Ohio can argue about anything, from chili toppings to which city has the best sports fans. Bagels are one of the few topics that bring people from Cleveland to Cincinnati to the same table.
This list covers seven shops across the state, from a college town spot open past midnight to a family-run drive-through on the east side of Cincinnati. Some are known for steamed sandwiches, some for house-made cream cheese, and one even brings a Southern twist to the bagel counter.
Each one earns its place with something the others do not offer. Save this list for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who insists good bagels only exist in New York.
1. The Cleveland Bagel Company, Cleveland, OH
Cinnamon cranberry and rosemary salt are not flavors you find at every bagel counter. At The Cleveland Bagel Company on Carnegie Avenue, they sit right next to the classics, baked fresh each morning.
The bagels have a crisp outside and a chewy middle, which is exactly what a good bagel should deliver. The schmear lineup is a big part of the appeal, with cheddar chive and honey walnut among the favorites.
A popular order is the BLTO on an everything bagel with cheddar chive schmear. The Classic Lox and a simple bagel with butter are also on the menu for purists.
One tip: the regular schmear is already generous, so asking for extra turns your breakfast into a cream cheese sandwich. The shop sits between downtown and the Cleveland Clinic, which makes it a handy stop before work.
Hours run 6 AM to 1 PM daily, and weekday mornings get the busiest. There is no restroom, so plan on takeout.
2. Fox’s Bagel & Deli, Columbus, OH
Plenty of shops claim to make New York-style bagels. Fox’s Bagel & Deli on East Broad Street is one of the few in Columbus that people say actually delivers on that promise.
It runs as a modern Jewish deli, so the menu goes well past bagels. You will find sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts, and most of it is made in-house, including the cream cheese.
Breakfast sandwiches are the headliners here. The BS 6 stacks a fried egg, pastrami, jalapenos, and pepper jack, while the Veg and Cheese Scramble covers the meat-free crowd.
The shop is also growing its vegan and vegetarian options.
The family-run spot offers dine-in seating, free Wi-Fi, and a free parking lot. It is open 7 AM to 4 PM every day, and weekends fill up fast from morning into the afternoon.
I would save a weekday visit for when you want to linger without the line.
3. Bagel & Deli Shop, Oxford, OH
Do not ask for your bagel toasted here. Bagel & Deli Shop on High Street in Oxford steams its bagels, and that soft, warm result is exactly why Miami University students and alumni keep coming back.
The menu is huge, with more than 100 bagel sandwich choices. Fillings are piled onto the bagel of your choice and steamed together, so every bite comes out soft and packed.
The shop has a quirky personality and a creative menu with names like the Crunch and Munch. It works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack.
Those late hours are a big deal. It is open until 2:30 AM Wednesday through Saturday and until midnight on Monday and Tuesday.
Sandwiches are made fresh to order, so a rush can mean a wait. Street parking is available on High Street, and dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options.
4. Barry Bagels Toledo, Toledo, OH
Toledo has trusted Barry Bagels for a long time, and the Secor Road shop keeps that reputation going with consistent, fresh bagels.
Deli sandwiches are the heavy hitters. The pastrami and corned beef sandwiches come stacked with thick meat and plenty of filling.
A go-to combo is an everything bagel with honey turkey, Swiss, lettuce, and banana peppers. If you like a little heat, the cheddar jalapeño bagel is a standout pick.
Save room for a cookie, since the shop bakes those too. I also like that the shop donates its unsold bagels.
Hours are longer than most bagel shops, running 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Weekday evenings are the quietest, and there is free parking plus free Wi-Fi.
5. Bagel Street Deli, Athens, OH
A chalk wall, great music, and a line of Ohio University students tell you a lot about Bagel Street Deli before you even order.
The Court Street shop has a unique culture all its own. It is fun, busy, and full of personality, with a friendly staff that stays patient during the rush.
The sandwich menu is long and playful. The OU Bagel is a vegan option, Feta is Betta brings the cheese, and the Southfork Ranch and roast beef with provolone are hearty choices.
Vegetarian eaters have plenty to pick from, and gluten-free bagels are available too. Ingredients are good quality and served generously.
Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 8 PM on weekends. Friday afternoons and Saturdays are the busiest, and parking is paid street parking in uptown Athens.
6. Lowcountry Bagels, Monroe, OH
Bagels and gravy in southwest Ohio might sound like an odd pairing. At Lowcountry Bagels in Monroe, it is right on the menu, thanks to a Southern-inspired spin on the classic bagel shop.
The flavor list is wide. Cheesy jalapeño, blueberry, and French toast bagels are all in the mix, and the cream cheese flavors go beyond the usual lineup.
Sandwiches include the Morning Philly and the BLT, along with a BLT Jumbo Wrap. There are pizza bagels, a Holy City Giant Soft Pretzel, bagel with Nutella, smoothies, and a vanilla bean frappe as well.
Bagels here come out thick and flavorful, and prices stay friendly. Curbside pickup, free Wi-Fi, and free on-site parking make it an easy stop just off the highway corridor between Cincinnati and Dayton.
The shop closes at 1 PM every day, so get there early. Weekend mornings are the busiest.
7. Everything Bagels on Wooster, Cincinnati, OH
Few bagel shops let you grab breakfast without leaving your car. Everything Bagels on Wooster Pike has a drive-through, which makes busy mornings in Cincinnati a lot easier.
The shop is local and family owned. It serves breakfast and lunch with bagels, bagel sandwiches, wraps, muffins, and cinnamon rolls.
Coffee gets as much attention as the bagels here. Lattes, blended coffee drinks, and smoothies round out the drink menu.
Whole grain, sesame, and onion bagels are all strong picks, and the cream cheese selection is a highlight. Prices stay affordable, with most visits landing in the $1 to $10 range.
Hours are 6:30 AM to 2 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 2 PM on Saturday. The shop is closed Sunday, and delivery is not offered, but the free parking lot makes dine-in simple.
It is a strong finish to a list that proves Ohio bagels can hold their own anywhere.
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