The best bagels in Boston

What it is: A decades-old sourdough starter plus 24 hours of fermentation put these handmade bagels above the rest, which explains the frequent lines.

Why we love it: From plain and pretzel to olive and everything, the chewy texture and crackly crust make each variety perfect as-is, untoasted, but you can top with a number of classic or unusual spreads including honey rosemary cream cheese, mustard butter and basil hummus. Try their daily specials like cheddar garlic and chocolate chip pretzel.

Address:  1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Opening hours: Tues.-Fri. 7am-2pm (or sellout); Sat.-Sun. 8am-2pm (or sellout)

What it is: This self-described “maa and paa” shop in Harvard Square is big on creativity (but not necessarily big orders – the tiny kitchen can’t do bulk orders). They make incredible bagel sandwiches that locals are always dipping in to order.

Why we love it: Standards will satisfy, but try branching out with varieties like Cajun Spice, Za’atar, or Rosemary Sea Salt (only on). Spreads up the ante too, with options such as maple-bacon cream cheese, pesto, fresh jalapeño, fig jam, and cinnamon honey butter.

Address:  56 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-3pm (or sellout); Sat. and Sun. 8am-2pm (or sellout)

What it is: Opening in 1978 at the original site of Bagel King. Kupel’s has endured for generations near Coolidge Corner in Brookline. Classic and reliable, it’s a go-to kosher bagel spot without the hubbub.

Why we love it: Choose from a range of straightforward varieties like poppy, cinnamon raisin, onion, rye, pumpernickel or blueberry. There are also plenty of cream cheeses to slather on your chewy bagel, plus an extensive menu of bagel sandwiches named after Boston-area neighborhoods (the newest being the Porter Square - egg whites, garlic and herb cream cheese, avocado, tomato and jalapeno). Kupel’s earns bonus points for its rugelach and classic Jewish pastries.

Address: 421 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445

Opening hours: Daily 6am-6pm

What it is: From popup to mini-chain, Bagel Table is a local success story. What began at a farmer’s market in 2014 now offers a variety of more than 14 flavors of “crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside” bagels (with four locations, including Boston Landing).

Why we love it: Bagel varieties include all the classics plus the “Chestnut Hill”, a challah bagel, honoring the chain’s roots. A menu of specialty sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches make this spot a great one any time of day.

Address:  86 Guest Street, Brighton, MA 02135

Opening hours: Daily 7am-2pm

This old-school bagel bakery in Chelsea has been family-run since 1938. It’s a classic joint producing super-fresh, classic bagels that hit the spot. Aside from its longevity, Katz’s is notable for its claims to have been the first to create the pizza bagel (definitely worth a try) and introduce bagels to China.

What it is: Despite being a large bagel chain, this hotspot in the Seaport has bagels with that special home-baked feel (and a constant line out the door). Just the scent of all that baked goodness brings you to "grip, rip and dip" their famous bagels. 

Why we love it: Build a bag is the way to go here, with three-, six-, 12- and 30-bagel bags plus schmears available. While the bagels are piping hot to perfection, their simplicity almost makes them great vehicles for the add-ons. Weekly specials like Grillo’s Hot Pickle Butter, Truffle, and Elote cream cheese are more than your basic bagel spreads.

Address: 70 Pier 4 Blvd. Boston, MA, 02210

Opening hours: Daily 7am-3pm

What it is: This local coffeehouse chain serves up dense, chewy bagels alongside fresh-roasted specialty coffees. The kettle-boiled bagels come in all your standard varieties (and are 100 percent vegan).

Why we love it: There’s a full menu of bagel sandwiches (we love the Tequila Sunrise with Crispy bacon, egg, our spicy habanero cream cheese, and pico de gallo). Spreads are just as interesting as the sammies, with choices like sun-dried tomato pesto, cinnamon fig, lemon dill or diablo putting boring cream cheese to shame.

Address: Check website for locations.

Opening hours: Daily 7am-4pm

What it is: What started as a pop-up in the Seaport is now a permanent location as well as a spot in Post Office Square – both great places to grab a bagel and a coffee or a sandwich to go.

Why we love it: Better Bagels has your plain, poppy, sea salt, and other standards plus whipped cream cheese spreads such as Cajun, strawberry and garlic scallion. Bagel sandwiches like the Deluxe with bacon, egg, hash brown and cheddar provide fuel for busy morning meetings.

Address:  83 Seaport Blvd., Suite B Boston, MA 02210 and 211 Congress St. Boston, MA 02110

Opening hours: Seaport: Tues.-Sun. 7am-4:30pm; Mon. 8:30am-4:30pm; Post Office Square: Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-3pm; Sat. and Sun. 7am-2pm

What it is: Finagle is not as big a company as you might think. While these bagels are available in grocery stores, it’s really just a small local chain. And when you stop in an actual store, the fresh bagels are surprisingly delicious, even without toasting.

Why we love it: In addition to the classics, try out-of-the-ordinary varieties like onion honey grain, asiago, French toast or chocolate chip. The honey and cinnamon cream cheese is not to be missed. And don’t forget to order up the Famous Egg Sandwich, which has been delights locals for decades, or their unique pizza bagel topped with marinara and mozzarella.

Address: 535 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri.: 6am-3pm; Sat.-Sun. 7am-3pm