I woke up ready to experience the rainbow bagel. I’d seen the segment on the Late Show with Steve Colbert, where Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer introduce the host to the bagel, landing him in a magical world of animated bagel. However, with all the recent press surrounding Scot Rossilo’s (owner of the Williamsburg Bagel Store) new rainbow bagel, the high demand forced a temporary closure of the Bedford Avenue location at the Bagel Store. I wasn’t sure if the Bagel store’s metropolitan location had them on hand (they sold out) and decided to give the rainbow bagel a try once the Bedford Avenue location reopens and the crowds abate.
If you’re like me and not ready to face long lines for a rainbow muffin, where should you go? Fortunately, there are plenty of places to order a traditional muffin “with a schmear” in Brooklyn. No, these bagels aren’t pretty and multi-colored, but they do taste great.
Here are six bagel shops where locals order Brooklyn’s favorite breakfast.
The Bagel Store
Although high demand for rainbow muffins has shut down the Bedford Avenue location, the Williamsburg-based store still has an outpost on Metropolitan Avenue. Stop and sample Scot Rossillo’s (“World’s Best Bagel Artist”) creations, including bacon, egg cheese bagel, French toast bagel, pretzel bagel, “the cragel” and many other creative bagels. Don’t forget to order the Nutella cream cheese.
Donut hole
Since 1985, this South Slope bagel shop has won over the locals with their hand-rolled bagels. The store has no seating, but it does have some of the tastiest and most remarkable bagels and bialys in town. As a local, I’ll confess that if I’m on a five-block stretch of Bagel Hole, I have to stop and pick up a dozen bagels.
Kosher donut hole
Not to be confused with Bagel Hole. This family-run Kosher Bagel shop has two Flatbush locations on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue J. It’s not open on Friday nights and Saturdays, but it’s the ideal stop on a Sunday bike ride to Coney Island.
Bagelsmith
With two locations, in the heart of Williamsburg, open around the clock, this is the best place to grab a bite to eat after a night out at this hipster haven. Order an all-over tofu cream cheese bagel and see why this place has been a neighborhood favorite for years.
Terrace bagels
Located a few blocks from Prospect Park on the main residential strip of Windsor Terrace, this bagel shop serves up remarkable bagels. The wide seats are an added bonus. Terrace Bagels is the perfect place for a casual breakfast before heading to Prosect Park or a great place to order food for a picnic in Prospect Park. I enjoy the serious old school vibe at Terrace Bagels. Order the bagel, lox, and cream cheese, and know you’re getting the real deal.
Bagel Boys
Bagel Boys has two locations in Brooklyn and one in New Jersey. This local favorite on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge and Avenue Z in Sheepshead Bay also sells salads and paninis. Serving authentic old school bagels, this is the kind of place where you can order that “bagel with a schmear” and they won’t ask you to translate. An added bonus, Brooklyn stores are open until 10 p.m.
