Bagelmania

Loxsmith Bagels

515 S Michigan St; instagram.com/loxsmithseattle

Not only can you get a classic East Coast–style BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) at this Georgetown bagel bodega, there are also plenty of inventive options, like the Seattle Bagel, topped with spicy tuna, tobiko, avocado, cucumber, and scallion cream cheese on a nori-sesame bagel. And it’s one of the only shops that carries biyali and pumpernickel bagels.

Rachel’s Bagels & Burritos

5451 Leary Ave NW; rachelsbagels.com

At this Ballard shop, folks swear by the everything bagel with local sockeye lox and whipped cream cheese (there’s a vegan option too!), but you can also feast on open-faced sandwiches. Try the Nick & Nora, topped with sliced avocado, cream cheese, and housemade everything-chile crisp on a togarashi-spiced bagel. Don’t miss the weekend-only cherry-poppy flavor.

Old Salt Fish and Bagels

3621 Stone Way N; oldsaltseattle.com

Fans of smoked fish love the inventive toppings at Fremont’s Old Salt. Their beautifully blistered bagels come topped with everything from kippered salmon or cold-smoked black cod to gin-cured gravlax and salmon roe. There’s also a flavor-packed veggie sandwich, stacked with spiced eggplant, roasted red peppers, and plain or chili-whipped cream cheese.

Rubinstein Bagels

2121 Sixth Ave; rubinsteinbagels.com

Recently named to Food and Wine’s “50 Best Bagel Shops in the US” list, this South Lake Union mainstay not only nails savory, dense, chewy bagels, they’re also the place for chocolate-and-cherry and cacio e pepe varieties. As for schmears, don’t miss the fried onion-and-chive or the incredibly indulgent black truffle. Bonus—there’s a vegan schmear too.