The bagels at Courage come out almost charred; so dense and crispy, a sharp CRACK lets out whenever you bite into one. They’re topped with a basket’s worth of local produce, a bounty that would make any Alice Waters devotee swoon: heirloom tomatoes, sprigs of dill, and lemon slices that taste like summer. Courage Bagels, which opened in 2020, makes the best bagels in Los Angeles—but perhaps you already knew that? Courage’s signature Montreal-inspired bagel is svelte—smaller, thinner, and sweeter than the ones on the East Coast. We say that for context, but what we love most about Courage is that they’re wholly unconcerned with the “NYC v. The Rest of The World″ debate. Instead, they host an unhurried bagel experience that highlights the bounty of nearby farmers' markets. Everything about Courage Bagels is unapologetically Californian. Long wait times are a given, but the people working aren’t in a rush. Even if there are 100 people in line behind you, the person at the window will dreamily compliment your sweater (we got it on Depop) or stop to chat about the weather (it’s hot, isn’t it?). Each interaction is an unexpected treat—a personal touch that doesn’t feel performative. A warm smile can go a long way, especially when you just waited 45 minutes in line for a freaking bagel. Prepared bagels are sold by the half, so utilize that option. The Hand-Sliced Smoked Salmon is cured fish in its ultimate form, shaved so thin it’s almost translucent, then showered in dill, onion slices, heirloom tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Get a half of that on sesame. For your other half, we strongly recommend a Run It Through The Garden. As the name suggests, it tastes like someone dumped a salad on a bagel. There are tomatoes, lemons, salty capers, onions, cucumbers, plus a sprinkle of pepper. We like that on the burnt everything. It’s an original creation that tastes sticky and sweet, as if rolled in garlic, sesame seeds, and an open flame. If there’s a darker side to Courage’s sunny, laid-back atmosphere, however, it's the crowds and the resulting congestion around Virgil Village. Lines are known to snake around the block, obstructing streets and sidewalks. So while we do suggest geting that burnt-everything bagel. Just please stay off the freaking grass. .