New York City might be the unofficial capital of the bagel, but London is no slouch when it comes to this boiled, doughy delight. And so, when you are in the UK capital and have a hankering for a bagel and cream cheese, look no further than this guide for the best bagels in London.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast before sightseeing, fuelling up for a market-hopping adventure, or seeking a late-night bite after exploring the city’s buzzing neighbourhoods, this guide will lead you straight to the 7 best bagels in London, warm, generous, and utterly worth the carb indulgence. Come hungry.
A Quick History
The Humble Beginnings of the Bagel
There are a variety of interesting legends related to the birth of the bagel. One repeated through the ages, is that bagels were created in the 17th Century after the Battle of Vienna in honor of Polish monarch John III Sobieski. Another suggests they emerged in the Middle Ages. This was when antisemitic laws in made it verboten for Central European Jews to bake, so they began boiling their bread instead. However, it seems that the earliest written record of bagels dates to 1610 in Kraków, Poland.
Modern Migration and Mass Production
The modern tale of bagels began when Poles and European Jews began migrating to the United States in the second half of the 19th century. For decades the bagel remained as something closely associated with the Jewish community in the United States. This was particularly in East Coast cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. The same goes, though on a much smaller scale, for cities like London.
Then, in the 1960s, though, the first bagel-making machine appeared in the United States. And soon enough, mass bagel manufacturing appeared. Delis began pairing bagels with food that European immigrants brought with them: lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese. And with that the bagel, as we know it in the 21st century, was born.
The 21st Century Bagel Boom
By the turn of the new millennium, bagels began the leap outside of the United States, materializing once again back in Europe where it all began. And these days, you can eat a bagel for breakfast everywhere from Krakow to Prague to London.
Nowadays, the humble bagel has been reinvented. And London is one of the bagel hubs. From salt-beef-stuffed classics served from decades-old East End bakeries to glossy, sesame-topped beauties, the city has quietly built a bagel scene that rivals the Big Apple. Wander through Brick Lane in the early hours and you’ll catch the scent of freshly baked rings drifting into the street. Head to a trendy neighbourhood café and you’ll find sourdough bagels layered with inventive, globally inspired fillings. Traditional or modern, minimalist or mile-high. there’s a bagel here with your name on it.
Traveler’s tip: London is a big city with a seemingly infinite amount of lodging choices. If you need some guidance on neighborhoods or hotels, check out our guide on Where to Stay in London. Hopefully, you’ll be right next store to one of the bagel places on our list!
7 Places to Find the Best Bagels in London
What makes the best bagels in London so special is the story behind them. Many are rooted in the city’s rich Jewish heritage. Baked using time-honoured methods that give that perfect dense interior and slightly crisp crust. Others reflect London’s multicultural energy, blending flavours from across the world into something uniquely delicious.
The Bagel Guys
Inspired by the bagel shops, delis, and corner bodegas of New York City, the Bagel Guys was founded by husband-and-wife team Jordan and Paul. Long Island-born Jordan moved to London in 2017 and quickly developed a homesickness for proper New York bagels.
And so, the Bagel Guys was born. Located in Well Street and the Netil Market in London Fields. The Bagel Guys makes a variety of different types of bagels. They also have a menu of bagel sandwiches, including the BEC (bacon, egg, cheese), a New York City deli classic.
Roni’s Bagel Bakery
With 6 locations to choose from around London: Belsize, Brent Cross, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Swains Lane, and West Hampstead. So, hopefully don’t have to go far to get your bagel fix from Roni’s Bagel Bakery.
Roni Avital has been churning out high-quality bagels since 1989 and also making top notch cream cheese. The bakery also serves great chicken soup, as well as falafels and salads.
Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery.
Since 1974, Beigel Bake has been churning out lovely bagels, or beigels, as they prefer to write it the old way, in Brick Lane. People associate the street with Indian restaurants but before the Bengalis, it was home to a sizable Jewish community. This makes Beigel Bake, and a few other bagel shops, something of a beloved artifact. Choose from a selection of bagels, including the ever-popular everything bagel. Plus bagel sandwiches with everything from tuna to hummus to Nutella.
