Indiana is famous for pork tenderloins and sugar cream pie, but a surprising number of Hoosiers will argue just as hard about who makes the best bagel in the state. From a cash-only Indianapolis counter that has been boiling dough since 1975 to a Gary bakery where the ovens start warming up in the middle of the night, the bagel scene here runs deeper than most people expect.
This list covers seven shops across the state, from Fort Wayne to Bloomington, each with its own reason to earn a spot on your weekend breakfast rotation. Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who still insists you have to leave Indiana to find a real everything bagel.
1. Bagel Fair, Indianapolis, IN
Some shops chase trends. Bagel Fair has been doing the same thing, the same way, since 1975, and north side Indianapolis has never asked it to change.
The family-run shop sits in a strip mall at 1300 E 86th St, and it keeps things refreshingly old school. It is cash only and set up for takeout, so plan to grab your bag and go.
The method is the classic one. Bagels are boiled and then baked, which gives them a chewy center and a crusty outside, the texture transplanted New Yorkers tend to hunt for when they land in Indiana.
Cream cheese comes in generous portions, with scallion and jalapeño cheddar among the popular picks. Bagel sandwiches are on the menu too, and prices stay easy on the wallet, usually landing between $1 and $10 per person.
Here is a tip worth knowing. Bialys show up on Sunday only, so if you have never tried the flatter, onion-topped cousin of the bagel, that is your day.
Hours run 7 AM to 2 PM Monday through Saturday and 7 AM to 1 PM on Sunday. There is a free parking lot, and the line moves quickly thanks to a staff that clearly knows its rhythm.
2. Davey’s Delicious Bagels, Fort Wayne, IN
Late-night bagels are not something most Indiana towns can offer. On Friday and Saturday, Davey’s reopens from 8 to 11:30 PM, which makes it one of the more unusual stops on this list.
The shop sits at 1006 Broadway, right in the heart of Fort Wayne. Every room is filled with locally sourced art, and there is plenty of seating if you want to linger with a coffee instead of rushing off.
On the menu, the Lox on a Bagel is a go-to for classic fans. The El Guapo is the pick for anyone who wants a heartier sandwich with a little more attitude.
The bagels lean softer inside with a crisp exterior. Pair one with the Everything seasoning and a smear of quality cream cheese, and you have an easy weekday breakfast.
Dogs are allowed inside, which is a nice perk for downtown walkers. Weekend mornings get busy, while Monday through Thursday tend to be calmer if you prefer a quieter visit.
Daytime hours start at 7 AM on weekdays and 8 AM on weekends, closing at 2 PM. Parking options include a free lot, free street spots, and a paid lot nearby.
3. Gables Bagels, Bloomington, IN
Waiting in line is usually the boring part of breakfast. At Gables Bagels, it is half the entertainment.
The owner keeps the crowd amused with a strong music playlist, quick banter, and the occasional mock dance-off with the staff. It is the kind of energy you would expect in a college town, and Bloomington eats it up.
The food backs up the show. Gables leans into New York-style staples, with homemade cream cheese and a lox bagel that balances smoky salmon with a fresh, chewy base.
If you grew up in New Jersey, the Taylor Ham Egg Cheese will look very familiar. The Brisket Egg Cheese is another standout, and there is a Vegan Breakfast Sandwich for plant-based eaters.
Heading to a tailgate or office meeting? Grab a Baker’s Dozen of everything bagels, plus a bag of Bagel Crisps for snacking later.
The shop is at 421 E 3rd St and opens daily from 6:30 AM to 2 PM. Sunday and Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds, so Wednesday morning is a smarter bet if you are in a hurry.
4. B’s Bagels, Westfield, IN
Black and white cookies are hard to find in central Indiana. B’s Bagels in Westfield keeps them in the case, right next to the bagels, and that tells you a lot about where this family-run shop draws its inspiration.
The focus is NY-style bagels with a crisp outside and a chewy inside. That texture leaves plenty of room for a thick smear of cream cheese, and the shop rotates a flavor-of-the-month spread alongside its regular lineup.
The sandwich list covers the classics well. Think Bacon Egg and Cheese, a BLT, and tuna, chicken, or egg salad on the bagel of your choice.
Kids and grown-ups alike tend to go for the Pizza Bagel. Bagel Chips make an easy snack for the ride home.
Convenience is a big part of the appeal here. B’s offers curbside pickup and delivery, so it works for office orders and busy school mornings.
The shop is at 16030 Spring Mill Rd, open daily from 6:30 AM to 2 PM. Saturday morning is the rush, and weekdays are noticeably calmer, with free parking in the lot and on the street.
5. Clutch Bagels and Spreads, Gary, IN
Most of Northwest Indiana is still asleep around 1:30 in the morning. That is roughly when the owner at Clutch gets started on the day’s bagels, all made in house.
The result is a case full of bagels that are often still warm when they hit the counter. Expect a crunchy exterior, a chewy center, and a wide range of options, from the everything bagel to a two-color twist.
Clutch is more than a bagel stop. The shop also bakes breads, buns, and English muffins, and the cheddar jalapeño sliced loaf is a strong reason to leave with an extra bag.
Cream cheese flavors rotate, with seasonal picks like chive blossom and chili crisp showing up. For lunch, the Steak and a Bagel, the Chopped Cheese, and the Grilled Tenderloin Sandwich all pull their weight, especially with a side of Cajun Fries.
Prices mostly stay in the $1 to $10 range. There is funky art to look at while you wait, plus outdoor seating when the lakeshore weather cooperates.
Find it at 444 S Lake St, open 7 AM to 3 PM. Plan around Wednesday, when the shop is closed, and note that parking is usually plentiful.
6. Barry Bagels Carmel, Carmel, IN
Curious how a proper bagel gets made? At Barry Bagels in Carmel, you can actually watch.
The bagels are boiled in a room visible to customers before they go into the oven. It is a small detail, but a rare one for the north side of the Indy area, and it makes the wait a lot more interesting for kids and bagel nerds alike.
The family-run shop sticks to the full process of boiling, seeding, and baking. The lineup includes 17 bagel varieties, so choosing just one takes a minute.
If you have a sweet tooth, the vanilla cinnamon swirl bagel is the one to try. Top it with honey brown sugar cream cheese for a mellow sweetness, or go all in with the cinnamon swirl spread.
Savory fans have plenty of bagel sandwiches to pick from as well. Portions and prices line up fairly, and the store is kept clean and well stocked.
You will find it at 14250 Clay Terrace Blvd, which makes it an easy stop before a shopping trip. Hours are 6:30 AM to 2 PM every day, with free parking in the lot and on the street.
7. Big Apple Bagels, Avon, IN
Early risers, this one is for you. Big Apple Bagels in Avon opens at 4 AM Monday through Saturday and 5 AM on Sunday, which beats just about every other bagel counter in the state.
That schedule makes it a natural stop for commuters, shift workers, and anyone heading out on an early road trip along US 36. The shop is part of a chain, but the bagels are made fresh daily on site.
The selection is wide, covering both classic and gourmet bagels. The French toast bagel, with its cinnamon sweetness, is a favorite for anyone who wants breakfast and dessert in one bite.
Muffins are a big deal here too, and there is hot soup on the menu for a warmer lunch. Breakfast sandwiches and coffee round things out.
Ordering for a crowd is simple. The staff handles large preorders on schedule and has been known to bring them right out to the car, even in the snow.
The shop sits at 8115 E US Hwy 36 and closes at 2 PM daily. Wi-fi is available, prices generally stay between $1 and $10, and there is free parking in the lot and along the street.
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