Much of New York has changed over the past forty years, except for the iconic Ess-a-Bagel. This business has remained in the Wilpon family’s care since the opening of their first store in 1976. Today, Ess-a-Bagel continues to churn out batch after batch of hand-rolled bagels in five stores across the city. Build your own or have them create it for you, with menus filled with traditional examples, best-sellers and alternatives. We recommend ordering one of their popular combos such as a Reuben or whitefish salad – lovingly titled ‘Melanie’s Favourite’. 

Founder Christopher Pugliese has described Tompkins as a “love letter to the East Village.” In the three stores across Manhattan, you’ll find reams of bread, filling, topping and flavour options, not to mention towers of cream cheese. Choose from plain bagels to cinnamon bagels, cream cheese topped with fresh dill or scattered hundreds-and-thousands, fillings of cucumber salad or peanut butter and jelly. This isn’t the spot to come for a relaxing dinner for two but it does highlight the essence of New Yorker culture – grab a stool, take a bite, then head back out into the city.

This historic Jewish appetising shop, Russ & Daughters, has been serving traditional recipes for over a century. Founded in 1914 by Jewish immigrant and herring peddler Joel Russ, the business today is spread across four locations and run by fourth-generation owners and cousins, Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper. There’s so much more than bagels here, with matzo ball soup, whitefish salad, and traditional sweets – but of course their bagels and lox are a staple choice. Shop at the historic store on E. Houston Street, or walk a few blocks down Orchard Street to the cafe and order egg dishes or a platter of fresh bagels, smoked fish, and cream cheese.

While in New York, we also recommend exploring Bagel Oasis, Murray’s and Absolute Bagels – equally iconic spots with a delicious range of breaded goods. Pair your trip with a stay at some of New York’s most highly rated hotels, such as The Lexington Hotel, W New York, or Hotel 50 Bowery. You can explore these hotels and more on ASMALLWORLD Collection.