Bagels are a much-loved food item here in Raleigh, not only by the locals but especially by those who have moved here from New York. So, if you’re looking to indulge in this ring-shaped bready delight, then you’re going to want to get your pen and paper ready to write down this list of bagel shops in Raleigh and one in a nearby town.
Ask any New Yorker – NOT all bagels are created equal. So, with the help of our online community, several from NY who have relocated to Raleigh, I taste tested my way around some of the top-rated bakeries and cafes in Raleigh to find the best of the best. So, if you’re wondering where to find the best bagels in Raleigh and the surrounding areas, the kind of bagels that make New Yorkers proud, then you’re about to find out.
Best Bagels in Raleigh
1. New York Bagel & Deli (North Raleigh)
As soon as I walked in, I got those NY vibes from the memorabilia and photographs on the walls that took me back to our trips to NYC. For me, what I experienced from the ambience, the menu offerings, and the taste of the bagels at NY Bagels & Deli, it resembled a true NY bagel shop and a real NY experience right here in Raleigh.
They use Boar’s Head meats, and with 25 bagel varieties the menu is extensive with classics such as the Empire State (Turkey, Bacon, Swiss, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion), Nova Lox – Nova, Onion, tomato, capers & Cream Cheese, and The New Yorker – Pastrami, Corned Beef, Melted Swiss & Cole Slaw w/ Spicy Mustard.
I ordered the Empire State and a Steak, Egg & Cheese. They tasted fresh with the right amount of filling for me, and they’re definitely up there with the best bagels in Raleigh I’ve tasted.
The lox bagel, the build-your-own sandwiches, and the pastries are also said to be popular and fantastic. If you’re looking for a classic deli/bagel shop, you probably can’t go wrong here. Some former New Yorkers have mentioned that they wish they added way more cream cheese, but if you add bacon, and scallions – that fixes everything, am I right?!
It’s a relaxed counter-serve spot with friendly and quick service, and if I lived closer this would definitely be a regular go-to place to grab breakfast! They also have a location in Cary and a location in Benson (more on this later).
2. Benchwarmers Bagels (3 locations)
One of the most popular bagel shops in Raleigh is Benchwarmers Bagels and they now have three locations; Transfer Co. Food Hall is their original, the second location in the Rockway Building (near Dix Park), and their latest spot in North Hills in the Innovation District.
If you’re a Raleigh local, you might be interested to know that the owners of Benchwarmers are Andrew Cash of Jubala Coffee (one of my favorite coffee shops in Raleigh), and Joshua Bellamy and Sam Kirkpatrick of Boulted Bread. And if you’ve frequented either of those establishments you’ll know they serve up quality products!
Together they’ve created a popular Raleigh bagel stop for the locals, especially on the weekends and you can tell by the long lines that you’re in for a treat. My favorite location is probably the Rockway Building location because it’s close to Dorothea Dix Park and downtown Raleigh where I spend a lot of time.
Their bagels are neither New York or Montreal style, and they go through a long fermentation before being quickly boiled in honey and then baked in a wood-fired oven.
They have six different styles of bagels including the usual classics plus Za’atar (also known as Salt Bagel) and everything bagels, nine different creative sandwich fillings, and some unique cream cheese spreads including pimento cheese, Maitre d’hotel (herby + lemon), Carolina reaper (spicey), pecan butterscotch, and a cashew (vegan). Vegetarians and vegans are also in luck, as their bagels don’t contain any dairy or egg, but they are boiled in honey. They offer a vegan cashew “cream cheese” spread and their #1 Avocado Sandwich is a favorite. No gluten-free bagels though!
Of course, they do a great specialty coffee drinks with one of the founders being in the coffee business, brewed using their vintage coffee machine, so if you’re looking for a tasty bagel and coffee don’t miss this place – I like to sit on Transfer. Co’s outdoor patio seating!
Benchwarmers (Transfer Co. Food Hall Location)
Their Transfer Co. Food Hall location at 500 E Davie St is their original location and a bagel + coffee + pizza shop. This location is walkable from downtown Raleigh, and you have 12+ other food vendors to choose from, so if someone from your party is not into bagels, you have options.
Benchwarmers (North Hills Location)
Benchwarmers third and most recent location is at North Hills in the Innovation District. There’s a nice outdoor seating area, plus indoor seating, and you’re in North Hills with all the shopping and retail and endless other dining options. See our full guide to North Hills.
3. Iris Coffee Lab
Iris Coffee Lab is not only home to one of our favorite coffee spots in Raleigh but let me let you in on a little secret – they have bagels shipped in from NYC, made from the Hudson River water all New Yorkers love! Their Hotshot Bagel is an all-time best seller: egg, cheese, bacon, chive cream cheese, and hot honey from NY. They also have a Alos have a lox, popeye, chili crunch, and cream cheese bagel.
Owner Bryan is at the top of his game on all thing’s food and beverage, and his modern, clean and stylish cafe is a popular spot in the Glenwood South District of downtown Raleigh to not only enjoy and excellent coffee, but a tasty bagel over conversation with friends or pull out your laptop and work online over breakfast.
