Where to Find the Best Bagels in Austin
Austin’s bagel scene hasn’t always been bragworthy, as many East Coast ex-pats will tell you. But recent years have seen a major boost in our city’s bagel quality, and Austin now boasts several bagel shops that can stand toe-to-toe with tri-state area versions. These six bakeries make our favorite Austin bagels, complete with lox and schmear.
David’s Doughies Bagelry
2427 Webberville Road
When it comes to Austin bagels that closely resemble NYC’s, no venue does a more accurate rendition than David’s Doughies. This food truck parked at Fleet Coffee in East Austin employs the traditional boil-and-bake method beloved in NYC, resulting in bagels with an appealing chew in the crust, tender interiors, and seeds and seasonings that cling in just the right way. David Doughie’s also excels at flavored cream cheese; their scallion cream cheese delivers a beautiful balance of tang, salt, allium and fresh veggie crunch.
Casper Fermentables
4715 S Lamar Blvd. #101A
For those who can’t get enough sourdough, Casper Fermentables is a must-visit. This bakery and cafe in Sunset Valley specializes in all things funky and fermented, and their sourdough bagels are some of the most flavorful you’ll find anywhere in town. A simple topping of schmear is a very valid choice, but Casper also offers lox, whitefish, housemade kimchi and sauerkraut.
Rockstar Bagels
1900 Rosewood Ave.
If you like your bagel fully loaded, then Rockstar Bagels in East Austin will suit your needs very well. Rockstar focuses on sandwiches and they allow you to either design your own (using their impressive array of spreads, proteins and vegetables) or to order one of their signature selections (like the Members Only with bacon, arugula, turkey, spinach, tomatoes and chipotle aioli).
Rosen’s Bagels
422 W 5th St. C
11101 Burnet Road, Suite A100
Rosen’s may be the most widespread bagel in Austin; in addition to the brand’s two bakery locations, Rosen’s can be found on the menus of many ATX coffee shops. Their popularity makes sense when you try their very consistent New York-style bagels, especially the more unique flavors like rosemary, garlic parmesan and jalapeno cheddar. They also serve schmear styles beyond the typical veggie or scallion. Basil lemon, lime and roasted poblano and spinach artichoke are among their cream cheese options.
Nervous Charlie’s Bagels
5501 N Lamar Blvd. Suite B101
410 West Whitestone Blvd. #300
North Austinites take great pride in Nervous Charlie’s, regularly bragging about this bakery’s New York bagels and jaw-unhinging breakfast sandwiches. The latter is a particularly compelling reason to head up there, as The Longhorn (2 fried eggs, cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of protein and hot sauce) or the Pastrami Hash (pastrami, breakfast potatoes, pepper jack cheese, fried egg and jalapenos) will easily keep you full until dinnertime. As a bonus for homesick Northeasterners, Nervous Charlie’s carries the (delicious) New Jersey cold-cut staple known as Taylor ham.
Rockman Coffee & Bakeshop
2400 E Cesar Chavez St. Suite 200
Amanda Rockman’s trendy East Austin bakery gets a lot of Instagram attention for its enormous stuffed croissants and luxurious cinnamon buns, but its bagel program shouldn’t be ignored. Rockman and her team make New York-inspired bagels in playful flavors (the pepperoni pizza bagel is especially noteworthy), and they serve them with side ramekins of schmear, which you’re meant to use as a dip for torn-off pieces of bagel. There’s no need to settle for plain cream cheese (unless that’s your preference, of course); Rockman offers cucumber ranch, French onion and garlic herb varieties as well.