politics
Three Bagel Shops Draw Crowds on One Midtown Manhattan Block
Three bagel shops operate within steps of each other on West 35th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. The block has seen growing lines from locals, office workers, and tourists.
May 20, 11:45 AM·1m read1 source
New York PostAudio version
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Three bagel shops sit within steps of each other on West 35th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Manhattan. Best Bagel & Coffee has operated at 225 W. 35th St. since 2015. Liberty Bagels opened at 260 W. 35th in 2018 and added a second location at 462 7th Avenue. Apollo Bagels opened its seventh location at 224 W. 35th earlier this year.
The Garment District draws more than 3.5 million hotel guests each year. Penn Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal bring about 870,000 commuters and visitors daily. Ryan Daly of the Garment District Alliance said more people visit the block in the morning looking for bagels.
Sam Nektalov, owner of Rush Passport NYC, said lines formed quickly after Liberty opened and required staff to manage traffic outside.
Victor Mejia, co-owner of Liberty Bagels, said the block has become a destination for locals, office workers, and tourists. He said the shop offers 32 cream cheeses made daily and a rainbow bagel that draws social media attention. Joey Scalabrino, founder of Apollo Bagels, said the location was chosen to be in the middle of the activity.
He said the focus remains on product quality and repeat visits. Manhattan bagel storefronts rose from 81 in Q1 2020 to 136 in Q1 2026. Citywide totals increased from 345 to 407 over the same period. Alanna Glass, a nearby resident, said she avoids the lines and visits Apollo's Williamsburg location instead.
Thomas Palladino said he travels from the Upper East Side to Best Bagel & Coffee and recommends arriving at off-peak times.
