I’ve got a serious soft spot for a good bagel, and THB Bagelry’s the one I keep circling back to. There’s a reason they’ve been voted Baltimore’s best bagel more than a dozen times, and after 25-plus years serving Maryland, they’ve more than earned the title.
What started as one little shop in Towson is now eight locations across the area, and the Canton spot on Boston Street is my favorite of the bunch. It sits right on the water with a big outdoor deck, and honestly, there’s not much better than grabbing a scratch-made bagel and posting up with a view. My go-to’s their asiago bagel with lox and all the fixings, and it’s so yum every single time! If you love a Baltimore breakfast that comes with a side of waterfront, this one’s for you.
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What Makes THB Bagelry a Standout Bagel Shop
So what’s all the hype about? For starters, every bagel’s made from scratch in-house daily, and you can taste the difference, especially next to a grocery-store bagel. They’ve also been crowned Baltimore’s best bagel 13 times, which is no small thing in a city that takes its carbs personally.
The lineup runs deep too, from the classics like everything, sesame, and poppy to fun ones like asiago, salt, and cinnamon raisin. Add in the fact that they’re a real local success story, one Towson shop that grew into eight spots around Maryland, and it’s easy to see why the line moves fast on a weekend morning. It’s the kind of place locals get a little territorial about, in the best way.
What to Order at THB Bagelry
Asiago Bagel with Lox and All the Fixings
This is my order, full stop. You get THB’s asiago bagel, which brings that savory, cheesy edge, layered with silky, salty lox and all the fixings. It’s my go-to order every time, and it’s the perfect thing to take out to the deck. If you’re new to THB, just start here, you can thank me later!
The Bagels, Made From Scratch Daily
Even if lox isn’t your thing, the bagels are the whole point, so build your own adventure. They bake a big range every day, and the schmear list goes way past plain: veggie, scallion, honey walnut, and even a vegan cream cheese if you’re skipping dairy. A classic everything bagel with scallion cream cheese is a solid starting point, and at these prices it could easily become a weekly thing.
Beyond the Bagel: Sandwiches, Omelets, and the Nova Balt
The menu goes well past bagels, which surprises a lot of first-timers. There are hot bagel sandwiches, three-egg omelets served with home fries, deli sandwiches, and salads if you want something bigger. Their signature Nova Balt (nova lox, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) is already on my list for next time, basically a loaded upgrade on a classic lox bagel. Point is, whether you want a quick handheld or a full sit-down breakfast, they’ve got you.
What Does THB Stand For?
Here’s a fun one: THB stands for Towson Hot Bagels. The shop opened back in 1999 in Towson (hence the name), and it’s been family-run ever since. Today it’s owned by four Italian cousins who took the reins and grew it into the eight-location operation it is now. I love that the name never changed even as they spread across Baltimore, it’s a little nod to where they started. So the next time you spot “THB” on a storefront in Canton, Columbia, or Owings Mills, now you know the story behind those three letters.
The Vibe and Experience
The Canton location’s the move if you want to make a morning of it. There’s a big outdoor deck right on the water, and it’s dog-friendly, so you’ll see plenty of pups lounging while their owners work through a bagel and coffee. It’s counter service, so you order up front, grab a seat, and they call you when it’s ready. There’s a self-serve coffee bar too, which is clutch when you need caffeine immediately.
It’s casual and quick, great for a solo weekend breakfast, a low-key catch-up with a friend, or grabbing a dozen to bring home to the fam. If you’re chasing another Baltimore morning spot with lovely outdoor seating, my OneDo coffeeshop pick is a great follow-up.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 3301 Boston St, Suite 106, Baltimore, MD (Canton), with seven other locations around the area
- Hours: Monday to Friday 6am to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm
- Price: budget-friendly
- Ordering: counter service in-store, online pickup through Toast, or delivery via Uber Eats. See the full menu and order at eatthb.com
- Seating: large waterfront outdoor deck, dog-friendly, with a self-serve coffee bar inside
- Dietary: gluten-free bagels available, plus vegan cream cheese and a dedicated vegan menu
- Payment: cards accepted
- Good for: weekend breakfast, a quick solo bagel run, or grabbing a dozen to bring home
Is THB Bagelry Worth the Trip to Canton?
THB earns the best-bagel hype, and the Canton spot pairs those fresh-baked bagels with a waterfront deck you’ll want to linger on. It’s not a fancy sit-down situation, it’s a quick, budget-friendly bagel run that delivers exactly what you want on a weekend morning. If you’re a bagel person, THB belongs on your list, and out in the burbs my other NY-style bagel go-to is Bagels ‘n Grinds in Hanover.
Have you guys made it out to THB yet, or do you have a Baltimore bagel spot you swear by? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and send this to your favorite bagel buddy so you can plan a Canton morning together.