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Benny's Bagels
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Benny's Bagels
Review Highlights
"It's really laid back with a comfortable, cozy atmosphere."
(in 3 reviews)
"...get a bagel with lox and cream cheese but if they have any..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Cheapest place in Kits for great food and pints."
(in 4 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Diana N.
Vancouver, BC
9/9/2011
Woke up one morning with a smidge of a headache due to one of those "I stayed out too late, drank too much, must put on shades right now because the sun is shining on my face" nights. Well my friend suggested that we go to Benny's because I felt very strongly about starving myself that day because I could not peel myself out of bed to cook. I've never been to Benny's before so I was kind of dreading the trip. Once I got in, I was amazed at how many different types of bagels they had. I took off my sunglasses just so I could see clearly what was available. I took about 10 minutes to decide what kind of bagel I wanted only to realize that I had to figure out what topping I wanted. After a stressful 15 minutes for my friend, who was waiting for me to choose what I wanted, I went with the one that had ham and cheese all over it....maybe it came with eggs too. I honestly cannot remember what I had but I know it was fantastic. OMG the best choice ever. I'm so glad I went because it was probably the best bagel I've ever had. Just simply delish. It's a perfect place for anyone who's looking for a delicious meal and a nice cup of coffee. It's quiet and comfy inside so it's easy for people to study or do what ever it is that they want to do in a cozy shop. And did I mention the service is great. There's free parking everywhere about a few steps North. That's where I normally park and is great every time because I usually find a nice shady spot to park in.
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Review from Ralson C.
Vancouver, BC
12/9/2011
I am from New York City and I like NYC bagels. Personally I think this place is better than Solly's and Siegel's and it's the closest to NYC bagels, but not that close. I like the decor and the very relaxed atmosphere. The bagel sandwiches are actually really good...and the bagels hold well after you freeze them. I only wish they had salt bagels, but I like the cinnamon raisin, the purist (everything) and the jalapeño and cheese..
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Review from Tae K.
Vancouver, BC
8/9/2011
Benny's Bagels on W. Broadway was a great find. All the other reviews here have already covered the main reasons to go: bagels, pastries, coffee, and beer.
Another reason to check out this cozy shop is to participate and take in the Monday open mic nights, consisting of musical acts and stand-up comedians. Any establishment that supports local artists is a winner for me... so grab a drink, sit back, and soak in the free entertainment! -
Review from Jacqueline T.
Coquitlam, BC
8/8/2011 1 photo
Bagel fan? Drop by into Denny's Bagel for a treat. They have delicious warm bagels with a lot of savory selections.
Pick your own bagel, pick your own cheese..One of my favorites is the tuna melt.
Price is a whee bit expensive for the entire experience as a whole, since its in a self serve joint. Find your own seat, grab your own water. Better yet.. get it to go -
Review from Yuri A.
Vancouver, BC
5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the vibe at this Benny's location. Laid back and cozy. Friendly staff, good music and decent value makes this a great place to read (or even write) the next great Canadian novel. Affordable, local beer is a added bonus!
While it has quite an impressive menu, I've only had the bagels to date. Alas, these leave a little to be desired. The lean more toward to 'bread circle' end of the spectrum rather that the chewy Montreal style that represent the epitome of bagels IMHO (Thankfully Solly's is only a few blocks away). Their coffee, from Bean around the World is decent, but no refills is a bit of a bummer. WiFi is free but slow/spotty making it a challenge to do any serious surfing.
Despite these drawbacks, Benny's has become a Kits institution and there are few better places to hunker down with a book or a friend on one of Vancouver's many rainy days. -
Review from David W.
1/8/2011
2nd on my "Student Survival Guide: Cheap late night places for students to eat at no regard for their health or general well being" list this place has undergone new management, a fire, and two decades of bagel service to starving students.
A step up from Calhouns Bakery, this smaller bakery serves a less complicated but more home cooked menu. The grilled cheese or their really cheap cold beers on a hot day are tough to beat.
The place is charming, warm, private, and in recent years has attracted a more docile crowd. Lacking that some times party party pick me up at Calhouns is some times a downer as those can be so essential to the spirit during those long rainy November days nearing exams. If Broadway's student hangouts were a family this would be the sleepy unobtrusive brother.
Good luck trying to find a free power outlet and the Wi-Fi is frustratingly unreliable. The service is good unless you ask about the food where you some times wonder if they actually make the things they sell in the counter display.
I'd definitely recommend this place during the later hours as during the day its dominated by business suits or the horde of teenagers on the lunch rush from Kitsilano Secondary School.Listed in: Student Survival Guide
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Review from steff c.
Vancouver, BC
12/4/2010
It ain't what it used to be, honey.
I've been a fan, though, since the Halycon days of age 17 -- so, two decades now.
