UNBEARABLE BAGELS

UNBEARABLE BAGELS keeps its offer deliberately focused: bagels and black coffee. In Teneriffe, Brisbane, the venue builds its menu around a changing selection of fillings, with the seasons influencing what appears. The result is a menu that covers meat, vegetarian and vegan choices, along with gluten-free bagel swaps on request. The site notes that the gluten-free bagel is not vegan.

There is plenty of variety within that narrow brief. The Dealer combines chorizo, egg, cheese, onions and salsa verde, while Highside pairs sausage and egg with cheese and tomato relish. The Nightshift takes a different direction with salmon gravlax, cream cheese, cucumber, capers, dill, onion and lemon. For plant-based options, Shreuben brings together grilled mushrooms, pickled cabbage, vegan Russian dressing, pickles and vegan cheddar, while The Source uses avocado, smoked coconut labneh, sumac, kraut and burnt lemon. Specials also feature on the menu, including The Dipper, made with slow-cooked birria beef and served with a consommé dip.

Bagels can also be ordered with schmears such as cream cheese, cream cheese and scallion, smoked jalapeño cream cheese, blueberry mascarpone or crème brûlée. There is a bagel-and-butter option, avocado, and a selection of add-ons including salmon, chorizo, mushrooms, haloumi and hash browns. For something beyond a filled bagel, the Everything Salad combines mixed lettuce, avocado, cucumber, tomato, sprouts, pickles, dukkah, bagel croutons and balsamic dressing, with optional additions including salmon, chicken, haloumi or egg.

The drinks menu follows the same point of view. Coffee is served black, with batch brew, cold brew, cold drip and made-to-order methods such as pourover, Aeropress and Delterpress. Tea is also served without milk or sugar, alongside juices, nitro iced tea, coconut water, watermelon water and soft drinks. With substantial bagels, vegetarian and vegan choices, salad, and a broad non-alcoholic drinks list, it can suit a solo stop, a group with different preferences or anyone looking for a focused bagel-and-coffee meal rather than a sprawling café menu.