New Absolute Bagels
A no-frills, cash-only spot on the Upper West Side serving some of NYC's most authentic and beloved hand-rolled bagels.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
New Absolute Bagels
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A no-frills, cash-only spot on the Upper West Side serving some of NYC's most authentic and beloved hand-rolled bagels.
"The bagels are designed to perfection, they have a good crisp outside while being super soft inside. Legit."
Go Early to Avoid Lines
Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends, to beat the crowds and long wait times.
Cash Only Policy
Be prepared, as Absolute Bagels operates on a cash-only basis. Plan accordingly.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Bagel Shop
Price
Mid-range
Address
2788 Broadway, New York, NY 10025, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic NYC Bagels
Experience traditional, hand-rolled NYC bagels with a perfect chewy interior and crisp exterior. A true taste of the city.
Unique Cream Cheese Flavors
Explore a wide array of creative and classic cream cheese flavors, from sun-dried tomato to blueberry, to perfectly complement your bagel.
Generous Portions, Great Value
Enjoy substantial portions of delicious bagels and toppings at very reasonable prices, offering excellent value for money.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Go Early to Avoid Lines
Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends, to beat the crowds and long wait times.
Cash Only Policy
Be prepared, as Absolute Bagels operates on a cash-only basis. Plan accordingly.
Creative Flavor Pairings
Try adventurous combinations like olive or blueberry cream cheese on your bagel for a unique taste experience.
Enjoy Outdoors
Take your delicious bagel to a nearby park or scenic spot to savor it in a picturesque setting.
Tips
from all over the internet
Go Early to Avoid Lines
Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends, to beat the crowds and long wait times.
Cash Only Policy
Be prepared, as Absolute Bagels operates on a cash-only basis. Plan accordingly.
Creative Flavor Pairings
Try adventurous combinations like olive or blueberry cream cheese on your bagel for a unique taste experience.
Enjoy Outdoors
Take your delicious bagel to a nearby park or scenic spot to savor it in a picturesque setting.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Absolute Bagels is celebrated for its authentic, traditional New York-style bagels, praised for their perfect texture and generous toppings. Diners rave about the wide variety of unique cream cheese flavors and friendly service. However, the shop's popularity often leads to significant lines, and it's important to remember their cash-only policy. Some find the wait potentially long, but many agree the quality makes it worth the experience.
"Exactly how a NYC bagel place should be. Simple, fast, tons of cream cheese flavours and fab bagels. Run by the nicest people. I’ve never experienced so much happiness ordering my bagel. The bagels are designed to perfection, they have a good crisp outside while being super soft inside. Legit. Everything bagel and pumpernickel are what we tried - both hit the mark. I had herb cream cheese and it was 12/10; sun dried tomato cream cheese also hit. You can’t go wrong here: ~$5 bagel."
Isabella Grandic
"Absolute Bagels is one of those places where you can get a true New York bagel.
There are many bagel and spread options to choose from, both sweet and savory.
I opted for the egg bagel with sun dried tomato spread. The bagel itself was dodgy and sweet, just like it should be and the spread was subtle.
Cash only and there could be a line (like many places in New York), but the wait was minimal.
All in all, solid bagels and spread."
Kenny Kimball II
"Customer keeps coming, despite that it is fast moving queue. Generous amount, egg is so fluffy and nice like pudding! I appreciate it. Bagel is fresh and nice too! They only accept cash so do note that. Thankful the cashier is patient with me ordering for the first time as well. Good experience! No dine in."
LS Ang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
They are known for their traditional, hand-rolled, and house-made bagels, which have a perfect chewy interior and crisp exterior, a hallmark of authentic New York bagels.
No, Absolute Bagels is a cash-only establishment. Please be prepared to pay with cash.
To avoid the longest lines, it's recommended to visit during weekdays or very early on weekend mornings. The lines can get quite long, especially on Sundays.
Popular choices include olive, sun-dried tomato, herb, and blueberry cream cheese, which are often praised for their unique and delicious taste.
Absolute Bagels is a grab-and-go establishment. There are no dine-in facilities; customers typically take their orders to enjoy elsewhere.
They offer a wide variety of fresh baked bagels including plain, poppy, sesame, onion, egg, garlic, pumpernickel, whole wheat, and cinnamon raisin.
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The dish: BagelsEver since Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe brought bagels over to NYC in the late 19th century, this circular baked good with a hole in the middle so embodies New York, that it practically talks to you in the display case in a New Yawk accent. Shiny with bite on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside, a real bagel is hand-rolled and boiled before baking. The city’s tap water (which is so delicious it's nicknamed the “champagne of drinking water”), is often attributed to what makes the bagels here taste so special.
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This unassuming shop at 2788 Broadway on the the Upper West Side serves some of the cheapest – but tastiest – hand-rolled and house-made bagels in the city. You can nab a plain cream cheese bagel for just $3.20USD, but they also have almost every kind of cream cheese flavour you can think of, from walnut and raisin to jalapeno for $5.30USD. If you feel like bulking up your bagel, adding salad, salmon or other toppings will bring your total to less than $10USD – and it’ll keep you full all day.
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If you find yourself near the Nicholas Roerich Museum, then head on over to 2788 Broadway. Situated here is a quaint spot called Absolute Bagels which is a must-visit if you’re a bagel enthusiast. This laid-back spot keeps it simple yet delectable, serving their hand-rolled, housemade bagels all day, every day.
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🍽️ Bagel Shop | ($) | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 212-932-2052 | Neighborhood: Upper West Side. Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side is the best place to grab breakfast and a coffee in New York City. The bagels are cooked fresh daily, with ample choices like plain, poppy, sesame, onion, egg, and garlic.
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Next on my list of places to grab breakfast in NYC, it’s Absolute bagels. One of the most classic things to do in NYC is to grab a bagel for breakfast. If you’re looking for the most delicious bagel in NYC (and maybe the most iconic breakfast in NYC), then Absolute Bagels is an excellent place to check out!
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Don’t let the weekend lines scare you away– there’s a reason crowds gather outside at 6 AM each morning here. Absolute Bagels has garnered city-wide bagel acclaim for about three decades. Always, always fresh, their old-school bagels arrive with salty, seed-heavy topcoats and blistered bottoms.
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Absolute Bagels is known as one of the best bagel shops in New York, with a line that’s often worth the wait. Founded in 1990, it serves fresh bagels that many find perfectly chewy and satisfying. It’s a straightforward spot that’s popular with both locals and visitors.
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There are lots of places to try them, but we recommend Absolute Bagels, which often has lines out the door, and for good reason. Don’t worry, they move fast. Just join the crowd and pick up a piping hot bagel, filled with your choice of delicious morsels.
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A photo posted by The Hungry Roomies (@thehungryroomies) on Jun 22, 2016 at 10:12am PDT. This bagel place takes a New York bagel to the next level. Its Upper West Side location makes it a favorite of Columbia students.
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And then there’s Absolute Bagels, the only bagel store worth the line. Let the fancies have Black Seed and Sadelle’s. Absolute Bagels is a filthy little store with sublime bagels.
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