These days, they're owned by different folk than the Old Days, and the toppings are skimpy in comparison. But, considering how fat folks are getting, that's probably wise, right?
Their bagels are more New York than Montreal. Bigger, better value, more price to pay by your ass.
The scallion cream cheese is pretty awesome if you like oniony stuff.
Coffee with no refills is a bit of a rip-off.
Beer, however, is a steal, still hovering around $3 a sleeve.
But this is all neither here nor there.
Benny's is about the vibe, the casual feel, the consistent value-for-dollar, the lackadaisical service, questionably-clean washrooms, and the always-good music selection that never seems to get Too Loud.
Once upon time, readers of the Georgia Straight voted this Benny's location (because there once were 6 or so) "The Best Place to Write a Novel."
And times have changed in the city, people don't really write novels in Kits anymore... but, you know, if they would, they'd probably be scarfing down the Benny's Everything Bagel with lox and a beer.
Seriously, Benny's, for all its faults and lacks, is one of this city's jewel coffee shops, a solid cheap eat, and a reliable place to people-watch an interesting mix.
Just avoid it between 11:30 and 2 on school days, because the Kitsilano High School kids converge like rabid dogs on a cat's corpse.
And it's just as attractive to experience as that, too. Or is that my age speaking? -
Review from Ruth d.
Vancouver, BC
7/3/2011
Cozy and cool place to chill. If you manage to snag the comfy sofa near the fireplace then you are in for a double treat! The staff are alright, and the bagels are delicious. The only thing that isn't superb is the price range, which is a bit steep.
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Review from Maha E.
6/20/2010
B-b-b-benny's (and the jets) Bagels are bits of baked bliss. If you're bored with the same brackish, bland or burnt breakfast, give this bold and beautifully decorated butter bazaar a shot.
I bet you that it'll be busy, but you're guaranteed to have a brief, yet bright start to your day.
Recommended Main Deal: The eggs benny leave me absolutely beaming.
Score: I'm not braggin', but that's enough bickering about the best. -
Review from Steve B.
Vancouver, BC
2/7/2011
There's a lot of coffee shops in Kitsilano (or Vancouver for that matter) to choose to spend my evening in.
But I choose Benny's on a regular basis.
It's really laid back with a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. The inside feels like you're almost in a wood cabin. There is actually quite a nice food selection to be had here considering it's primarily a coffee shop (and if you get food, when it's ready the cook will come out and start yelling your name to find you).
As a regular I've noticed a few minor annoyances
- The internet can be quite slow
- It's nitpicky but-- the wood tables are not flat, they are angled with holes in them which have made it difficult to play cards or get too many drinks. -
Review from James W.
Vancouver, BC
7/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
What's not to like about this place? Sure it's got that college-town, warn-out feel to it, but sans grime. The eggs benedict are yumsers, the coffee is grand, and when the studying is done, the beer is cheap.
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2009 1 Check-in Here
Lunch time craving + an event to plan = Benny's Bagels. It isn't that these are the best bagels in town (I heart Solly's) or that its the most conducive to finding a plug in for the laptop, it is because when you are hanging out upstairs at Benny's, surrounded by everyone else on their laptops, you just can't help but get down to work.
And once you've justified that you've done enough work, you can reward yourself with a beer. Mmmm, coffee + a stacked bagel + coffee = a regular Sunday afternoon. -
Review from Lynn H.
Vancouver, BC
8/5/2010
I have been going to Benny's since high school and I am still a big fan. Funnily enough the person who first introduced me to this place now works here! Usually I get a bagel with lox and cream cheese but if they have any left, the lentil soup is a sure bet.
semi-relevant anecdote: Benny's is the only place I have ever been asked how "dry" I wanted my cappachino. Isn't it strange that after an all-be-it relatively short life time of visiting coffee shops, a random bagel place in Vancouver would be the first place this would come up. Anyways, order it dry because if you don't its just a latte right?
Anyways, Benny's is a great place to come after a hard night of hitting the dance floor and an equally great place for a day of hitting the books!Listed in: The Search For Brunch
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Review from Rachel C.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2011
We stopped here for breakfast on our last day. The owner was extremely friendly and welcoming.
We had coffees and veggie breakfast sandwiches with avocado. The coffee was very good and the sandwiches delicious! Everything was surprisingly inexpensive. -
Review from Daniella F.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2009
I went here for the first time the other day, and I'm impressed!
Good coffee and very affordable food.
Agree, the low lighting and the lack of plugs is less than ideal, but the place is a nice place to sit and get some work done or read a book :)Listed in: Coffee Shops in Vancouver…
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Review from Dani B.
4/2/2009
The price and quality tops all bagel places i've been to in Vancouver. I mean where in this city can you get a delicious meal for $5 !?! This place is definitely not the typical Kits place and the vibe is laid back and carefree.
