A good bagel is harder to find than you might think, especially on the West Coast. Plenty of places sell round bread with a hole in the middle, but a truly chewy, crusty, properly boiled bagel is a different story.
Washington has quietly built a strong bagel scene, from Spokane to Bellingham to the Tri-Cities. These seven shops are the ones people keep coming back to, and each one brings something a little different to the table.
1. Hidden Bagel, Spokane, WA
The name fits better than you might expect. Hidden Bagel sits right next to The Scoop ice cream shop on W 25th Ave, in a quiet South Hill neighborhood spot that is easy to drive past if you are not looking for it.
The bagels here are known for a tender, chewy bite and a lineup of interesting flavors. Breakfast sandwiches get creative, too.
The Breakfasty bagel stacks egg, sausage, and cheese, while the Vegfast goes in a fresher direction with pickled sprouts, cucumber, tomato, and avocado.
Craving something closer to lunch? A pizza bagel with pepperoni and cheese, a lox bagel, and a turkey pesto option round out the menu.
Vegan bagels are available as well.
I like this stop for its easy online ordering system, which makes grabbing a dozen before work painless. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 AM to 1 PM, so early birds win.
Free lot and street parking help keep the visit quick.
2. Bagelry, Bellingham, WA
Downtown Bellingham’s Railroad Avenue has plenty going on, but the Bagelry has long been one of its most dependable morning stops. Everything starts from scratch, including the homemade cream cheese.
Bagels are offered steamed or toasted, which is a small detail that makes a big difference. A steamed bagel comes out soft and warm, while toasted brings the crunch.
The menu goes beyond the basics. Look for Egg on a Bagel, a lox sandwich, bagel with hummus, and blueberry muffins.
Bialy fans can grab a baker’s dozen, which is not something every shop bothers to make.
A cappuccino rounds things out nicely. The space is small and friendly, with a relaxed, cheerful crew behind the counter.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Curbside pickup is available, and street parking includes both free and paid options.
3. Howdy Bagel, Tacoma, WA
Tacoma went a long time without a bagel shop like this, and Howdy Bagel filled the gap with hand-rolled, boiled bagels made by a small, hardworking team.
The everything bagel is a strong place to start. It balances crunch, salt, and freshness, and it pairs well with a smear of tangy cream cheese.
Sandwiches are where this shop really shows off. The bacon egg and cheese bagel comes with crisp bacon and a jammy egg, and there is a sausage egg and cheese version too.
A pastrami and egg sandwich is another favorite, and the Avo Boast covers the avocado crowd.
Plan ahead, because the schedule is short. Howdy Bagel is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday visit is the calmer move.
Free street parking is available along South Tacoma Way.
4. Mt. Bagel, Seattle, WA
Spicy scallion cream cheese is reason enough to visit Mt. Bagel.
It is the spread that gets talked about most at this cozy bakery at 26th Ave E in Seattle.
The bagels themselves are fluffy inside and chewy on the outside, with a slight crunch and a generous coat of seasoning. They have a deeper flavor than many Seattle bagels, and they toast up beautifully at home.
The onion bagel is a standout. You can also take home a dozen bagels or a loaf of bread, both handy if you are stocking up for the week.
Keep the setup in mind. Mt.
Bagel is a takeout spot with drip coffee and no restroom, so think grab-and-go rather than lingering brunch.
Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. Free street parking is available nearby.
5. B’s Bagels & Butters, Gig Harbor, WA
East Coast-style bagels baked in-house have made B’s Bagels & Butters a regular stop in Gig Harbor. The flavor list is big, and the cream cheese selection keeps up.
Breakfast sandwiches are a major draw, and rotating specials give regulars something new to try. Coffee drinks are a highlight here too.
Families will find it easy to visit. High chairs and changing tables are available, dogs are welcome outside, and there is free wi-fi for anyone sneaking in some work.
The menu also covers vegan and vegetarian diners fully, which is a nice touch for mixed groups.
Expect a line, since reservations are not accepted and weekends get busy. Sunday is the busiest day.
Tuesday through Thursday afternoons are much quieter if you want an easier visit.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2 PM and weekends from 8 AM to 2 PM. Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot and street spaces close by.
6. 6th Borough Bagels, Olympia, WA
New York has five boroughs. Olympia’s take on a sixth is all about bringing a real taste of NYC bagels to the capital city.
The process here is old-school. Bagels are made with organic flour, boiled in water infused with malted barley, and baked on burlap boards in stone deck ovens.
That traditional method is what sets this shop apart. Boiling and stone baking give a bagel the shiny crust and dense chew that bagel purists look for.
The shop is on Harrison Ave NW on the west side of town, with a free lot and street parking. Delivery is also available if you would rather stay home.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2 PM and weekends from 8 AM to 2 PM. I would aim for a weekday afternoon, since Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times.
7. Some Bagels Too, Kennewick, WA
A drive-through bagel shop that opens at 6 AM on weekdays is a gift for Tri-Cities commuters. Some Bagels Too on S Washington St makes it easy to grab breakfast without leaving the car.
This locally owned shop bakes bagels daily, and the flavor list is long. The bagels lean soft rather than dense, which suits anyone who likes a gentler chew.
Here is a fun one. The toasted blueberry bagel with cream cheese frosting is a sweet-tooth favorite that feels halfway to dessert.
The house-made list goes well past bagels. Cookies, biscotti, flavored cream cheese, bagel dogs, and muffins are all made in-house, along with bagelwiches like the pesto breakfast sandwich.
Fresh roasted coffee and espresso fill out the counter.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2 PM. Saturday mornings are busiest, and a free parking lot keeps things simple.
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