National Bagelfest Day
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Breakfast food has become one of the most popular meals of the day with delicious breakfast/brunch hot spots popping up everywhere drawing in people of all ages. One popular breakfast item, with a cult-like following, is the bagel. People in the Tampa area love bagels for their diversity, quick-grab option, and their nostalgia that they feel when they take their first bites. Luckily for all of the bagel lovers out there, this July 26th is National Bagelfest Day—a day dedicated to bagels! Yum! Be sure to check out these delicious bagel options on National Bagelfest Day or whenever you’re feeling like a bagel—enjoy.

FishHawk Bagels

Lithia

FishHawk Bagels is a great local bagel shop in Lithia, Florida with an incredibly extensive menu with delicious bagels, bagel melts, bagel sandwiches, smoothies, coffee and teas, and more! Their bagel menu ranges from the classic everything bagel to seasonal bagels such as the Strawberry Cranberry (available in Feb) or the Pumpkin (Oct.). They also offer an extensive cream cheese list with unique spreads such as the olive, pina colada, sun-dried tomato,  and maple walnut! Be sure to check out one of their Melts or Sandwiches while you’re in! Check out the Italian Melt with pepperoni, salami, ham, turkey, capicola, tomatoes, onions, and your choice of cream cheese! Or, check out the Lox Sandwich with delicious smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, tomato, and red onions atop any bagel! Yum!

Photo Credit: bringfido.com

Bruegger’s Bagels

Downtown Tampa

Bruegger’s Bagels is located off of Kennedy Blvd downtown and takes pride in their homage to New York-style bagels. Since its inception in 1983, Bruegger’s has worked to perfect their bagel to bring those outside of New York a taste of home. Their cream cheese is also noteworthy as it is made in Vermont and is smooth, creamy, and a delicious topping to any bagel! On the Bagel Menu, guests can choose from over 20 bagels and over 10 cream cheeses! They also have a breakfast sandwich menu and a lunch sandwich menu with a variety of sandwich options atop a delicious bagel of your choosing. Try the Sriracha Honey Sunrise which features egg, bacon, and cheese, piled high atop a delicious Everything Bagel! This option comes with a sriracha honey cream cheese to meld all of the flavors together! Check it out!

Photo Credit: North County Sun

18 Bagels Co.

South Tampa

18 Bagels Co. is a fairly new bagel hot spot to the Tampa area and is located on S. Dale Mabry. This spot is another great option for those searching for a New York style bagel on National Bagelfest Day. One thing that sets 18 Bagels apart from other bagel shops is their water! To ensure a bagel that tastes like New York, the shop imports New York City water to their restaurant to infiltrate into their bagels so that no steps are skipped. True to their name, they feature 18 different bagels as well as coffee, salads, and sandwiches. If you’re stopping in for a quick lunch, check out the Turkey Avocado Bacon Sandwich (order it on a bagel) and bite into turkey, pepper jack cheese, bacon, avocado, tomato, and chipotle aioli. You won’t be disappointed!

Photo Credit: Fun.Food.Tampa

Big Apple Bagels

Lutz

Big Apple Bagels is a bagel chain restaurant that spans across the US with one location in the Tampa area in Lutz off of SR 54. Big Apple Bagels takes pride in their products, made fresh every single day ensuring delicious and top quality food every single time since their opening in 1993. They have a great menu featuring specialty sandwiches, gourmet sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and triple-deckers. All sandwiches can be served on a bagel, twist, or bread. Order the Southern Tradition off of the Breakfast Sandwich menu and enjoy your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham with scrambled eggs, and American cheese! So simple, yet so yummy—check it out!

National Bagelfest Day
Photo Credit: Big Apple Bagels Twitter

St. Pete Bagel Co.

Locations in: St. Pete, Largo, Kenneth City, and Dunedin

Come and try one of St. Pete Bagel Co.’s bagels at one of their many locations across the Bay area. They too offer authentic NY style bagels as well as bialys, donuts, quiches, sandwiches, paninis, and coffees. They have been recognized as the best bagel shop in Tampa Bay for five straight years and is definitely a place you should check out if you’re in need of a bagel on National Bagelfest Day! Their NYC Bagels are Kosher and made in house daily with only the best ingredients. They have 17 different bagels to choose from and even create their own bagel chips! Sandwiches such as the Strange Bird, Lox and Cream Cheese, Garden Veggie and Ham, and the Club are all served on bagels. They also offer customized sandwich options.

National Bagelfest Day
Photo Credit: USA Restaurants

Bella’s Bakes, Cakes, and Bagels

Central Ave, St. Pete

Bella’s is a family-owned and operated bakeshop with fresh bagels, pastries, muffins, desserts, and cookies. Bella’s is worth the hype! With almost a full five stars on every single review, customers always leave satisfied and longing to return for more carby goodness! Bella’s Baked Goods Menu features breakfast sandwiches, homemade spreads, muffins, cookies, cheesecakes, and bagels. Their bagels are NY style and baked fresh, in house, every day! Be sure to also check out their Daily Lunch Specials with yummy options such as Cuban Sandwiches, Turkey Reubens, Muffuletta, Pastramis on Rye, or Corned Beef Reubens.

National Bagelfest Day
Featured Image Credit: Bella’s Bakes, Cakes, and Bagels Facebook

National Bagelfest Day is among us, you won’t want to be left bagel-less. Be sure to check out any or all of these bagel hot spots on the 26th or any day of your choosing–the bagels will be just as good!

Featured Image Credit: NYT Cooking

For more foodie fun, check out Tampa’s Best Sandwich Shops or Pia’s Trattoria.