If your idea of a bagel comes from a factory line at Einstein’s or Bruegger’s, you haven’t actually had a bagel. Central Ohio has a small but mighty crop of local shops doing it the real way: hand rolled, boiled, and baked fresh every morning.
Columbus is not New York City. There aren’t hundreds of bagel shops that make incredible bagels. But there ARE a handful that will showcase the magic of a good bagel.
Here’s every local spot worth seeking out.
Bagel Shops in Columbus & Central Ohio
The Lox Bagel Shop
772 N High St #106, Short North
The Lox does one thing and does it right: wood fired bagels with a simple, no frills menu. Every bagel here holds up, but the sea salt and herb is the one people come back for. The wood fire gives it a crisp, slightly sweet exterior with a soft, chewy inside, somewhere between a New York bagel and a Montreal one.
Cocky’s Bagel Sandwiches
1484 N High St, Columbus (near campus)
Cocky’s built its name on the sandwich, not just the bagel. If you’re someone who prefers a fluffier, softer bagel over a dense chew, this is your shop. The menu is stacked with sandwich combos, and there are plenty of vegan and gluten free options too.
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Bears Bagels
4142 Main St, Hilliard
Bears makes bagels the long way: hand rolled, rested for 24 hours to let them rise properly, boiled, then baked. That extra step shows in every bite. They also run rotating specials worth checking their socials for before you go. We loved these bagels so much we gave them their own full writeup, so read that if you want the full story.
Fox’s Bagel & Deli (and Fox’s Bagels North Market)
3012 E Broad St, Bexley area, plus a counter at North Market (59 Spruce St, Downtown)
Fox’s is about as close as Central Ohio gets to a real East Coast bagel deli. There are dozens of bagel flavors and schmears to choose from, plus a sandwich menu deep enough to keep you coming back for weeks without repeating an order. It’s no surprise the lines get long on weekends.
Sammy’s New York Bagels
600 N Cassady Ave, Columbus (delivery only)
Sammy’s doesn’t have a storefront, but the quality is there every single time. Owner Sam learned the craft in New York City, the actual mecca of bagels, before bringing it to Columbus. Order by 3pm for next day delivery, and orders over $30 ship free!
Bite This
3009 N High St, Clintonville
Bite This takes the bagel somewhere completely different with its bagel bombs: massive, stuffed creations packed with fillings you’d never expect, like spaghetti and meatballs. It’s less a bagel and more a full meal wrapped in dough. There’s nothing else like it in Central Ohio. Check out our feature about their crazy bagel bombs here.
Which One Should You Try First?
Every shop on this list does something the chains can’t touch. Start with whichever one is closest, then work your way through the rest. Once you’ve had a real Central Ohio bagel, there’s no going back to the factory line.
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
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