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Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
Fresh blueberry bagels are a staple on most bagel shop menus.
Newsbreak: South Carolinians love bagels. It’s true! You don’t have to be from New York City or New Jersey to fall for a freshly baked bagel with a schmear. From Greenville to Columbia to Charleston and the Grand Strand, these yummy “Northern donuts” lay claim to a diverse and enthusiastic fanbase. Behind every great bagel, you’ll find dedicated bagel makers who rise early to form, boil and bake your favorites from house-made dough.
Here is a small sampling of South Carolina shops where the bagels are made fresh daily with expertise and pride.
The schmears are generous at Holey City Bagels.
Holey City Bagels
43 Cannon Street, Charleston Snagging third place finishes for Most Creative Bagel and Schmear of the Year at New York City’s 2024 Bagelfest was no small feat for this bustling family operation. Holey City Bagels turns out hand-rolled, water-boiled bagels with accoutrements like pimento cream cheese—a concoction that won rave reviews in the Big Apple.
Monster Bagels
1110 Little Street, Camden While there’s nothing scary about these bagels, there are some delicious surprises. Monster Bagels is a small-town venture that prides itself on creativity as well as taste. All your favorites are here along with some adventurous options. Rainbow bagel with Fruity Pebbles cream cheese, anyone?
Carolina Cafe & Catering
925 Sumter Street, Columbia 803-799-6676 Since 1998, Carolina Cafe has been rolling out house-made, New York-style bagels for an appreciative crowd. Locally known as “The Bagel Shop,” this cafe is a mainstay in the historic Horseshoe District and boasts a loyal fanbase. Grab a bagful of bagels or order up one of their filling bagel sandwiches.
Start your day with coffee and a tasty, filling bagel from Ruby’s.
Ruby’s Bagels
280 W. Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant It is a commonly held belief that the secret to making a great bagel is New York City water. The proprietors of Ruby’s tested—and rejected—that theory. Using local water and high-quality ingredients, they consistently produce amazing bagels. The always-busy Mt. Pleasant shop indicates that patrons agree. Taste for yourself and check out their West Ashley and North Charleston locations, too.
Krave Bagel
1434 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach (843) 427-7310 Scratch-made bagels boiled and baked daily—it’s a simple approach but one that suits the bagel cravings of locals as well as northern visitors and transplants. Word on the beach is that Krave’s lox and cream cheese bagel is high on the list of hot commodities.
Rain-N-Bagels
221 Scott Street, Beaufort 843-379-9300 This prolific purveyor of house-made bagels is located in historic downtown Beaufort. The beloved community-focused cafe is a hotspot for fresh bagels, sandwiches and more. If you want the town low-down, grab a cup of coffee, your favorite bagel with a schmear and have a seat.
Each bagel at Benjamin’s gets personal attention during the bagel-making process.
Benjamin’s Bakery
810 Third Ave. S, Surfside Beach 843-477-1100 A Grand Strand institution, Benjamin’s has been churning out great bagels since 1994—long before most other bagel shops showed up in the area. These bagels shine—literally—with a slightly-glazed crust and chewy center. These qualities are highly prized by those who seek a true New York-style bagel experience.
Island Bagel & Deli
841 William Hilton Highway, Hilton Head 843-686-3353 New York City meets Hilton Head at Island Bagel & Deli, and it’s a mash-up made in bagel heaven. Bagels here are made from scratch and take a dip in boiling purified water before they hit the ovens. With 16 bagel varieties and a dozen cream cheese flavors, your options are wide open for a delicious breakfast or lunch. Check out their Bluffton location, too, at 17 Sherington Drive.
West End Bagels
8390 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land 803-431-7726 What happens when bagel shop owners from New York move South? Well, they bring their bagel-making ways with them and set up shop! That’s how West End Bagels was born in 2020. Now, folks living near the SC-NC line regularly enjoy New York-style homemade bagels with all the expected appointments. There are a few unexpected ones, too, like Funfetti and Oreo cream cheeses.
Bagels are proofed then boiled and baked at Riverside Bagels.
Riverside Bagels
870 E. Suber Road, Greer 864-469-9375 The bagel makers at Riverside take pride in sourcing all-natural ingredients for their original-recipe bagels. They are proofed, kettle-boiled and baked right onsite using traditional techniques. Be a little edgy and try one with Nutella, hummus or avocado spread.
Jersey Bagel Brothers
1340 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 864-451-7349 If you’re from up north and feeling a bit homesick, mosey into Jersey Bagel Brothers and feel right at home. Each morning is like a New Jersey family reunion as hardcore bagel afficionados crowd in and schlep home with steaming bags of doughy loot. Locals love these bagels and the chatty atmosphere, too. One visit, and you’re part of the family!
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
