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Gotham Bagels

3.3 (384 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Gotham Bagels Photos

Business Info

GOTHAM BAGELS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Gotham Bagels

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Reviews With Photos

Scott S.

Bagel: 4.0 Toppings etc: -0.7 Price: -0.8 Wait: -0.8 Founder's story: 0.5 Total Score: 2.2 I've seen alot of hype about this place on social media so randomly decided to give it a try while in Madison. The whole experience reminds me of the 1980s movie "The Experts" (the flick where John Travolta met his late wife). Basically this cold war era movie has a couple of dudes trying to run clubs in NYC get kidnaped by the KGB and sent to Russia where they have a whole town of KGB agents living like Americans - but it wasn't quite right..it was like 30 years earlier in a random town in the Midwest (much like Madison, Wisconsin). That's the best way to describe it. Some of the vibe was there, but there was just something off about it. First thing that was a shock - the price! egg & cheese bagel: $9.00 . For reference, Bagel Boss on Long Island is just over $5.00. I get it - bagels are a scarcity in Madison Wisconsin (as is any decent food, but that's a different conversation) while it's a commodity in NYC metro area. I asked the woman why the sign for the menu shows $8.75 and she said they raised the prices. Well, any self-respecting yankee knows a bagel place should either have: 1) prices in different colors written on a black board, or 2) prices with the numbers and letters that can be changed on a board. Next, I was baffled by how long it took and how long i had to wait for bagels. That doesn't fly on the east coast. Look, I get alot of the university is kids from NYC metro area so you have to cater to them so a bagel shop is important. As for the bagels - looked okay at first, but the egg and cheese was really weird...it was mostly white with like an overcooked almost hard boiled yolk and i think they butter the bagels beforehand. Secondly for a scallion cream cheese bagel it showed the true shortcoming of the bagel where the exterior had a good crunch but the interior wasnt chewy it was too hard so when you try to separate the bagel it kinda of breaks. the taste isn't quite right. Anyway they deserve credit since the founder mentions Hot Bagels in Fairlawn in his story and met with Jaques Pepin who is awesome. I'll probably pass on returning as I kinda really dig Bagels Forever in Madison.

Cheddar Avocado Bacon bagel
Audrey B.

Gotham bagels is THEEE spot to get a bagel in Madison. No where else compares. On a weekend, be prepared to wait 15-20 minutes as they have a large influx of customers. I would also recommend taking it to go on a weekend because it's hard to find seating. They are still super fast, friendly, and helpful despite the overwhelming amount of people! On a weekday you can appreciate the New York-esque decor and vibe.

Inside
Dave C.

I went twice; the first time was for breakfast and the second time was for lunch. For the breakfast trip, I got there 3 minutes after they opened. I was the only one in the place and got fast service. For my lunch visit, it was packed and I had 20 orders in front of me, so it took a while - but they moved through it all. You could just get a bagel, yet what seems best is choices of around 25 different bagel sandwiches with multiple choices of bagel and a few choices of cream cheese. Easy to nearly "make your own". Good sized and good value for the money.

Sesame bagel toasted with tart cherry honey cream cheese
Alyssa M.

The bagels here are delicious! I got a sesame bagel and it was so fluffy and soft, with a crunchy exterior from being toasted. I also really enjoyed the tart cherry honey cream cheese, which had a nice flavor and was very unique. I wish they had put a bit more cream cheese on it, as it got a little lost in the huge bagel, but overall a very yummy breakfast. The service was pretty good, it was crowded even on a Tuesday morning but they took our order quickly and the bagels were out within about 10-15 minutes. The inside has a lot of seating and some items for purchase to make it feel a bit like a New York bagel shop.

Tracy C.

What a terrific place! It's like New York City in the middle of Madison. They have all of the fresh bagels, homemade cream cheeses and salads and sides. You can make it anyway you want it lettuce tomato onion whatever. I got their chicken salad on a bagel. It was not a mayo-based salad like I'm used to, it was more like chicken with Italian dressing and vegetables cut up in it but it was ridiculously tasty. I did not see any bathroom on site there may have been one. We ate our delicious egg sandwich and chicken salad bagel and went back to the hotel after. (Parking downtown Madison isn't easy) I would absolutely recommend this place for anyone looking for a delicious breakfast. It's a little pricey, but well worth it.

Sarah L.

Incredible bagels for amazing prices! Loved the atmosphere, the food, service, and ease of accessibility! Highly recommend if you're a bagel lover

Salmon & Lox
Dana C.

Fresh, tasty & delicious bagels. Many great options, love the lox & cream cheese. Super nice staff. Very cool vibe. Always takes longer than expected even when you order ahead so be prepared.

Menu from 04/08/2025
Jenni W.

