One of the things New York and New Jersey are most famous for is bagels. Being crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, bagels are a classic among breakfast and lunch foods for a reason. Montclair and the surrounding areas have tons of options for this classic Garden State food item, and we’ve rounded up some of the most famous eateries to grab a baker’s dozen of the iconic breakfast go-to. Read on for a list of the best bagels to satifsy that AM breakfast craving in the Montclair area.

The Bagel Box | 642 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange

The menu of The Bagel Box in West Orange includes bagels in the flavors salt, oat bran, pumpernickle, garlic, onion, marble, and more. Customers can pair a bagel with one of the many cream cheeses featured, including scallion, olive, strawberry, walnut raisin, vegetable, jalapeno, and sun-dried tomato.

Read More: The Best Brunch Spots in Montclair

Bagels by Jarrett | West Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange

Bagels by Jarrett is "The Most Confused Bagel Shop You’ve Ever Loved," as per its website. The menu includes pizza, gluten-free items, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wraps, burgers, and everything under the sun. Hidden on its expansive menu is, of course, bagels, which come in the flavors plain, sesame, and everything.

Bagel Nosh of Livingston | 1 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At Bagel Nosh of Livingston, bagels are the foundation of most of its menu items. This spot serves bagels in the flavors everything, rainbow, whole wheat, garlic, onion, marble, and more. The cream cheese flavors include vegetable, scallion, lox, walnut raisin, sun-dried tomato, and more. All of its lunch sandwiches can also be put on a bagel.

Beyond the Bagel | 219 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair

This bagel spot serves up bagels, breakfast sandwiches, prepared desserts, and lunch sandwiches alike. The menu includes New Jersey favorites like the egg and cheese sandwich, as well as a variety of cream cheeses, including strawberry, and vegan options like scallion tofu cream cheese. The shop also serves gluten-free bagels and, of course, a Taylor Ham sandwich.

Bloomfield Best Bagels | 404 Broad Street, Bloomfield

Bloomfield Best Bagels serves hot heros, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, cream cheese by the pound, and an endless array of bagels, some of which include cinnamon, pumpernickle, salt, poppy, rye, egg, onion, wheat, and french toast.

Hot Bagels Abroad | 150 Valley Road A, Montclair

Alongside a baker’s dozen bagels and hot fresh single bagels to bring home, this small but mighty eatery serves up a French toast bagel alongside options with butter, cream cheese, peanut butter, and more. Lunch sandwiches are served with a choice of side, and can also be enjoyed on a sub for an additional charge. Gourmet wraps, sandwiches, and grilled items are also available. All of the bagels are house-made daily.

House of Bagels | 45 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona

The Bagel House is famous for its massive bagels and wide array of spreads and other options. Fruits, spreads, coffees, sandwiches, and even newspapers are available at this one-stop, quick meal shop. Raisin bagels, lox, and a variety of spreads are all affordably priced, too, attracting fans from across Essex County.

Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair

Photo Credit: Mikki + Al's Noshery

Options are endless at this eatery, where cold salads like whitefish, macaroni, and tuna can be put on a bagel or be bought by the half-pound. Patrons can also enjoy lox and cream cheese on a bagel, with a variety of cream cheese flavors, including scallion. Diners can enjoy anything from a classic Reuben or a breakfast sandwich on a fresh bagel or opt for a latke plate or a bowl of matzo ball soup instead.

Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Plum Bakery, a completely gluten-free spot, has hand-rolled bagels made "the old fashioned way," as per its website. The bagel flavors include plain, poppyseed, sesame, onion, everything, and cinnamon raison.

Walnut Street Bagels + Co. | 98 Walnut Street, Montclair

Photo Credit: Walnut Street Bagels + Co.

Walnut Street Bagels + Co. features bagels in the flavors in plain, everything, poppyseed, cinnamon raisin, garlic, onion, sesame garlic, and whole wheat everything. There are also a variety of cream cheese flavors like roasted black garlic, kimchi, sun-dried tomato, + garlic herb.

See More: A Trip to Hoboken’s First Bagel Shop: Hoboken Hot Bagels

Honorable Mention

Carlos’ Bagel Shop | 438 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne

While this spot is not in the Montclair + Essex County area, the menu of Carlos' Bagel shop includes bagel flights, which feature four mini bagels (a combination of either plain, sesame seed, everything, or French toast) paired with a choice of four of its homemade cream cheeses. From classics like vegetable and scallion to one-of-a-kind flavors such as walnut raisin and strawberry, the spreads are good enough to take home.