A fresh bagel is basically the ultimate cheap thrill. Toasted with a thick layer of schmear or stacked into a sandwich that’s definitely going to get messy, it’s the one meal everyone in this city can actually agree on. Luckily, Toronto is in the middle of a major bagel boom right now. From wood-fired Montreal classics to the new-school spots worth the weekend lineup, here is where to find the best in the city.
Kettleman’s Bagels
After opening its first Etobicoke location a few years ago, Kettleman’s Bagels has been pumping out hand-stretched, Montreal-style bagels 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the delight of those in the community. Kettleman’s expertly cuts, rolls and bakes an average of 9,000 to over 10,000 bagels per day, and they’re available in 14 different flavours, including traditional types like sesame and poppyseed but also specialty flavours like herb and cheddar and chocolate chip.
Bubby’s New York Bagels
With more than 30 plus bagels on the menu, a range of hand-packed schmears and even a full breakfast and lunch menu, Bubby’s New York Bagels offers one of the most varied selections in the city. Choose from an array of classics or try something new and different, like the French toast bagel or the Montreal steak spice bagel topped with everything from a fried egg and cheese to more than 20 different kinds of herring.
Schmaltz
Schmaltz is basically where you go when you want your bagel to be a full-blown event. Since it’s run by the Fat Pasha crew, everything from the hummus to the smoked fish is top level. They’re famous for over-the-top builds like the Chub Chub — packed with whitefish salad and gravlax, or the Latka Double Down, which swaps the bread for actual potato pancakes. The names are all classic Yiddish jokes, from the Shmendrick to the Alterkocher, and the portions are massive.
Primose Bagel Company
Hand-rolled bagels and a variety of sweet and savoury spreads and generous toppings await those who set foot in Primrose Bagel. Open seven days a week, Primrose Bagel has seven thick, doughy bagels to choose from, including specialty flavours like the honey oat bagel and the rock salt bagel. A variety of cream cheeses are also available, including a vegan black olive cream cheese and, for something with a bit more bite, the horseradish cream cheese, along with classic bagel sandwiches like lox and cream cheese and breakfast options.
St. Urbain Bagel
One of the first things that you smell walking through the doors of the St. Lawrence Market was St. Urbain Bagel. As the oldest bagel shop in Toronto with a colourful history dating back to the early 1900s, St. Urbain is a staple in the downtown core. They offer a mix of traditional, healthy and sweet bagels, all made using fresh ingredients. St. Urbain also serves flatzls (a flatter version of their original fluffy bagels), as well as bourekas, a phyllo pastry usually stuffed with sweet or savoury ingredients, like sweet cheese or potato and mushroom, and newer items like the craigel (a bagel–croissant hybrid). A selection of bagel sandwiches is also available.
The Bagel House
The Bagel House has been a Toronto staple for over 25 years, and for good reason. They do the whole Montreal-style thing — honey-boiled and baked in a wood-fired oven — but their bagels are a little bigger and heftier than the ones you’d find in Quebec. Since they’re open 24/7, it’s the ultimate spot for a late-night snack when you just want something warm and chewy. There’s usually a line and the seating is basically non-existent, but once you smell that wood smoke, you won’t even care.
Gryfe’s Bagel Bakery
Gryfe’s has been a Toronto legend since 1915, and they do things a little differently. Instead of the heavy bagels you find elsewhere, theirs are famous for being super light and airy — they basically melt in your mouth. You’re coming here for the “flats” or a classic pizza bagel, but make sure you hit the ATM first because this place is strictly cash-only. There’s almost always a line out the door, but for a century-old recipe that’s still this good, it’s always worth the wait.
Bagel World
Bagel World is the spot for anyone who loves a classic, chewy New York-style bagel. They’ve got 20 different kinds, but the real stars here are the “Flagels,” — flat, crispy bagels and massive, braided “Twisters.” Everything is boiled and baked in an old-school open-fire oven, so you know they’re coming out fresh and warm. It’s usually pretty busy, but that’s just because these are some of the most reliable bagels in the city.
Bagels on Fire
Bagels on Fire is where you go for a legit Montreal-style fix without the road trip. These are smaller, honey-boiled and baked in a wood-fired oven for a smoky crunch and sweet finish. They’re famous for their classic sesame and onion, but the coconut and pretzel-style twists are the real hits. With spots in the Beaches, Queen West and on Front Street, it’s a super reliable neighbourhood go-to that’s always got fresh coffee and a solid breakfast sandwich waiting for you.
