Nick Anderer is a respected chef and owner of two New York City establishments, Anton's and Leon's. He is known for his passion and dedication to the culinary craft, having honed his skills early in his career within...
Leon's at 169 Thompson St is primarily a bagel shop operating with a walk-up window concept. It's known for quick service and is ideal for a grab-and-go meal. While there are benches outside for eating, it is not a traditional sit-down restaurant.
Customer Perception
Customers highly praise Leon's bagels, with some calling it the 'best bagel place.' Reviewers consistently highlight the freshness, soft texture, and perfect chew of the bagels. Popular items include the bacon, avocado, egg, and cheese bagel, and the chili crisp bagel. Service is generally described as fast and friendly, with knowledgeable staff. Common feedback includes recommendations to order online to avoid lines, which can be long, and suggestions to customize orders, such as asking for less cream cheese.
Leon's is a popular spot in Manhattan for bagels and coffee. It's known for its efficient walk-up service, catering to a bustling city environment where quick, quality food is appreciated.
Vegetarian options (e.g., plain bagel with avocado or cream cheese)
Best Times to Visit
Visiting early in the morning is recommended to avoid long lines. Ordering ahead online is a good option for busy individuals. While specific peak times aren't detailed, the mention of lines suggests it can get crowded during standard breakfast and lunch hours.
4
Bagel lover approved — with a few notes.
I love bagels, so this spot was a must-try. They had a special running but I kept it simple to get a real feel for the place — went with cream cheese and avocado. Hit it at a quiet moment, though right after ordering the line started picking up. Wait was totally reasonable, maybe 5–10 minutes max.
The bagel itself was good. That said, I think the key here is to be specific with your order — the cream cheese is pretty basic and they pile it on, so I’d ask for less or swap it out next time. The avocado was nice. Bagel could’ve been toasted a touch more for my taste.
Went simple this time just to test the waters, but I’d definitely go back and either customize more or try one of their fuller options. Overall a solid spot — just know what you want going in.
In my opinion, the best bagel place in the world.
I’m from Chile and I’ve been to New York several times, and a bagel from Leon’s is always a must. I truly believe the flavor of their bagels can’t be found anywhere else. The girls are incredibly kind, the service is fast, and everything runs so smoothly. We went early and there was no line at all.
I always order the same thing: a bacon, avocado, egg, and cheese bagel — perfection every single time.
Thank you for filling both my heart and my stomach. See you on my next visit 🤍
Definitely a line, so if you are busy, you can order ahead online. Delicious Bagel! I had the Sausage Egg and Cheese, Lox, and a cinnamon bagel. Would recommend as a quick bit on the go.
It’s not a sit down place, but there are benches to eat out front. First come, first serve. So great street vibe, but don’t go expecting a restaurant.
Had a craving for a bagel and stopped by Leon’s to see if the hype was real. The store is a large walk-up window with all the bagels on display along with coffee - super convenient.
The person helping me was really knowledgeable and gave great recommendations on which bagels pair best with each sandwich. I went with the bacon, egg, and cheese with chili crisp.
One bite told me everything I needed to know. The bagel was soft with the perfect chew, and it paired so well with the egg and thick-cut bacon.
The hype is definitely real. I’ll be back to try something different tomorrow!
I ordered Everything bagel + garlic and herb cream cheese + hot honey. Sucha good combination. Totally good when it's warm. Service was fair, the lady was kind enough to offer special menu but it's my first time to try so i wanted to get a basic one.
As for the location, it's along the street, pretty easy to see. They have multiple locations across New York!