Gotham Bagels: Authentic New York-Style Bagels and Deli in Downtown Madison, Wisconsin

Gotham Bagels Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For many Wisconsinites, finding an authentic New York-style bagel can be a quest that ends in disappointment. However, in the heart of downtown Madison, Gotham Bagels at 112 E Mifflin St has been serving as the local answer to that craving for over two decades. Founded by a New Yorker who lamented the lack of traditional, high-quality bagels in the Midwest, this shop has dedicated itself to the time-honored process: mixing the ingredients in-house, rolling each bagel

by hand

kettle-boiling

them, and then baking them in a rotating deck oven. This commitment to traditional methods is what Gotham Bagels believes makes them the best in the Midwest.

Gotham Bagels is more than just a bagel shop; it’s a full-service culinary destination, also operating as a

Bakery

, a

Breakfast restaurant

, a

Fast food restaurant

, and a specialized

Sandwich shop

. The menu reflects this diversity, featuring everything from a simple

Single Bagel ($1.25)

to elaborate, New York-inspired sandwich creations with memorable names like

The Moltisanti ($10.00)

and

The Bronx Bomber ($9.95)

. They also carry classic Jewish-American deli and bakery items, including

Traditional Matzo Ball Soup ($6.75)

Juniors Famous New York Cheese Cake ($4.95)

, and fresh

Cinnamon Babka ($12.00)

. This broad offering ensures that whether you’re rushing to the Capitol Square or settling in for a hearty morning meal, Gotham Bagels has a quality option ready. The business is also a source of local pride, identifying as both

veteran-owned

and

women-owned

, underscoring its deep ties to the Madison community.

While the overwhelming feedback praises the

Great flavor

and

genuinely tasty

food, potential patrons should be aware of a persistent challenge noted in customer experiences: service speed and consistency. Reviewers, including one former New Yorker, found the service

remarkably slow

and noted instances of incorrect orders, such as getting the wrong bagel bread or having an ingredient like lox/salmon hidden under toppings. The owner’s public persona is also part of the shop's identity, often mentioned in reviews as being part of an intentional "New York attitude." Despite these service challenges, the quality and authenticity of the hand-rolled product remain the central draw, prompting customers to overlook the wait for the taste.

Location and Accessibility

Gotham Bagels is centrally and conveniently located at 112 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA, placing it just steps away from the Wisconsin State Capitol and Madison’s bustling downtown district. This prime location makes it an ideal spot for locals working or living in the 53703 zip code, as well as visitors exploring the area.

Given its downtown location, the shop provides various accessibility and parking options relevant to the urban setting. Parking is available through both

Paid parking garage

and

Paid street parking

, which is typical for the Capitol Square area. For those with accessibility needs, the business facilitates easy access by providing a

Wheelchair accessible entrance

and pointing customers towards accessible spots, such as the nearby City of Madison parking garages which offer designated

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

spaces. This commitment to physical accessibility ensures that all community members can easily access the dining and takeout services. Furthermore, for those who prefer not to navigate downtown traffic, a variety of service options including

Delivery

and

In-store pickup

are offered to make acquiring your favorite bagel or sandwich as convenient as possible.

Services Offered

Gotham Bagels provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of the fast-paced downtown Madison clientele, covering various dining and convenience preferences.

Dine-in (Breakfast and Lunch Dining Options)
Takeout and In-store pickup
Delivery
Full Catering Services (Various platter options available)

Customers can choose to enjoy their meal in the shop with the available

Dine-in

option, which is suitable for both

Breakfast

and lunch, or they can opt for quick service via

Takeout

. For peak convenience, Gotham Bagels offers

Delivery

to bring their famous New York-style creations directly to homes or offices throughout the Madison area. Beyond individual meals, the establishment also specializes in

Catering

for events, offering large platters like the

Riverside Park Platter ($70.00)

and the

Brighton Beach Platter ($90.00)

, which are perfect for local business meetings or family gatherings. Additionally, the store offers essentials like

Coffee

and various spreads and sides for bulk purchase, including

8 oz. Container of Specialty Cream Cheese ($5.95)

and

Traditional Matzo Ball Soup ($6.75)

by the quart or pint. The business also accommodates a diverse clientele, identifying as

LGBTQ+ friendly

Features / Highlights

The appeal of Gotham Bagels is built on its commitment to authenticity, its diverse menu, and its unique business identity, making it a distinctive feature of the Madison food scene.

