Best Bagels in Nashville (2026)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.