Most metropolitan areas have no shortage of bagel spots. Utah, on the other hand, is relatively new to the bagel scene. Since it’s an untapped market in our state, bagelries are popping up all over the place. As the bagels of my formative years were from Einstein Bros., it’s great to see some local bagel enthusiasts elevate our offerings for the early morning crowd. Here are a few of my favorite spots on the Wasatch Front to grab a bagel and schmear.
The Bagel Project
bagelproject.com
With locations in Downtown Salt Lake and Holladay, The Bagel Project is Utah’s veteran bagelry. Founded by New Jersey native Robb Abrams to satisfy his craving for the East coast bagels of his youth, The Bagel Project has been providing Utahns with New York-style bagels since 2015.
This spot is also one of the few places where you can get a traditional bialy, which is the baked cousin of a classic bagel. If a bialy is new to you, I highly recommend picking one up—the lighter texture and savory onion filling captures a unique, old-world feel that is unique to The Bagel Project.
Bagels here are sure to satisfy any East Coaster’s craving—they have achieved that perfect marriage of dense-yet-fluffy that is so difficult to replicate. The Bagel Project locations maintain a nice dining area, and the Salt Lake spot makes for some great people watching from the patio.
Baby’s Bagels
babysbagels.com
If The Bagel Project is the Downtown Salt Lake veteran, Baby’s Bagels is the upstart with something to prove. Located near Library Square, Baby’s has become known for its team’s attention to detail and solid technique. Its west wall also opens into nearby record shop FOUNTAIN Records, which is the perfect excuse to take an extended lunch break and bulk up your vinyl collection.
Not only does Baby’s Bagels make great bagels, shmears, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, its menu turns to pizza on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings. In keeping with its East Coast vibes, the pizza at Baby’s is all about thin-crust, New York-style pies.
Bagel-wise, Baby’s is a hit. Bagels here are the right mix of slightly crispy and crackly on the outside and chewy on the inside. This place served up my favorite shmear of the pack—it was a dill pickle schmear that was extremely well-balanced and wonderfully creamy.
Nano’s Bagels
nanosbagels.com
Nano’s Bagels recently opened up in Sandy’s Union Square area, and it couldn’t be more welcome. Downtown Salt Lake is getting its bagel bases covered pretty nicely, and it’s nice to have a local bagel spot closer to the Sandy area—especially one that throws down as nicely as Nano’s.
Frequent visitors to the Downtown Farmers Market will likely recognize Nano’s signature bagels. The bakery got its start slinging bagels for the weekend market crowd and is now sharing kitchen space with La Casa de la Empanada SLC. Nano’s serves bagels by the half dozen and dozen along with a few signature breakfast sandwiches.
Much like the other New York-influenced bagel spots in town, Nano’s does an excellent job with texture. The bagels here perhaps aren’t as crispy on the outside as those from Baby’s Bagels, but the interior is airy without being too dense.
Oh No Bagels
ohnobagels.com
Utah County is no longer a stranger to a decently prepared bagel thanks to the team at Oh No Bagels. This spot near Traverse Mountain maintains a more industrial vibe, and its menu is limited only to bagels and schmear. Of course, those who visit eateries on the regular know that this is most often a good sign.
The bagels at Oh No Bagels are textbook—nice crackle on the exterior crust and a pleasantly chewy interior. The bakery is a bit more suited to bulk orders of bagels, so you’ll have to do your own slicing and schmearing if you order a single bagel. It’s worth it, of course—the garlic and herb schmear packs a delightful wallop that will make sure to jumpstart your morning.
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