Authentic Hand-Rolled, Kettle-Boiled New York-Style Bagels
Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Business Status
Extensive, Creative Deli Sandwiches (e.g., The 'G', The O.M.F.G., The Bronx Bomber)
Wide Range of Classic Jewish-American Deli and Bakery Items (e.g., Lox, Potato Latkes, Babka)
High-Convenience Service Options (Delivery, Dine-in, Takeout, Catering)
Accessibility and Payment Ease (Wheelchair accessible, Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments)

The undisputed centerpiece of Gotham Bagels is the authentic New York bagel, created using traditional methods that many New Yorkers find appealing. Beyond the bagels themselves, the diverse and often inventive

Sandwiches

, like the

The Williamsburg (Piled High Pastrami)

and the vegan option

The Original 'V'

, offer compelling lunch choices. The availability of traditional items such as

Potato Latke ($11.00)

and

Juniors Famous New York Cheese Cake

provides a true taste of a classic deli experience rarely found in Wisconsin. As a

veteran-owned

and

women-owned

local business, Gotham Bagels holds a special place in the community. The acceptance of all major

Credit cards

Debit cards

, and

NFC mobile payments

, coupled with the

Wheelchair accessible entrance

, ensures transactions and access are convenient for everyone.

Contact Information

For Madison residents and visitors looking to satisfy their craving for an authentic New York bagel or to inquire about catering, please use the following contact details:

Address: 112 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Phone: (608) 467-7642

Mobile Phone: +1 608-467-7642

What is worth choosing

Gotham Bagels is worth choosing for any Wisconsin patron who values authentic, high-quality, hand-rolled bagels and a robust, creative deli menu, even if it comes with a known wait time. The commitment to New York tradition—from the kettle-boiling process to the offerings like Matzo Ball Soup and Babka—is unmatched in the area. For a local seeking a bagel that is genuinely tasty and flavorful, the food quality itself is consistently rated high. The extensive sandwich menu provides excellent options for any meal, from a simple

Bacon, Egg & Cheddar ($6.75)

for breakfast to the substantial

Jewish Girl ($13.50)

for lunch.

Furthermore, by choosing Gotham Bagels, customers are actively supporting a

veteran-owned

and

women-owned

business that is deeply invested in the Madison community. The array of convenient services, including

Delivery

, easy payment options, and full

Catering

for large orders, makes them a practical choice for both individuals and businesses. While service issues have been noted, the superior quality and authentic taste of the product make the occasional wait a worthwhile trade-off for the discerning bagel consumer in Wisconsin. It truly offers a little piece of the 'Big Apple' right in the heart of the Badger State.

Gotham Bagels Food & drink

Sandwiches
The “G” $10.00
Capocollo, Egg, and Cheddar on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Moltisanti $10.00
Scrambled Egg, Piled high sliced Pork Roll, American Cheese on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Jewish Girl $13.50
Egg whites, Hot smoked salmon, Avocado mash, Creamy cucumbers, Vitruvian greens, Tomato on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Spicy Italian Sausage, Egg and aged Cheddar $11.00
Spicy Italian Sausage, Egg and aged Cheddar on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Rocky's Deli $10.50
The return of a Gotham Original - Fried Egg, Thick Cut Bacon, Aged Cheddar, Potato Latke, Spicy Ketchup on your choice of bagel (price may very due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
O.M.F.G. $10.50
Fried Egg, Aged Cheddar, Thick Cut Bacon, Nashville Fried Chicken, Calabrian Chili Aioli (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel and/or egg option)
Bacon, Egg & Cheddar $6.75
Fried Egg, Aged Cheddar, Thick Cut Bacon, Choice of Bagel (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel and/or egg options)
LOX & Cream Cheese $7.75
* price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel
Heritage Ham, Gouda & Egg $7.50
Heritage ham, aged Gouda, and fried egg. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel and/or egg options)
The Athenian $10.50
Gyro "Style" Lamb, Vitruvian Farms Greens, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, Tzatziki (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Williamsburg (Piled High Pastrami) $11.50
Piled high Hot Pastrami with NY STRONG mustard. Served with pickle and NY deli cole slaw. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Massapequa $10.50
Grilled herbed chicken breast, roasted red pepper, aged provolone, Vitruvian Farms Baby greens and pesto. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Traditional Tuna Fish $8.50
Choice of bagel with Vitruvian Farm greens, Flyte Farm tomato, Gotham's finest pickle (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Traditional Chicken Salad $9.50
GOTHAM Chicken Salad Sandwich, Vitruvian Farms Arugula, and Tomato on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Brighton Beach $10.75
Lox, caper cream cheese, Vitruvian farms greens, flyte farm tomato, red onion, capers (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Piled High Corned Beef $9.50
Served with NY Strong Mustard (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Original 'V' (Vegan) $10.00
The one, The Only, The greatest VEGAN sandwich in MadisonScallion Tofutti, Poblano salad, avocado, Tomato, Vitruvian baby greens (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Bronx Bomber $9.95
Piled High Calabrese Salami, La Quercia Prosciutto,Mortadella, Provolone, Vitruvian Farms Baby Greens, Tomato, Chicago Johnny's Hot Giadineria (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Long Island $9.50
House-Roasted Gotham's Thanksgiving Turkey Breast, Fontina, Vitruvian Market Greens, Tomato, Mayo. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
Pastrami & Egg $8.00
Your choice of bagel (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel and/or egg option)
The Yellow C.A.B. $8.75
Cheddar, Avocado, Bacon, Vitruvian Farms greens, Tomato, Mayo (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Port Washington $11.00
Hot Smoked Salmon Salad, Avocado Mash, Flyte Farm Tomato, Vitruvian Baby Greens, Citrus Vinaigrette (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Amagansett $10.50
Smoked Whitefish Salad, Baby Greens, Cucumber, Hot House Tomato, Red Onion on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)
The Super Tuscan $12.50
Crispy Sunny Side-up Egg, House-made fresh Mozz, Vitruvian Farms Greens, Heirloom Tomato, Pesto, and EVOO on your choice of bagel. (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel)

