While Atlanta may lack the bagel shops found in New York City, there are a few notable hotspots that specialize in New York-style bagels worth seeking out in the ATL. All you need to know that the first bite into a freshly baked bagel should lie somewhere between a tried-and-true breakfast staple and a life-altering experience. When prepared properly, which means kettle-boiled and then baked, a bagel has a crispy, blistery exterior with a dense, fluffy interior.
Traditionally, bagels come in a small number of flavors: plain, garlic, onion, poppy seed, sesame seed, and everything. Since bagels arrived in America over a century ago, flavors and toppings have strayed further from the aforementioned traditional six – much to the disdain of bagel traditionalists everywhere. While most people order a single bagel with toppings, such as cream cheese schmear or lox, shops will deck bagels out like sandwiches, with corned beef, pastrami, and more! Looking for good bagels in and around Atlanta? Try one of these 3 locally owned establishments listed below:
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery & Deli – 9925 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 740, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022
Brooklyn Bagels makes its bagels the proper New York way: kettle boiled before baking to produce a crispy crust and a soft interior. Traditional bagel options are joined on the menu by lunchtime selections and creative bagel combinations and cream cheese schmears. Go all out and try the NY Three Way with corned beef, pastrami, swiss, and spicy mustard, or keep it simple with The Classic, which is made with cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, sliced nova, and capers!
Emerald City Bagels – 1257A Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30316
When Emerald City popped up on the Atlanta bagel scene, aficionados knew that these folks were surely not messing around. Slow fermented and boiled the traditional way, Emerald City’s bagels quickly became a darling at farmers markets and on the menus at some of Atlanta’s best coffee shops. Founded by mother-daughter duo, Deanna and Jackie Halcrow, Emerald City Bagels now includes a permanent shop in East Atlanta Village, where their products tend to sell out fast each day – so, don’t wait too long to get your fix!
The General Muir – 1540 Avenue Place, B-230, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
General Muir has created a name for themselves as a high-end Jewish deli. Unlike other bagel shops in Atlanta, General Muir isn’t necessarily grab-and-go; it’s meant to be savored and enjoyed to the fullest extent. You can order opened-faced bagels, served with an assortment of fish, schmears, and toppings, or build your own bagel. There are also “noshes,” such as chopped liver, deviled eggs, and even poutine with cheese curds and gravy. Nothing is off-limits on the menu at General Muir.
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