Nashville's bagel scene has grown up fast, and it reaches well beyond Davidson County. From a Donelson neighborhood counter to a Wilson County spot that keeps expanding, these are the places worth driving to. No Broadway detours required.
№ 01
Proper Bagel
6.3Solid
$$
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Proper Bagel is the Nashville standard-bearer for the category. The everything bagel with lox spread is the move, the breakfast sandwiches hold up whether the order is for here or to go, and the house-made pastrami on rye covers the lunch crowd. Gluten-free bagels are a genuine option, not an afterthought. Counter service keeps things moving, and the staff earns consistent marks for being pleasant about it.
What to orderEverything Bagel with Lox Spread, Breakfast Sandwich on Fresh Bagel, House-Made Pastrami on Rye
№ 02
Jersey Oven
6.6Great
Mount Juliet $$
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Jersey Oven is the Wilson County answer to the bagel question, and it has been expanding to meet demand, doubling its front-of-house footprint. The everything bagel with lox and the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich are the regulars' orders. Fresh blueberry muffins round out a short, focused pastry case. Walk-in friendly and genuinely family-oriented, it draws repeat visits from locals who bring out-of-town guests specifically to show it off.
What to orderEverything Bagel with Lox, Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Fresh Blueberry Muffins
№ 03
Nicky's Coal Fired
5.5Solid
$$
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Nicky's Coal Fired is primarily a pizza room, and the coal-fired margherita is the reason to come. The everything bagel with lox appearing on the menu is a pleasant surprise that earns its own following. The space has handled private events including weddings. Service can run on the blunt side, especially for online pickup orders, but the product quality is not in dispute among regulars.
What to orderCoal-Fired Margherita Pizza, Everything Bagel with Lox, Chicken Parmigiana
№ 04
Crieve Hall Bagel
6.4Solid
$$
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Crieve Hall Bagel is the original in this part of south Nashville, and the regular clientele treats it accordingly. The plain bagel with scallion cream cheese and the sesame breakfast sandwich are the draws. New York-style purists will find it closer than most local options, if not a perfect replica. Quick counter service makes it practical before an early meeting or a flight, and the selection gives families enough choices to avoid argument.
What to orderEverything Bagel with Lox Spread, Breakfast Sandwich on Sesame Bagel, Plain Bagel with Scallion Cream Cheese
№ 05
Benji's Bagel & Coffee House
6.0Solid
$$
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Benji's earns the neighborhood loyalty on two fronts: the bagels, particularly the everything with lox and cream cheese, and a coffee program that holds its own alongside them. The shmear selection is the detail regulars cite most. House-made coffee cake handles anyone who shows up not quite committed to a full bagel order. Weekend brunch pacing is comfortable enough to linger, and the iced lattes keep the afternoon crowd coming back.
What to orderEverything Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese, Breakfast Sandwich on Fresh Bagel, House-Made Coffee Cake
№ 06
Bagelshop - Donelson
5.6Solid
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Bagelshop in Donelson is a neighborhood fixture for the east Davidson crowd. The bagels are fresh and consistently chewy, the asiago with bacon, egg, and cheese is a reliable breakfast order, and the lox and capers platter steps things up for a slower weekend morning. Parking is not a problem, service is friendly, and the room is compact but functional. Worth knowing if the commute runs through Donelson.
What to orderEverything Bagel with Scallion Cream Cheese, Bacon Egg and Cheese on Asiago Bagel, Lox and Capers Platter
Frequently asked
What is the best bagel shop near me in Nashville?
It depends on your neighborhood. Proper Bagel is the most-cited Nashville proper option. Bagelshop covers the Donelson corridor on the east side of Davidson County. Benji's Bagel and Coffee House is a strong pick for weekend brunch. If you are out in Wilson County, Jersey Oven in Mount Juliet is the one to know. Every pick on this list is ranked by Insider Score, and no restaurant pays to be included.
Are these bagel shops good for families with kids?
Most of them are counter-service or quick-bite operations, which makes them practical for families. Jersey Oven in Mount Juliet and Bagelshop in Donelson both carry a family-friendly designation. Crieve Hall Bagel and Benji's also work well for a low-pressure weekend breakfast with kids in tow.
Do any of these spots offer gluten-free bagels?
Proper Bagel is the clearest option for gluten-free bagels, with reviewers noting it is a genuine offering rather than a token one. It is worth calling ahead at any location to confirm current availability before making the trip.
How does the Insider Score work, and do restaurants pay to be listed?
The Insider Score is calculated from aggregated customer review data and weighted for volume and consistency. No restaurant pays to appear on this list or any other list on Top of Nashville. The rankings reflect the review record, nothing else.
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The data first, then the verdict
We start with the review record, not a press release. Every room here is a real kitchen with a strong rating across a meaningful number of reviews, ranked on our 10-point Insider Score. We weight consistency over time and the rooms locals return to, not the ones tourists pass through once. The list updates as the data does. How we work →
Mary Beth Tucker
Guides Editor
Mary Beth runs the dish-by-dish beat across Nashville, building best-of lists neighborhood by neighborhood that point you somewhere specific. Her rankings start with the reviews and end with a recommendation you can use tonight.
