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Somewhere in this city, right now, someone is arguing that Montreal-style bagels are the only real bagels. Someone else is defending the dense, chewy New York kind like their life depends on it. That fight is never getting settled, and honestly, that’s the fun part.
Because the best bagels in Toronto aren’t one thing. They come out of a 110-year-old Bathurst Street bakery, a 24-hour counter in Etobicoke, and a St. Clair West window that sells out before noon on the two days a week it bothers to open.
It is quite incredible to think how many traditional bagel establishments there are in Toronto, and you don’t have to cross the border to NYC or ride the 401 to MTL to experience this level of quality. Here are 11 spots worth the calories, from the century-old institutions to the newcomer everyone’s lining up for.
Gryfe’s Bagel Bakery — North York
Address: 3421 Bathurst St
What to order: A dozen mixed, still warm, no toppings needed
Why it made the list: It’s older than your grandparents and still the benchmark.
Gryfe’s has been baking since 1915, which makes it Toronto’s oldest bagel shop by a mile. It turned 110 in 2025 and hasn’t lost a step. The bagels are light, airy, and hand-rolled, the kind that vanish before you’ve made it home. It’s cash-only and about as no-frills as it gets. Come hungry, bring bills.
Arthur’s Snackette — St. Clair West
Address: 684 St Clair Ave W
What to order: Whatever’s left when you get to the front
Why it made the list: The most hyped bagel in the city right now, and it earns it.
This is the newcomer everyone’s texting each other about. Opened in April 2026 by the team behind Montreal’s beloved Arthur’s, it serves Montreal-style sourdough bagels that sold out within hours on opening weekend. The catch: it’s only open Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. until they run out. A bigger location is already in the works, so get your bragging rights in early.
St-Urbain Bagel Bakery — St. Lawrence Market
Address: 93 Front St E
What to order: Sesame, straight from the oven
Why it made the list: Downtown’s most reliable Montreal-style fix.
St-Urbain, one of the more renowned and recognisable Toronto bagel hotspots, bakes its bagels in a brick oven, and you can taste the difference: a little smoke, a little sweetness, a proper chew. It’s a family operation with locations on Eglinton and up in North York too, but the St. Lawrence Market spot is the one to hit when you’re downtown near Union Station (sort of). Grab a bag while you’re picking up the rest of your groceries.
Kettleman’s Bagel Co. — Etobicoke
Address: 847 Brown’s Line
What to order: Everything bagel at 3 a.m., because you can
Why it made the list: Open 24 hours and unbothered about it.
Kettleman’s boils its Montreal-style bagels in honey water and bakes them in a wood-fired oven, and it does it around the clock. This is the move for anyone who’s ever wanted a fresh bagel at an ungodly hour. You’ll also spot them at Farm Boy now, but nothing beats one straight off the line.
The Bagel House — Deer Park
Address: 1438 Yonge St
What to order: Sesame, poppy or everything seed, toasted, extra cream cheese
Why it made the list: Another 24/7 hero, Montreal-style and dependable.
Running since 1999, The Bagel House keeps its doors open 24 hours across all its Toronto locations (not Port Credit). The Yonge Street spot in Deer Park is a solid midtown option when the craving hits at midnight. It’s warm, it’s consistent, and it never closes, which counts for a lot at 2 a.m. I love that they give you two freezer bags when you order a dozen, so you can preserve that delicious freshness!
Bagels on Fire — The Beaches
Address: 2248 Queen St E
What to order: The coconut bagel, don’t overthink it
Why it made the list: Big, twisty, flavour-forward, and made by hand.
Husband-and-wife duo Hazel and Julio Penullar have been making these Montreal-style bagels from scratch since 2013. They’re known for giant twisty bagels in flavours like pumpernickel and coconut that you won’t find at the more traditional shops. You’ll also find them on Queen West and inside The Well.
College Street Bagels — Downtown & North York
Address: Downtown and North York locations, plus GTA delivery
What to order: A classic everything, New York-style
Why it made the list: A century of practice and it shows.
The Ehrenworth family has been at this since 1920, four generations deep. The bagels get a 24-hour ferment, the bakers start at 5 a.m., and the result is a proper New York-style bagel with real chew. If you can’t decide between Montreal and New York, this is your New York pick.
Bubby’s New York Bagels — North York
Address: North York
What to order: Anything from the 30-plus varieties, kettle-boiled
Why it made the list: A no-frills Brooklyn joint that landed in the 416.
Bubby’s does classic New York-style bagels the honest way: kettle-boiled, hand-rolled, over 30 varieties on deck. It’s the closest thing to a proper Brooklyn corner spot Toronto has. No gimmicks, just good bagels and a lot of choice.
Mabel’s Bakery — Roncesvalles
Address: 323 Roncesvalles Ave
What to order: A wood-fired sesame, still crackling
Why it made the list: Montreal-style with a crunchier crust than most.
Mabel’s boils its bagels in honey water and bakes them in wood-fired ovens, which gives them a crunchier exterior than your average Montreal-style bagel. With a few locations around the city, the Roncesvalles shop pairs perfectly with a walk down the strip. Grab a coffee and a bag and make an afternoon of it.
What A Bagel — Entertainment District
Address: 130 Spadina Ave
What to order: A toasted sesame with lox and cream cheese
Why it made the list: The dependable New York-style chain that’s been here forever.
Running since 1997 and three generations in, What A Bagel has roughly a dozen locations across the GTA. The Spadina spot is handy if you’re downtown and need a solid, unfussy New York-style bagel without a detour. It’s the safe bet that rarely lets you down.
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant — North York
Address: 506 Lawrence Ave W
What to order: A bagel with lox and a bowl of soup, the full experience
Why it made the list: A piece of Toronto history that still serves a great bagel.
Open since 1921, United Bakers is a Jewish dairy restaurant that’s been a fixture for over a century. It’s less grab-and-go and more sit-down-and-stay, which makes it a different kind of bagel trip. Come for the bagel and lox, stay for the old-school charm you can’t fake.
One That Didn’t Make It
If you’ve got an old list bookmarked, you might be looking for Nu Bügel in Kensington Market. Don’t bother heading over. The wood-fired favourite closed for good back in 2024, and the space is now a bakery called Little Pebbles. A moment of silence, then back to the bagels.
So, Where Should You Actually Go?
Want the classic? Gryfe’s is the answer and always has been. Want the buzz? Get to Arthur’s on a weekend morning and be prepared to wait. And if you need a bagel at 4 a.m. after a night out, Kettleman’s and The Bagel House have you covered.
The Montreal-versus-New York debate will keep raging in the comments and the group chats, which is exactly how it should be. Toronto’s lucky enough to have the best of both.
Been to one we missed? Tell us your pick in the comments. Also, if you like this article ,please visit here to discover what other establishments are Tops in Toronto!
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