The Best Bagels in Melbourne A Guide for Bagel Lovers

Bagels are a beloved food in Melbourne, satisfying both breakfast and lunch cravings. The beauty of bagels lies in their versatility, as they can be filled with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients. Melbourne is fortunate to have several outstanding bagel outlets, located both south and north of the river. In this guide, we will explore some of the top bagel spots in Melbourne for 2023.

Bagels Baby

Bagels Baby is a popular establishment with two stores in Pascoe Vale and Greensborough. Known for its minimalist design, with light-filled stores featuring white-washed walls, Bagels Baby has gained a dedicated following. Their menu offers a range of options, from classic cream cheese schmears to more adventurous choices like the chicken Katsu bagel, filled with Panko crumbed schnitzel, Kewpie mayo, and Tonkatsu sauce.

Mile End Bagels

Despite Melbourne’s already thriving bagel scene, Mile End Bagels stands out with its commitment to quality. Baked in a wood-fired Canadian stonemason and boiled in honey water, these bagels have a slightly sweeter aftertaste. With locations in Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond, and Hawthorn, Mile End Bagels offers a wide range of options, including a smoked salmon bagel with sliced tomato and red onion, as well as a Brisket pastrami bagel with hot and sweet mustard and cream cheese.

Bissel B.

Located on Bridge Road in Richmond, Bissel B. is known for serving some of the best bagels in Melbourne. The long queues outside the shop are a testament to the quality of their offerings. Bissel B. specializes in New York-style bagel combinations, with each bagel named after a landmark or street in the city. One popular option is the “Wall Street” bagel, filled with fried egg, bacon, sausage patty, house-made hashbrown, and melted American cheese.

Glick’s Bakery

For over 40 years, Glick’s Bakery has been producing some of the best bagels in Melbourne. With five locations and always long lines, Glick’s Bakery has become a beloved institution in the city. Their bagels are affordable and delicious, and if you’re looking for a convenient option, you can find Glick’s Bakery bagels at Five Points Cafe in the CBD, where they are served with ingredients like pulled pork, Asian slaw, and tangy BBQ sauce.

Northside Challah

Northside Challah is a business that emerged during the lockdown period. Born out of the desire to find quality Jewish food in Melbourne’s North and North-Western suburbs, Northside Challah delivers Glick’s bagels, babkas, challah, and Jewish deli goods to the community. The founder, Daniel Chamravi, aims to introduce the cuisine to a broader audience, creating a community where everyone can enjoy Jewish food.

Bowery To Williamsburg

Located in the CBD, Bowery To Williamsburg is the perfect spot for a mid-week morning boost. Their breakfast Reuben, featuring pastrami beef brisket, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and a fried egg, is a crowd favorite. DIY bagels, such as pumpernickel and “everything” bagels, are also available, along with a wide selection of schmear options.

Hank’s

Hank’s is a bagel spot in Armadale, brought to you by the team behind Mammoth and Copycat. Inspired by a visit to New York City, owner Nick Beerens created Hank’s to bring classic bagels, house-made cookies, shakes, and exceptional coffee to the Armadale neighborhood. The menu features OG bagel combinations, like the beetroot and gin-cured salmon bagel with red onion, cream cheese, and herbs. Vegetarians can enjoy the harissa roasted pumpkin, almond fetta, hummus, and wild rocket bagel.

Migrant Coffee

Migrant Coffee in West Footscray is a prideful establishment that combines bagels and coffee with a unique twist. Their menu features NYC-style bagels with signature flares, such as the classic pastrami bagel with swiss cheese, mustard, cream cheese, and Atsara, a pickled relish made from green papaya. Migrant Coffee offers a range of bagel flavors, including blueberry, dill, and rainbow.

Schmucks Bagels

For traditional Polski bagels, Schmucks Bagels is the place to go. Despite America’s association with bagels, their origins can be traced back to a Jewish community in 17th-century Poland. Schmucks Bagels offers a menu that resembles a classic Melbourne cafe, but with the addition of bagels. One popular option is the Avo Our Way, featuring smashed avocado, lemon, pickled red onion, capers, and herbs.

Brown Bagels

With only two communal tables, Brown Bagels in Melbourne’s Equitable Place may be small, but it attracts a large crowd during lunchtime. Known for its takeaway-focused menu, Brown Bagels offers a selection of tried-and-true favorites, such as smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and classic BLT bagels.

Huff Bagelry

Huff Bagelry has locations in Carnegie and Mentone, making it a convenient choice for bagel lovers in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. With a wide range of house-made bagels and various toppings to choose from, Huff Bagelry ensures that customers are always satisfied.

Aviv Cakes And Bagels

Aviv Cakes And Bagels, an Elsternwick institution, has been baking bagels for decades. Their perfectly dense and chewy bagels are among the best in Melbourne. The newly renovated store offers a staple range of plain, poppy, and sesame seed-topped bagels, proving that simplicity can be bliss.

Dan’s Deli

Dan’s Deli is a relative newcomer to Melbourne’s bagel scene, with two locations in Toorak and Carlton. Sourcing their bagels from the long-established Savion Cakes & Bagels in Balaclava, Dan’s Deli offers a range of New York-style bagels. From classic smoked salmon or pastrami bagels to peanut butter and mixed berry jam options, Dan’s Deli has something for everyone.

In conclusion, Melbourne is home to a vibrant bagel culture, with numerous outlets offering a wide variety of options. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic combination or an adventurous twist, these bagel spots are sure to satisfy your cravings. So, grab a bagel and enjoy the deliciousness that Melbourne has to offer.

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