Best of New York City

The best bagel with lox in New York City

Start with Russ & Daughters in Lower East Side for the Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion, Barney Greengrass in Upper West Side for house-cured lox on a bagel, or scrambled with onions and Zabar's in Upper West Side for nova or belly lox by the half-pound, on a bagel. Here are all 4, with what to get at each.

4 places · mostly in Upper West Side · Updated October 25, 2026

Russ & Daughters
Russ & Daughters · Photo: Russ & Daughters
  1. Russ & DaughtersRuss & DaughtersLower East Side · Bagel with lox

    Get: The Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion

    The 1914 appetizing shop that defines the New York lox bagel.

  2. Barney GreengrassUpper West Side · Bagel with lox

    Get: House-cured lox on a bagel, or scrambled with onions

    Self-styled Sturgeon King, an uptown smoked-fish institution.

  3. Zabar'sUpper West Side · Bagel with lox

    Get: Nova or belly lox by the half-pound, on a bagel

    Legendary gourmet market with a top-quality smoked fish counter.

  4. Shelsky'sCobble Hill, Brooklyn · Bagel with lox

    Get: Belly lox bagel sandwich

    Brooklyn appetizing shop with house-cured fish and bagel sandwiches.

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The best bagel with lox in New York City: questions people ask

Where is the best bagel with lox in New York City?

Chef Amazing’s picks start with Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side), Barney Greengrass (Upper West Side) and Zabar's (Upper West Side). All 4 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.

What should I order?

At Russ & Daughters, get the Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion. At Barney Greengrass, get house-cured lox on a bagel, or scrambled with onions. At Zabar's, get nova or belly lox by the half-pound, on a bagel. At Shelsky's, get belly lox bagel sandwich.

Which neighborhood is best for bagel with lox in New York City?

Most of these are in Upper West Side. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.

How does Chef Amazing pick these?

From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for New York City: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.

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Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.

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