Cape Town's Bagel Revival: Top 5 Bagel Destinations
Cape Town recently saw a "Bagel Revival," as numerous venues serve these delectable doughy treats. These versatile, circular bites have become synonymous with the city's booming food scene and have earned their place alongside classic coffee. To ensure you get all the finest bagel experiences, here are five essential bagel stops in Cape Town.
Cape Town recently saw a “Bagel Revival,” as numerous venues serve these delectable doughy treats. These versatile, circular bites have become synonymous with the city’s booming food scene and have earned their place alongside classic coffee. To ensure you get all the finest bagel experiences, here are five essential bagel stops in Cape Town.
1. Against The Grain (ATG)
Initially located on Buitengracht Street, ATG moved to a larger space at 102 Wale Street in the scenic Bokaap neighborhood. Despite the change, it has maintained its inviting atmosphere with lush plants. Aside from being fully Halaal, ATG offers a choice of ten different bagel fillings, with the crispy chicken, jalapenos, and secret sauce blend being a standout favorite.
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Operating hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 5:30 pm | Friday and Saturday, 7 am to 10:30 pm | Sunday, 7 am to 4 pm
2. New York Bagel
Located in the city center at 44 Harrington Street, New York, Bagel is a lively cafe providing an array of handmade bagels filled with various delicious ingredients, such as roast beef and chicken schnitzel. In addition to serving delicious bagels, their famous cheesecake is a must-try for dessert lovers.
Operating hours: Tuesday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm | Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm
3. Kleinsky’s
A staple in Cape Town, Kleinsky’s at 92 Regent Road in Sea Point is renowned for its heavenly bagels that cater to even the most discerning palates. Their signature California bagel, featuring smoked salmon and wasabi cream cheese, should be noticed.
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm
4. Serendipity Creamery
This Halaal-friendly treasure in Belvedere Square, Claremont, offers a concise yet satisfying bagel menu. The salmon lox cream cheese bagel is a popular choice among customers. For those with a sweet craving, Serendipity Creamery also serves a variety of unique hand-churned artisanal ice creams.
Operating hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 6 pm | Friday to Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm
5. Max Bagels
At Oude Schuvr, 120 Bree Street, Max Bagels has played a crucial role in Cape Town’s Bagel Revival. This beloved establishment serves handmade boiled bagels, specialty coffee from Rosetta Roastery, and enticing specials and beverages.
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm | Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm
These exceptional bagel venues have undoubtedly benefited Cape Town’s thriving culinary scene. Their commitment to creativity and quality will leave you wanting more, making them essential stops on your journey through the city. So, grab a bagel, sip some coffee, and savor the Bagel Revival in the Mother City.
Thabo Sebata is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the intersection of politics and daily life in South Africa's legislative capital, bringing grassroots perspectives to parliamentary reporting from his upbringing in Gugulethu. When not tracking policy shifts or community responses, he finds inspiration hiking Table Mountain's trails and documenting the city's evolving food scene in Khayelitsha and Bo-Kaap. His work has appeared in leading South African publications, where his distinctive voice captures the complexities of a nation rebuilding itself.
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