Incredible bagels! Feels local and friendly. We tried a plain bagel with butter, amazing. We also tried an everything bagel with butter and scallions cream cheese. Out of this world. It also wasn’t too expensive. We would highly recommend this place! Note: there can be a line, especially on the weekends but it is worth the wait.

Great bagels and friendly staff make for a great overall experience! Soft and chewy yet crispy bagels with fresh and unique cream cheese flavors! I got the onion bagel with garlic and chives cream cheese and it made for a perfect breakfast. The line is pretty long but it moves along pretty quickly

The best bagels Ive ever had. I visited 3 times during my stay in NY. Very generous with the schmear. The Thai tea is very sweet, and I think its just the same powdered mix most places use, but still very tasty!

Took 30 minutes waiting in line. The price is reasonable and the taste is not bad. However, I’d say it is probably not worth so much time waiting.

Worth the wait!I dont think I ever saw this place without a queu.I went for the recommendation and it was delicious, the best bagel I ever had so far.Everything was fresh, smelled good and tasted great.The staff was very kind and welcoming.It is slightly pricey in my opinion but this wont prevent me for returning soon.

My friend told me this is the best bagel in NYC! Glad to have it! They are very generous with the cream! Remember to finish it before it going cold!

Came around 8:30am and waited in a short line outside. Purchased 7 bagels and WOW they did not disappoint!Usually I dont get out of bed before 10am, but these were worth the trip!I HIGHLY recommend coming here for all ur bagel needs!P.s. they are cash only 💸 💰

This place always has a line. That proves that they have great bagels!! We live in Washington DC, and when we come here, we stay locally, and always pick up bagels while were here! PLUS, they off many dairy free cream cheese options!!!!!

I love plain cream cheese spread with lox.

Hands down the best bagel in town! I had egg bagel with chive & garlic cream cheese with nova. Quite pricey but worth every dollar!

The cream cheese is a little softer than normal, the bagel is one the best I had, only has a long line outside the store but it goes fast.

Absolute best bagels. Visiting from Florida and heard about this place. It did not disappoint. We will be back in the future.

Overall this was a good bagel.This was our 1st place to get a NYC bagel. We got a plain Onion and an Everything with lox. The lox had a mild smoked salmon taste.It was crispy on outside of bagel and doughy on inside. The generous portion of lox was tasty.The place got busy but they are quick to service. Would go again and get another from here.

Bagels were freshly baked and hot, but I had very high expectation and it was not met. While the bagel was soft and fresh it was not as tasty as I wanted. The lox spread was mostly cream cheese with a hint of smoked salmon. Probably the best part was the smoked nova which was very tasty, however a bit expensive($13).

Honestly, y’all. I thought this would be a tourist trap. I didn’t know if the line would be worth it or how long it would take. BUT!! The bagel was PERFECTION. Everything about it was so freaking delicious that I ate a whole bagel (normally I eat half). We tried multiple options and cream cheeses. The lox was so so good. And everything was 100% worth the price. Highly recommend and maybe, just maybe this May be the BEST bagel in NYC.

Gets pretty busy in the mornings but dies down towards the afternoon. They have savory & sweet bagels and cream cheeses but their savory stuff is especially good (highly recommend the jalapeno cream cheese). They are cash only so be prepared. You can ask for toasted bagels but theyre usually fresh enough that you dont need to. Theyre super generous with the cream cheese (pictured); if you want less its better to order it separately and add it yourself. On the other hand, if you live in the area and want to save some money, skip the cream cheese and buy it somewhere else.

Theres a reason why people line up at Absolute. The bagels are superb. Almost crunchy exterior, and a soft, yet chewy inside. Not overly sweet, but just right! Bigger than I prefer, but so good that it doesnt matter. These bring back the bagels of my youth on Brooklyn.

Great bagels a bit over priced.loooioong line and waiting, we have waited something like 35 minutes

Phenomenal bagels worth the trek across the park! The line moves quickly and it is worth the wait!

$6.38 ($8 with tip). Two bagels (sliced but not toasted) and a 4 oz cup of lox cream cheese. That was my go to breakfast for three days straight, and I couldnt be happier. Always a line, even at 6:30 am on a Sunday (just 5-6 people, see pic), but well worth the wait.

