These are the 14 best bagels in Melbourne

Yes, it's the 'it' bagel joint right now, but is it actually any good? Of course it is! Mere months into flinging its doors open to Fitzroy's hungry crowds, this hospo gun-operated bakery has been commanding long queues for its wild-fermented sourdough bagel tartines (open sangas) and we can't get enough of these crisp, gently chewy rings. While we highly rate the smoked trout quark bagel with pickled zucchini and salmon roe, a staff member at Masses told us that it's actually the pickled green tomato bagel that's most popular right now – incredibly tasty with parmesan cream, fermented pineapple honey and mustard leaves. 

Bissel B’s light and fluffy bagels are named in homage to the Big Apple - not unsurprising upon learning that this Richmond bagel house was inspired by its sibling-owners’ third trip to New York city. The menu jumps between boroughs and big-ticket landmarks, like the beef patty-stuffed Bronx, the pastrami-filled Brooklyn, or the bacon-speckled mac and cheese in Bleecker Street, and the Little Italy with its housemade meatballs and napoli sauce. Gluten-free and vegan options are available. 

Owned by Nick Beerens of Mammoth and Copycat renown, Hank’s is named after a Breaking Bad character. That’s number one on the list of things to love. Number two is, of course, the fresh bagels. The taste of these chewy, malty handcrafted rings is irresistibly New York, a city that’s inspired Beerens since he was a teen. Opt for onion, seeded, plain, challah or gluten-free, and go wild as you wish with the fillings. There’s housemade jam, cream cheese, bacon and eggs, pork and fennel sausage, harissa-roasted pumpkin, salmon cured with beetroot and gin, and more. The milkshakes here are also insane. 

Mile End Bagels is a pioneer of Melbourne’s bagel boom. The bagel store was set up in Fitzroy back in 2016 and has since expanded to two other outposts in Brunswick and Richmond. Head here for a Montreal bagel, which has a sweeter dough than the New York-style and is boiled in honey water before being finished in a wood-fired oven. Mile End’s bagel oven was even the first of its kind in Australia. There are no less than five varieties of cream cheese on the menu: schmear savants rejoice.

Its laneway location is quintessentially Melbourne, but Bowery to Williamsburg is all-American by name and nature. Paying tribute to New York City’s Bowery subway station since 2013, Bowery to Williamsburg leans into diner-style dishes, with bagel riffs on breakfast Reubens, brisket-egg-cheese combos and classic lox with simple schmears. Eat-ins are served on cafeteria-style trays and be quick to nab a seat at the communal table for primo people-watching. 

Schmucks’ Polish-style bagels are steamed rather than boiled for a lighter texture, and the menu has something for bagel purists and adventurers alike. For the former, think smoked salmon and cream cheese or thick-cut salted beef and sauerkraut. Options such as line-caught miso tuna and wasabi peas, turmeric-roasted cauliflower and hummus, and apple strudel with buckwheat crumb on blueberry, cater for the latter cohort. A second Schmucks is located on Collins St. 

From choc-chip to the never-fail pizza bagel, Glicks has been servicing the bagel community of Melbourne for over 60 years. Choose some bagels and sweets to go, or take a seat and get the friendly staff to fill a bagel for you. The Glicks chain also runs a plethora of cafes around Melbourne where you can catch a cup o' joe and a tasty meal or just some trusty bagels.

Huff Bagelry doesn’t do bells and whistles, and it doesn’t need to. In the style of a no-fuss New York bagel house, this family-run joint is the kind of place where you order at the counter, collect your bagel and head out. Choice abounds at Huff’s build-a-bagel bar, no matter if you’re the lox-and-schmear type, or want to get creative with chicken schnitzel, roast vegetables, herbed feta, chopped egg and homemade meatloaf. Peak times can see lines form quickly so plan accordingly. 

Don’t let the name mislead you, because this laneway bolthole does more than just juice. While it may be compact, Jungle Juice Bar doesn’t let size stop it from busting out bagels that have built up a legion of fans. Kickstart the day with the Kevin Bacon or McBagel, or those seeking a lunchtime bagel fix can pick from the all-day menu, including options with kransky, halloumi, smoked pork belly, and Turkish spiced beef. And to wash it all down? Juice, of course. 

Baker Bleu is probably best known for supplying the likes of Attica, Cutler & Co. and the Carlton Wine Room with their bread, so you know it's outrageously good. But did you know they also bust out bangin' bagels?  Choose from sesame seed, plain, multi-seed or poppy seed. Their classic plain bagels are baked in a New York style from sourdough starter and minimal yeast, which means a delightfully chewy interior and crisp exterior. All you need to do is take it home, top it with your favourite spread or lunch meats and you've got a perfect lunch.

Bobby’s does what it says on the tin: coffee and bagels. And it does both well. This weekday-only operation is popular with the corporate crowd from the surrounding office buildings, picking up bagels, housemade sodas and coffee by Wood & Co during lunch breaks. The New Yorker comes loaded with pastrami and shredded gruyere, and the Manhatt-Hen is chock-full of wood-smoked chicken, sage and onion mushrooms, and aioli. Or go for an open bagel topped with smashed avo, sumac and chilli if you are looking for something a little lighter. 

Bang On Bagels wraps up chewy bagels loaded with sweet and savoury goodies. The New Yorker with pepperoni and American cheese takes its cues from one of the bagel’s spiritual homes, or get around a crispy hash brown between bacon rashers and a fried egg in the Aussie. More into dessert bagels? Goopy pillows of melted marshmallow spread over a thick swirl of Nutella will hit the spot. Self-proclaimed sandwich chefs can build their own too. 

One of the newcomers in Melbourne’s wave of trendy sandwich joints, Dan’s is honing in on our love for bagels as well. Try their signature pastrami bagel, which comes with swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and a zippy horseradish mayo. Everything's made with high quality ingredients and it's also a comfy little place for a coffee and a catch-up with friends. A score for Toorak!

New York bagels meet the flavours of Thai and Filipino cuisine at this diner, making it a destination for those wanting to shake up their normal bagel routine. Expect brisket pastrami with pickled green papaya and Swiss cheese; halloumi chunks marinated in calamansi juice; or leg ham with hoisin mayo and slaw. Coconut jam, a signature pesto and a honey, raisin and walnut cream cheese fill out the line-up of spreads. Migrant’s entire bagel menu is available as dine-in or takeaway.