Are you tired of those easily squeezable and compressible tasteless bagels you get at Sainsbury's? -Well, I just might know the place that can help you out with this dilemma: Happening Bagel Bakery! I discovered this place on my monthly trips to the Lidl across the street...the place actually looks very non-descript and a little sketchy even, but once you step inside, you are in the midst of a wonderful fresh bread smell! The bagels are really fantastic and their chola bread (challah) helps you make your Sunday tea party a complete success. Seriously, dare to go to Finsbury Park and mingle with the international crowd...it's well worth the trip! read more

Absolutely lovely bagels! I'm staying in town for two weeks and had The Happening Bagel Bakery recommended by a friend, and I was so lucky because it was just around the corner from where I was staying. They are so fairly priced and delicious! One of the things I will miss the most when I get home. It can get busy in the morning, but what do you expect at such a wonderful spot? They are very efficient though, so I can't imagine anyone would have to wait around for long. And being from Los Angeles the first day I went in and saw they had rainbow bagels, and still had rainbow bagels at nearly noon, I was completely sold. Plus they tasted great on top of looking beautiful. Definitely something everyone must try. read more

The Happening Bagel Bakery - Rainbow Bagel - Bakeries Near Me - London, XGL

I was so glad to have stumbled upon this bagel bakery near Finsbury Park. Their bagels and bagel sandwiches are delicious. I might say that their salted beef bagel here is preferable over Biegel Bake, only because I found Biegel Bake's bagel too dense and dry. This bakery has a lighter, chewier, more delicious bagel and used more sauce! I also enjoyed their salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwich. It is very reasonably priced and they will warm up your sandwiches for you as well. After purchasing bagel sandwiches from here, we went back for more! read more

After lounging in Finsbury Park, soaking up the rays, I jumped on the no.253 bus for my ride home. Exactly 9.3sec into the journey, my meat-o-meter went through the roof as I spied the words 'Hot Salt Beef.' Short of pulling the emergency cord, my partner and I leapt off the bus one stop after getting on. Happening Bagel Bakery is a Mecca for all things baked. Walking in the rows and rows of baked goods didn't seem to end. Bagels were being freshly made in the back, whilst the front was a laden feast of cakes, patties, quiches and of course bagels. The European ladies serving didn't want to banter with me, they just wanted to know my order. "Salt beef bagel baby! Yeah!" Sadly the bagel wasn't freshly put together, it was taken from a tub of pre-made bagels, warmed in a microwave and I was not offered mustard (sacrilege). Even so the bagel was good. My naughtiness extended to a chocolate éclair. It was big, long (settle down ladies) and tasty. Although the Salt Beef Bagels on Brick Lane are better than the one I had at Happening, I would certainly go back for an on the move snack. read more

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Best bagels I have found so far in the city, and worth the trip to get them. I used to live near here, and I have to say that the only place I come back to in Finsbury Park is this bagel shop on the busy Seven Sisters road. The bagels are the reason I always came - to be honest I've never been tempted to try the dry-looking cakes, eclairs, bread or other baked goods. I've never even tried the filled bagels - just a bag of six plain, sesame or poppy seed. The walls are festooned with Arsenal memorabilia and if there's a match on, you can expect to queue for a while. While you're waiting you can peer in through the back at the bakers rolling their dough and, if its bagel dough, quickly dipping them in water before they are baked. read more

The Happening Bagel Bakery - The Happening Beigel Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - London, XGL

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There is something that is really exciting about finding a Bagel shop, especially when it can be incorporated into your morning routine. Located near the train station in Finsbury Park, I love picking up a bagel or two on my way to university. There is a particularly large selection of bagels for those who like a bit of variety. There are all kinds of meats and cheeses, but being a bit of a traditionalist, I stick to the cream cheese bagel. I once ventured out of my comfort zone and bought a haloumi bagel and a salami bagel. I found the salami to be pretty average and the halloumi to be quite dry. I have to say that it is not quite a 'gourmet' bagel joint. The quality is not amazing but the prices are good. The store also boasts a huge selection of croissants and bakery goods. Plus 'Happening Bagel Bakery' is a really cool name. The Happening Bagel Bakery is definitely worth visiting. read more

The Happening Bagel Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - London, XGL

