pop-up at The Snug, and opened a permanent home in NoPa earlier this year. Fresh baked each morning, these artisan eats are almost too pretty to munch on (but there's certainly no one stopping you).
East Bay
Photo By Boichik Bagels
(3170 College Ave // Berkeley)
When you see a line around the corner — rain or shine — you’ve gotta know someone’s doing something right. Boichik’s warm, scrumptious spreads (and some of the cutest bagel shop merch in the Bay) always keep locals coming back. Who ever said there’s no good bagels in California?
(3838 Telegraph Ave // Oakland)
These kettle-boiled beauties really live up to their name. As of September, Beauty’s and Jewish delicatessen Wise Sons have partnered up to bring you a special catering menu for the High Holiday season. Order some kugel or a babka to make the season special, hassle-free!
Photo By Alameda Bagels and Donuts
(1227 Park St // Alameda)
Breakfast, brunch, bakery — be still my heart? A double-hitter serving both of our favorite round-holed pastries, this Alameda shop takes both sweet and savory approaches with lox favorites, egg and cheese delights, and a steamy mug of Vietnamese coffee to wash it all down.
(Multiple Locations)
With stores all over the East Bay, every street is Bagel Street. Serving homemade bagel rolls made from scratch since the ‘90s, it’s the asiago spinach, the Nova lox, the eggwiches, and all the other fancy-sounding menu items that keep customers flocking back.
South Bay
Photo By Bagel Guys Bakery
(1702 Meridian Ave Suite C // San Jose)
If there’s anything we like in a bagel (and probably most things), it’s customization. How do you like your eggs? Cheddar or provolone? Hankering for some hash browns? Fresh fruit and a cragel, anyone?
(125 Bernal St Suite 10 // San Jose)
Open daily for bagel maniacs everywhere, Regal Bagel is the place to grab great-tasting coffee and a toasty bagel to start your morning. Come here to find your packed bagelwiches and Ghirardelli hot chocolate to ease the chilly winter days.
Photo By Bagel Bar
(519 E Campbell Ave // Campbell)
If you wanna feel like you’re eating one of Spongebob’s Pretty Patties, here’s a pretty wicked option. Whether heart-shaped or mango-flavored, you can’t go wrong with breaking a little tradition. Plus, there's pretty much a flavor here that will satisfy anyone you could bring along.
(477 S California Ave // Palo Alto)
This bagel shop has “Brooklyn” in its title, so you know it’s the real deal. Izzy’s sports over 30 different bagel flavors including all the classics and the “bagel stick,” which seems sacrilegious, but is probably also really convenient.
North Bay
Photo By Golden Bagel Cafe
(3240 Jefferson Ave // Napa)
Plants hanging from the ceiling of a bagel shop in Napa Valley is just about as peaceful as it gets around here. With all-natural ingredients and the doughiest goods around — from pizza to bagels to exquisite Focaccia bread — Golden Bagel Cafe is your one-stop shop for a good day ahead.
(212 Western Ave // Petaluma)
Sourdough bagels could do more than hit the spot right now. The Bagel Mill’s cafe boasts a full breakfast and lunch menu, delicious coffee, and a comfy atmosphere, which is great for the days that you need to take WFH somewhere other than home.
Photo By Grossman's Noshery and Bar
(308 1/2 Wilson St // Santa Rosa)
This bagel shop is also a full bar — so basically, heaven on earth. Tripling as a New York-style deli, Grossman’s serves every meal of the day with a Jewish cuisine-inspired twist. Certified sleek, seven days a week.
(1559 South Novato Blvd // Novato)
Do you ever miss the comfort of a pizza bagel? If not, then you’ve truly missed out. Get your classic fresh-made bagel with a refreshing smoothie or mocha frappe at Redwood Bagel Company, where the danishes are also just as yummy as the decaf.
** This article was originally published by Do The Bay. CLICK HERE to view the full article.