Arizona is famous for tacos, green chile, and cactus views, so a list of great bagel shops might catch some people off guard. The truth is that a handful of family-run spots across the state are boiling, baking, and schmearing bagels that give transplanted New Yorkers and Jersey folks a real taste of home.
From a takeout window in Phoenix to a dog-friendly counter in downtown Flagstaff, these seven shops each bring something different, whether it is honey lavender cream cheese, fresh bialys, or a proper Taylor ham sandwich. Save this list for your next weekend breakfast run, because some of these places sell out early and keep short hours.
1. Bagelfelds – Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Plan ahead for this one, because the doors are only open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 AM to noon. Monday and Tuesday are days off, and bagels here tend to go fast on weekend mornings.
Bagelfelds sits at 2940 E Thomas Rd and focuses on New York style bagels with a thick, chewy inside and a crisp golden crust. The salt bagel is a standout for anyone who likes a bold, simple bite.
The spreads are where things get fun. Lemon herb, honey brown butter, strawberry, salmon, and a garlic spicy spread all show up in the lineup, and pairing them is half the entertainment.
A few combos worth trying include:
The everything bagel with the garlic spicy spread, a blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese, or the fennel raisin bagel with honey brown butter cream cheese. That last one is the kind of pairing you will not find at a chain.
Know before you go: this is a takeout operation with no dine-in seating and no restroom. Grab your bag, a coffee, and head out.
Prices stay friendly, usually landing between $1 and $10 per person. Dogs are allowed inside, and there is a free on-site lot plus free street parking, which makes a quick stop easy on a busy Phoenix morning.
2. Bongiorno Bagels, Gilbert, AZ
Ask anyone from New Jersey what they miss most, and Taylor ham will probably come up fast. Bongiorno Bagels in Gilbert puts it right on the menu as a Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese, which tells you a lot about who this shop is cooking for.
Fun fact: Taylor ham is the name much of North Jersey uses for pork roll, and the debate over what to call it is a regional sport.
This family-owned shop makes NYC-style bagels using New York filtered water, a detail bagel fans take seriously. The results are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle.
The cream cheese here is thick and flavorful, and there are plenty of options to pick from. Pastrami sandwiches round out the menu for anyone who wants lunch instead of breakfast.
Timing matters at this stop. The shop is closed Monday through Wednesday, then opens Thursday through Saturday from 6 AM to 2 PM and Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM.
Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest stretch, and lines can form. The good news is that the staff keeps things moving quickly, so a long line does not always mean a long wait.
You will find it at 3107 S Gilbert Rd #101, with a free parking lot and a restroom on site. Expect to spend around $10 to $20 per person.
3. Arizona bagels n bialys, Mesa, AZ
Bialys do not get nearly enough attention in Arizona, and this Mesa shop is out to fix that. The name says it all.
Quick history bit: the bialy traces its roots to Bialystok, Poland. Unlike a bagel, it is baked without boiling and has a shallow center usually filled with onion instead of a hole.
Arizona Bagels n Bialys is a family-owned New York style deli at 2060 S Power Rd #100. Bagels and bialys are made fresh every morning, and the bagels have a shiny, tough crust with a chewy crumb.
The homemade cream cheese comes in many flavors, which makes choosing a spread a small but pleasant decision. Sandwiches are built on bagels, bialys, and loaves.
Menu picks include the Italian Sandwich, a Turkey Club, and a build-your-own option for picky eaters or creative ones. Cold brew and juices, including apple juice, fill out the drink side.
I like this stop for its flexibility. It is open every day from 7 AM to 2:30 PM, so there is no need to memorize a complicated schedule.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available, and there is a restroom on site. Parking is free in the lot and on the street, and most meals land between $10 and $20 per person.
4. Bubbe’s Bagels, Tucson, AZ
Honey lavender cream cheese is not something you expect to find in the Sonoran Desert. At Bubbe’s Bagels in Tucson, it has become one of the signature reasons people cross town for breakfast.
The name is a sweet touch, since bubbe is the Yiddish word for grandmother. It fits a family-owned shop that takes a traditional approach to its bagels.
