As someone born and raised in Manhattan, it pains me deeply to see Dunkin Doughnuts and IHOP even mentioned in a thread about good bagels. AAAAAAH! Dunkin Doughnuts bagels?? Please, please don’t do that if looking for an authentic bagel experience.
1. Proceed immediately to H&H bagels on 80th and Broadway.
2. Ask if the cinnamon raisin bagels are still warm.
If so:
3. Purchase one and eat immediately, biting through the delicious dense outside and letting the soft inside melt on your tongue.
I’m not a coffee drinker, but I imagine that Zabar’s cafe across the street probably has some good coffee to go with your bagel.