Bagels, Lox & More
Single Bagel $1.25
Plain, Sesame, Everything, Poppy, Cinnamon Raisin, Onion, Salt, Garlic, Honey Wholewheat, EGG, Super Egg Everything +0.50 , Pumpernickel +0.50 (Loose bagels do not come sliced)
One Dozen Bagels $13.00
Plain, Sesame, Everything, Poppy, Cinnamon Raisin, Onion, Salt, Garlic, Honey Wholewheat, EGG, Super Egg Everything +0.50 , Pumpernickel +0.50 (Your choice of 13 bagels. Loose bagels do not come sliced)
Bialy $1.50
Round with a depressed middle filled with cooked onions and poppy seeds.
Bagel & Cream Cheese $3.95
Plain, Sesame, Everything, Poppy, Cinnamon Raisin, Onion, Salt, Garlic, Honey Wholewheat, EGG, Super Egg Everything +0.50 , Pumpernickel +0.50 (price may vary due to add-ons and choice of bagel and cream cheese)
8 oz. Container of Cream Cheese $5.95
Plain, Scallion, Veggie, Vegan Scallion, Smoked Salmon +$0.50, Honey Tart, Walnut Raisin, Mediterranean Olive, Jalapeno/Garlic , Caper, Chimichurri, Plain Tofutti
8 oz. Container of Specialty Cream Cheese $5.95
1. Whipped Feta, Rosemary and Cracked Black Pepper Cream Cheese 2. Charred Asparagus, Parmigiano, Wildflower honey, and Cracked Black Pepper
1 lb. Container of Specialty Cream Cheese $11.75
1. Whipped Feta, Rosemary and Cracked Black Pepper Cream Cheese 2. Charred Asparagus, Parmigiano, Wildflower honey, and Cracked Black Pepper
Alaskan Smoked Salmon Lox by the Pound $27.75
With Vitruvian Baby Greens, Tomato, Red Onion, Capers
Traditional Matzo Ball Soup $6.75
Served HOT. Your choice of a PINT or a QUART +4.00
Hot Soup $5.00
1. Chicken Vegetable with Orzo & Parmigiano 2. Turkey/Wild Mushroom & Brown Rice 3. New England Clam Chowder (Served HOT. Your choice of a PINT or a QUART +5.00)
Jumbo Shrimp Salad $9.00
with lemon/chili mayo (Your choice of 8 oz or per pound +17.00)
Big City Coffee Cake $3.50
Juniors Famous New York Cheese Cake $4.95
Seven-ounce slice
24 oz Loaf Cinnamon Babka $12.00
Certified Kosher and Parve
24 oz Loaf Chocolate Babka $12.00
Certified Kosher and Parve
12 oz Box of Traditional Hamantaschen $8.50
Certified Kosher and Parve
14 oz Bag of Traditional Rugelach $10.00
Certified Kosher and Parve

