We’re officially in the middle of a bagel boom. First came Arthur’s Snackette—a somewhat under-the-radar spot with strong Montreal roots—setting up shop at St. Clair and Bathurst. Now, Henderson Brewing Co. is jumping in with its very first Bagels, Schmears, Solly’s and Beer Fest, a lively, carb-loaded celebration that does exactly what the name promises.
“Toronto has incredible bagels. But, unlike Montreal or New York, we never turned them into a moment—no spotlight, no real celebration,” says Henderson co-founder and Picklefest organizer Adin Wener. “So I asked a simple question: Why not bagels? I grew up in Vancouver, but I raised my kids in Toronto—and I made sure they grew up on proper bagels. This city has the culture, it just needed a stage. I partnered with bagel maven Rick Silver for it.”
And just like that, the idea became reality. On April 25, Henderson’s will be packed with a lineup of bagel makers and food vendors, each showcasing their creations alongside a variety of schmears and toppings. As a bonus, every guest will receive a free tub of Philadelphia cream cheese and a shaker of Farm Boy’s everything bagel seasoning upon entry. Each $15 ticket also comes with a can of Solly’s craft soda and a half bagel topped with schmear.
Here’s a peek at what some of the vendors have planned:
Primrose Bagel Company
This modern Toronto bagel shop is going all out, bringing a lineup of its signature bagel sandwiches. The festival will also introduce its seasonal schmear—a herb-forward green goddess cream cheese. Expect bright, flavourful combinations like cream cheese with cucumber and chili crisp, as well as a classic smoked lox layered with red onion, dill, capers, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Gluten-free guests aren’t left out either, thanks to a range of branded merch, including some very cute tote bags.
Aba’s Bagel
Aba’s is serving its signature boiled-and-baked bagels paired with a variety of artisanal schmears. Inspired by New York’s bagel culture—sometimes called the “rip ’n’ dip”—the idea is simple: tear off a piece of fresh bagel and dunk it straight into flavoured cream cheese. No knife, no fuss.
Kettleman’s
Keeping things traditional, Kettleman’s will offer its classic Montreal-style sesame-seed bagels alongside a variety of cream cheeses, both deli-style and whipped. Flavours range from savoury chive to sweet blueberry.
Bagel Plus
A longtime favourite at Sheppard and Bathurst, Bagel Plus is bringing a wide selection, including classic bagels (plain, sesame, poppy, everything), sourdough bagels and fresh bread. Their schmears include cream cheese with chives, sun-dried tomato cream cheese and goat cheese with avocado. On top of that, they’ll be serving deli staples like albacore tuna, egg salad, salmon salad and lox. They’re also adding a creative touch by giving away bagel-themed posters signed by artist Jay Charendoff.
Bagels on Fire
True to its name, Bagels on Fire is turning up the heat with three generously stuffed sandwiches. Options include a classic smoked meat bagel, a roast beef melt with Swiss, mozzarella, mayo and a hint of chili flakes, and a breakfast sandwich loaded with chili-honey butter, chive cream cheese or cheddar, scrambled eggs and crispy bacon.
Lev Bakery
Lev is taking a more minimalist approach, offering a lineup of artisanal bagels—plain, sesame, poppy and everything—without spreads. They’re designed to be enjoyed as-is, though you can just as easily take them home for your own bagel brunch the next day.
Smoked and Smashed
Known for indulgent burgers and sandwiches, Smoked and Smashed is switching things up by filling a hefty Gryfe’s bagel with its signature smoked meat, delivering something rich and satisfying.
Kwinter’s Hot Dogs
Going slightly off-script, this revived Toronto hot dog staple is serving all-beef and chicken hot dogs straight off the grill—no buns involved. Instead, they’ll be served on sticks with a variety of artisanal mustards for dipping.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a full-on celebration of bagel culture—something Toronto has long deserved but never quite embraced until now.
Media professional and journalist based in British Columbia, Canada. Founder of Studiox Film & TV Corporation, focusing on multicultural news, interviews, and community storytelling across Canada.
