January 15 is National Bagel Day, so whether you prefer a good ol’ toasted plain bagel with butter, or you’d like to a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos bagel with jalapeno cream cheese, there are hundreds of bagel shops around NJ where you can grab breakfast. And according to Lawn Love, Jersey City is the No. 5 place in the US for bagel lovers! Here are some of our favorites. Don’t forget the coffee!
Alfa Bagels Deli & Cafe
Randolph
These hand-rolled water bagels claim to be the biggest in NJ. You can order Hungry Man pancakes, overstuffed sandwiches, a Sloppy Joe or gyros. And take an espresso to go.
Avalon Coffee Company
Avalon, Cape May, North Cape May, Rio Grande
When popping in, make sure you ask about the rolled daily specials. Menu staples include marble rye, blueberry, sundried tomato and chocolate chip bagels. Top ’em with spreads made with Neufchatel cheese, which is lighter than cream cheese.
B&G Bagels & Catering
Ramsey, Waldwick
What’s really cool is that if you attend Franklin Lake School, you can order your lunch online! Regular customers can top their bagels with cream cheese mixed with Taylor ham or sausage or seeds or candy or sprinkles or even hard-boiled eggs. For breakfast, try quesadillas, huevos rancheros or a Supercharged version (el pastor or burrito). For lunch there’s a Fish Corner for sandwiches or get an empanada or wings.
The Bagel Club
Flemington
They claim to have the largest flavor selection in the state! It’s hard to argue, with choices like chocolate dip, maple walnut, pineapple, pumpkin, mint chocolate, bacon horseradish, cranberry and orange – plus a low-fat cream cheese. Check out the kosher style deli and catering options.
Bagelloops
Wayne
Make sure you get one of their multicolored bagels. Recently they created green and red for Christmas; red, white and blue for the USA for the World Cup; brown, red and yellow for Thanksgiving; and blue, green, black and white for Halloween.
Bagel Masters
Shrewsbury
The bagels are baked fresh every day, even the more interesting ones like bran & honey, sundried tomato, apple cinnamon and spinach. Opt for a bialy, mini bagel or flat bagel if you’d like something else. You can match some of the bagels with cream cheese made in the same flavors (for example, sundried tomato or apple cinnamon). There are muffins and an array of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, too. Ask about the school lunch program if you live in the area.
The Bagel Nook
Freehold Twp. and Princeton (and Las Vegas)
The traditional sesame seed, chocolate chip and poppy bagels are good, but if you are looking for something extraordinary in the morning, give the Oreo, Cap’n Crunch, Dorito or Flaming Hot Cheeto bagels a try! Accompany them with the wild cream cheese flavors, like coffee, bacon ranch, s’mores, crumb cake or cannoli. If you’re super hungry – and don’t mind the calorie count – order one of the Overloads, such as The Elvis (French toast bagel with peanut butter swirl cream cheese, sliced bananas and crispy bacon) or Triple Chocolate Chunk (chocolate chip bagel with M&M cream cheese and chocolate chip cookies in the middle). If you love the bagels, consider a franchise!
Bagels by Jarrett
West Orange
These bagels are twice baked and seasoned to the max. If breakfast doesn’t satisfy you, order the Crew Chicken Enchiladas (3 chicken enchiladas with cheese and verde sauce), One Bridge Having Cheese Steak (prime ribeye, peppers, onions and cheese) or mesquite pork tacos. There’s also pizza, chicken and wings on the menu. The business moved to curbside ordering because of the pandemic; or choose delivery or shipping.
Bagel Pantry
Metuchen, Millburn, South Plainfield
Delicious bagels are one thing, but community service takes it to another level. Stop by after 2 pm for free bagels if you’re in need. You can get free bread, too, at their sister shop in Metuchen, Olive Press Eatery, if you need.
Bagel Station
Spring Lake
Come in for healthy and low carb options if you want to start the new year off lighter; they also make tofu cream cheese, and scallion & vegetable. They also carry gluten- and allergy-free bagels. If calories don’t count, check out their jalapeno, green (for St. Patrick’s Day), blueberry, cranberry or good ol’ plain bagels. Don’t forget to order freshly made bagel chips, too!
Bagels n’ Cream
Robbinsville
Blueberry crunch, egg everything, garlic, onion, pumpernickel rye and whole wheat everything fill the racks. There are 30 gourmet sandwiches to take with you for lunch.
Bagel University
Vineland
Do churro, cinnamon strudel, pepperoni-bacon-asiago or peanut butter sound droolworthy? Top them with your choice of cheddar-horseradish, buffalo chicken, spinach asiago artichoke or pineapple cream cheese (maybe not at the same time). The sandwiches have cool monikers named after universities – hence, Bagel U!
Baron’s Bagels
Point Pleasant
The hand-rolled bagels from North Jersey are now made fresh on premise. Holiday horseradish cream cheese has quite a bite. They “tie-dye” their bagels for special occasions like holidays or Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fill the insides with cold cuts, cold salads or eggs.
