Two South Florida Delis Among Best Bagel Shops in U.S.

South Florida just scored big in the bagel world. Two Fort Lauderdale delis have just landed spots on Yelp's Top 50 Bagel Spots in the U.S. and Canada list for 2025, proving South Florida can hold its own against New York's bagel scene.

Not only are both delis located in the same city, but they also happen to be in the same neighborhood. A father-and-son-owned bagel shop and deli in Flagler Village and an old-school deli in the same part of town have both made the cut in Yelp's elite rankings, determined by volume and ratings from Yelp Elite Squad reviewers. The list showcases bakeries and cafes that "honor tradition and embrace inventive flavors," and these Fort Lauderdale spots delivered precisely that. Below, let's dig in.

25. Top Hat Deli Serves Comfort Food Grandma Would Approve

Top Hat Deli at 415 NE Third St. landed no. 25 on the list, and for good reason — the popular deli brings a nostalgic vibe to Fort Lauderdale's growing bagel scene. Founded by restaurateur Elliot Wolf about a decade ago, the deli pays tribute to Wolf's grandfather Max, who brought his vintage top hat from Germany in the 1930s.

Yelp praised Top Hat as "a modern take on the classic Jewish deli, combining nostalgic charm with creative twists and a lively, welcoming atmosphere." The spot earned recognition for its "commitment to scratch-made comfort food — including bagels that are baked fresh daily and loaded high in inventive breakfast and lunch sandwiches."

The matzo ball soup, often called "Jewish Penicillin," features chicken broth, homemade noodles, and a soft matzo ball. The Reuben sandwich comes loaded with house-made corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on grilled rye, served with house-made potato chips.

Plus, Top Hat's "Be Nice" ethos is everywhere in the space, from the service to branded mugs and T-shirts. Regulars love the community feel, with many noting that "everyone kind of knows your name."

These Yelp rankings put Fort Lauderdale on the national bagel map, competing with spots from New York to Montreal. Both delis prove that South Florida can offer great flavors with their twists on classic recipes.

34. Mitch's Brings New York Style to Flagler Village

Mitch's Downtown Bagel Cafe at 540 N. Andrews Ave. in Flagler Village landed no. 34 on the list, which comes as no surprise since it's been dominating the bagel game for years. The father-son team, Mitch and Adam Shidlofsky, opened their flagship Fort Lauderdale location after starting with Mitch’s Westside Bagels in Weston in 2002.

Yelp Elites praised Mitch's "authentic New York-style bagels" and "hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels baked fresh daily." The spot also offers a huge selection of house-made cream cheeses and what Yelp described as "epic breakfast and lunch sandwiches packed with fresh ingredients."

The "BECTA" sandwich has become a local favorite: two scrambled eggs, thick-cut bacon, avocado, cheddar, and white truffle oil piled high on their house bagel. That bacon-scallion cream cheese is another crowd-pleaser that consistently draws customers back.

The playful neon sign reading "Bagels Don't Count As Carbs" has turned into an Instagram magnet, and cofounder Adam Shidlofsky can often be spotted mingling with customers throughout the week. The spot has earned "Best Bagels in Broward" titles for 2022 and 2023, and also snagged the Best of Miami 2024 award.

Mitch's now operates three locations, with spots in Weston and a Hallandale Beach location that opened in March 2024 near Aventura Mall.

Mitch's Downtown Bagel Cafe. 540 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; mitchsdowntown.com. Top Hat Deli. 415 NE Third St., Fort Lauderdale; tophatftl.com.