Best of Toronto
The Best Bagels in Toronto
Toronto is a great bagel city. Foodies in La Belle Ville may disagree but a field trip along Bathurst with stops on Bayview and north of the 401 reveals more ways to craft a ring of dough than Montrealers would have you believe.
But picking a winner between the wood-fired wonders emanating out of the ovens on Fairmount West with Toronto's larger, fluffier varieties isn't likely to end in any resolution any more than our beloved province to the right's intermittent flings with separation. .
When I lived in Chicago I never noticed that despite its overall culinary prowess, bagels just weren't that great. Sure, they were passable, but nothing to get excited about. One bite of a Gryfe's bagel and I start wondering when I'll be swinging by the Bathurst bakery for more.
It's with trepidation, though, I announce my allegiance to both styles in town, a sort of middle way approach sets me apart from most participants in best bagel forums. Most of us Torontonians are fiercely loyal to our bagel style - and preferred purveyor.
Gryfe's Bagels
Nobody defines bagels in this city like Gryfe's. A Toronto institution since 1957, the bustling Bathurst bakery sells more than 1,000 dozen a day. My wife always comes home excited when her boss brings bagels to the office because he only shops at Gryfe's. More »
The Bagel House
For Montreal style die-hards, The Bagel House offers a taste of salvation. Operated by a couple of Montreal expats, the newest location on Avenue Road is open 24 hours meaning hot poppy or sesame seed goodness is always within reach. More »
Bagel World
Bagel World and its twisters enjoy a loyal following. After a recent Restaurant Makeover there was some concern this baker's charm would disappear, but despite the face-lift and expanded menu, the bagels - especially the buttered twister - are as good as ever. More »
St. Urbain Bagels
St. Urbain's Montreal style garners countless faithful but remarkable vitriol from some who claim the only thing Montreal about their bagels is the name. I say they're darn good, even if they don't live up to the real deal. More »
Bagel Plus
Perhaps the sleeper of the bunch, Bagel Plus doesn't invoke the passion of some others on this list, but nonetheless they've earned their spot among Toronto's bagel elite. Testament to their tastiness is the incredible popularity of the boring ol' plain version. More »
Haymishe Bagel Shop
Head here for bagels many consider to be Gryfe's closest rival. These fluffy round wonders come in both regular and twister variety. Best warm out of the oven with some of the owner's homemade chopped liver. More »
Discussion
23 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
The key to a good bagel is boiling them before baking in honey'd water. Most bagels here are really like eating dense flavourless bread. Also a really good bagel should not require any toppings. They should taste great all on their own.
What a Bagel is What a Shmagel. Why would I pay to eat something like that?
not montreal, not canada, not the universe. TORONTO.
Best bagel in the WORLD!
First of all.....if you want Montreal bagels there's nothing compares to the ones from The Bagel House on Bayview in the South Bayview Village. And their sweet Cheese Bagels, which are something like a cheese danish - are utterly devine.
I have resorted to making my own Tzatziki as I haven't found a replacement here in Toronto that compares to the Tzatziki at Arahova's in Montreal.