National Bagel Day: Where to get Delicious Bagels in San Francisco
Celebrating National Bagel Day in the San Francisco Bay Area
January 15, 2024
Imagine you are on an early morning walk through the city as the scent of freshly baked bagels fills the air. While images of New York may have filled your mind, we’d like to transport you back to the San Francisco Bay Area. New York is still the undisputed best place to get a delicious bagel in the US, but the Bay Area has quite a few amazing bagel spots that will satisfy your cravings. National Bagel Day, observed on January 15th in 2024, gives you the perfect opportunity to try out a variety of bagels and schmears right in your backyard.
The Allure of the Bagel: A Culinary Icon
A bagel, at its simplest, is a dense, doughy, circular bread with a distinguishing hole in the middle. Originating from Jewish communities in Poland, bagels have evolved beyond their traditional plain and poppy seed varieties to an array of flavors and styles. Chefs around the world are always creating unique ways to combine different flavors and bagels have seen some unique options from the fancy (Black and White Truffle Bagels at The Black Tap in New York City) to the weird (Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Bagel served at The Bagel Nook in New Jersey) in recent years. Their unique preparation method – boiling the dough before baking – imparts a chewy texture and a glossy crust, making them distinct from other breads. The versatility of bagels, be it slathered with cream cheese or stacked with lox and capers, has endeared them to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The San Francisco Bagel Scene
In the San Francisco Bay Area, a region renowned for sourdough and artisanal breads, the bagel has carved out its own niche. Here, bakers blend traditional methods with local ingredients, creating traditional bagel options as well as a wide array of flavors with a culinary flare.
Where to Find the Best Bagels in the Bay Area
While the best of anything depends a lot on personal preference, The CrawlSF Team put together a list of our favorite bagel spots that won’t leave you disappointed.
Schlok’s Bagels
Schlok’s brings a taste of traditional Jewish baking to San Francisco. Their bagels, made from locally sourced organic ingredients, offer a delightful fusion of tradition and freshness.
Schlok’s Bagels
1263 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94117
https://www.schloks.com/
Poppy Bagels
Poppy Bagels in Oakland offers authentic, hand-rolled bagels inspired by the diverse flavors of California. They skillfully blend the best elements of both coasts, creating bagels that have the taste and chew of an East Coast bagel, while prioritizing locally-sourced and high-quality ingredients. They use organic flour, source cream cheese from nearby dairies, and obtain many bagel toppings from a local spice shop. Additionally, Poppy Bagels often introduces seasonal specials, reflecting their commitment to freshness and regional flavor profiles
Poppy Bagels
5004 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 544-3759
https://www.poppybagelsca.com/
The Laundromat SF
At The Laundromat SF, the bagels are a delightful indulgence for those seeking an artisanal, organic treat. The variety includes classics like Regular and Everything, alongside unique offerings such as Egg, Egg Everything, Pumpernickel, Pumpernickel Everything, Black & White Sesame, Poppy, Sea Salt, and Cinnamon Raisin. These handcrafted bagels are made in-house using all organic ingredients, ensuring a fresh, high-quality experience with every bite.
Complementing the bagels is a range of cream cheese options: Plain, Scallion, Calabrian Chili, Pickled Onion & Caper, and Smoked Salmon with Dill, each adding a distinct flavor profile to the bagel of your choice. The Laundromat SF also invites customers to inquire about seasonal flavors, adding a touch of novelty to their regular offerings. Whether you’re grabbing a single bagel or pre-ordering in larger quantities, their selection promises to cater to both traditional and adventurous palate
The Laundromat SF
3725 Balboa St
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 379-4340
https://www.thelaundromatsf.com/
Midnite Bagel
Midnite Bagel in San Francisco stands out for its commitment to creating “whole food” bagels that are not only delicious but also nutritious and sustainable. These bagels are crafted from sustainably-grown, stone-milled flour sourced from the Pacific Northwest and are slowly fermented using a sourdough culture. This process makes them easier to digest, more nutritious, and helps them stay fresh longer than traditional bagels.
The essence of San Francisco is baked into each bagel, reflecting the city’s diverse food culture and the unique charm of areas like Ocean Beach and the Mission. Midnite Bagel began as a pop-up at the original Tartine Bakery in 2018, where owner and head baker Nick Beitcher was renowned for his bread program.
Their breads and bagels are made primarily with two types of flour: Yecora Roja “Trailblazer” wheat flour from Cairnspring Mills and Organic Dark Northern Rye flour from Camas Country Mill. These high-quality ingredients contribute to the distinctive taste and texture of their bagels.
Located at 1176 Illinois Street, Midnite Bagel is open Monday to Saturday and offers online ordering for pickup at two locations. They also participate in local farmer’s markets and are available in select SF stores like Bi-Rite and Mollie Stone’s Markets, with delivery options through online platforms and DoorDash. The popularity of Midnite Bagel lies in its fusion of artisanal baking techniques, high-quality local ingredients, and a strong connection to the San Francisco community.
Midnite Bagel
1176 Illinois Street,
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 294-0604
https://www.midnitebagel.com/
Boichik Bagels
Nestled in the heart of Berkeley, Boichik Bagels pays homage to the classic New York style. Their bagels, characterized by a perfect balance of chewiness and flavor, have garnered a devoted following.
Boichik Bagels
3170 College Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
https://boichikbagels.com/
Chicken Dog Bagels
Chicken Dog Bagels in San Francisco, recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as a top bagel spot, is a popular pop-up at Avedano’s Meats in Bernal Heights. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s named after baker Alex Roger’s Chihuahua. Specializing in small batches of hand-rolled bagels using organic local flour and sourdough leavening, these bagels are a hit for their perfect crispness and flavor, often selling out weekly. On Saturdays, they offer unique bagel sandwiches with toppings like lox, trout, and smokey beets. A standout recommendation is the cinnamon raisin bagel, celebrated for its traditional yet inventive taste.
Chicken Dog Bagels
237 Cortland Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 939-7367
https://chickendogbagels.square.site/
House of Bagels
A staple in the Richmond District since the 1960s, House of Bagels combines classic techniques with San Francisco flair, resulting in a bagel that’s both authentic and unique.
House of Bagels
5030 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94118
https://houseofbagels.com/
Beauty’s Bagel Shop
At Beauty’s, the Montreal-style bagel reigns supreme. Wood-fired and slightly sweet, these bagels offer a delightful contrast to their New York counterparts.
Beauty’s Bagel Shop
3838 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
https://www.beautysbagelshop.com/
Wise Sons Bagelry
Wise Sons combines Jewish culinary traditions with a modern twist. Their bagels, known for their distinctive texture and taste, are a must-try for any bagel enthusiast.
Wise Sons Bagelry
1520 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(Multiple Locations)
https://www.wisesonsdeli.com/
This National Bagel Day, embark on a culinary journey through the San Francisco Bay Area. From the artisanal to the traditional, each of these bagel spots offers a unique take on this beloved bread. Whether you’re a bagel aficionado or a curious foodie, make sure to stop by these gems and indulge in a bagel or two – or perhaps a dozen!