The story
Beigel Bake on Brick Lane is a 24-hour, no-frills institution that has earned a 4.4-star reputation as a reliable late-night stop. While salt beef bagels have long been its bread and butter, a cream-filled donut recently went viral across social media, drawing crowds—and mixed reactions.
Doobydobap praises the salt beef bagel as “better than New York's,” calling it an incredible 24-hour find. The Frama Twins, however, offer a counterpoint to the buzz: the viral donut is “overly greasy” and the cream “underwhelming,” concluding it is “not worth the hype.” The shop remains a tourist-friendly mainstay, but these contrasting takes suggest that the best bite here might not be the one trending online.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 2 dish mentions say about the food
Beigel Bake’s legendary salt beef bagel earns the loudest praise, while the overall vibe is unpretentious, late-night comfort with a loyal, hungry crowd.
“This is their most iconic product — a donut with vanilla cream inside and crumble on top. It's incredibly greasy, oil is literally dripping from it. I was scared to even eat it. The cream is all on one side, there's less cream inside than I expected — mostly dough, very sugary, very oily. It reminds me of a bombolone. The vanilla cream is okay but it gets masked by the really intense frying. Honestly, it's not the best thing we've eaten in London. Looking back, I wouldn't spend the money on it again.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Beigel Bake. Most active: Frama Twins, Doobydobap
A famous 24-hour bakery at Borough Market known for its viral donut; the donut is overly greasy and the cream is underwhelming, not worth the hype.
Dishes mentioned
Donut alla Crema
This is their most iconic product — a donut with vanilla cream inside and crumble on top. It's incredibly greasy, oil is literally dripping from it. I was scared to even eat it. The cream is all on one side, there's less cream inside than I expected — mostly dough, very sugary, very oily. It reminds me of a bombolone. The vanilla cream is okay but it gets masked by the really intense frying. Honestly, it's not the best thing we've eaten in London. Looking back, I wouldn't spend the money on it again.
Bagel Bake Brick Lane Bakery is a 24-hour Jewish bakery serving incredible salt beef bagels that I think are better than New York's.
Dishes mentioned
Salt Beef Bagel
The salt beef bagel is incredible. You have to dislocate your jaw like a python to get it in one bite. The pickles are amazing — they create a nice crunchy contrast with the slabs of salty beef. The bagels are baked fresh at all times, soft and supple. It's definitely thinner than a New York style bagel, but I personally think bagels in London are better than bagels in New York.