Chester Bagel & Deli
Chester
Their old fashioned, hand-rolled, kettle boiled bagels can be topped with sliced nova, lox, or garlic and herb cream cheese. Order the omelets – Bat Masterson (spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and Swiss cheese), the O.K. Corral (bacon, sausage, ham, peppers, onions, cheese and salsa) or the William Bonney (chicken strips, cheese, peppers, onions and salsa). There’s an entire menu filled with burgers, grilled cheese, sandwiches, salads and wraps. Plus, there’s a catering menu with a variety of bagels, muffins, eggs and antipasto.
Grandpa’s Bagels
Marlboro
The father-son duo who own this shop prides themselves on using unbleached, unbromated, dye-free, no added sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, no additives in a unique fermentation process that aids in digestion. They serve up bagels hot and fresh all day. They have all the traditional flavors (plus 7-seeded) in addition to cheddar jalapeno, hot Calabrian chili pepper, rosemary and olive oil, Za’atar spice and egg bombs!
Hot Bagels & More
Atlantic City, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point
Cranberry orange, sundried tomato and strawberry are the more unique options on this menu. Try the apple cinnamon cream cheese, a lox spread, or pimentos and olives. You can also order sandwiches, salads, subs, wraps, burgers and even quesadillas. There’s a variety of breads, soups and baked goods on the menu, too.
Hot Bagels Abroad
Varieties include honey wheat, super egg, Black Russian and blueberry. If you’re vegan, this is the spot for you. You can get vegetable, scallion, olive or jalapeno cream cheese, or tofu (plain or flavored) by the pound. There are wraps, panini, items from the grill and an assortment of desserts.
Joe’s Bagel & Grill
Beachwood, Belmar, Brick, Cliffwood, Manasquan/Wall, Marlboro, Point Pleasant, Sea Girt, Toms River, Waretown (coming soon), West Long Branch
The specialty bagels include French toast, cheddar and flagels (a flat bagel). There are fresh muffins, omelets, smoothies, French toast and pancakes. A waffle sandwich is a good alternative to a bagel. The Super Tsunami is a massive 6-piece pork roll, 4-egg, 3-bacon monstrosity on a triple decker French toast. If you’re eating on the healthier side, try a veggie omelet wrap or a Greek breakfast wrap.
JT’s Bagel Hut
Forked River
Calling themselves the Home of the French Toast Bagel, you know that should be top of your list to try. Check out the harvest wheat, cinnamon crunch and pizza bagel, too, for flavor overload. You can order a breakfast sandwich or other baked goods while you’re there, too.
O’Bagel
Basking Ridge, Hoboken, New Brunswick, Stirling
The bagel sandwiches are the draw here. The Jersey Debate is just that: order pork roll or taylor ham, depending on what you call it, with scrambled eggs and cheese. Specialties include the Bee Sting, which is bacon, eggs, cheese and scallion cream cheese smothered in Mike’s Hot Honey; or the Sinatra, which is topped with sausage, eggs, a homemade Tuscan spread, arugula and balsamic glaze. The O’bsessions here include an array of steak, chicken or cold cuts with various artisanal toppings.
Ry’s Bagels
Glassboro
Their popular holiday bagel was a vanilla flavored bagel with white chocolate chips and topped with festive sugar crystals. Try bacon, egg and cheese on a cheddar bagel (you can see strips of cheese baked right in!). The jalapeno cheddar bagel is a new fave, especially when topped with a sandwich off the grill or savory cream cheese.
Teaneck Road Hot Bagels
Teaneck
This local hot spot is known for its handrolled kosher bagels, which are the perfect combo of crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Customers love their egg sandwiches, too.
Terrace Bagels and Cafe
Freehold Twp.
The only thing better than a tasty bagel is a tasty low-carb bagel! If you want to go traditional, try their sesame, poppy, pumpernickel or whole wheat everything bagels. They’re also known for their bagel flats, bialys and PB&J sandwiches.
Three Star Bagels
Teaneck
Three Star Bagels is part of the Glenpointe Marketplace’s unique vendors, like Balthazar Bakery, Apple Mortgage Cakes, Conrad’s Confectionery, Jersey Barnfire, CoffeeCol and Sip N Swirl. Customers love picking up a fresh dozen bagels plus their favorite cream cheese.
Time for a Bagel
Morris Plains
Get a regular or mini bagel in traditional flavors or opt for “anything but a bagel” which features a bialy, bagel twist, flagel or super cinnamon raisin bagel. If it’s Breakfast on a Bagel you desire, add some meat or cheese, or a plant-based option, and start your day off right.
If you’re hungry for lunch, grab some pizza or a sandwich at these hot spots, too.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
20 Pretty Places to Try For Afternoon Tea
Insta-Worthy: Put These Over-the-Top NJ Donut Shops On Your Foodie Bucket List
25 Must-Try Iconic New Jersey Foods
