The perfect spot for serious bagel lovers on the go, Knead Bagels serves innovative and top quality fare at breakneck speed. While they offer the bagels we’ve grown up with (plain, everything, garlic and poppyseed), Knead also brings to the table a variety of fusion bagels in combinations that might make you do a double take. Step out of your comfort zone with the kimchi cream cheese and black sesame bagel, the first bagel with flavors I’ve ever described as “subtle”.

Besides bagels, Knead offers hearty soups, seasonal salads and sandwiches. Oh, and don’t get your bagel toasted. They’re too fresh to need it. Pro tip – I find it’s usually too crowded during peak breakfast and lunch hours to enjoy relaxing inside with your coffee, so take your order to go. Many Philly locals also swear by Montreal-style bagel bakery Spread located in Rittenhouse Square, but Knead is my true favorite for American bagels.

My recommendation: The cardamom bagel with blood orange cream cheese for the adventurous, or the everything bagel with plain cream cheese for the traditional. Eat across the street in Washington Square Park before exploring Old City and catching your first museum.

Nearby: Liberty Bell/Independence Hall, Ritz at the Bourse Cinema, Athenaeum.