Best Ugly Bagels Wellington

Cafes key icon.
Cafes key icon.

Monday8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Tuesday8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Wednesday8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Thursday8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Friday8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Saturday7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Sunday7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

5 Swan Lane, Te Aro, Wellington

04 803 3563

If you haven’t heard the buzz or seen the photos on Instagram, yes it’s true, extraordinary bagels have emerged in Wellington. Lines out the door, a magnificent oven firing, and sesame seeds on every surface sums up Best Ugly Bagels at its finest. The renowned Auckland bagel originators have made their way down to the capital accompanied by cheery crew and authentic recipes. Located in the lively neighbourhood of Te Aro, they serve what they do best, delicious bagels accompanied with their very own Good Joe Coffee. 

Best Ugly Bagels are manhandled into shape, hand rolled and cut, then placed into their very own custom-made stone oven fuelled by Manuka wood. The technique is inspired from Montreal, where famous chef and owner Al Brown spent two years discovering and falling in love with handmade, wood-fired bagels. Authenticity is key when deciding to create bagels in the same style, taste and texture, proven by Montreal style which differs from New York style due to it's crispy outside, yet chewy inside.

The bagels simmer in honey water to give them a distinctively delicious, slightly sweet flavour. Pulled fresh from the oven it's easy to see the truth in the name– not perfectly circular or perhaps the most visually appealing, but taste trumps beauty here and the result is hands down delicious.

Once they’re golden, they’re sliced and topped with fresh Kiwi ingredients. A must-try is the famous Yodi which includes pastrami, habanero mustard, grilled swiss, and is topped off with a pickle. Open from 7am - 3pm, 7 days, Best Ugly Bagels ensures no one misses out on the experience whether it’s for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and if the line is long, you can grab a four pack of fresh baked bagels to take home instead.

Words by Molly Lewis & Photography by Naomi Haussmann

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

5 Swan Lane, Te Aro, Wellington

Nearby Places

Mr Go's

Exterior Mr Go's sign.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

A happy mix of West meets East, pink meets green, and beer meets bao, Mr Go’s is proof that an eatery needn’t stick to one concrete theme.

Kisa

Inside Kisa Restaurant Wellington.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

Middle Eastern dining revolves around sharing - of food, conversation, and good times.

Little Beer Quarter

Yellow exterior of Little Beer Quarter.
Place Wellington
Bars key icon.

With 12 craft beers on tap and over 100 bottles of beer from New Zealand and around the globe this inner-city pub truly is a gem.

Staple Espresso

A woman pouring coffee.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

Sleek and simple, Staple Espresso speaks volumes about letting a product do the talking – and in this case it’s the coffee that’s got people chatting

Similar Places

Willis Lane

Three delicious looking hot dogs on a table.
Place Wellington
Stay and explore key icon. Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Wellington’s city streets are constantly humming with life and energy, but for a playful excursion that breaks the norm, you’ll want to head underground.

Commonsense Wellington City

Crates of fresh produce.
Place Wellington
Goods key icon. Wellbeing key icon.

For all things organic, Commonsense Organics is the place to visit – and luckily for Wellingtonians there are four stores to choose from.

CGR Merchant & Co

A female bartender making a pink cocktail behind the bar at CGR Merchants.
Place Wellington
Bars key icon.

Look for an unassuming red door in the heart of Courtenay Place in Wellington and you’ll be whisked away to one of the city’s best cocktail lounges.

Mystic Kitchen

A woman eating at a counter by the window inside Gispy Kitchen cafe Wellington.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
Cafes key icon.

You have no doubt heard of this café’s laid-back vibes, easy-going staff and damn good food.