Bialys, Babka and Knishes: 10 Old-School Jewish Bakeries NYC Still Lines Up For

4.5 (6,646)

Mon – Sat, 08:00 – 19:30; Sun, 09:00 – 18:00

2245 Broadway

Two floors and 20,000 square feet: Zabar's packs hand-sliced smoked fish, house-roasted coffee, imported cheeses and Jewish breads and cakes into the ground level, with kitchen housewares upstairs. I treat it as the starting line for any bagel run. Visitors call it a classic New York institution.

4.6 (1,284)

Mon – Sun, 08:30 – 15:00

631 Manhattan Ave

In Greenpoint, Frankel's builds a pastrami, egg and cheese alongside brisket, smoked fish and cinnamon babka. I'd take a window stool on Manhattan Avenue and watch the street. Reviewers praise the pastrami, fresh bagels and friendly service, and say it suits a quick bite.

4.4 (1,518)

Mon – Sun, 07:00 – 17:00

235 West 116th Street

What began as a couple's stand now has an open kitchen on 116th Street, baking bagels and bialys daily, including a za'atar bagel. My tip: ask for a lighter hand on the cream cheese. Reviewers love the flavor but mention service speed and heavy spreads; there is no espresso.

4.5 (1,041)

Mon – Sun, 10:30 – 18:00

137 East Houston Street

For over a century this Houston Street shop has baked hand-rolled knishes fresh daily, from roasted garlic potato to seasonal flavors, plus kugel. I'd order a potato knish and stay a minute in the old-fashioned room. They also ship out of state.

4.3 (1,032)

Mon – Thu, Sun, 06:00 – 19:00; Fri, 06:00 – 17:00

391 Amsterdam Ave

Bagels & Co keeps an entirely kosher menu on Amsterdam Avenue, with bialys and over a dozen bagels topped with cream cheese and real lox. I'd order to go at busy hours. Reviewers rate the bagels as fresh and authentic with quick service, but note the room gets cramped.

4.7 (419)

Mon – Thu, Sun, 07:00 – 18:00; Fri, 07:00 – 17:00

115A Division Street, New York, NY 10002, USA

This Division Street takeout bakery runs an open kitchen known for chocolate babka and buttery croissants. I'd get a babka slice and an almond chocolate croissant. Reviewers praise the handcrafted pastries and cozy feel, while noting prices run high. Closed Saturdays.

4.9 (300)

Mon – Thu, 08:00 – 17:00; Fri, 08:00 – 15:00

1409 Avenue M

There is no drip coffee at this Avenue M cafe — staff ask questions and match you to a pour-over, and the mocha uses house-made chocolate. I'd add a slice of chocolate babka, sturdy enough that people ship it. Visitors praise the pour-overs, babka and patient service.

4.8 (377)

Mon – Sun, 06:00 – 16:00

875 3rd Ave

Utopia's Third Avenue shop pulls bagels off the rack and bakes bialys with a lighter, less chewy texture. I'd try a bialy first, then a specialty sandwich like the Worth It. There is plenty of seating and a long list of cream cheese flavors, from cinnamon to French toast.

4.5 (366)

Mon – Sun, 06:00 – 18:00

1409 York Avenue

The Lower East Side name now bakes on York Avenue: onion, garlic and everything bialys from the brick oven, plus light, crunchy bagels. I'd go for an onion bialy and a coffee. Customers praise the clean space, quick-moving line and fresh bialys.

4.7 (265)

Mon – Sun, 07:00 – 20:00

84-08A Broadway

An Elmhurst fixture for decades, Du Bois sells cookies by weight alongside rugelach, tiramisu with soft ladyfingers and pistachio baklava. I'd fill a box by weight to share. Reviewers say generations keep coming back for cakes that are not overly sweet and prices that stay low.