Having moved to Madison from Brooklyn, people have told me that the closest thing to a NY bagel was Gotham Bagels. After 2.5 years of living in Madison, I finally tried this place on a Tuesday morning at 8 am and bought a cinnamon raisin and an everything bagel. I didn't say that I wanted them toasted but apparently got them toasted anyway? They were warm when I got them but I also noticed that it was hard as I took a bite into the cinnamon raisin one. I drove for 20 minutes and got home to eat them and discovered that they were quite inedible...super hard. Like hitting them against a plate they made a tough noise and despite microwaving them with a warm towel was still inedible. I think the person who took my order severely over-toasted both bagels. I'll try to give this place another chance and specify that my bagel(s) should not be toasted next time to see if they're any better. Based on this visit though, I was thoroughly unimpressed...in general I wouldn't say they're good bagels, let alone comparable to the Brooklyn bagels that I've had.

Bagel with lox
Pete J.

Located just one block off from the state capitol square, I was able to find lots of street parking, at 10am on a Tuesday, right in front of the store. Walking in, the store is nicely decorated with both NY and Madison memorabilia. It is very sunny with big plate glass windows looking onto Mifflin Street and the Bartell Theatre. There are two eating counters, one facing south the other facing Mifflin. Also a couple long community tables. There is a choice of 26 different bagels sandwiches, multiple types of bagels as well as cream cheeses. I chose #3, lox and cream cheese on an "everything" bagel, toasted. The wait from order to delivery was seven minutes. The sandwich was delicious, with chewy bagel, a generous serving of lox, the right amount of cream cheese and capers ($1 extra). A nice shop for authentic bagels.

The yellow can on an EGG bagel -- no mayo ADD scallion cream cheese (NY style aka a lot)
Chelsea C.

Bagels were solid but the special sandwiches is where it's at! When I said I wanted my bagel NY style they delivered. Everyone we interacted with was super friendly and we will definitely be back!

Corned beef on pumpernickel

Best bagels in Madison. The bagels are great the staff is great and the other little deli shop stuff on offer is great! The place is small and the day we were there a woman came in with a stroller. They clearly have a no stroller sign on the door and the owner came over and tried to politely ask her to keep the stroller out of the way so that people would be able to get through once she had ordered. He did not kick her out or ask her to do anything obscene just to make sure there was space for others. She berated him and told him that he wouldn't ask this if it was a person in a wheelchair. When advised it wasn't the same she told him her baby couldn't walk. The owner remained calm and tried to be reasonable but this woman was abusive towards him. She asked how he could do this to such a marginalized person and then turned to the restaurant and asked why any of us men weren't going to stand up for her. I noted that they had a stroller policy and she said "f*ck the policy" as she stormed out.

It's not an Everything bagel. 80 minute wait and they messed up the order as well.

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2 years ago

Best bagel you can get in Madison. The low reviews are from insular wisconsinites that don't understand NY deli culture lol

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Marigold Kitchen - Bacon & Eggs With Potatoes & Very Tasty Sourdough Bread.

Marigold Kitchen

4.3(928 reviews)
0.2 mi•Capitol
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Such a cutesy aesthetic place with lovely service and amazing amazing food!…read more Got the seasonal Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and they were a 10 on 10! Really strong amount of pumpkin spice flavor and the perfect cinnamon swirl going on there. The cream cheese topping on top along with that maple syrup really was a lovely combination. It also had some fresh strawberries on top but I had those plain because I really love the pumpkin and cream cheese and cinnamon and maple combination. I ordered the short stack and it just disappeared. Would definitely recommend getting the big one here! The bakery section in the front was also so appetizing. Everything was so appealing! I bought the lavender blueberry scone and it was delicious. A strong amount of lavender and strong amount of blueberry flavor coming through and overall so tender and soft even 2 days later! I can totally see why this place is all the hype because I went on a Tuesday morning and they still had nearly every table full!

Went to Marigold Kitchen and was really impressed!…read more I was in Madison for a layover and I asked the hotel receptionist if he had any recs for breakfast- he pointed me to Marigold Kitchen. The atmosphere is homey and the staff were warm and attentive. I like how it's located in the center of downtown. I got a seasonal pumpkin spice muffin and fresh squeezed orange juice to start. The muffin was soft and had good pumpkin flavor. The OJ was pulpy and fresh. I also got an americano, which was bold and smooth. For the main breakfast, I got the breakfast bowl and subbed sweet potato for regular potato. The bowl was outstanding! The verde slaw was unique but super refreshing. The meat and potato combo was spiced nicely and satisfying. The chipotle aioli added a welcomed heat and the eggs were fluffy and delicious. All of this was under $25! Great pricing.

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Marigold Kitchen
Marigold Kitchen - Sweet potato kale and pesto hash

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Shame on me for not visiting Ogden's sooner as it's one of the better breakfast spots in Madison. I…read morestopped in during the week and was greeted with a packed house in the small space. Luckily there was an open table. Although busy, our server was quick to top off our coffee (which was excellent btw). I opted for their omelette special-meatloaf with sautéed peppers, onions and provolone. The meatloaf filling was broken into pieces and sautéed with the other ingredients. The omelette was outstanding. Even better were their hash browns. I would go out of my way just for these. Truly a great spot. Highly recommended.

