Best Bagels in Penang

Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, this full-of-life cafe is the birthplace of bagel obsession. What more compelling than looking at an arsenal of bagels being prepared in a dome-like wood fire oven. The best seller – bacon and egg bagel is an absolute beauty, as the poppy and sesame seeds capped muffins is filled with bacon, runny egg and a generous splash of mayonnaise. Other variants include corned beef and rockets, cream cheese and smoked salmon and turkey ham with cranberry sauce. Absolutely second to none, it takes lots of self-discipline to leave the communal space with only one bagel. 

Needless to say, coffee is the name of the game here. And what constitutes a good coffee-oriented cafe – comfort bites and desserts, charming ambience and pleasant service, all elements are well-taken care at Coffee Elements. A common sight to see is tables graced up with a selection of bagels – cream cheese, egg and ham, salmon, beef salami, turkey ham, and even chocolate. No matter which filling gets the nod, the bouncy and dense bagel complements it with flying colours. 

Be it online reviews or words of mouth, this cafe is famed for its gargantuan layout, a sheer spread of food and freshly brewed coffees that are second to none. How good is the coffee here? Well, they do have their own barista academy, enough said, full-stop. The passionate team do take a lot of pride with their bagels which are rated as the best buddy for the caffeine goodie. Expect varieties like smoked duck breast with citrus sauce, bacon, pork, smoked salmon, and salad bagel which either comes with cheese scrambled egg or grilled mushrooms. First bite in and you're completely sold by the texture and flavour triumph along the atmosphere that invites you to linger a little longer with your second or third or countless cup of cuppa. 

Trois Canon Cafe is an ideal spot to stop over for hearty breakfast and brunch. Sidestepping from all those hipster hangouts, this places oozes with nostalgic vibes. The most ordered dish here is their B.E.L.T bagel - toasted bagel filled to brim with beef or chicken sausages, smoked bacon, cheese, egg patty, lettuce, and tomatoes. Roll up your sleeves and gorge down the drool-worthy bagel with a cup of joe by the side. One would certainly be full but somehow yearn for more. 

Tucked in Gurney Paragon Mall, this renowned French cum Japanese restaurant never fails to see a high turn up rate of customers who go head over heels for their delectable spread of spaghettis, photo-worthy desserts and French toasts. Lesser known but they mark a stamp on bagels too which is full of colours and flavours. The poppy seeds basted roll-with-a-hole is bloated with smoked salmon, creamy egg omelette, a handful of greens and a dollop of cream cheese by the side. You’ll certainly feel like a winner after scarfing down this baby within a blink of an eye. 

Boasting as one of the most beautiful restaurants in Penang, just stepping into Muntri Mews allows you to disconnect from all stress of life. Stroll along the gardens that is embellished with lush greenery and flowers to make up more space in the stomach before sweeping through the extensive menu. During breakfast hours, bagels are constantly rushed out from the kitchen which is dense and chewy in texture with a copious coating of sesame seeds on the casing. You’ll love it even more when cream cheese and smoked salmon or beef bacon, fresh greens and cheese are stacked in between. 

For those of you who have jumped on the healthy bandwagon, this first-of-its-kind eatery is not to be missed. As per the name, the highlight here is sourdough bread, buns and even pizzas which are made fresh without any usage of commercial yeast. The minimalist decor and spacious dining area is absolutely pretty and once you’ve seated, the open kitchen and bustling brick oven keeps your eyes peeled. If bagel is what you’re looking for, you’ll be surprised yet utterly satisfied with their beetroot cream cheese bagel. The freshness of the bread, the rugged layer of poppy seeds and complementing filling just works in harmony. Match your bagel with a quality brew and return all smiles.

The concept of coming up with this vegetarian restaurant is somewhat unique and cute. The owners were inspired by their pet poodle who is a vegetarian since birth, and it’s brown in colour, now you know where the name comes from. The atmosphere is charming and staying true to the name, few soft toys of poodles adorn the space. Their bagel burger has captivated the hearts of many, where a vegetarian patty made from soy pulp is wedged between halved bagels with slices of cheese, lettuce, ground herbs and a generous amount of sauces perched atop. Despite being healthy, the beautiful mess that bursts to the fore after each bite will certainly remind you of all those big-bad burgers. A handful of fries and fresh garden salad completes the platter. 

What you’re looking at is a bagel that would blow your mind away with creativity and amazing flavours. The new kid on the block has raised the bar with their BBQ pulled chicken bagel. The main draw here is the flavour combination between the billowy buns – bed of their signature Coca-Cola pulled chicken is heavily baptised with Swiss cheese and fresh arugula. Hands down, it could keep those monstrous burgers you had before at bay. Their waffles, French toasts and selection of spaghettis are worth a go too. 

If you’re active on social media, you are known to stumble upon several snapshots of this cafe thanks to their bicycle-themed backdrop. Apart from the ambience, their big breakfasts, assorted Western fare and freshly brewed coffees are widely vouched by the patrons. If you’re a fan of bagels, you’ll never be disappointed. Their Salmon Gravlax Bagel is a showstopper with crunchy greens laced with slivers of fresh salmon and ham. Continue swelling your stomach with an array of cakes and confectionaries.