Local shops represent big at BagelFest West

New Wave Bagel in Leucadia placed third for "most creative" for its brown butter salted honey sourdough bagel with lemon meringue cream cheese, which was also the runner up for "Schmear of the year." The shop was also named a rising star.

• New Wave started as a pop-up at Ironsmith Coffee in Encinitas, and opened its brick-and-mortar on the 101 in August 2025.
• It'll start serving sandwiches this spring or summer.

Mission Bagel in Pacific Beach was also named a rising star, and won honorable mention and runner up nods for its Gefilte Fish Hillel Bagel Sandwich that "clears your sinuses and your soul."

Inglorious Bagels in Carlsbad won runner up for best yeasted bagel.

The big picture: BagelFest, founded in 2019, has become the premier bagel industry showcase — drawing thousands of attendees and helping standout shops gain momentum.