Every so often Richmond grabs a win that feels almost improbable, and this weekend we got one: Baltik’s Bagel came back from New York BagelFest with the People’s Choice Award. Yes, a Forest Hill Avenue shop walked into a competition packed with 25 of the “best bagel places in the world,” over 2,000 people cast votes, and somehow Richmond ended up on top.
Baltik’s opened in 2024, but they’ve built a steady following, the kind where you stop by once and suddenly you’re rearranging your morning just to get another bagel. Still, winning a crowd vote in New York is a different level. Curley’s Bagels in Queens and Town Bagel out on Long Island rounded out the top three.
If you want to support them locally, beyond adding to the line wrapping out the door, they’re also listed in RVA Magazine’s 2025 “Support Local, Vote Local” Readers’ Poll, along with hundreds of local businesses, which is open right now.
Baltik’s Bagel is at 6801 Forest Hill Avenue, open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Go see what all the yelling in New York was about.
Support RVA Magazine. Support Independent Media in Richmond.
At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2, one-time or recurring, helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
We’ve got merch HERE
Subscribe to the Substack HERE
And Reddit HERE
And YouTube HERE
