The Vancouver Indy Coffee Scene

Front of Benny's Bagels

I heard through the grapevine that Benny’s Bagels on Broadway was open after a fire had damaged the business last January and left it closed for a couple of months. I thought a review was in order if they were open.
It was after a Friday morning class that I decided to check this place out and after a long bus ride that took forever both tired and hungry and hot, all I wanted was bagels.

All I can say is wow, this place looks amazing, The entire shop from top to bottom was finished in wood and after the fire. The floor was replace along with the railings on the second floor of this high ceiling café. There were some great and groove tunes that were just loud enough to get into but yet subtle enough to carry a conversation over.

I first tried the focaccia bagel toasted with cream cheese and it is most likely the best bagel I have ever had in my entire life. I would give it a 15 out of 10. The only problem was I savored so quickly I had to get a second one.
I then tried the Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel and, although it wasn’t as good as the focaccia one, it was still a 9 of 10 in my book.

Inside of Benny’s on Broadway

Coffee? oh right coffee. . .

Benny’s also serves coffee from the North Vancouver based Bean Around the World Roastry. I really wasn’t in a coffee mood when I arrived, but I still give this shop my seal of approval. Bring any size and style of to-go mug and they will fill it for a buck fity ($1.50).

They are also planning a welcome back Benny’s open mike night and free wireless available for you laptop users. The café is also licensed with Okanagan Spring on tap, not that I sampled a pint or two on the padio after writing this blog. . .

I would say whole (wheat maybe) heartily welcome back Benny’s!

Update: April/2009 I went to try the coffee, I stayed for the bagels. True to form Benny’s focaccia bagel is still the best bagel in the entire world, If I only could eat one begal for the rest of my life it would be a Benny’s focaccia bagel. The Americano was decent. I am not a fan of a extremely dark roast, but that is more of a personal preference, their was plenty of crema and cooled nicely.

Faces and Places

Where this Blog was written: Benny’s Bagel’s Broadway
Drink ordered: drink what drink it’s all about the bagels. . .
Discount of own cup: You are charged the “to stay” price
Barista Knowledge: decent
Barista Friendliness : Awesome, I was even ID when I ordered a pint of ale (I am 30!)
Café website : none