New York City might be the first place that serious bagel lovers flock to for a perfectly chewy, fluffy bite — thanks to over a century of time-honored bagel artistry in the city and public water that purportedly makes the dough — but experts now say the best bagels may actually be found in another state.

Starship Bagel of Dallas, Texas, has officially been named as the purveyor of the best bagels in the country, according to New York’s annual Bagel Fest competition. With three locations in the Lone Star State, this shop is, ironically, serving up New York-style bagels that have earned a long list of praises.

Lauded for its small-batch bagels and creative schmears, Starship Bagel has amassed a following both in and outside of Dallas. In addition to winning the “Best Bagel” category at BagelFest — the world’s biggest bagel competition — this year, the shop snagged a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Bakery earlier in 2025.

Not only did Starship go on to become a James Beard Award finalist, but this also marked the first time that a bagel shop was nominated for a James Beard Award.

“We like to say that Starship Bagel is the most bagel-centric bagel shop in the world,” Starship Bagels owner Oren Salomon tells Food & Wine. “Our bagels walk a tightrope between crisp and caramelized on the outside and warm, chewy, and complex on the inside. A proper bite gives you malt, yeast, salt, and a gentle acidity from lactic and acetic acid that only develop through real fermentation.”

Starship was the runner-up for “Best Bagel” at BagelFest last year and previously won the category in 2023. To round out the many stellar reviews the eatery has received, Guy Fieri even gave the shop his seal of approval when he visited during an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives this June.

The prices at Starship are accessible. You’ll pay $5 for a bagel and schmear, and the former comes in flavors like pretzel, za’atar, or jalapeño cheddar. Cream cheese spreads span flavors from green olive or scallion to fermented jalapeño, with a large part of the menu landing solidly in the savory category. (Customers who veer towards the sweeter side of the bagel spectrum should make sure to try the honey almond cream cheese while there.)

Initially founded in Brooklyn in 2019, BagelFest’s panel of expert judges considered dozens of bagels during the sold-out festival in November. In addition to the Texas hot spot that took home first place, the event highlighted a number of other spectacular bagels that should be on your radar.

Two other bagels took home top marks

The Best Bagel category included recognition for three bagel shops in total, and the results reveal that craftsmanship is spread out across the country.

Fantzye Bagels from Kingston, New York, a shop known for its naturally fermented, sourdough bagels, was named as the runner-up for Best Bagel, while Potchke Bagel in Knoxville, Tennessee, received third place for its bagels, which are used to make the hearty breakfast sandwiches on its menu.

Although some myths maintain that certain cities have better bagels because of the differing mineral contents of their water, BagelFest founder Sam Silverman explains that “what we saw this year was further proof that it’s not ‘the water’ that makes a great bagel; it’s the craftsmanship.

“The podium finishers in the Best Bagel competition couldn’t have been more different: a perfectly balanced New York-style bagel from Lewisville, TX (Starship Bagel); a naturally leavened sourdough bagel from Kingston, NY (Fantzye Bagels); and a 68% hydration bagel — far above the typical 55% — from Knoxville, TN (Potchke Bagel). Three regions, three techniques, three entirely distinct approaches.”

The bagel universe is centering bold flavors

The world’s preeminent bagel competition also honed in on who is making the most exciting new offerings in its “Most Creative” category. Potchke Bagel took first place here, followed by Starship and then the partnered concept Ear x Elm.

Innovative bagel makers like these are whipping up everything from a celery salt bagel to a Nutella-stuffed creation inspired by marquesitas, a typical dessert from Yucatán featuring filled crêpes. The Schmear of the Year winner further emphasized a trend towards powerful flavors, with first place in the category going to Fantzye Bagels for its charred leek and lemon-caper schmear.

“The trends leaned heavily toward bold creativity incorporating regional flavors, like People’s Choice Champion Baltik’s Bagel’s ‘Pomo-D’oro’ bagel that not only tasted like a tomato but looked like one too,” Silverman explains. “And Oído, with their standout Sikil Pak Schmear, inspired by the traditional Mayan pumpkin seed dip from their home in Quintana Roo, Mexico.”

New York-style bagels aren’t the only winners

While New York-style bagels — with their characteristically chewy interior and crisp crust — are likely the most popular version of the baked good in the United States, bagel aficionados should head further north to try an exemplary version of another beloved bagel style. After all, “Bagels are not a monolith,” as Silverman points out.

According to the competition, the Best Montreal-Style Bagel is found in the city that this offering is named for, at St-Viateur Bagel in Montreal. So if you want a fine example of the slightly smaller, even chewier, and subtly sweet style of bagel, head here.

The Canadian bagel shop also won the Best International category, with Copenhagen’s Bagel Belly and Si Si Bagels in Madrid close behind. It’s clear that whether you want to traverse North America or beyond, you can find great bagels around the globe.