Lox In A Box Paddington

If you're after a proper bagel in Paddington, this is the kind of place people head to on purpose. Lox In A Box is a family-run deli shop that makes its traditional Polish bagels, cured salmon and Jewish-style deli fare in-house at its own Paddington production kitchen, working from hand-made provisions and family recipes passed down through generations. It also identifies as women-owned.

The menu goes well beyond a simple bagel and schmear. We hear the lox bagel on a fresh sesame bagel is a favourite, and locals rave about the latkes, the dips and schmears, and the onion rings. Some of the flavour combinations are a little unexpected, like a katsu bagel with fried chicken, homemade coleslaw, miso mayo and house pickles, or a peri peri bagel that one local called perfection. One regular said the food reminds them of their Ashkenazi grandmother's cooking, which tells you something about how faithful the traditional side is. The coffee gets plenty of love too, and there are gluten-free options for those who need them, with coeliac-safe preparation among the things people mention.

Staff are a big part of the story. People keep coming back for the friendly, welcoming service, and several talk about being given good recommendations when they couldn't decide which bagel to try. Table service inside makes it feel a step up from a grab-and-go counter, and the decor has a bit of an American diner feel. It's roomier than many expect, with a fair amount of seating, and it suits brunch with friends or a weekend catch-up. Just know that the serves are generous, and one local did call it a little pricey for what you pay.

You can dine in, take away, arrange delivery, or call ahead about catering. They're open daily, so check the hours before you go, especially if you're planning to arrive late in the day. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet, and cards and mobile payments are accepted. It's a busy bagel spot in Paddington, NSW, and that usually means the food is turning over fresh.