Best Bagels in Melbourne

Bagels have a murky history. Although they’re believed to be related to the kaak, a ring-shaped Arabic biscuit, most agree that bagels as we know them originated in Poland in the 16th century – a byproduct of the prominent Jewish population there.

A couple of hundred years later, they headed westward – first to the beigel shops of London, then onwards to the bakeries and delis of New York City. And that’s where these boiled, baked beauties really took off. But it took a little while for the NYC-style bagel (and its smaller and sweeter cousin, the Montreal-style bagel) to reach our shores in large quantities.

Here in Melbourne, we have Glick’s to thank for popularising the bagel. The family-run bakery chain has been a favourite of the city's Jewish community and bagel lovers alike for more than 40 years. But we’ve seen an explosion of excellent bagel-based businesses more recently – and they’re selling every style and topping imaginable.

Words by Dan Cunningham And Holly Bodeker-smith
Updated on 14 August 2023

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Baker Bleu Caulfield North

The finest sourdough in Melbourne? Attica and Cumulus Inc. certainly seem to think so. Baker Mike Russell – who also happens to make a stellar bagel – has worked in some of Sydney and Melbourne's most iconic bakeries. And the student has become the master.

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Glick’s Bakery

The bagelry that started it all in Melbourne. This family-run chain has been a favourite of Melbourne’s Jewish community and bagel lovers alike for more than 40 years, offering affordable kosher baked goods, dips, salads and more.

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Schmucks Bagels

Schmucks’ seeded grain, dark rye and sesame bagels may lean traditional, but the fillings sure don’t. Consider the Hippie Slicker – a seedy bagel with turmeric roasted cauliflower, tomato, hummus and lemon-dressed watercress.

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Poppy and Seed Bagelry

Here, 18-hour boiled bagels come in eight different varieties: plain, sesame seed, poppy seed, all seeds, dark rye, blueberry, cinnamon raisin and gluten-free. Go for something simple – cream cheese or avocado filling or a housemade spread – or one of the more substantial “sandwich fillings”.

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Mile End Bagels Fitzroy

Montreal-style rings from a huge wood-fired oven. They aren’t radically different to the New York-style bagels commonly found in Melbourne. But the subtly denser, sweeter rings comfortably hold their own against the old-school.

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Huff Bagelry

There are no airs or graces at this family-run operation. Its two cafes – in Carnegie and Mentone – each offer a fast, convenient place to grab a quality bagel with an Allpress coffee. It’s no surprise they were inspired by New York’s simple bagel shops.

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Bagels Baby

Classic lox, brisket and Gruyere, or a cannoli-inspired ricotta and strawberry number? At this reborn butcher's shop on a sunny Pascoe Vale corner, it's all about bagels, baby.

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Hank’s Bagelry

Borrowing its name from a favourite Breaking Bad character, this spot serves up fresh bagels inspired by New York City. Load yours with classic fillings like cream cheese and house-made jam, or mix it up with beetroot-and-gin-cured salmon or harissa-roasted pumpkin.

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Tuckshop by Comma

From the duo behind Moorabin’s neighbourhood go-to Comma Food & Wine, this hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop offers not-so-classic bagels topped with luxe ingredients. Also, locally roasted Allpress coffee for a quick takeaway.

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Bissel B Bagels Richmond

The soft, fluffy bagels here are named after the Big Apple’s five boroughs. The New Yorker channels a pizza slice, with mozzarella, napoli, salami and basil. And the Brooklyn? It’s a hefty number loaded with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, homemade pickle and horseradish mayo.

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Bricklane Bagels

New York-style open bagels in a cosy setting inspired by the bagel shops of East London. Despite the overseas influences, you’ll feel instantly at home thanks to the eclectic vintage decor and Melbourne-roasted coffee.

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Whiplash

A retired AFL player joined forces with his former barista – and a few of his old Collingwood teammates – to open this retro sandwich and bagel joint. Look for the curvy, converted milk bar with the red and white branding.

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Matilda Mont Albert

There are a variety of bagels to choose from at this French-leaning milk bar: egg and bacon, haloumi, and smoked salmon – alongside classic ham-and-cheese toasties and a baguette of the day.

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Bowery to Williamsburg

This homage to New York’s Bowery subway station is set up to transport you to an all-American destination, combining the industrial feel of a subway and the efficiency of an American canteen. First stop? An everything bagel with schmear, or filled with new-school combinations.

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Drom Bakery

Watch the bakers in action at this queue-worthy bakery, where creative croissants are made over three days. Try those alongside picture-perfect cakes, triple-cheese toasties, Basque cheesecake by the slice and more.

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Take Two Bagels, Brunswick East
Exemplary New York-style bagels and coffee by Supreme – does it get much better than that? The answer is yes: when you leave a Google Review, Take Two will sling you a free coffee with your next online order. (Make it the chilli fried egg with herbed cream cheese, cheddar, tomato and shallots.)

Dan's Deli, Toorak
A relatively new player in Melbourne’s sandwich deli boom, Dan’s is one of the only spots in town putting equal emphasis on its bagels. Sure, you can still get a hulking Italian hoagie here, but there’s something to be said for a place that’ll just as easily slap the same fillings on a chewy, boiled hoop.

Northside Challah, Delivery Only
During Melbourne’s fifth lockdown, Daniel Chamravi found it hard to stay connected with his Jewish heritage without access to the bakeries he grew up with. So he started this mobile pantry, ferrying braided challah, babkas, pickles and of course, bagels (plain, sesame, multi-seed and the more oblong Jerusalem variety) all over the city.

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