Mott Haven Bagel & Barista Cafe

Mott Haven, Bronx

Mott Haven Bagel & Barista Cafe

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

3.17 / 5
#10 in Bronx #174 in NYC

Store: An Interesting interior, almost like a burger joint. Black and white tiles with large wallpaper photos of famous people - Bill Clinton, Derek Jeter, Jennifer Lopez, the cast of Saved by the Bell - also in black and white. A pizza place and deli in addition to bagel store. Moderate drink selection, moderate pastry selection all bagged. Bagels are visible in hoppers though spreads are not. Points for presentation and for setting up shop in a low density bagel zone. 3.5

Bagel: A large bagel. Staff asked twice if I wanted it toasted, which is never a great sign for baseline quality. Light topping density with poppy mostly missing from the equation. No salt present. Very dry dough. To its defence this is a late in the day order, but the best bagel stores get around this problem with high turnover. 2.75

Cream Cheese: Served cool from storage. Decent amount and application. Scallion present in texture but not much in flavor. A competent cream cheese. 3.25

Mott Haven Bagel & Barista Cafe

Mott Haven, Bronx

Mott Haven Bagel & Barista Cafe

Total Score

Ranks & Awards

3.17 / 5
#10 in Bronx #174 in NYC

Store: An Interesting interior, almost like a burger joint. Black and white tiles with large wallpaper photos of famous people - Bill Clinton, Derek Jeter, Jennifer Lopez, the cast of Saved by the Bell - also in black and white. A pizza place and deli in addition to bagel store. Moderate drink selection, moderate pastry selection all bagged. Bagels are visible in hoppers though spreads are not. Points for presentation and for setting up shop in a low density bagel zone. 3.5

Bagel: A large bagel. Staff asked twice if I wanted it toasted, which is never a great sign for baseline quality. Light topping density with poppy mostly missing from the equation. No salt present. Very dry dough. To its defence this is a late in the day order, but the best bagel stores get around this problem with high turnover. 2.75

Cream Cheese: Served cool from storage. Decent amount and application. Scallion present in texture but not much in flavor. A competent cream cheese. 3.25

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