Brooklyn Boy Bagels

Real New York-style bagels are the whole point at Brooklyn Boy Bagels, a bakery in Marrickville that bills itself as bringing real-deal artisan NYC bagels to Sydney. Michael Shafran, the founder, brings 13 years of experience to it, and the method follows tradition: two-day cold fermentation, kettle boiling, hand rolling, and baking on wooden bagel boards. One local who grew up with the real thing in the States called it an extremely good Brooklyn-style bagel and was impressed, and another summed up the philosophy with "if it ain't boiled, it ain't a bagel."

The bagels are what most people come for, and the fillings get a good word for being generous. Smoked salmon and cream cheese, lox, the Benny Bagel with bacon and runny egg yolks, a tuna melt and the Nashville fried chicken all come up, along with everything, cinnamon raisin and pumpernickel varieties. Fresh from the oven is how locals describe the experience, and the staff get plenty of friendly mentions. Coffee is a draw too, with one regular crediting a barista named Fong for their morning cup, and there are shakes and a matcha latte for anyone after something different.

Beyond bagels, the bakery also does sourdough bread, croissants, fresh pretzels and pastries, with a wholesale range for cafes. You can dine in, take away, get it delivered, or use the drive-through and kerbside pickup. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and seating are all in place, and cards are accepted.

It is a busy, family-friendly spot, and one customer stocks up on a mixed bag of bagels to take home. A couple of people have found a bagel on the dense or dry side on a given day, and some have noted concerns about tidier tables and the handling of the open dining area. The odd order mix-up has been mentioned too, along with a service charge on weekends. Even so, regulars keep returning, and one visitor said it was worth the trip even from a fair way off.

It's open daily through the morning and early afternoon, though check the hours before you head in. If you're in Marrickville or the inner west and want a proper boiled bagel, this is the place to try.