Where to go for bagels in Edinburgh

Let’s kick off our bagel round-up with a little Montreal-inspired charm. Bross Bagels, founded by the Canadian entrepreneur and stand-up comedian Larah Bross, serves the kind of authentic bagels you’d ordinarily only ever find on the other side of the. Hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and baked in a wood-fired oven, these circular creations are pure brilliance.

As their reputation spread across the capital, the brand grew to become a chain, now with venues in three parts of the city; Bruntsfield (with late opening for your evening bagel fix), Portobello and Stockbridge. Try an all-day brekkie bun, a vegan option with facon, Montréal slaw, crispy onions and chilli mayo, or a salt beef reuben with rock sauce.

Start your day with crispy bacon in a freshly baked bagel, or a herby, seeded or cheesy bagel straight from the oven. The Birchwood is found in Marchmont, home to many Edinburgh University students and well-heeled bohemian residents. The venue serves up breakfast and brunch, with its delectable in-house baking, international flavours and fresh coffee. Pop by and check out the tempting array of baked goods on the counter, or book a table for food with friends.

Look out for the bright blue frontage to find this little coffee shop on Rodney Street. And get there early as there’s often a queue for tables when the friendly team opens the doors at 10 am. Its small-batch baking style ensures a fresh taste, that’s paired with high-end ingredients.

They love a bite with a hole, specialising in both bagels and ring doughnuts (although The Bearded Baker himself first began his trade on bagels alone). Go plain, or pack in some classic ingredients like smashed avo and locally smoked salmon. A second site is tipped to be opening soon — you can keep an eye on The Bearded Baker’s socials for more updates.

Go for classic Big Apple flavours, with a multi-seeded bagel that’s brimming with house pastrami, Swiss cheese, whole grain mustard slaw and gherkins. Some — like one with smoked haddock, cream, leek oil, gremolata and poached eggs — take the form of a balanced a hot hearty meal. Like The Birchwood, Argyle Place is located in Marchmont (a hub for cool cafes). It has strong Scandi vibes with an emphasis on pickling and poaching (great for your gut) and large picture windows that flood the place with daylight — book a table with a view if you like people-watching. And pair your food with artisanal coffee by Mr Eion, or cold-pressed juice.

If you live or work near Corstorphine, you should definitely check out Cafe Vigo. Named after a port town in Spain, it has a bright and continental feel, with an inviting red frontage that’s easy to spot from the bus. The great value eatery serves up a mean toasted bagel topped with Philadelphia cream cheese, smoked salmon and chives, served with side salad and optional avocado or egg (it’s part of the brunch menu available till noon). Cafe Vigo is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm on Sundays and 8 am to 4:30 pm every other day.

Enjoy a yeast feast at Mimi’s Bakehouse. You may know it better as a go-to for cakes and scones, but it’s also the place for savoury treats. There are several locations, including the flagship waterside premises in Leith and the original home in Corstorphine, as well as a new enterprise; Mimi’s Picnic Parlour on Canongate, where you can pick up one of Mimi’s Beautiful Bagels, (Serrano ham, vine tomato and taleggio cheese, salami Milano, roast pepper and French brie).