Fast service. No frills. Cash only.Ordered toasted egg bagel with chive and garlic cream cheese. Came out pretty great. It was a little crispy and warm and felt great with the coffee

Remember to bring cash! Nothing sadder than to see people waiting in line for an hour only to find out that it is cash only. The bagels are AMAZING here. As someone not from NYC, this was my gate way into learning what a real bagel is. Slight crust and nice chew but not too tough. I recommend the lox and cream cheese on an everything bagel lightly toasted. I find that lox can be too salty, but the lox was not too salty at all and paired perfectly with the cream cheese.

Hands down the best bagels in Manhattan. I grew up around the corner, but I’m not biased at all! No one else has a wider selection of bagels and spreads. Pictured is a whole-grain sesame bagel with tofu-scallion cream cheese (can that even be considered health food?). If you visit during the weekend expect a line around the corner.

Fast and delicious. Bagels are the perfect texture--crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.

This place is amazing they make their bagels on site. By far the best bagel you will ever have. And the white fish is a treat. Dont be alrmed but the line may be around the corner. They move fast its worth the wait. Also only cash nor credit cards accepted.

4.5 stars is crazy! Who’d say that? The BEST bagels in NYC deserve 5 stars! Waited in line for 20 minutes to get Vanessa Barg’s dad’s favorite bagel (everything, lightly toasted, with whitefish - delicious). Well worth it, and still - even though my friend ordered strawberry on an everything - Still. Worth. It.

Worth the wait, made me smile when I saw the entire family was behind the register. I thought the bagels were perfectly crisp on the outside and had a chewy interior. So many dairy free cream cheese options. Im making this a required stop every time I visit NY. Be sure to get here before 11:00am to get a breakfast sandwich.

Cash only, so be prepared. I never have cash so this is a problem for me, otherwise 5 stars.

Another amazing NY Bagel spot. Anytime I am remotely nearby I make sure to stop in. Being Lactose intolerant I cant get Regular cream cheese but this place has a non-dairy, vegan substitute that is AMAZING! My go-to order is the cinnamon raisin bagel with walnut raisin toffuti. Its so delicious and worth every penny!

Best bagel place. brie and tomato bagel pictured

The only problem with this place is the line, it was appropriate 50 ft. Long...just for bagels. They are the best I ever had, but come on, thats a long line. To be honest, I only waited about 30 NY min. I guess its worth it if youre not in a hurry. Try them, youll like them.

Don’t do many (any?) ratings, but this one you need to know about. It’s impossible to describe what classic NYC bagels taste like. Just go to treat yourself. Cash only! Get the Thai iced tea too.

Best egg bagels Ive ever eaten.Please try the egg bagel.Simple business that offers you what you want in a bagel. Overall best bagel place in NYC.Cash only.

One of NYCs top bagel shops. No baking gimmicks, honors true old style jewish bagel making. Doesnt believe in shortcut baking methods that others use to dilute bagel texture and flavor. Lines can back up, but its worth the wait. These types of old baking shops are disappearing even in NYC. Cash only.

4.5 stars? Whats this!? Its THE best bagels in NYC and only 4.5? You must be joking. Waited on line for 20 minutes to get my dads favorite (everything, lightly toasted, with whitefish - you wont find better whitefish in NY!) Well worth it, and still - despite the fact we are missing a cinnamon raisin bagel from our order - Still. Worth. It! 5 stars!

I was visiting New York from Toronto. I had heard that New York bagels are something special but come on now, its just a bagel. What could be so special about a bagel, so of course it was on my list of places to try. Not only was I not disappointed, I was very surprised. Im making sure this will be one of my stops next time Im in town.Now Ive thought Id eaten a good bagel before but I was wrong. Ive also had fresh bagels before but not like these. The bagels are constantly being baked. Its hard to explain, theyre crunchy on the outside, dense like how bagel is supposed to be yet somehow light and fluffy. I could have easily eaten them plain but with all the topping options Id be crazy to do so. Apparently they make the cream cheese as well.The first day I got two. The first was topped with egg and sausage, which was ok. There bagel was the star of the show, the egg and sausage was nothing special. If you need a breakfast sandwich its a good option. The second was topped with herbs cream cheese and wow! You could really taste the herbs. The next day as we were driving out we needed a bite for the road so he went back. I got two more. There first was chives and garlic cream cheese and this was my favorite. It has a really strong garlic taste which I love. The second was the bacon and cheddar cheese. This was good, Im glad I tried it because I would have been kicking myself if I hadnt but I would try something else.Ill be in New York again and I will be visiting Absolute Bagels. Ill always get two. One will always be the chives and garlic. Ill try a different cream cheese for my second.

