Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes: NEW Destination for Sourdough Bagels in Ridgefield

I love bagels. I love anything that has to do with bagels, whether it’s simply a toasted plain bagel with some butter or cream cheese (often I choose both – sue me), or a B.E.C. on a sesame bagel, or it’s an everything bagel stacked with the works, like scallion cream cheese, smoked salmon, onions, and capers, I am all in! If you are from the tri-state area, you know the importance of a solid bagel shop, as we take this stuff very seriously, because what the heck would we do without a hearty breakfast sandwich in the morning? As luck would have it, Ridgefield needed a new bagel shop to take the place of what had previously been Steve’s Bagels, and in November of 2023, the same location on Main Street became Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes. 

Gary and Emily King met roughly 15 years ago at a restaurant in Chelsea, Gary a sous chef and Emily a pastry chef: it made perfect sense, as every relationship requires a good balance. Both Gary and Emily are classically trained chefs, the former studied French and Italian cuisines while the latter focused on the art of French pastry-making as she staged in Paris for six months. Now, the couple has joined forces as the sole owners of Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes, where they combine both of their expertises to offer the community a one-of-a-kind bagel and bakery experience. 

Through a top-secret, multi-day baking process, the couple puts their all into their bagels, as most of the flavors begin with their sourdough starter…oh and it begins at 3 a.m. every morning. Their 15 bagel options, including flagels (flat bagels) and mini bagels, can be filled with one of their many homemade cream cheeses, homemade chicken salad, hand-sliced smoked salmon, fresh white fish salad, and more. They also bake and serve bialys, a traditional Polish Ashkenazi-Jewish flat roll filled with a variety of ingredients. We also cannot forget about the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever had…they’re basically the size of a human head and they’re always fresh, so make sure you call ahead first thing in the morning as they sell out fast! 

As someone who grew up in Ridgefield, I know what Steve’s Bagels meant to its residents and was shocked to find out that it would be closing and taking on new ownership. However, when I walked into the space that it is today, I was suddenly not so sad or nostalgic, but excited for what the new, current Ridgefield generation gets to enjoy. As you walk in, on the left you’ll immediately notice that the beverage coolers are stocked with locally-made kombucha, beer, and wine. On the right you’ll see modern wooden shelves stacked with cookbooks, plants, and funky ceramics (made by Emily’s mom).

While breakfast and lunch is their mainstay, Gary and Emily also offer a special Monday night dinner, which includes a 4-course prix fixe menu that varies based on what’s fresh & local – wine is included (reservation only). If you weren’t sold already, the couple also donate their leftover food to Food Rescue, which helps provide food to those in need and contributes to the reduction of food waste. 

Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes, located at 463 Main Street in Ridgefield, is open 7 days a week. Gary and Emily King (plus their two sons) are excited to be a part of the Ridgefield community, where friends and family can come together to enjoy a bagel and a brew.