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New Yorkers 1st Choice
West Town's best

Bagel spots

A bagel that has the right chew, rather than just being a round piece of bread with a hole in it.

Based on 493 Opinions
+490
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Updated May 2026
01
Prequel Cafe image 1
Prequel Cafe image 2
Prequel Cafe image 3
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Coffee shop

Coffee shop offers modern decor with minimalist warmth through concrete floors and soft lighting. Atmosphere stays calm and inviting, suited for work, reading, or quiet talks. Regulars enjoy house-made baked goods like bagels and unique breakfast sandwiches.

Excellent food quality stands out with every dish. Coffee drinks are delicious and well-crafted, matching the high standard of the menu.

House-made bagels stand out with a wonderful texture and flavor. The standard bagel sandwich and bagel with cream cheese come highly recommended for their delicious taste.

People are saying

"The coffee here has a great, cozy vibe."

"The food here is delicious and there's a wonderful selection."

"I thought their homemade bagels were the best you can get outside of NYC."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required, but ordering ahead is recommended due to busy times.

2

The cafe does not accept cash; only credit cards and mobile payments are accepted.

3

There is limited seating available, so be prepared for a wait during peak hours.

02
Bodega Bay Chicago image 1
Sandwich shop

Sandwich shop combines mini market with a cute seating area for a super chill vibe. Offers high-quality sandwiches and a solid selection of snacks, drinks, and tequila. Prices are reasonable, making it a convenient neighborhood spot.

Food here is consistently fresh and shockingly good for a convenience mart or deli. Sandwiches have an East Coast vibe, with tasty options and healthy drinks available.

Bagels come from NY Bagel and Bialy, known for quality. The bacon, egg, and cheese bagel features crispy bacon, fresh egg, melted cheese, and a perfectly toasted bagel. The Lox bagel offers a thick layer of salmon at a good price.

People are saying

"I found the caprese sandwich to be very good."

"The food here is shockingly good and super tasty."

"I believed these bagels were the best in the city."

Good to know

1

The deli offers a variety of sandwiches and grocery essentials.

2

Parking is plentiful around the area.

3

Prices for sandwiches made to order are reasonable.

03
Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering image 1

Deli offers massive sandwiches and phenomenal bagels and bialys with freshly prepared Reuben sandwiches. Atmosphere suits carryout and catering, focusing on quality and tradition. Pricing leans toward the higher side, reflecting its family-run and community-valued nature.

Lox and bagels stand out with fresh, delicious flavors. Portions are good, and the food shows clear passion for quality.

Bagels and lox stand out with rich flavor and fresh quality. Bagel sandwiches and bialys offer excellent taste and satisfying variety.

People are saying

"The sandwiches here are massive and packed with fillings."

"I found the bagels here to be excellent."

"The food, especially the lox and bagels, was amazing."

Good to know

1

Helfeld's offers carry-out sandwiches, meats by the pound, soups, and sides to heat up later.

2

Expect to pay around $19 for a Ruben sandwich, with total costs including tax around $25.30.

3

Helfeld's adds an extra 2% fee for online orders that is not reflected on the receipt.

04
Aglaïa Coffee & Tea Co. image 1

Space features huge windows, high wood-beam ceilings, and exposed brick with a modern, cozy, upscale design. Atmosphere stays calm and relaxed, making it ideal for remote work. Seating is comfortable, and the vibe includes pop-retro music and a welcoming, comfortable feel.

Organic drinks and a well curated food menu stand out here. The house Quiche and BLT offer tasty bites, paired with quality coffee and a focus on clean, healthy food.

Gluten-free options include everything bagels and Zatar bagels with house-made scallion cream cheese. Cheddar cheese bagels come with cream cheese, alongside muffins and sandwiches.

People are saying

"Their BLT uses fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients."

"Their food prioritizes fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients."

"I loved their gluten-free bagels with homemade cream cheese."

Good to know

1

Expect higher prices for drinks, averaging around $8 each.

2

The cafe is dog-friendly and provides treats for pets.

3

Seating can be limited, especially during peak hours.

05
Wolf & Company image 1
Restaurant

Restaurant combines upscale vibe with neighborhood coziness in a gorgeous space featuring a patio right off a popular trail. It offers creative craft cocktails praised for balance and presentation. The venue includes a market and butcher shop, adding a unique grocery element to the dining experience.

Food comes with consistently great service and a pleasant atmosphere. Every visit delivers solid quality dishes that suit a casual date night.

Bagels come with a plain option that costs extra, making the total price higher than expected. The bagels are among the better low key choices in the area and pair well with coffee.

People are saying

"I found the burgers to be incredibly tasty and flavorful."

"The burgers here have tremendous flavor and are worth the extra charge."

"I found the bagels here to be low-key better than most."

Good to know

1

The establishment has had issues with food safety, including unrefrigerated ingredients.

2

Dishes were washed in the hand washing sink, raising health concerns.

3

The bathroom is located far from the patio, which may be inconvenient.

06
All Together Now image 1

Small space with cozy, friendly vibe and bright, warm decor creates a welcoming atmosphere. Loud with simultaneous conversations and music, it feels lively and fun. Offers carefully curated wine selection and artisan foods in an intimate setting.

Food features fresh, Midwest local ingredients with professional presentation that impresses guests. Portions are generous and pair well with natural wines.

House-made bagels come toasted but often feel cold and hard. The bagels have a misleading appearance and a dense texture that some find unusual.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh and delicious."

"I love the great selection of wine and cheese here."

"I thought the bagels here were the best I ever had."

Good to know

1

Happy hour starts at 2:00 pm and offers great deals on drinks.

2

A 20% gratuity is automatically added to all bills.

3

There is a 5% service fee for purchasing a bottle of wine.

07
Gallery Café : River West image 1

Small, modern coffee shop with large sunny windows and local art displays creates a calm, stylish atmosphere. Space feels cozy and relaxed, welcoming dogs and offering plenty of outlets for working. The vibe is warm without being pretentious, making it a quiet spot with few customers most times.

Food offers a mix of good drinks, delicious dishes, and solid coffee. Quality varies from fine to excellent, with a generally enjoyable vibe.

Bagel sandwiches stand out with a great bagel and a giard adding a good kick. Cream cheese with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions comes at an extra cost. Service is very slow, with waits of 30 to 45 minutes even for simple orders.

People are saying

"Their flavored coffees taste like coffee, not just sweetness."

"The food here was delicious and the drinks were great."

"I thought the bagel sandwiches were even better."

Good to know

1

The swap is from 2–5 PM, allowing for flexible drop-in times.

2

They host a plant swap, encouraging community engagement.

3

Open mic events are available, providing a platform for local talent.

08
Steingold's Bakehouse Humboldt Park image 1

Bagel shop offers fresh, chewy bagels with New York-style quality in a compact, no-seating space. The atmosphere is quiet with minimal wait times, catering mostly to takeout customers. Prices run high, reflecting a focus on quality over value.

Food quality varies widely, with some dishes described as delicious and others as inedible and not fresh.

Bagels come with a heavy coating of seeds, especially poppy seeds that fall off when sliced. They have a chewy texture and an open crumb that feels just right. These bagels toast well, even after freezing, and arrive fresh and early when ordered for delivery.

People are saying

"I thought these bagels were the best I had in Chicago."

"I relied on the cold brew and bagel combo for my Friday treat."

"The food here is excellent and delicious."

Good to know

1

There is no seating available, so only takeout is offered.

2

The gluten-free lox bagel is priced at over $17.

3

Street parking is available for easy pickup.

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West Town, Chicago

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