Great bagels with plenty of options. Long lines and they are a bit disorganized inside, but worth it.

The most amazing Bagel Place in NY.My chcice the one „with everything” salmon spread and that is it. Mmmmmmm yummy.

Amazing place - weve been here many times and every time has been phenomenal. My personal favorite are the eggs bagels, but you cant really go wrong here.

A+, staple of the city, excellent food and great services. Know in advance - CASH ONLY. There is an ATM across the street (look for the lottery sign). The Auntie is the best, shes so sweet and will always make sure you get th exact sandwich you want. ❤️

Absolute bagels is absolutely tasty! Thick layer of cream cheese, good choice. I’ve read some comments that the bagels are small! I am 6,3 (1,93m) and not skinny and I had two when I first went there. Was too much for breakfast. Very very good!

Simply the best! Staff makes you feel right at home

Theyre not what they used to be. The tuna salad felt old and the lox spread was almost only cream cheese. For the same price you can find much better ones in the city.

Good bagels. Very chewy, crust were super present and full of cream cheese. It was a bit crowded and the staff was super disorganized, but I had not issues with my order. I had two everything bagels with jalapeno cream cheese and another with chives and garlic which was super good! They have drinks as well, but if you walk 200m you can reach a McDonalds and pay 1 dollar for a Liter of soda.

Bagel with cream cheese was ok/acceptable. The vibe was def a bit aggro, esp. cash only. Why hack your way up Broadway for an average bagel?

I have never had Tofutti but I’m happy I did. Being newly lactose intolerant I was sad that cream cheese is no longer in my diet, but happily surprised this wonderful establishment has something that is so similar, I couldn’t really tell the difference. I tried the pumpernickel, as this is my new favorite bagel, with the garlic and chives Tofutti and it filled me up perfectly. I want to come back and try a lunch bagel sandwich so bad. Their service is really good too, everyone has a smile.

The best damn bagels in UWS, possibly NYC, but you know making this statement is figuratively like talking about which one of your children is your favorite.

Great Bagels!!! If theres a long line worth the wait.

Delicious bagels and bagel sandwiches. Run by the sweetest Thai family. Thai iced tea was great too.

I gotta say, entering with high expectations usually never ends with the best state of mind. After hearing so much talk within the Columbia community about Absolute Bagels prices and quality of food, I had to come try, not once, but twice.The first time we came was on Friday, in the morning, so there was a line. Thankfully the line passed by very quickly and I ordered the breakfast bagel. The sausage and eggs were not seasoned enough, and the bagel wasnt as mindblowing as I had hoped for. The price was quite good though, only around five dollars.I came around the second time to try their lox and cream cheese bagel, which was more than double the price of the breakfast bagel. Definitely not as cheap as their brand expects it to be. It was delicious, for sure, and also at a close distance, but not as good as some stores Ive had downtown. The bagel itself was just out of the oven so I did quite enjoy the freshness and the chewiness of the dough, but the entire composition was less impressive.Overall, yes they are amazing bagels, but they honestly arent as amazing as they are hyped to be. Probably still will come back to try all their spreads, especially the blueberry cream cheese though!

Good bagels, long line. Not a place I would seek out or go back too unless I have a student in Columbia. Then again Im not a local.

The best bagels. Full stop, enough said. Worth notin that it’s cash only, but there’s an ATM down past the Bank of America

Note: cash only. Great bagels! We showed up here around 10 am on a Sunday and waited in line for 20-30 minutes. The bagels were delicious! We tried everything with scallion cream cheese (so good!!), everything with sundried tomato tofutti, salt bagel with jalapeño cream cheese, and a plain pumpernickel. All of the bagels were excellent and the pumpernickel was so good I ate it on its own! I’m lactose intolerant and was delighted to see a non-dairy option but I have to say the tofutti is missing a sort of sweetness and freshness that regular cream cheese has. All of the actual cream cheeses were great.

I can’t comment on if this is the best bagel in NYC or not, but there’s still a line well after noon. It does have a signature crust that’s just the right level of crispy. Combine that with the chewiness of the bagel and a fluffy spread and you get one of the best no-frills hole-in-the-wall eats in the area. Went for the lox spread, but I’ve heard the scallion or even just plain buttered are great as well.

