It’s no secret that New York City has some of the best bagels in the world. So when a Richmond-based shop walked into New York’s BagelFest 2025 and left with the People’s Choice Award, you know their bagels are serious. Baltik’s Bagel, owned by Yero Rudzinskas, achieved the impossible, putting Richmond on the map for some of the planet’s best bagels.
When Rudzinskas opened his now New York–approved shop in 2024, little did he know what the next year would bring. From a Michelin-level chef to an investment banker to a tech executive, now Rudzinskas can add “bagel king” to his list of achievements.
After an enthusiastic reception in Richmond’s Forest Hill neighborhood, a loyal customer convinced Rudzinskas to enter BagelFest. Baltik’s was eventually declared good enough to be one of 25 global competitors that stretched from Honolulu to Madrid. “That was the biggest win,” says Rudzinskas. The shop was barely a year old, which meant his expectations were low; he knew he’d be up against bagel dynasties from the tri-state area—known the world-over as Bagel Mecca. Once the time came, he packed up his Sprinter van—crew and all—and headed to New York City.
Baltik’s Bagel’s Snowbird bagel. Photo courtesy of Baltik’s Bagels
“By the time we actually got everything set up, we were just happy to not embarrass ourselves,” Rudzinskas says. He made sure to feature bagel combinations that highlighted their Richmond roots—presenting “The Pomodoro,” a summer special that celebrates tomato season, and a Chesapeake crab salad bagel with a caviar garnish. To their surprise, the line at their table began to grow .… and then grow some more as more than a few of the 2,000 BagelFest attendees were eager for bites. Not only was the Baltik’s team shocked, but they were also humbled to see their brand of bagels receive so much love.
What makes Baltik’s bagels so special? First, Rudzinskas uses the “kettle-boiled” method to achieve the pillowy-soft center encased in a crackly crust, making these chubby dough rings both soft and crunchy. Second: the introduction of seasonally inspired bagels. But what truly sets Baltik’s apart from other bagel shops in the area is the welcoming atmosphere. “To me, food is always the currency of community,” Rudzinskas says. He thanks his Lithuanian roots for showing him that food is a love language, and it has a way of bringing people together.
This article originally appeared in the June 2026 issue.