Daily Bagel

Lenox Hill, Manhattan

Daily Bagel

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

3.92 / 5
#31 in Manhattan #87 in NYC

Store: Large space usually filled with tables, now stacked in the back due to COVID. Moderate drink, pastry and spread selection, checking all the boxes. Staff a little on the slow side, not making the best prioritization decisions. Lots of deli options available, to the point where it's 60/40 bagel store/deli. I commend the utility but it seems to come at the expense of focus. 3.75

Bagel: A large, tall bagel. Toppings on both sides: dominant coverage on bottom, top sporting a nice golden shell. A little on the stiffer side from age. Also results in a bit clumpier of a bite. If the store turnover were better - perhaps from a full focus on bagels - or I caught them on opening, I could see a higher score here as the fundamentals are strong. 3.75

Cream Cheese: Deli case cold cream cheese. A good amount but a little cavalier on the application, resulting in a messy shell at points. A fresh whip with vegetal flavoring from the scallion. It's a long, thick chop and figures prominently in the taste experience. No clumping or clotting, possibly even well served by the cooler deli case temperature. 4.25

Daily Bagel

Lenox Hill, Manhattan

Daily Bagel

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

3.92 / 5
#31 in Manhattan #87 in NYC

Store: Large space usually filled with tables, now stacked in the back due to COVID. Moderate drink, pastry and spread selection, checking all the boxes. Staff a little on the slow side, not making the best prioritization decisions. Lots of deli options available, to the point where it's 60/40 bagel store/deli. I commend the utility but it seems to come at the expense of focus. 3.75

Bagel: A large, tall bagel. Toppings on both sides: dominant coverage on bottom, top sporting a nice golden shell. A little on the stiffer side from age. Also results in a bit clumpier of a bite. If the store turnover were better - perhaps from a full focus on bagels - or I caught them on opening, I could see a higher score here as the fundamentals are strong. 3.75

Cream Cheese: Deli case cold cream cheese. A good amount but a little cavalier on the application, resulting in a messy shell at points. A fresh whip with vegetal flavoring from the scallion. It's a long, thick chop and figures prominently in the taste experience. No clumping or clotting, possibly even well served by the cooler deli case temperature. 4.25

Bagel Size and Texture

CracklyChewySmallX-Large

Seed and Salt Density

High Salt RatioLow Salt RatioTopping LightTopping Dense

Spread Ripeness and Texture

Fine ScallionCoarse ScallionDairy LatentDairy Forward

Store Style and Services

Variety of ServicesFocused ServicesClassicContemporary