If you like/love/can't live without good bagels this is definitely the place for you. You can go simple with a bagel w/ your choice of spread, or they have an array of sandwiches, soups and salads that are all great.
This place is vegetarian/vegan friendly and everything can be made veggie/vegan friendly at request. Plus, things are labled so you have a head's up about what has meat, dairy, etc.
I used to call this my favorite study place but that is only true if 1) you don't need an outlet (for a comp.) and 2) you don't need much light at night. The place is well lit during the day, but not as much at night, nevertheless this place is great for a casual date, a group meeting or just a place to hang out and grab a cheap beer.
I heart this place a lot and if you are looking for a comfy place during the winter, or a great summer spot with outdoor seating you are in luck because Benny's is the place to be.Listed in: Cheap and fast, just how I…
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Review from tiffany m.
Brantford, ON
2/2/2011
Mmmmmm!! I love Benny's Bagels! I get the Fruit and Brie bagel. Its like a little taste of heaven. Definitely recommend to all.
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Review from Herr N.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2011 15 Check-ins Here
Great bagels, good sandwiches and a cool location are offset by inconsistent but often poor service. More often than not there's a slow-moving lineup because the cashier is also the barista - this makes nobody happy. Definitely like the food but be warned that there could be a wait.
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Review from Alex R.
Vancouver, BC
9/29/2009
Wow.. I got a bowl of soup, a salad and a pint for only $8!
Cheapest place in Kits for great food and pints. -
Review from Sarah M.
Vancouver, BC
6/27/2011
went there today!
I ordered the russian soup with the salad. Also ordered a cinnamon bagel.
It was all delicious :) the service is friendly, sometimes one of the girls in the pay point is not very smiley buy I don't go there to see her smile ha ha.
Love this place. good atmosphere and plenty of tables.
Will definitely go back.
Great place to go alone to read your favourite book or a mag. Also great place to go with your friends and catch up with your celebrity gossip... ha ha
vey good caffee latte ALSO :)
:) peace -
Review from Megan S.
12/22/2008
I am one of those people that buys a mocha and sits for a long time. My friend jokes that I get iced drinks often, because hot ones would be cold by the time I finished. So yes I am one of those people. I've heard a lot of complaints about Benny's being full with students and others camping out and big tables and taking up lots of space for a long time. So- yes, I am guilty and I have seen tables for 4 occupied by one guy on his laptop. But my thought is- if it's just you, ask if you can sit at the table too. Who would care?
I've had the cinnamon raisin bagel here- it's not the best I've had in town, but it's good. The smoothies always look good, but I haven't tried one yet. The espresso drinks are solid- good flavor, not too weak or strong. -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
12/5/2008 1 photo
Benny's is great as a licensed café: they have draft beer you can enjoy on the patio, in the main sitting area, or upstairs in the great balcony area. I'm also partial to their funky, organically designed window that opens in interesting patterns.
But they are also well known for their bagels. The jalapeño cheese (I think) is the only one I've tried. The cheese made it a little greasy but it was fresh.
Lots of seating arrangements in terms of couches and small to large tables. For laptop users, there is Wi-fi but it can be unreliable. Benny's is also 24 hours, last I heard, on Fridays and Saturdays. -
Review from Gersham M.
Vancouver, BC
5/5/2009
A Vancouver institution. Or at least a former one. Benny's tried an expansion in the mid 90's and failed, getting kicked out of Yaletown (where the Blue Water is currently).
Still, I find the Bagels here quite tasty and varied with a lot of great toppings to select from.
Even though I try to review in context, I just can't get that excited by bagels though. -
Review from Andie A.
Vancouver, BC
8/30/2009
Great bagels, friendly service. They charge about $3 (!) for a pint of beer and they have a cute patio to enjoy some good conversation.
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Review from Sean M.
Burnaby, BC
4/26/2009 1 photo
Amazing bagel house that is a staple place for anyone living in Vancouver. I always recommend to pickup a doz bagels to go and a rocky road bar.
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Review from Tina H.
3/12/2010 1 photo
Free (on-and-off) wifi. Mighty Leaf tea. Smoked salmon lox on focaccia is super yummy. Just avoid the late nights or whenever else they run their dishwasher because the whole place starts to stink like chlorine. And depends on who's working because sometimes they blast really bad music really loud, which is not ideal for studying. I love the bagel sandwiches though! I crave them sometimes.
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Review from J G.
Vancouver, BC
9/26/2008
Benny's Bagels on Broadway serves up bagels in a range of flavours from sun-dried tomato to "everything" to plain. Add to that your favourite topping (cream cheese, veggies) and you've got a tasty lunch. You can buy the bagels by the dozen (or less or more) or you can eat in and enjoy a coffee and dessert with your bagel sandwich. The bagels here are pretty good, and so is the coffee and the decor is just funky enough to make it an old Broadway standby.
