The Seattle Bagel Power Rankings

What used to be a semi-clandestine pop-up is now the best thing to happen to Seattle's bagel scene, let alone University Village. Hey Bagel’s showing features a shiny shell across the top, a resounding crunch, and a spongy center of bready fluff that resembles the middle of a sourdough boule. Bialys are just as crisp. And the schmear variety knows no bounds, as you’ll find a tub of humble scallion rubbing elbows with Biscoff-chocolate-espresso-bean. They’re open until 6pm, but we recommend showing up on a weekday morning before the other stores open for your best shot at beating the lines.

Among the great boiled-and-baked bread rings in this town, Mt. Bagel is the one that really changed the game when they opened in 2019. And while the crust can vary in its crackle-ability, the anatomy of this bagel is phenomenal—malty, chewy, fluffy, and slightly sweet on the inside. Also not to be missed is the spicy scallion schmear, with green onion and lots of cayenne heat. The bagels freeze and reheat exceptionally well, too, as they're one of the only Seattle specimens we might prefer after a round in the toaster.

Bagel Oasis in Ravenna is the most reliable bagel shop. No need to wait in line for eternity or worry that they'll sell out before noon—just stroll in and grab an exemplary bagel on your own time. (What a concept.) Bagel Oasis makes extremely basic but foolproof New York-style dough circles in a space that smells exactly like a Long Island deli. There’s a tender crunch with blistered bubbles, a light and soft middle, and a spongy squish that’s just as excellent covered in cream cheese as it is in breakfast sandwich form. Whatever you do, don’t miss the sourdough flavor.

The crackly rings of bouncy yeasted dough at this Fremont counter are game-changing, and yet, it’s not too annoying to get one. Backyard Bagel’s line progresses relatively quickly, food flies out in less than five minutes, and they're not skimpy on the lox. For purists, there’s a beautiful simplicity in chewy everything bagels stuffed with whipped scallion schmear, or a toasty cheddar jalapeño bagel completely naked. But don’t count out any sandwich that involves just enough Kari Kari chili crisp to tickle the sinuses.

Howdy Bagel is the charming neighborhood shop that puts Tacoma on the bagel map. The versions here are luxuriously plush with a quick crisp, and yeasty insides that look like the jagged surface of a coral reef. And while the bagels are excellent on their own or slathered with schmear, the BEC is what we gravitate toward. Just expect a line whenever the bagel hour strikes.

Georgetown finally gets in on the fun with this charming shop. Most of their bagel varieties, schmears, and sandwiches are worth enduring the roars of aircraft flying overhead toward Sea-Tac. In particular, the rosemary salt bagel deserves some sort of yeast-based trophy for its delicate herbiness, and the honey-sriracha schmear has subtle heat. Don’t miss the beet-cured lox sandwich, either—it’s a study in silkiness and even better when paired with a sesame bagel.

As the name clearly suggests, Rachel’s serves two things worth your attention. And while we're fans of their experimental bagel flavors like za’atar, togarashi, and Stoup spent grain, the classic everything is a near-perfect specimen of crunchy dried garlic, onion, and seeds that all stay put. The best move is to keep it simple by way of plain cream cheese spiked with their everything-spiced chile crisp. 

This Fremont operation goes beyond the basics—and we like it that way. Sesame bagels include aleppo pepper, lox sandwiches are packed with pea shoots, and vegetable cream cheese has chunks of roasted red peppers and lemon zest. It’s all undeniably pleasant smashed between bagels which almost resemble pizza crust—mostly spongy throughout with a resounding crunch here and there on the bottom. But what really sets Old Salt apart is the fish, especially their lox. And when you consider easy online ordering and ample weekday availability, beyond-basic couldn’t be more attainable.

Set aside the fact that Oxbow’s bagels have a shelf life of an hour or so. They have supreme “a pleasure to have in class” energy before that happens. The bagels at this Montlake bakery have a Magic Shell-like exterior, complete with a doughy toughness and slightly sour tang. Our favorite combination of the bunch is a garlic bagel, charred dehydrated flakes and all, spread with briny calabrian chili cream cheese. Don't forget to grab a scone or rye chocolate chip cookie as a little treat.