Hole lot of happiness – UE Bagels expands to open a third outpost in Miami
The Gold Coast’s obsession with bagels is showing no signs of slowing – in fact, it’s only getting stronger following the opening of UE Bagels’ third outpost in Miami. What started as a humble food truck in 2020 has now blossomed into a full-fledged local favourite, with locations in Varsity Lakes and Palm Beach already winning hearts and taste buds. Now, just three years later, the Miami store brings something new to the table – but with all the classic UE Bagels elements you know and love.
Opening three bagel shops in four years feels like a tall order, but for hospitality power duo Mitchell Barling and Emily Hugo, expansion was always part of the plan. Resisting the urge to franchise, the owners have instead opted to keep things in house so they can keep control over the output, Emily tells us. “The focus has always been on quality over quantity,” she says, and that’s a sentiment that resonates through every aspect of their operation, starting with the bagels that are baked fresh at 2:00 am every single day.
Located in the former site of Ferg’s Cafe, the Miami location blends elements of Varsity Lakes’ industrial vibes and Palm Beach’s relaxed beachy energy, amalgamating in a cool, casual atmosphere that feels perfectly at home in Miami. While the duo considered other spots, this one felt like the perfect fit, Emily tells us, casting an eye over the scattering of seats that are all filled with bottoms.
As for the menu, the new outpost mirrors the other locations, with their signature Lox bagel and crowd-pleasing Breaky bagel always on offer, alongside fresh new flavours every six months. Among the current standouts is the Kimchi Reuben, which packs an unexpected flavour punch as compared with traditional sauerkraut. Keeping things extra-fresh is the weekly variation of cream cheese, ensuring no two visits are ever the same.
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And let’s not forget the coffee – Miami’s UE Bagels serves up Social Espresso, providing the perfect complement to those freshly baked bagels.
The growth of UE Bagels has been nothing short of impressive, but as Mitchell and Emily continue to expand, they’re determined to preserve the heart and soul of their brand. “While some things have changed quite a lot, our core values have stayed the same,” Emily says.
Head to The Directory for opening times.