Fresh bagels are one of life’s most affordable pleasures. Toasted or plain, sweet or savoury, topped with cream cheese or turned into a towering sandwich, bagels come in a variety of shapes, sizes and even textures, and Toronto is home to some of the best. Here’s where to find the best bagels in Toronto.
Kettleman’s Bagels
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After opening its first Etobicoke location a few years ago, Kettleman’s Bagels has been pumping out hand-stretched, Montreal-style bagels 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the delight of those in the community. Kettleman’s expertly cuts, rolls and bakes an average of 9,000 to over 10,000 bagels per day, and they’re available in 14 different flavours, including traditional types like sesame and poppyseed but also specialty flavours like herb and cheddar and chocolate chip.
Bubby’s New York Bagels
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With more than 30+ bagels on the menu, a range of hand-packed schmears and even a full breakfast and lunch menu, Bubby’s New York Bagels offers one of the most varied selections in the city. Choose from an array of classics or try something new and different, like the French toast bagel or the Montreal steak spice bagel topped with everything from a fried egg and cheese to more than 20 different kinds of herring.
Primose Bagel Company
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Hand-rolled bagels and a variety of sweet and savoury spreads and generous toppings await those who set foot in Primrose Bagel. Open seven days a week, Primrose Bagel has seven thick, doughy bagels to choose from, including specialty flavours like the honey oat bagel and the rock salt bagel. A variety of cream cheeses are also available, including a vegan black olive cream cheese and, for something with a bit more bite, the horseradish cream cheese, along with classic bagel sandwiches like lox and cream cheese and breakfast options.
St. Urbain Bagel
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One of the first things that you smell walking through the doors of the St. Lawrence Market was St. Urbain Bagel. As the oldest bagel shop in Toronto with a colourful history dating back to the early 1900s, St. Urbain is a staple in the downtown core. They offer a mix of traditional, healthy and sweet bagels, all made using fresh ingredients. St. Urbain also serves flatzls (a flatter version of their original fluffy bagels), as well as bourekas, a phyllo pastry usually stuffed with sweet or savoury ingredients, like sweet cheese or potato and mushroom, and newer items like the craigel (a bagel–croissant hybrid). A selection of bagel sandwiches is also available.
The Bagel House
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The Bagel House, a Toronto bakery chain since 1999/2000, brings authentic Montreal-style, hand-rolled bagels to the GTA. Boiled in honey water and baked in a maple wood-fired oven, their bagels are chewy, slightly sweet, and slightly larger than traditional Montreal ones. Open 24/7, it’s a go-to spot for late-night cravings. Beyond bagels, they serve sandwiches, pastries, and spreads. Limited seating, frequent lines, and variable service are balanced by fresh, comforting food and the irresistible rustic aroma of wood-fired ovens.
Gryfe’s Bagel Bakery
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Gryfe’s Bagel Bakery, a Toronto institution since 1915, is famous for its light, airy bagels with a thin, crispy crust, offering a “no-chew,” melt-in-your-mouth experience unlike dense Montreal or New York styles. Known for their “flats,” freshly baked classics like poppy, everything, and cheese danishes, and pizza bagels, the century-old bakery produces up to 18,000 bagels daily. Long lineups, cash-only service, and an old-school vibe complement the nostalgia, freshness, and comforting flavors that make Gryfe’s a true Canadian classic.
Bagel World
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Bagel World, a Toronto-area institution for over 50 years, is famous for its authentic New York-style bagels, especially the signature flat “Flagels” and giant twisted “Twisters.” Boiled and baked in a traditional open-fire oven with no preservatives, their bagels are fresh, warm, and chewy. The bustling deli-bakery offers 20 bagel varieties, spreads, breakfast, lunch, and pastries in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. Long lineups, limited parking, and spotty service are outweighed by generous portions, nostalgic charm, and fresh, comforting food.
Bagel on Fire
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Bagels on Fire, a Toronto favorite since 2013, specializes in authentic Montreal-style bagels with a smaller, thinner shape, larger hole, and dense, slightly sweet texture from honey-water boiling. Hand-rolled and baked in wood-fired ovens, they achieve a smoky, crisp crust with chewy, flavorful interiors. Popular items include twisted, pretzel, coconut, and classic sesame or onion bagels, as well as breakfast sandwiches. Fresh daily with specialty cream cheeses and coffee, the bakery offers a friendly, neighborhood vibe across its Beaches, Queen West, and Front Street locations.
