Mar 22, 2025

Modern Bread and Bagel New York

Extreme gluten-free bagels

""Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks..."

I have a 'thing' about proclaiming something the 'best' which goes even further when such leans toward coffee, bagels, croissants, muffins and so forth.

Different, yes, but I ask, how great can they be?

About croissants, I have written that those at Epice are mighty fine, the closest to a Parisian croissant I have discovered locally but in Paris itself, there is no such thing as a 'best' croissant.

Onto bagels, where New York is considered the Paris of this gnosh, it is not so easy to find a really good bagel anymore. Not without guidance.

Modern Bread and Bagel has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density, spread texture and store style.

Mike Varley included it in a list of fifty bagel joints by walking the equivalent of 3500 miles throughout the 5 boroughs in 13 months, and compiled a list—subject to change—that pretty much trumps anything anybody else has done to date.

There are three in my neighbourhood that rank up in the paint cards:

4.5 / 5 (#3 in NYC) 
Modern Bread and Bagel
Gluten-Free (no less) 
A 'proper' bakery
Cream Cheese: 'Impeccable'

4.25 / 5 (#25 in NYC)
Broadway Bagel
'Fresh and temperant. Fantastic'

4.25 / 5 (#25 in NYC)
Absolute Bagels
'standard taste and texture'

024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

472 Columbus Ave

Any bagel:

US$

3

+1

6467752985

Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

John's Pizza / Times Square

Pizza Tabernacle

John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

'Fearless Girl'

Wall Street History

On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace

Comedy / Deli

The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Manhattan Community Boathouse

Free kayaking

It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Amsterdam Billiards

Pool table all-stars

"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Cage in West Village

Hoops & handball

The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Seasoned Vegan

Food you love, veganized

"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

TAP - NYC

Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'

"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Bethesda Terrace

Central Park

"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Bodegas

NYC convenience stores

"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Johannes Vermeer

At the Met & Frick

You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 19, 2025

35 Times, Toby Buonagurio

Subway art 10

"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 17, 2025

Heading to New York?

301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

301 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite New York

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
63
Filters