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. 

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. 

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. 

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.