Tompkins Square Bagels
The East Village bagel shop known for hand-rolled bagels and an enormous menu of creative cream cheeses.
Example
The case holds a classic lox setup next to flavored schmears like birthday cake, and the hand rolled bagel underneath is legitimate either way.
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Related terms
NYC slang
Schmear
The Yiddish-derived word for the generous layer of cream cheese spread on a bagel at New York bagel shops.
Parks
Tompkins Square Park
The East Village's storied square, from riots and punk history to hardcore shows, dog runs and farmers markets.
Neighborhoods
East Village
The neighborhood east of the Bowery that birthed punk at CBGB and still runs on venues, dive bars and immigrant...
Bagels and delis
Katz's Delicatessen
The 1888 Lower East Side deli famous for hand-carved pastrami on rye and the ticket system every visitor fumbles.
Frequently asked questions
Are the novelty cream cheeses worth it or a gimmick?
The classics are better food, the novelties are better fun. The bagel underneath is legitimate either way.
When is the line worst at Tompkins Square Bagels?
Weekend late mornings. Go before 10 am or midafternoon and you walk nearly straight to the counter.
Can I eat there or should I take it to go?
Take it to go and cross Avenue A into Tompkins Square Park. The park benches are the neighborhood's default breakfast room on any decent morning.
