Grumpy Bagels, Imbi

A gorgeous labour of love, Grumpy Bagels soft-launches this week in a dilapidated Imbi bungalow thoughtfully transformed into a dreamy destination.

One of 2024’s most beautiful new cafes, Grumpy Bagels brims with heart and soul in every detail, from the walnut-accented furnishing to the worn-out floors that date back decades, from the skylight that illuminates the classic cabinets and palm trees to the soothing vintage soundtrack of Paul Anka and Patsy Montana. It’s a place to find peace and pleasure.

Founder Claire was inspired by her travels in her former career to specialise in the bagels she savoured stateside - these are terrific, tantalisingly toasted for a fragrantly crisp bite and full-bodied chew, not too tough, not too tender.

Grumpy Bagels proves how versatile bagels can be, as a takeout snack or a sit-down meal. Step up to the counter for a choice of savoury and sweet scrumptiousness - the matcha-suffused, mochi red bean-stuffed bagel is a crowd-pleasing combination of Japanese inspired flavours and textures.

The house-blended cream cheese is a star too, not simply a side show - addictively milky-tasting and buttery-smooth, creamy but not cloying, showcased in gentle styles such as with a maple sweetness.

Manhattan inspirations come alive with the quintessential Lox Bagel, thick with smoked salmon, fresh onions, tomatoes and capers, richly smeared with scallion cream cheese, complete with fabulous skin-on fries for a fulfilling lunch.

A Mexican-influenced bagel also turns out great instead of gimmicky, channelling the care that Grumpy Bagels brings to each effort, jazzed up with juicy pulled beef, poached eggs, smashed avo and barbecue sauce.

Fun fact: Grumpy Bagels’ name was fortuitously born of a quarrel that Claire had with her husband Ivan over their cafe’s concept. Despite its moniker (and even though Claire and Ivan have only slept three hours nightly in recent weeks), this is a charming cafe with a cheerful character, certain to be a fast favourite.