4. NC Bagel Cafe’ & Deli (Morrisville)
Several of our Instagram followers suggested I add NC Bagel Cafe’ & Deli to my list of Raleigh bagel shops when taste testing my way around Wake County, and I’m glad they did. Family-owned and operated, they bake NY style kettle cooked bagels and make fresh assorted cream cheeses in house.
All their bagels and sandwiches are made to order, and this is a popular breakfast spot in Morrisville for the locals (they serve lunch options too). Upon entering, I got chatting with the owner’s son (Daanish), who was friendly and welcoming and offered his recommendation based on my interest and what’s popular with the regulars.
He suggested I try their Avocado Breakfast Bagel: 2 eggs, bacon, and fresh avocado on a bagel of your choice. They had sold out of their popular “everything bagels” but he suggested a garlic bagel which I hesitated about at first, but it wasn’t too overpowering.
I also ordered their Pork Roll / Taylor Ham, egg & cheese on a Ciabatta roll which he says is a favorite of those from New Jersey and let me tell you it was FANTASTIC! Others love ordering their lox bagel sandwich, and they specialize in vegan and vegetarian options too – apparently their Impossible Morning Breakfast Sandwich is incredible, and the vegan breakfast wrap – they also have a veggie cream cheese spread! They also serve refreshing black teas, mango and strawberry flavored, and my mango tea hit the spot nicely on a hot day!
I can vouch for their fantastic customer service, and patience, as I arrived just before closing time at 1pm but nothing was a bother. For some of the best breakfast and lunch food in the Triangle with a low key atmosphere, put your taste buds to the test here and tell Daanish Craig from ThisIsRaleigh sent you. Plenty of parking and easy to find in the Grace Park shopping complex off Davis Dr.
5. N.Y.B.D – New York Bagel & Deli (Cary)
Thomas and Josephine Nurrito opened NYBD III (New York Bagels & Deli III) in Cary with over 80 years experience in the family business, so they know that “great taste” comes from fresh ingredients and baking everything from scratch. NYBD III is the third of their locations. The other local favorite is the top mentioned spot in this post on Falls of Neuse Road.
His grandfather came to New York in 1923 from Sicily, settled in Brooklyn and started “Red’s Bakery” with the old style coal ovens for baking bread. With a nice selection of bagels and a nice choice of fillings and spreads, N.Y.B.D specializes in hand-rolled bagels baked daily, fresh salads, iced drinks, soups, sandwiches, and fresh pastries.
I taste tested their Bacon, Egg & Cheese on a sesame bagel, and their Nova Lox & Egg w/ Onions on a Sesame. I can now see why this bagel shop is popular with the Cary locals and those new to the area from up north. Some New Yorkers have said their lox and bagel with cream cheese is the closest to NY bagels you can get – probably why there is often a line out the door.
They’re also popular for their authentic NY style egg sandwich, their omelets get raved about, and apparently their NY style cheesecake is incredible which comes from an old family recipe. Easy to find with plenty of parking being located across Kildaire Farm Rd from Whole Foods (next to Walmart).
6. Big Dom’s Bagel Shop (Cary)
Big Dom’s Bagel Shop is a grab-and-go bagel shop in downtown Cary featuring hand rolled bagels, biscuits and b’donuts (baked donuts). Their bagels are made fresh every day with malted dough boiled in brown sugar water, then cooked until crisp. I’m no bagel expert, but apparently these are Montreal-style bagels which are smaller and denser than New York bagels and have a slightly sweet taste.
If you’re feeling hungry, the bagel sandwiches would be the way to go! Our daughter loves the smoked salmon bagel sandwich, and she gave the thumbs up to the HOVA: smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion, tomato, capers on a sesame seed bagel. They have some great creations, and the donuts are said to be amazing as well but sell out quickly. I think they’re worth the drive from downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary. NOTE: they sell our fast, especially on weekends, arrive early!
7. Brandweins (Chapel Hill)
For a true taste of New York, get a bagel made by a New Yorker himself. Brandweins is the brainchild of Alex, who grew up in NYC and brings his love of the ring-shaped sourdough to Chapel Hill (40 mins from Raleigh but worth a trip). Each bagel is made from scratch each day and is made using organic, non-GMO flour from Lindley Mills in Graham, NC, and authentic barley malt syrup sourced from New Jersey. As well as serving traditional bagels in a variety of flavors, they also serve deli sandwiches and bagel chips. See our guide to visiting Chapel Hill.
Final thoughts
So there you go, those are some options to help you find the best places for bagels in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. As you can see, there’s a lot of great options, from authentic New York-style bagels to artful finesse, you can find a bagel for everyone on this list. I hope this post helps you get your carbohydrate fix via a tasty bagel. Now it’s your turn, where do you suggest we get bagels in Raleigh? Let us know in the comments.
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Yum! Now I’m really craving some bagels after reading this great post! One additional top bagel shop my wife and I love is Big Dom’s in downtown Cary. But you really can’t go wrong with any of these options 😉
Yes, how could I forget Big Dom’s, our daughter loves that bagel shop. Post has been updated to 5 places. Thanks for the reminder!
Great article! I go to the NY Bagel on FON and saw you mentioned they have one in Cary. Where is the 3rd location?
Thanks
Glad you’ve tasted their NY bagels in North Raleigh Pamela. I believe their 3rd location is out of state, will confirm with them next time I’m in store.