Every day is a good day to eat a delicious bagel.
I wish I could say that this is going to be the longest list you’ve ever seen, full to the brim of delightful, dense, perfect bagels just waiting for you to gobble them up.
But Columbus isn’t exactly a go-to destination for bagels. You can get things that resemble bagels at a lot of chains around the city (I’m looking at you Tim Hortons and that monstrosity you call a “bagel”).
But finding true, New York-style bagels isn’t the easiest task. Luckily, the handful of places that specialize in bagels around here take it seriously.
Barry Bagels
Address: 5760 Frantz Rd. Dublin, OH
Best Bagel on the Menu: If you want to just get one of the many flavored bagels with cream cheese, I won’t stop you. But the Barry Bagels motto is “Everything is better on a bagel” for a reason! Their chicken salad on a plain bagel is the kind of thing I dream about.
Website: Barry Bagels
Sammy’s New York Bagels
Address: It doesn’t matter because they deliver straight to your door.
Best Bagel on the Menu: Sammy’s doesn’t just make great bagels, they deliver them right to your door. For $13.20, you can have delicious, kettle-boiled bagels as soon as you wake up. There are no bad bagels here, but I personally enjoy their onion bagel, especially when I want to keep people at arm’s length all day. It would also be a mistake to checkout without adding some Sammy’s Sticks to your order. Just trust me on this.
Website: Sammy’s New York Bagels
Bear’s Bagels
Address: 4142 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
Best Bagel on the Menu: The bagels here are solid across the board, but what truly sets Bear’s apart is their schmear game. Whether you’re going savory or sweet, these spreads are next-level and make even a plain bagel feel luxurious.
Website: Bear’s Bagels
Fox’s Bagel & Deli
Address: 3012 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43209
Best Bagel on the Menu: If a bagel breakfast sandwich is what you’re craving, then Fox’s is the answer. I like to keep it simple with a fried egg and American cheese. It’s filling, delicious, and the best way to start the day.
Website: Fox’s Bagel & Deli
Bruegger’s Bagels
Address: Various locations
Best Bagel on the Menu: I know that Bruegger’s is a national chain, but listen, they know what they are doing. When I go to Bruegger’s, I can’t resist the salt bagel topped with smoked salmon cream cheese.
Website: Bruegger’s Bagels
The Lox
Address: 772 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Best Bagel on the Menu: Anything on the sea salt and herb bagel. It doesn’t matter which schmear or toppings you choose, you’ll be extremely happy.
Website: The Lox
Marx Bagels
Address: 6115 McNaughten Rd, Columbus, OH 43232
Best Bagel on the Menu: When Block’s Bagels closed, it left a pretty big hole in our collective breakfast hearts. Luckily, Marx Bagels stepped in and filled that void beautifully. Their pizza bagel is the standout — nostalgic, cheesy, satisfying, and 100% worth the trip.
Website: Marx Bagels