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Ogden's North Street Diner - Bar seating - first come first served

Bar seating - first come first served

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Short Stack Eatery - Bloody Mary

Short Stack Eatery

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Came at 8 am on a Sunday. Had to wait a few minutes to get inside but it was definitely worth the…read morewait. You have to order at the counter first and then your party gets sat at your designated table. I ordered the blind, which is a chef's choice. You're able to ask if the dish is savory or sweet and that's it. You can ask what the dish is but then the price will go from 10$ to 15$. They do ask if you have any allergies in case they do need to alter the dish. Not gonna disclose what the dish was, but it tasted great! It's really unfortunate that the business is closing in May, so I definitely recommend to go while they're still open!

Every time I'm in Madison, I make it a point to stop here. I'm usually just passing through so I…read moreget here right when it opens, which is one of the best times. It's quiet and it feels like the world slows down for a minute. It's comfortable and also very eclectic, a get your own coffee place. Condiments, water, etc. along the back wall. Order at the counter, they'll give you a number, and then bring your meal out. The menu has a great selection of offerings, but I always get my usual. The pancakes are unreal, so delicious. You will also find adult beverages here as well for those who need a morning/mid-afternoon pick me up. It gets packed so plan well ahead or be prepared to wait a while. Great service. Great place.

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Short Stack Eatery - Cajun biscuits and gravy + sweet potato pancakes + mimosa + bloody mary = heaven

Cajun biscuits and gravy + sweet potato pancakes + mimosa + bloody mary = heaven

Short Stack Eatery - Mmm bloodys!

Mmm bloodys!

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The Old Fashioned - Cheese curds in poutine

The Old Fashioned

4.1(2.6k reviews)
0.1 mi•Capitol
•$$

This was my second time visiting. I swore I wrote a review the first time but it didn't pop up…read more Anywho, this time my daughter and I were in Madison for the day and visiting the museum across the street and decided to come for dinner. It was Thursday evening and they had a ribs/pulled pork special. We waited about 10 minutes at the bar for a table. The bar and atmosphere is great. Pretty bar lights and an old wood bar. We were seated by the window with a great view of the capital. My daughter and I shared the rib dinner and had plenty of food for us. Our waitress was new and learning but was doing a good job. I'd definitely come back.

The Old Fashioned has been stable in downtown Madison for sometime. U can tell from the interior…read moredesign lot of old pictures few in black and white. The bar area old school feel to it. Race weekend in Madison for IM 70.3 relay. The Old Fashioned spot that heart of downtown and really greatest thing learn so many great spots around the capital. It close to the hotel so ended up going here twice for dinner. So got to try few menu items. ONE thing most looking forward to was the Cheese Curds. Never been to state of Wisconsin. They know cheese. More so at The Old Fashioned, There cheese curds were on the food network. It definitely lived up to the hype. The flavor was amazing. The first visit got bratwurst sandwich was da bomb. The sausage had so much flavor and delicious. Second time cheese board each cheese was local. Nice presentation and light starter good one. Second trip had chili with spaghetti. Ok. The cheese curds by far the star. Service five stars. Friendly, attentive, and positive vibes!!!!

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The Old Fashioned - Inside bar

Inside bar

The Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned - Schlitz beer with a pickled egg on the side.

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Graze - Friday Fish Fry

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3.9(1.4k reviews)
0.1 mi•Capitol
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This place is amazing. It's farm to table so they partner with neighboring farmers for their fresh…read moreingredients. The cheese curd is a must try - they come with a garlic aioli and gochu jang sauce, yummy! The kale caesar and bibimbap were both very good. Nice ambiance, high ceilings, very clean. Our server was good and attentive.

Good restaurants are run by human beings. Human beings sometimes have bad days. That's part of…read morehumanity. The mark of a good restaurant is how they respond when something goes wrong. Regrettably, something went wrong at my dinner at Graze. After the meal, I received an email asking for direct feedback with the management, which I shared. And I received a very well written apology with a sincere effort to make things right. That effort brought what would have been a 2* experience up to a 4* review. The most important tidbit I have to share for someone contemplating a dinner at Graze is to go hard on the vegetable focused starters. Wow! These were the stars of the show. Hands down. Full stop. Those were five star dishes all the way. Asparagus in season with bread crumbs. Stunning! Young tender beets paired with strawberries? Inspired! While the burger was tempting, I had a burger for lunch and I couldn't bring myself to do a two burger day. I went for the Korean Fried Chicken app as my main, paired with those veggies. It was plenty of food, and I had high hopes for the chicken given the chef's background. But some of the meat was stringy and overcooked. The sauce was zesty with good heat. Still, it fell short of the standard. Warm cookies and milk are never bad. Classics are classics for a reason. But given some of the culinary creativity that exists in the kitchen, it's a bit uninspired. That said, one scoop of seasonal pear sorbet was fantastic! Great flavor and texture. While the server did not know what type of pear was used, I'd put my money on Boscs. The place is popular. Make reservations early. Madison turns out not to be such a late night town, so plan accordingly. While I may not have been tempted to return originally, after the care and attention I received from management, I would indeed come back. I'm sure there is a 5* experience to be had at Graze, but sometimes it takes a second visit to get there.

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Graze
Graze - Bibimbap, spicy tofu

Bibimbap, spicy tofu

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Gotham Bagels - bagels - Updated October 2026

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