These are boiled bagels, made fresh daily, with a crisp exterior and a chewy, fluffy interior. What sets Bubbe’s apart is the mix of classic bagels and sourdough bagels, which gives you a slightly tangy option you will not see everywhere.
The cream cheese menu goes well beyond plain. Several flavors are available, and the lavender honey version is the one to try at least once.
For something more classic, order the sliced lox, sold in 4-ounce portions. Sandwiches and coffee are also on the menu.
This is mostly a grab-and-go spot, with limited space to sit and no restroom. Plan to take your order home or to a nearby park.
Bubbe’s is located at 1101 N Wilmot Rd Suite 120, with a free parking lot. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM, and the shop is closed Mondays.
Most orders come in at $1 to $10 per person, which makes stocking up on a bag for the week pretty painless.
5. Biff’s Bagels, Flagstaff, AZ
Dog lovers, this one is for you. Biff’s Bagels in downtown Flagstaff decorates with a dog theme and allows dogs inside, so your hiking buddy can come along for breakfast.
The shop sits at 1 S Beaver St, a handy location for anyone heading out to explore the mountains or wandering downtown. It is a bright, family-run counter serve with a relaxed setup.
The bagel lineup leans creative. Along with the classics, you will find pesto, apple, and cheddar green chile bagels, plus a mishmash bagel for people who cannot pick just one topping.
Cream cheese is made in house, and some flavors are designed to match specific bagels. The cheddar green chile bagel with its matching spread is a very Arizona way to start the day.
Smoked fish is also on the menu, along with breakfast and hot sandwiches. The Turkey Club on a Spicy Bagel is a solid lunch pick, and the egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich comes with fluffy eggs and crunchy bacon.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 2 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Weekends are the busiest, while Monday mornings and Friday afternoons tend to be calmer.
There is dine-in seating, free Wi-Fi, and a restroom. Parking downtown is a mix of free and paid street spots plus a paid lot, and most meals run $10 to $20 per person.
6. Theodore’s Fine Foods, Prescott, AZ
Prescott is better known for Whiskey Row history than bagels, but Theodore’s Fine Foods on N Marina St gives the town a strong breakfast option.
What makes this stop different is the pastry case. Theodore’s pairs bagels with baked goods like cinnamon rolls and a dark chocolate espresso croissant, so it works for both savory and sweet cravings.
The bagels themselves come out extra crispy. A caramelized onion bagel with bacon scallion cream cheese is a popular combination, and there are several other smear options to explore.
Menu names add a little personality. Look for the Turkish Bagel, the Porky, a Lox bagel, and a classic breakfast sandwich with fluffy egg and well-seasoned sausage.
I would save this one for a slow weekend morning in Prescott. Picking up a half dozen bagels to take home is also an easy move.
Hours are generous compared to many bagel shops. It is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 3 PM.
Mornings get busy, especially Friday through Sunday, while afternoons are usually quieter. Dine-in seating and a restroom are available, and free street parking is nearby.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person at 239 N Marina St.
7. New York Bagels ‘N Bialys – Shea, Scottsdale, AZ
Challah French toast is reason enough to stop at this Scottsdale deli. Thick-cut slices of the braided bread make a breakfast that goes beyond the usual bagel order.
New York Bagels ‘N Bialys – Shea covers a wide range of Jewish deli staples. Bagels, bialys, Reubens, and pastrami all share the menu here.
The bagels are made without preservatives, with a crisp outside and a soft, moist inside. Lox and bagels is a classic order, and the egg-a-bagel on an Asiago bagel is a heartier option.
Big appetites should look at the potato pileup. It stacks bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, and cheese into one very filling plate.
The bakery side is worth a look too. Chocolate croissants are baked fresh, and there are plenty of treats to take home for later.
This location at 10320 N Scottsdale Rd #400b is open every day from 6:30 AM to 3 PM. Sunday mornings get the biggest crowds, while weekdays are generally calmer.
It is one of the most convenient shops on this list. Curbside pickup, delivery, dine-in, and takeout are all options, along with free Wi-Fi and a restroom.
Free lot and street parking make it easy to pop in, and most meals run about $10 to $20 per person.
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