Legend has it that New York City’s low-mineral water, which flows from the Catskills, is the secret to the Big Apple’s storied bagels. So, when Joshua Pollack set out to bring New York-style bagels to Denver, he imported the secret ingredient: New York’s water chemistry. At Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen, the Jersey-born bagel mastermind reverse-engineered a filtration system in Colorado that mimics the mineral composition of NYC’s water, ensuring every bite delivers that perfect balance of crisp crust and chewy, doughy bliss. Rosenberg’s Mile High institution slings bagels so authentic, they could hail a cab. But, they aren’t the only players in town.
More of Our Favorite Bagel Spots
Odell’s Bagel sets the bar high with its naturally leavened, hand-rolled sourdough creations—chewy, complex, tangy in all the right ways, and topped off with sushi-quality fish.
Precision and patience rule at Shawn Bergin’s Rich Spirit Bagels, where slow fermentation, small-batch baking, and dark malt lend a delicate sweetness, creating a depth of flavor that does not just satiate—it lingers.
Bagel Stop Café in Parker is a neighborhood staple, a family-owned shop that balances tradition with convenience, offering fresh, generously sized bagels and a rare drive-thru service for carb lovers on the go. Expect long lines.
Zaidy’s Deli & Bakery is a cornerstone of the city’s bagel scene. Since 1985, its in-house pastry chef has been crafting bagels and desserts as legendary as the deli itself.
Moe’s Bagel offers a classic New York-style experience, with bagels that are thicker and crunchier than most. The perfectly blistered crust is a testament to its time-honored boiling and baking process, making for a deeply satisfying bite.
For a more playful spin, Call Your Mother, the cult-favorite D.C. deli, brings its signature energy to Denver, serving thick, golden bagels piled high with house-cured pastrami and velvety whitefish salad.
