Whether you’re carb-loading or planning the perfect Yom Kippur break-the-fast spread, September is prime bagel season. Miami is in the midst of a full-blown bagel boom, with everything from social media sensations with wildly creative schmears to more traditional takes.
Mitch’s Downtown Bagel Café
Family-owned and operated, Mitch’s bakes fresh bagels daily in a dozen varieties, from plain and everything to pumpernickel, rainbow, and gluten-free options. They’re also happy to scoop your bagel, if that’s your thing. Regulars swear by the classic smoked salmon sandwich. With four South Florida locations, including in Atlantic Village, it’s the neighborhood bagel shop of your dreams.
PopUp Bagels
The viral East Coast bagel shop recently landed in Aventura, bringing its signature “grip, rip, and dip” philosophy. Patrons are encouraged to tear off pieces and dunk them into tubs of ever-changing cream cheese and butter flavors like Jalapeño Popper, Mike’s Hot Honey, Grilled Pickle Butter, and Za’atar Butter. The bagels themselves emerge warm from the oven with a smaller silhouette than the hulking New York bagels of years past, but they deliver exactly what matters most: an irresistible chew.
Sadelle’s
At Sadelle’s, presentation is part of the experience. Instead of arriving in a basket, the bagels (plain, sesame, poppy, everything, and onion) are stacked on a wooden peg, creating a centerpiece that’s almost too pretty to eat—almost. The accompanying accoutrements include smoked salmon, sable, sturgeon, whitefish salad, and cream cheese. With locations in Coconut Grove and the Design District, it’s also easy to re-create the magic at home by ordering everything to go.
Zak the Baker
Zak Stern may be best known for his award-winning sourdough and challahs, but his bagels deserve just as much attention. Dense, flavorful, and beautifully baked, they’re available in plain, everything, sesame, and poppy. The standout topping is the cold-smoked Atlantic salmon, subtly infused with notes of Florida grapefruit. Order it as a sandwich and it arrives layered with cream cheese, pickled red onions, dill, tomatoes, and crispy fried capers—a combo that’s fresh, bright, and packed with flavor.
A Sweet Circle
Round challahs are an essential part of every Rosh Hashanah celebration, symbolizing the cycle of the year and the hope for a sweet year ahead. One of the most beautiful versions in South Florida comes from Bakey, the Hallandale Beach bakery that opened in July from James Beard Award nominee Uri Scheft. Bakey crafts festive round challahs topped with sesame, pumpkin, or poppy seeds. Each loaf features a hollow center designed to cradle a small bowl of honey, creating an elegant centerpiece for your holiday table.
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