Catering
Riverside Park Platter $70.00
NY Dozen®, 1 lb lox, 2-8oz spreads, Vitruvian Baby greens, Flyte Farm Tomato, Cucumber, Big City Pickles, Red onion, and capers (Additional 0.50 each for Super Egg Everything and Pumpernickel bagels)
Brighton Beach Platter $90.00
NY Dozen®, 8oz Smoked Whitefish, 1lb Lox, 8oz Baked Salmon, 2- 8oz Spreads, Vitruvian Baby Greens, Flyte FarmTomatoes, Cucumber, Big City Pickles (Additional 0.50 each for Super Egg Everything and Pumpernickel bagels)
Astoria Platter $80.00
One pound Hummus, 1 pound Imported Sheep’s milk Greek Feta, One pound Baba Ghanoush, 1 pound Tabbouleh, Marinated Olives, Mixed Peppers, Warm Pita
Long Island Platter $60.00
NY Dozen®, 1lb Traditional Tuna Salad, 1lb Traditional Chicken Salad, 1lb Egg Salad, Flyte Farm Tomatoes, Vitruvian Baby Greens, Red Onion, Big City Pickles and Gotham Finest Cole Slaw (Additional 0.50 each for Super Egg Everything and Pumpernickel bagels)
Williamsburg Platter $70.00
NY Dozen®, 1lb Traditional Tuna Salad, 1lb Traditional Chicken Salad, 1lb Egg Salad, Flyte Farm Tomatoes, Vitruvian Baby Greens, Red Onion, Big City Pickles and Gotham Finest Cole Slaw (Additional 0.50 each for Super Egg Everything and Pumpernickel bagels)

Extras
Kettle Chips $1.50
Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper, Backyard Barbeque, New York Cheddar, Jalapeno, Sea Salt & Vinegar
Bag of Bagel Chips $3.25
Made from Gotham Bagels
Chili Rubbed Home Fries $5.00
Single order or Double order +$4.00
Potato Latke $11.00
A healthy pound (usually 5 or 6). Comes with Sour cream.

Gotham Bagels Details

From the business
Identifies as veteran-owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Delivery
In-store pickup
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Paid parking garage
Paid street parking

Gotham Bagels Photos

Gotham Bagels Location

Gotham Bagels

Wisconsin Dane County Madison East Mifflin Street

112 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Gotham Bagels Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 885 user reviews.

everything bagelnew york bagelgarlicdelifarmers marketcapers30 minutescashiercateringsystem

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Gotham Bagels has a really nice atmosphere and the food itself is genuinely tasty, which makes this review a bit tough, but unfortunately, our overall experience just didn’t live up to expectations. We went on a Saturday, so I expected a bit of a wait, but we ended up waiting about an hour for just three bagels, which felt excessive. Still, I was willing to overlook that until we got home and found that all three bagels were made on the wrong kind of bread. We had ordered two on everything bagels and one on garlic, but received what looked like whole wheat or something similar definitely not what we asked for. What really brought the experience down was the lack of communication; if they were out of the bagels we ordered, a quick heads-up would’ve gone a long way. Instead, we were left confused and a bit underwhelmed. Great flavor, but the poor service and incorrect order made it hard to justify more than two stars.
July 19 · Marco Estrada-Gomez
I fully admit, as a former NYer, I can be a bagel snob. The bagels here are ok. Not great, but not bad. The service is remarkably slow. I’ve been here a few times and I’m not quite sure why it takes so long to get a bagel. In NYC, there could be a line out the door and you’d probably get your bagel faster than here. But the worst part was that on a recent trip, I got a bagel that was supposed to have tomato and bacon and found out a few bites into it, that it had lox/salmon (it was under the tomatoes, and blended in, so I missed it at first). Which might not be a big deal to some folks, but I don’t eat salmon. Such a bummer to get home only to find that your $9.00 bagel is now a waste.I know accidents happen, which is why I gave a 3 instead of a 1 for food/service, but it was disappointing nonetheless.
August 29 · Chris Clarke
I know there’s some shade on here about the owner and wait times, I’m here to clear some of that up. The New York style bagels are amazing and made fresh, with that it’s going to take longer than a fast food place, you get what you pay for. Go in or order ahead, have some coffee and relax. The owner, he’s passionate about his business and the food he puts out. He’s east coast so yeah, he might be a little louder than your typical midwesterner, you’ll be fine. Highly recommend
November 24 · Brian Ross
Go classic or go home. Got a bacon egg and cheese everything bagel sandwich and it was not bad. Nice thick cut bacon, cheese was real and tasty, and the bagel was not too chewy. The coffee was local JBC roasters and flavorful as usual (even JBCs light roast is bold). The long wait times unfortunately are the reason I cannot give this place a higher rating, also no washroom. Don’t know what the heck takes so long to get a classic bagel sandwich, but if anyone can enlighten me, please do so!
January 13 · 道林老师
For the last year and a half Gotham Bagels has been our go to bagel shop. The perfect breakfast after the Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning. We found this place through a catering event and absolutely fell in love with the flavors.Have a sweet tooth? Definitely try the Honey Tart Cherry. You can never go wrong with a Salt bagel (if they're in stock). Is the weekend packed? Yes. Is it worth the wait? Depends who you ask. If you're not pressured with time and come with your favorite person then you probably won't notice the wait.We've met Joe once and he was okay. But we are here for the bagels not Joe. You won't know until you try them but whether it's worth the wait that's up to you. It is for us ❤️.
May 29 · Diana Morales Mijares