Tompkins Square Bagels

Behind the counter, a huge selection of sweet and savory bagel varieties sits alongside bakery items like fresh muffins. The signature draw here is the dizzying array of sweet and savory cream cheeses. However, the kitchen's approach to assembly is polarizing: they are known for an excessively heavy schmear portioning that some diners find they need to scrape off. The E 17th Street shop keeps a neighborhood-focused, unpretentious atmosphere, run by a welcoming team that handles order corrections quickly and cheerfully.