Where to Find the Best Bagels and Pizza in NYC

Let's start with the obvious: you can't come to New York and not talk about the bagels. Or the pizza. It's not just city pride; it's cultural currency. The crusts, the chew, the sauce-to-cheese ratio-they're conversation starters, midnight rituals, and in some circles, a form of identity.

At Aliz Hotel, where Manhattan's energy spikes-Times Square, Hell's Kitchen, the Garment District-you're surrounded by the kind of flavor that turns a casual bite into a story worth telling. And lucky for you, we're serious about good food.

So consider this your personal, opinionated, carb-forward guide to two of NYC's most essential food groups: bagels and pizza. No fluff, no filler, just the places we go ourselves and recommend without hesitation.

Start With the Schmear: Bagels That Earn Their Bragging Rights

Ess-a-Bagel - Midtown

This one borders on religion. Giant, hand-rolled bagels with chewy insides and a golden crust, plus enough cream cheese options to induce decision fatigue. The everything bagel with scallion schmear? A rite of passage.

Russ & Daughters - Lower East Side

Not just a bagel shop, a culinary pilgrimage. This century-old spot is all about tradition, quality, and smoked fish that melts in your mouth. It's a cultural experience, disguised as breakfast.

Bagel Pub - Chelsea

Okay, yes, the name is unassuming. But their bagels are dense, slightly sweet, and reliably excellent. Add-ons like bacon, egg, cheese, avocado, and jalapeño schmear seal the deal.

Utopia Bagels - Midtown East

A Queens classic now holding court in Manhattan. Hand-rolled, slow-proofed, and baked to a perfect chew. Go classic with nova and scallion cream cheese, or grab a bacon-egg-and-cheese on an everything bagel. Yes, there will be a line. That's how you know it's good.

Tompkins Square Bagels - East Village

If Aliz had a bagel soulmate, this would be it. Offbeat, creative, and authentically local. Expect funky cream cheese flavors (birthday cake? bacon scallion?) and stacked sandwiches that don't hold back. Order boldly. Then take it to go and find a bench in Tompkins Square Park. You'll get the full effect.

End With a Fold: Pizza Spots To Plan Your Day Around

Joe's Pizza - Greenwich Village

An institution that needs no introduction, but we'll give you one anyway. Joe's is the city's gold standard for the classic, thin-crust, paper-plate, no-nonsense slice. It's as New York as yellow cabs and corner bodegas.

Scarr's Pizza - Lower East Side

If you like your slices with a side of downtown cool, Scarr's is it. House-milled flour, just the right crunch, and a vibe somewhere between low-key 90s throwback and trendsetting wine bar.

Mama's Too! - Upper West Side

Bold crust, blistered edges, and flavor that hits from the first bite. The margherita is a standout, but keep an eye out for specials like cacio e pepe or hot honey pepperoni. They have a cult following for good reason.

Upside Pizza - Midtown

A slice shop that respects the classics but knows how to flex. Upside does the foldable, gooey New York slice, but turns up the volume with sourdough crust, sharp sauce, and char in all the right places. Walk in, grab a slice, and keep moving-it's Midtown, after all.

L'Industrie Pizzeria - West Village

L'Industrie earned its following with burrata-loaded slices and a dough that somehow manages to be both airy and rich. What started in Brooklyn has expanded, and its reputation holds. If the line wraps around the block, wait. It's worth it.

Eat Like a New Yorker: A Few Rules We Stand By

When it comes to pizza, skip the fork. Fold it, walk with it, don't overthink it. Forgo the sit-down; that slice is made for motion.

Bagels? Don't toast them. The crust should crackle; the inside should bounce. Go with “the works” (lox, tomato, onion, capers) and you'll earn street cred.

Timing matters. Late breakfast. Early dinner. That's when the lines shrink and the ovens are still hot.

And remember: some of the best spots are just a few blocks from the hotel. Ninth Avenue alone could keep you busy (and full) for days.

Room for One More Bite

The best meals in New York often happen unplanned-a bagel grabbed on a walk, a slice shared after a show. Give yourself time to wander, to chase a new craving, and maybe even eat a second bagel. (We won't judge.)

That's why we offer our Stay More, Save More package. Because the longer you're here, the more you get out of it-one bite, one neighborhood, one perfectly crisp corner at a time.

From schmear to slice, Aliz Hotel is your front-row seat to New York's edible energy. When you're ready for seconds, we'll be here.