Atlanta Bagel Showdown: Emerald City Bagels Reigns Supreme

The AJC puts Atlanta's top bagel shops to the test, crowning a new champion.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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In a city known for its passionate food debates, the search for Atlanta's best bagel has long been a contentious topic. Inspired by the recent opening of a Westport, Connecticut-based bagel franchise on the Beltline, the AJC decided to put the city's top contenders to the test. After a rigorous blind tasting, the beloved local favorite Emerald City Bagels emerged victorious, solidifying its place as Atlanta's reigning bagel king.

Why it matters

As a city that has often grappled with an inferiority complex when it comes to food, particularly in comparison to culinary powerhouses like New York, Atlanta's bagel scene has been a point of pride and debate. This definitive taste test helps settle the long-standing question of whether the city can measure up to the gold standard of bagels.

The details

The AJC assembled a panel of expert tasters to blindly sample bagels from Emerald City Bagels, the new Beltline franchise of Westport, Connecticut's PopUp Bagels, and several other local contenders. After careful evaluation of factors like texture, flavor, and authenticity, Emerald City Bagels came out on top, earning praise for its chewy yet crisp exterior, perfectly balanced seasoning, and true New York-style taste.

  • The AJC's bagel taste test took place in February 2026.
  • PopUp Bagels opened its Beltline franchise location in late 2025.

The players

Emerald City Bagels

A beloved local bagel shop that has been a fixture in Atlanta's food scene for over a decade, known for its authentic New York-style bagels.

PopUp Bagels

A bagel franchise hailing from Westport, Connecticut that recently opened a location on Atlanta's Beltline, sparking renewed interest in the city's bagel landscape.

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What they’re saying

“Emerald City Bagels has always been the gold standard for bagels in Atlanta, and this taste test just confirms what we've known all along.”

— Monti Carlo, AJC Food Editor (AJC)

“While the new Beltline franchise brings some healthy competition, Emerald City Bagels remains the undisputed champion of Atlanta bagels.”

— Samantha Holt, Local Foodie (Instagram)

What’s next

Emerald City Bagels is expected to celebrate its victory with a special anniversary celebration later this year, marking over a decade as Atlanta's go-to bagel destination.

The takeaway

Atlanta's bagel scene has matured to the point where the city can confidently claim its own distinct bagel identity, separate from the shadow of New York. Emerald City Bagels' continued dominance proves that the city has found its bagel champion, one that can stand tall against any challenger.