Unearth The Voyage
October in New York City means more than just costume parties and haunted houses. Bagel shops across all five boroughs are getting into the spooky spirit with wild Halloween-themed creations you won’t find any other time of year. From jet-black dough swirled with orange to pumpkin-spiced cream cheese that tastes like fall, these limited-edition treats are flying off the shelves faster than you can say “trick or treat.”
1. Davidovich Bakery (Essex Market + LES)
Davidovich has built a reputation for hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels that taste like they came straight out of your grandmother’s kitchen. Their Halloween edition features bold orange-and-black stripes that practically scream October. You can pick them up fresh at their Essex Market counter or swing by their Lower East Side spot.
What makes Davidovich stand out is the texture—crispy on the outside, pillowy inside. They also sell through wholesale partners, but nothing beats grabbing one warm from the source. Pair yours with a flavored schmear and you’ve got breakfast perfection with a spooky twist.
2. New Yorker Bagels (LIC/NYC; ships & wholesale, with retail partners)
New Yorker Bagels knows how to do fall right. Their Pumpkin Spice bagels come decorated with eerie black stripes that give them a seriously creepy vibe—perfect for Instagram and your taste buds. These aren’t just for show; the pumpkin flavor is rich and warming, like biting into October itself.
Made fresh in their Long Island City facility, these seasonal beauties are available at retail partners across the city during spooky season. Load one up with cinnamon sugar cream cheese or keep it simple with butter. Either way, you’re in for a treat that captures everything great about autumn in NYC.
3. Ess-a-Bagel (Manhattan & DUMBO)
Ess-a-Bagel is a New York legend, famous for bagels so big they could double as frisbees. Every fall, they roll out seasonal pumpkin cream cheese that regulars wait for all year long. The DUMBO location has even been known to surprise customers with spooky-colored bagels on Halloween itself.
Imagine a fresh everything bagel—still warm—slathered with creamy, cinnamon-kissed pumpkin spread. That’s the Ess-a-Bagel October experience. Their bagels are dense and chewy with a golden crust that crunches just right. Stop by either their Manhattan or Brooklyn shop to see what seasonal surprises they’re cooking up this year.
4. Liberty Bagels (multiple Manhattan locations)
Walk into any Liberty Bagels shop this October and you’ll spot their signature black-and-orange marble bagel glowing under the bakery lights. This isn’t some gimmick—the swirl runs all the way through the dough, creating a mesmerizing pattern that looks almost too cool to eat. Almost.
They pair it with house-made pumpkin cream cheese that’s sweet, smooth, and perfectly spiced. Liberty has been bringing this special back every fall for years, and fans mark their calendars for its return. With multiple Manhattan locations, grabbing one is easy whether you’re uptown or downtown.
5. Tompkins Square Bagels (East Village)
Tompkins Square Bagels goes all-in on Halloween with their catering menu, featuring what they call “Bloody” Bagels & Cream Cheese. These aren’t your average breakfast bagels—they come loaded with fall flavors like pumpkin spice and roasted cinnamon apple that make your office smell like a bakery.
The East Village shop has become a go-to for companies planning spooky-season breakfast meetings. Their bagels are hand-rolled and boiled the old-school way, giving them that authentic New York chew. Order a platter for your Halloween party and watch them disappear faster than candy on trick-or-treat night.
6. PopUp Bagels (NYC locations; SoHo event week)
From October 16 to 22, PopUp Bagels is hosting a special collab event in SoHo that bagel fanatics won’t want to miss. Their limited-edition Salted Maple Banana Bread cream cheese sounds like dessert but works perfectly on a toasted bagel. The sweet-salty combo is addictive, with hints of caramel and ripe banana.
PopUp has made a name for serving some of the city’s fluffiest, most Instagrammable bagels. This fall-spiced schmear fits right into their creative lineup. Mark your calendar for that one-week window—once it’s gone, you’ll have to wait until next year. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this cozy autumn treat.
7. Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company (Manhattan & Queens)
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company keeps it simple but delicious with their annual Pumpkin Cream Cheese. This seasonal favorite returns every fall like clockwork, and regulars know to stock up while they can. Spread it thick on a cinnamon bagel for maximum autumn vibes.
The cream cheese is smooth, lightly sweetened, and packed with real pumpkin flavor—not the artificial stuff. Their bagels are hand-rolled and kettle-boiled, giving you that perfect chewy texture New Yorkers demand. With locations in both Manhattan and Queens, you can grab one on your morning commute without going out of your way. Fall never tasted so good.
8. Zaro’s Family Bakery (Grand Central, Penn Station, Port Authority, 125th St.)
Zaro’s has been feeding New York commuters for decades from prime spots in Grand Central, Penn Station, Port Authority, and 125th Street. While they don’t advertise a specific Halloween bagel, their bakery program rotates seasonal spreads and flavors throughout October. Catching a train? Grab a bagel and see what fall surprises they’ve got behind the counter.
The convenience factor here is unbeatable—you’re already rushing through the station, and boom, fresh bagels right there. Zaro’s keeps their offerings reliable and tasty, making them a safe bet when you need a quick breakfast with seasonal flair during the spooky season.
9. Bagel Market (Midtown, Times Sq., Wall St., more)
Bagel Market is expanding fast across Manhattan, with shops in Midtown, Times Square, Wall Street, and beyond. They’re building a reputation for rotating seasonal schmears that keep the menu fresh and exciting. Their catering program makes them a popular choice for office Halloween parties looking to feed a crowd.
Each location keeps a solid lineup of classic and creative bagels, and their fall spreads often include pumpkin and apple flavors. Use their online locator to find the closest shop—chances are there’s one near your subway stop. Bagel Market proves you don’t need decades of history to make a killer bagel.
10. Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys (LES & UES)
Kossar’s has been a Lower East Side institution since 1936, and they know a thing or two about making bagels that New Yorkers actually want to eat. Their website hints at seasonal specialty bagels throughout the year, and their catering menu is robust enough to handle your Halloween party needs.
With locations on both the Lower and Upper East Sides, Kossar’s combines old-school tradition with modern convenience. Their bialys are legendary, but don’t sleep on their bagels—especially when they roll out limited-time flavors. If you’re planning a spooky-season brunch, Kossar’s is a name you can trust to deliver quality every single time.
11. Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish (Manhattan)
With seven active shops scattered across Manhattan, Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish has become a go-to for New Yorkers who take their bagels seriously. Their catering program is strong, and their specials menu rotates with the seasons—meaning October brings fall-flavored cream cheeses and holiday platters perfect for parties.
Zucker’s focuses on quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or ordering for a group, their bagels deliver that satisfying chew and golden crust. Check their current locations to find one near you, then ask about their seasonal offerings. Your Halloween spread deserves better than grocery-store bagels.
12. Bagel Pub (Brooklyn + NoMad)
Bagel Pub just opened its NoMad location, and they’re already making waves with inventive cream cheese flavors that push beyond the usual lox and scallion. Their hand-rolled bagels serve as the perfect canvas for seasonal schmears that rotate throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled for fall-inspired creations during October.
The Brooklyn location started the trend, but NoMad brings their creative approach to Manhattan. Whether it’s a sweet pumpkin blend or something savory with autumn herbs, Bagel Pub isn’t afraid to experiment. Stop by and ask what’s new—you might discover your next favorite bagel combo just in time for Halloween.
