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Hey, New York!
Looks like some of the best bagels in the world are coming out of Honolulu, Seattle and, um, Montreal.
Really, Montreal.
So say the judges at the glitzy New York BagelFest 2025 — the bagel world’s version of the Oscars held at Citi Field, according to a roundup for the press.
As for Long Island, let’s just say we didn’t just get snubbed; we were lightly toasted and cut just one way. (Everything not to do to a bagel)
We got a single mention in the People’s Choice Awards, where Town Bagel landed in 3rd place. That’s it. The Island that basically invented the weekend bagel-and-schmear ritual walked out with one bronze fan-vote ribbon.
And while we’re whining, have you ever had a Queens or Brooklyn bagel?
Nisht gut.
Still, it was a tough scene Nov. 16 at CitiField. No excuses, people.
Below are some more highlights.
‘Holes’ in this story:
• Starship Bagel of Dallas, Texas, won Best Bagel, which we’re all still processing.
• Fantzye Bagels of Kingston, N.Y. was one of the weekend’s breakout stars.
The Upstate shop finished runner-up for Best Bagel overall. They also won Schmear of the Year for a Charred Leek and Lemon Caper Schmear. Then, they took home a coveted award for their sourdough bagel in the Best Bagel Sub-Categories (essentially, Best Sourdough Bagel). Fantzye rounded things out with a 3rd Place award in the in Best Beyond the Boroughs.
• As for third place in Best Overall Bagel, that went to Potchke Bagel in Knoxville, Tenn.”
• Ess-a-Bagel won Best of the Boroughs. Second place went to Utopia Bagels in Queens, who was followed by Bagizza, also in Manhattan.
• Honolulu’s Better Together Bagels earned Best in the West, possibly proving that bagels now rise beautifully in the Pacific humidity.
• Montreal’s St-Viateur Bagel snagged international honors, keeping Canada in the conversation. (Somehow … we’ve been to Montreal.)
• And yes — Town Bagel was Long Island’s lone mention, landing 3rd place in People’s Choice.
Click here for the full results and additional details.
Top: Starship Bagel wins Best Bagel at New York BagelFest 2025. (Credit: New York BagelFest 2025/press release)
