When thinking of the best bagel in New York, Apollo Bagels and Pop-Up Bagels are two of the top viral contenders on the market. They both offer creative menu items, distinctive branding and a unique flavor profile compared to other classic spots. A closer look into their bagel profile will allow one to determine which one is better for you.
Apollo Bagels is known for its high-quality ingredients, chewy texture and crispy exterior, which make for a satisfying bite. They started as a pop-up across New York and then attracted insane lines that inspired permanent locations. They offer a limited menu of cream cheese, tomatoes and fish-decorated bagels. They keep it simple but have mastered that simplicity in their sourdough bagels. What initially started as a trendy weekend spot in the East Village is now expanding with a new location in the West Village. They are growing gradually, and their bagels are also being sold in the newly opened Pura Vida cafes all over Manhattan.
As I entered the East Village establishment, I expected long lines but was pleasantly surprised by the lack of a wait. I suggest going later in the afternoon if going on the weekend. While there is a limited menu, I opted for the scallion cream cheese and tomato on a sesame bagel, which I have seen pictures of online. The staff made my bagel in around five minutes, and I sat outside to formulate my opinion. The bagel itself was chewy and crisp to perfection. It was not too doughy or under-baked like I find other New York bagel establishments to be. The tomato was fresh and sprinkled with olive oil and sea salt, making it a satisfying bite. Overall, Apollo Bagels met my expectations, and I would love for them to expand their menu in the future.
Pop-Up Bagels took the internet by storm with hot and fresh bagels intended to be dipped in unique variations of their whipped cream cheese. The line for the original establishment in Greenwich Village used to be outrageous, but now they have calmed down with the opening of two new locations in the Upper East and West sides. The bagel itself is delicious when hot, but after cooling, I need to put the bagel to the test. One might not want to dip their bagels for every bite. I have been to Pop-Up numerous times, but since they always switch their cream cheeses and butter, I was eager to return.
I entered their Upper East Side establishment with the place to myself and requested an everything bagel, sesame and salt with scallion cream cheese. They had a butter that was pineapple flavored, but I opted to stay with the classic cream cheese dip. My bag of bagels and cream cheese was ready almost instantly, making for an efficient experience. The bagels were hot and seeded to perfection, as expected, even though they were not busy. The bagel was crispy and dense, making for a satisfying bite. While these bagels were delicious, I often wish they were in sandwich form, as that makes for a more even ratio of cream cheese and bagel. They also have more creative cream cheese flavors in the past, such as roasted red pepper, caramelized onion and Oreo. Overall, Pop-Up Bagels is a fun experience and a unique take on bagels, which makes it very different from other classic establishments.
These bagel shops are different from the rest of the known spots on the food scene in New York. They offer different experiences, but both are delicious bagels. The bagels themselves, in all honesty, are so similar that they are hard to compare. I enjoy many seeds in my bagels, so the best bagel for me is Pop-Up. However, I appreciate the Apollo Bagel tomato and scallion cream cheese open-face sandwich over a dipping experience. I look forward to tasting and reviewing more bagels and can not wait to see how they compare.