They don’t need my review, do theyAmazing place, puts glasses on all kind of mac Donald’s joints.Whether you like your bagel simple, with sesame, salmon or any other filling comes to mind, THEY HAVE IT.Coffee and other drinks for a fraction of the price versus downtown Manhattan, just $1.25 a cupNeat bagels at $1.50Filled bagels at $ 3.95You have one you get full, all drinks are cheap.Love it, give it a try whenever in the neighbourhood

Unreal bagels. Cash only. Go to an ATM, grab some cash and a couple of these circular beauties.

Loved it! As a tourist had to try a NYC bagel, its about 5 bucks a bagel with cream cheese but wow so good. Had about a dozen different types of cream cheese and very generous with it.

Amazing bagels. A must visit for tourists or locals.

Such soft bagels! Heard strawberry cream cheese is great too

Great service here. The bagels were delicious! I ordered a cinnamon raisin with pain cream cheese and my girlfriend got an everything bagel with salmon and cream cheese. The store is Asian owned, they are super friendly and fast. Will definitely come back again!PS its cash only

Best bagels I’ve ever had. It’s been a week and I still think about that breakfast sandwich. Wish I could eat here EVERY MORNING

I love this place. Best bagel in NYC (several locals in line - families, Columbia alumni, seniors), an impressive variety of cream cheese. I had breakfast here almost every day during my vacation.

Be prepared to stand in a long line that snakes all the way out of the door. I got a plain cream cheese whole wheat bagel and it was good! I wouldnt say its the best Ive had in new york but its definitely up there. My friend gave the tofu cream cheese a try and it was surprisingly enjoyable. We also got Thai iced tea and a plain pumpernickel bagel. Overall, Id recommend going if youre in the area but its not worth making a special trip for.

They were absolutely bagels 🥯. Round and had holes in the middle. Line around the block. Need to go later in the day

Classic New York bagels to start with and then I ordered a sandwich of tuna that includes lettuce, tomato, and onion. It was so good! The bagels are crispy on the outside after toasting, give you that great tug when you bite and pull, and are chewy on the inside, true to their reputation.

Egg bagels are a must try! No nonsense. Some of the best bagels in a town full of great choices. Quick service. Often fresh.

Everything you could want from a bagel 😍

Love this mainstay of the UWS. Excellent fresh bagels with that perfect NY bagel texture and quick, efficient service.

Great affordable bagels, best in that part of UWS in fact the best Ive tried in NYC after living here for nearly a year. The place is very humble and send like its been there for ages. To start with, you can see how they make their own bagels in store, they taste great when coming out of the oven. Then the ingredients are all fresh and very tasty. Good coffee too. Price is affordable despite the popularity, I think is because there are no hipsters in this area. Recommended.

Best bagels and cream cheese Ive ever had in my life amazing and friendly staff

Bagel was good but it doesnt live up to the hype. No frills. Cash only.Ordered a sausage egg and cheese bagel on an everything bagel. Only option was american cheese which was not even melted on. Mediocre at best.

Would have been nice to indicate cash only BEFORE you get to the register.

The bagels here are pretty good and the service is awesome. They have a great bagel selection and cream cheese options are amazing.

This is my go to whenever I visit in New York. I have tried multiple bagel places throughout the city but definitely and absolutely theirs are the best! My fav is a bagel 🥯 with lettuce and tomato’s.

Good bagel shop but you have to know how to order. When it comes to you, ask which bagels are hot (be willing to switch from, say, sesame to everything based on hotness/freshness out of the oven factor) and then point to a particular one of this hot fresh variety which is browned and well done. Many of their bagels are undercooked and can taste quite bad. Don’t get their lox or bacon and eggs - they don’t know how to do either of those things correctly. Stick with basics like cream cheese or butter. If the bagel is hot it doesn’t need to be toasted. As long as you order correctly you should get a great bagel.

People stand in line out the door for these bagels. I dont know. Its a good bagel, but like thats it.

The best bagels, always fresh and never toasted. Experiece the doughy richness of that famous egg bagel for yoursel.

Fresh bagels, lots of variety. Cream cheese options are bananas. Worth every penny. Long lines move fast.

Ordered the lox and the everything bagel was probably the best bagel I’ve ever had. I walked all the way over there with a friend from 48th and it was totally worth the hike!’

