Are Bagels Finally Trending in Charleston?

Perhaps it’s the overwhelming influx of transplants from New York City, but it seems that bagels might finally become plentiful in the Lowcountry. For years the only reliable source for a morning carb fix was Bagel Nation (thank you for your service), but now it seems restaurateurs have heard the cries of “Where can I can a decent bagel around here?”

Most recently, farmers’ market staple Holey City Bagels announced the impending opening of a brick and mortar space in the former Five Loaves building at 43 Cannon Street. Holey City offers hand-rolled, boiled bagels with flavors ranging from plain to cinnamon sugar to asiago.

In September 2021, former FIG executive pastry chef Caitlin Schumacher set up her food truck Girl Next Dough on James Island, which quickly led to lines of hungry customers looking for sourdough bagels with cream cheese and lox. Schumacher’s bagel varieties ranged from benne seed to everything with caraway.

Westside newcomer Little Line imports bagels from NYC staple H&H. Co-owners Wendy Wenzel Gleim and Jeff Gleim offer choices like olive cream cheese with veggies or a bacon egg and cheese version.

Even the Uptown Social breakfast pop-up Greasy Spoon now offers bagels. Co-owner Keith Benjamin, who previously lived in New York, says that the bagels are the real deal.

There’s also rumors that a bagel shop is also coming to Upper King Street, but an address has not been disclosed yet.

• Bagel Nation [Official]
• Holey City Bagels [Official]
• Holey City Bagels [Instagram]
• Girl Next Dough [Official]
• Westside Cafe Little Line Imports NYC Bagels to Charleston
• Greasy Spoon [Official]