Travel Itinerary
Minnesota may not be the first place people think of when bagels come up, but the state has its own rising stars shaping dough into chewy, golden perfection. Step into these shops and you’ll catch the aroma of fresh bakes hitting the counter each morning, ready to be dressed with cream cheese, piled with lox, or toasted until crisp. Each spot adds a little local flair while staying true to the craft that made bagels legendary in New York. These 10 Minnesota favorites prove that the North Star State knows how to hold its own in the bagel world.
1. St. Paul Bagelry: The Twin Cities’ Boiled Bagel Champion
Family-owned since 2007, St. Paul Bagelry has become legendary for their New York-style boiled-then-baked bagels. Their secret? Authentic techniques and locally sourced ingredients.
Lines form early at both their Roseville and Minneapolis locations, with devoted fans willing to wait for these hand-rolled beauties.
Their everything bagel with house-made scallion cream cheese has converted even the most skeptical East Coast transplants.
2. Rise Bagel Co.: Organic Artisan Perfection in the North Loop
Sisters Kate and Jen Lloyd traveled across America sampling the country’s best bagels before perfecting their own organic recipe.
The result? A North Loop gem serving bagels with the perfect balance of chew and crunch.
Their commitment to organic ingredients and traditional methods has earned them a cult following. Locals swear by the rosemary salt bagel paired with their house-cultured butter – a simple yet transcendent combination.
3. Asa’s Bakery: South Minneapolis’ Jewish Baking Renaissance
Asa Diebolt’s tiny bakery has sparked a revolution in Minnesota’s bagel scene. His sourdough bagels, fermented for 36 hours before being boiled and baked, deliver complex flavors that keep fans coming back.
Originally a weekend-only pop-up, demand grew so fierce that Asa opened a permanent location in 2020.
Beyond bagels, don’t miss his bialy – the bagel’s lesser-known, hole-less cousin that’s quickly developing its own following.
4. Cecil’s Deli: St. Paul’s Jewish Deli Time Capsule
Since 1949, Cecil’s has been serving up authentic Jewish deli fare, including some seriously good bagels.
This family-run institution offers that rare combination of nostalgia and quality that keeps generations returning.
Unlike trendier spots, Cecil’s embraces old-school charm with no-nonsense service and reasonable prices.
5. Mogi Bagel: Korean-Inspired Bagel Fusion in Uptown
Who says bagels can’t be multicultural? Mogi combines Korean flavors with traditional bagel-making for something truly unique in Minneapolis’s Uptown neighborhood.
Their kimchi cream cheese has developed a passionate following, while the gochujang-glazed bagel sandwich brings unexpected heat.
Owner Min Kim learned bagel-making in Brooklyn before returning to Minnesota to create this delicious cultural mash-up that honors both traditions without compromising either.
6. Cafe Ceres: Mediterranean-Inspired Bagels in Linden Hills
Chef Daniel del Prado and Shawn McKenzie’s Mediterranean-influenced cafe serves bagels with a unique twist. Their za’atar bagel – topped with the Middle Eastern herb blend – has become the signature must-try.
Pair it with their labneh cream cheese for a transcendent experience that’ll make you question why all bagels don’t embrace these flavors.
The bright, airy space in Linden Hills provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying these cultural crossover creations.
7. Rudy’s Breakfast Bagels: Food Truck Phenomenon Gone Brick-and-Mortar
Starting as a wildly popular food truck, Rudy’s success led to a permanent Northeast Minneapolis location where bagel lovers line up daily.
Their bagel sandwiches – especially the “Lumberjack” with egg, cheese, bacon, and maple butter – have achieved legendary status.
Owner Rudy Williams developed his recipe through years of testing, resulting in a slightly sweeter dough that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
8. Razava: Gluten-Free Bagels That Actually Taste Amazing
For years, gluten-free folks had to skip bagels entirely or settle for disappointing alternatives.
Then Razava came along and changed everything with their rice flour-based recipe that somehow captures that essential bagel chew.
Their dedicated gluten-free facility in Golden Valley ensures zero cross-contamination. The cinnamon raisin bagel has won over even gluten-eating skeptics, proving that dietary restrictions don’t have to mean flavor restrictions.
9. Bruegger’s Bagels: The Chain That Brought Bagel Culture to Minnesota
Before artisanal bagel shops popped up across the state, Bruegger’s introduced many Minnesotans to their first proper boiled-then-baked bagel.
The St. Paul Grand Avenue location still makes bagels on-site throughout the day. Their honey walnut cream cheese on a cinnamon sugar bagel has been a gateway bagel experience for countless Minnesotans.
10. Bagels by Benson: Family Recipes in Downtown Hopkins
Three generations of the Benson family have perfected their bagel recipe, creating a Hopkins institution that draws visitors from across the Twin Cities.
Their old-world techniques – including an overnight cold fermentation – result in exceptional flavor development.