11 July 3-9, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE WE’VE GOT GREAT BAGELS, YES WE DO 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. Top Hat Deli at 415 NE Third St. landed at 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 grandfa- ther 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, wel- coming atmosphere.” The spot earned recog- nition 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, home- made noodles, and a soft matzo ball. The Reu- ben 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 every- where in the space, from the service to branded mugs and T-shirts. Regulars love the community feel, with many noting that “ev- eryone 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 fla- vors with their twists on classic recipes. Mitch’s Downtown Bagel Cafe at 540 N. An- drews Ave. in Flagler Village landed at 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 Shid- lofsky, opened their flagship Fort Lauder- dale location after starting with Mitch’s Westside Bagels in Weston in 2002. Yelp Elites praised Mitch’s “authentic New York-style ba- gels” 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 sand- wiches 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 In- stagram magnet, and cofounder Adam Shid- lofsky 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 loca- tion that opened in March 2024 near Aven- tura Mall. Mitch’s Downtown Bagel Cafe. 540 N. An- drews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; mitchsdown- town.com. Top Hat Deli. 415 NE Third St., Fort Lauderdale; tophatftl.com. OLEE FOWLER | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Photo by Isa Zapata Fort Lauderdale delis Mitch’s Downtown Bagel Cafe and Top Hat Deli make Yelp’s Top 50 Bagel Spots in the U.S. and Canada for 2025 for their bagels and breakfast. SOUTH FLORIDA CAN HOLD ITS OWN AGAINST NEW YORK’S BAGEL SCENE.
