Let’s drop the pretense, Madison’s bagel scene leaves a little something to be desired. Never in terms of quality, but accessibility. On Tripadvisor’s Top Bagels in Madison , three out of five locations are national chains.
We’re here to rise to the occasion + identify some of the 608’s most beloved shops still hand-rolling traditional bagels.
📚 First, some breakfast theory
Two of the three listed bake shops on this roundup sell “New York bagels”. What does that really mean though? According to the New York Times , they’ve got to be hand-rolled + boiled before baking to achieve that perfect, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside bagel.
🥯 Now, let’s eat
Bagels Forever
| 2947 University Ave. | Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. + Sat.-Sun., 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
This Madison classic bake shop opened its first location on University Avenue in 1973 + has been making bagels the old-school NY way ever since — hand-rolled, boiled, and hearth-baked
.
Gotham Bagels
| 112 E. Mifflin St. | Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. + Sun., 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Owner “Joey Bagels” is putting an end to the New York bagel water myth
by creating that same top-notch, city-quality product right here in Madison. Pro tip: Don’t leave without a bagel sandwich piled high with lox + the works.
Origin Breads
| 931 E. Main St. | Tues., 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. + Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Origin crafts naturally leavened sourdough goods using organic grains grown + milled in Wisconsin. Try a unique kind of sourdough bagel in flavors like plain, sesame, and everything.