Kossar's, opened in 1936, is a Lower East Side institution, and stands atop the field in NYC's hyper-competitive bagel wars. Fresh, delicious bagels of many varieties, with the proper blend of crispy exterior and chewy interior. The classic panoply of spreads and toppings also available. Kossar is also famous for its namesake bialys, another type of bread brought by immigrants from Poland.
Renovation in 2015 freshened up the joint, but it maintains its old school charm, and although offering a much expanded menu has not led to a compromise in the quality of its signature products - the bagel and the bialy!