Brick Lane Beigel Shop
Just steps away from its famous rival on Brick Lane, Brick Lane Beigel Shop, affectionately known as “the White One” thanks to its bright white frontage, has been serving up classic East End beigels since the 1970s. Open 24 hours a day, it’s a go-to for late-night revellers, early-morning workers, and devoted regulars.
The salt beef bagel is the undisputed star: generously filled, punchy with mustard. While tourists often queue next door, many Londoners remain fiercely loyal to the White One, fuelling a friendly (and long-running) Brick Lane bagel rivalry that’s practically part of local folklore.
Panzer’s
Founded in the 1940s by two immigrants from Austria and the country formerly known as Czechoslovakia. Panzer’s is essentially a gourmet food market that also happens to sell prepared foods and excellent made-to-order sandwiches. It is located in St. John’s Wood. They make an excellent selection of homemade bagels. You just have to choose what you want with it, a firm fave being the works with smoked salmon.
Rinkoffs Bakery
With two locations in and around Whitechapel, Rinkoffs Bakery is a neighborhood institution. It is still run by an immigrant Ukrainian Jewish family, who opened the bakery in 1911. Rinkoffs makes sourdough loaves, challah, hamburger buns, and even their version of the cronut, which they call the “crodough.” And, of course, they make a fine bagel. Varieties include poppyseed, everything (mixed seeds), and the weird rainbow-colored bagel.
It’s Bagels
For a more contemporary spin, It’s Bagels has quickly become one of the capital’s most talked-about newcomers. It has locations in Primrose Hill and Notting Hill. Inspired by New York’s deli culture, the bagels here are glossy, chewy, and generously filled. Think proper bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches, silky pastrami, and thick layers of cream cheese schmear. The vibe is polished but playful, drawing weekend brunch crowds and homesick New Yorkers eager for an authentic bite. If you’re making the case that London can rival NYC for the best bagels outside America, this spot is essential evidence.
Traveler’s tip: Fancy a cheeky pint in a proper London pub? Check our list of Oldest Pubs in London.
FAQs – Best Bagels In London
Are London bagels different from New York bagels?
While New York bagels are known for their large size and chewy texture, the best bagels in London often lean slightly smaller and denser, especially the traditional East End “beigels.” London’s bagel scene blends old-school Jewish baking traditions with contemporary deli influences, meaning you can find everything from classic salt beef to stacked bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches.
What is the most popular bagel filling in London?
The undisputed classic is salt beef with mustard and pickles, particularly on Brick Lane. Smoked salmon and cream cheese (often called lox and schmear) is another timeless favourite. However, many of the best bagel shops in London now offer creative fillings such as pastrami, jerk chicken, falafel, and sweet options like Nutella.
Are there 24-hour bagel shops in London?
Yes! One of the reasons London rivals New York for great bagels is its late-night options. Both Beigel Bake and Brick Lane Beigel Shop on Brick Lane are open 24 hours a day. This makes them popular stops for night owls, early commuters, and those craving the best bagels in London at any hour.
How much does a bagel cost in London?
Prices for bagels in London vary depending on location and filling. A simple bagel with cream cheese typically costs between £2–£4. A generously filled salt beef or pastrami bagels can range from £6–£10. Trendier, New York–style spots in neighbourhoods may charge slightly more, especially for stacked breakfast sandwiches.
Are there vegetarian and vegan bagel options in London?
Absolutely. Many of the best bagel shops in London offer vegetarian and vegan choices. From falafel and grilled vegetables to plant-based cream cheese alternatives. Some bakeries also produce vegan bagels as standard, as traditional bagel dough typically contains no dairy. It is just flour, water, yeast, and salt. It’s always worth checking menus, as London’s food scene is increasingly plant-forward and accommodating.
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