EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN
Apollo Bagels
Sourdough-minded bagels served nearly hot — the city's most argued-over new school.
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IllustrationApollo started as a pop-up from the team behind Leo, the Williamsburg sourdough-pizza spot, and its bagels still think like bread: a crisp, deeply browned crust, a craggy, chewy middle and a slight tang closer to a good sourdough loaf than to a deli bagel. They are served nearly hot from the oven. Some purists hate them; a lot of people now line up for them.
Order a plain, sesame or everything with a tub of scallion cream cheese on the side, so you can taste the bagel first. This East Village shop was the first permanent home; there are now several more.
Editor’s tip
Get the cream cheese on the side and eat a piece of the bagel plain first.
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Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.