Bagelhut - Lt Lonsdale St

Bagelhut on Lt Lonsdale St is a small bagel shop in Melbourne's CBD, the kind of laneway find people like to keep to themselves and then end up telling their friends about anyway. It's a compact space with just a handful of small tables inside, so it suits a quick bite or a takeaway as much as a relaxed sit-down. Dine-in, takeaway and delivery are all on offer.

The bagels come fresh from the oven, and locals mention the crunch outside and the soft, chewy middle. The smoked salmon and avocado bagel is the one that comes up most, followed by plain cream cheese, and there's a blueberry cream cheese bagel with real blueberries rather than jam. People who've tried the chicken pesto speak well of it too. One customer described the bagels as "simple but super fresh", which captures the style: straightforward combinations with fillings, and the everything seasoning gets a nod as well.

It isn't only about the bagels. Coffee is part of the draw here, with a long black described as smooth and not bitter, and the matcha has its own fans. Breakfast is a natural fit, and the shop opens early on weekdays and a little later on weekends, so check the hours before you head in.

We hear the staff are friendly and quick, happy to help you choose if you can't decide, and orders tend to come out fast even when it's busy. Payment is easy with cards and tap-and-go, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible.

A few locals find it on the pricey side for what you get, and dairy-free choices look limited, so vegans and anyone avoiding lactose may want to ask first. One person had a disappointing visit, though that's well outside the usual run of things here.

If you're after a fresh bagel and a good coffee in the city, this one is easy to recommend.