CASH ONLY!! Like many Asian run spots, make sure you make a stop to the ATM before you come here. Theres a long line when I came here; but it moves pretty quickly. I shared the lux spread and the scallion cheese on a toasted garlic bagel with a friend.Lux spread- this was fantastic. I will definitely order this again and again every time I come back to NY. No other bagel can compareScallion cream cheese- this was good as well, but the Lux spread was at another levelBring cash, order the lux spread on a toasted garlic bagel, and you wont regret it

The absolute best bagels....no joke.

Great bagels and always fresh, nice employees, this is my go to place most mornings, never had a bad day or experience here.

Delicious bagels! The everything bagel with chive and garlic cream cheese is amazing. Bagels are crisp, chewy and have awesome flavor. Be aware that they are cash only. Usually pretty crowded but you dont wait long. Very limited seating.

The best bagel in New York, and thus in the world perhaps. Hands down.

Wasnt expecting a line at 1PM on a Saturday but the line wrapped around the block! Dont fret, the line goes fast.Pros:- Chewy and super fresh bagel- Their egg bagel is phenomenal- Breakfast bagel served late!- Friendly staff and operations on pointCons:- Their egg isnt a fried or scrambled egg. seems more like a bulk steamed egg slices- Cash only (but not a biggie)

Visiting from Florida and decided to try Absolute Bagels based on reviews. This bagel was totally worth the 25 minute walk! As other reviews stated, cash only - line can be a bit long but the staff was very efficient and have a good system. Great experience!

Simply outstanding food. Possibly the best bagels in NYC. I dream of this place!! Not a fancy establishment, but marvellous divine bagels

Best bagels in the area, if not New York. The herb cream cheese is crazy good, and so is the tofutti version. Cash only, no pickup or delivery orders, be prepared to wait in line (although it does move surprisingly fast)

Astounding. A must try if you pass by northern to Central Park. A busy place, rather informal and friendly.The staff is very helpful and tries to explain the matches of flavour and the bagel choice. A huge variety of choice, salty and sweet, and 6 different bagels. The coffe was OK, so the atmosphere.A bloody MUST.

I parked 3 blocks away just to go here. Their bagels are quintessential New York style, INCREDIBLE bagels. I wish I lived in NY to buy these all the time. I grabbed a dozen on my way home to Boston, from a work trip in NJ.

I was soooo stoked to try an authentic New York bagel, and Absolute bagel did not disappoint. We got several kinds and shared:- Lox spread on an onion bagel- Walnut Raisin spread on a pumpernickel raisin bagel (my favorite)- Sausage Egg & Cheese on an everything bagelI was a little frustrated when we got there because it turns out its cash only, and the menu/signage is a bit confusing. But once we got our bagels we were happy. :)

Affordable, delicious n chewy bagels with a huge variety of spreads! We bought half a dozen in mixed flavors. Liked it all especially pumpernickel.

Absolute is the best! Great bagels, quick service. Love the egg and the everything. Yum!

Probably the best that I have ever tasted. Still a long line in 26 degree weather but very fresh and very tasty. All cash - no credit cards. Id like to find a time when they do not have a line to the corner. They do move the line quickly.

The only hand rolled bagels in Manhattan. This place is legendary and for good reason. Amazing bagels, warm from the oven with dozens of flavor options. All the toppings you would expect too. Be prepared to wait 20+ mins at the weekend.

This is my favorite place for bagels! the thai tea is amazing, too.

Supposed to be a top bagel in the city but they don’t make their bacon egg and cheeses with fresh eggs... if I wanted fake eggs, I’d just go to Dunkin. Definitely won’t be returning. They should use their profits from the cash-only tax avoidance strategy to invest in a grill

The most delicious bagels Ive ever eaten in my life. Because of Covid-19 I had to leave New York too soon but I still think about these bagels most days. My favourite was the everything with garlic and chive cream cheese. Also loved scallion cream cheese and the lox and cream cheese. Pumpernickel and egg bagels are really yummy too if you feel like changing it up. Definitely worth grabbing a hot coffee and sitting in the shop to enjoy your bagel. Staff are lovely and have put together a great operation. Thank you Absolute Bagels, cant wait to come back.

Exceptional NY bagel by Thai !!I ordered egg and bacon which was sold inly morning time and its taste was so tasteful..SUPER RECOMMEND

Really good bagels. Got the Nova bagel, and the bagel was soft, and the ingredients were fresh. Definitely one of the top bagel places. Onwards to my quest to trying all the top bagels places around the city.