This is one of those annoying places I keep returning to even if I try not to. I can only guess I don't want to stop going. Firstly, it's only a ten metre detour away from the walk between my tube stop and my house. Secondly, everything's a decent price. Thirdly, it's a proper Arsenal supporter's store - not a bare bit of wall visible with posters and scarves plastered around. So time and time again I find myself here in the morning, picking up a salmon and cream cheese bagel (even since they've put the price up by 10p to £2.10) to munch on the train or, more sensibly, to save for lunch. Or, stopping off to get a replacement dinner after I've had perhaps a little more wine than I should have but haven't got so obliterated I've headed for the first Chicken Cottage (which I hasten to add is rare, but still not as rare an occurence as I'd like). With my frequent stopping by here I'm slowly making my way through everything they sell. The big loaves are very good, though I haven't tried the sweet plaited ones. The cakes are dodgy though. Lots of oil in the brownies, the florentines are just not right but I can't put my finger on it, but the spiced apple roll isn't bad. Similarly the savoury snacks are nothing to write home about - not a lot of flavour and rather greasy. Meh, as the name of the store would suggest, stick to the bagels (and the Arsenal) and you won't go wrong. read more

The Happening Bagel Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - London, XGL

Horrible .5 bad donuts and one cup of tea ..cost £12.20 ! What???? Soo bad ,I have no idea what the other reviewers are talking about .Exceptionally rude staff and low quality ingredients . Go around the corner to Al Bahia and buy the best one of the best French genuine baguettes you will find in England for 50p a stick. Truly dreadful place.Avoid. read more

Walked in there one woman behind the counter was very rude. She didn't tell me how much my food came to just held her hand out for money instead. I asked to have my food hot when I got it it was just put in a paper bag. A pizza slice and a bbq chicken wrap open in a bag?!! Got to my van it was already cold the paper bag fell apart from the grease. It looked like someone punched a whole in a babies crappy nappy. Couldn't eat it with out chewing on bits of soggy paper. And it was COLD. Worst place I've ever bought a sandwich fuming!!! read more

The Happening Bagel Bakery - Pizza slice - Bakeries Near Me - London, XGL

Unfortunately these might just be the best bagels London has to offer. But I say unfortunately because that's not saying much. I was overall satisfied with the "rye" bagel I had (just a white bagel, but with plenty of caraway seeds nestled in) with salmon and cream cheese but as this was a bagel pilgrimage I had embarked on with another NYC native, neither of us were fully I impressed. I made sure to get a non-pre-filled bagel because when bagels sit around with cream cheese already in them, it just seems to mess with sog factor. But we didn't get it toasted, thinking that this was the fairest way to judge the true quality. Next time I'd definitely toast as the bagel was just slightly raw still. Nevertheless, it's still the best I've had so farrrr (and yes I've tried the beigels from Brick Lane... no thank you, and no those are not even in the style of a Montreal bagel, as defenders of Brick Lane beigel claim. I have had and do appreciate Montreal style too). Happening Bagel Bakery is not necessarily worth the trip but will quell a desperate craving, and when it comes to bagels, London is indeed in dire straits. read more

I love bagels a lot, and have travelled far and wide throughout the capital to search out the best. My first favorite was Carmellis on Golders Green Rd which was easily knocked into second when I discovered Daniel Bagels in Temple Fortune. Brick Lane? I appreciate their provenance, but the end product is not something of quality. My first foray to Happening was incredible -- the owner was there and we chatted bagels for 10 minutes, and I came home with a dozen of, by far, the best bagels I'd had in London. I went back again today and came home with bagels -- the flavour is good, but their are slightly doughier, and less chewy than the first batch, plus they're about twice as tall. All that said, still better than anywhere else in central London (is Finsbury Park central london? Perhaps not). I haven't been to Hendon Bagel Bake, but I've heard good things from people in the know - I'll certainly post when I try those. read more

As an American girl, I am torn on whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars. I half lean towards 4 because my review of bagels needs to be kept relative to the country I'm living in, but 3 is winning out because I just can't pretend these bagels will fill your bagel craving if you're used to something else. I've had exactly one of their bagels and was not at all impressed. However, their baked goods are all beautiful and we regularly stop here on the way home to pick up a fresh baguette. They're not the best baguettes ever, but they're fresh, often warm from the oven, and, like I said, on our way home. read more

Amongst all the chicken shops, pubs and pound shops in the area, this seems the only place to grab some healthy-ish food on the go. Ahem and a cheeky cake or two. It may seem a bit harsh to give this 3 stars, but the only things worth buying here are bagels. The cakes, pastries and pies although are HUGE they don't taste great. I've tried a slice of cake that was disappointing. Chocolate eclair was ruined by the brown 'chocolate' smeared on top. A lot of the cakes are decorated in bright/florescent coloured icing which completely puts me off trying more. They have a huge selection of pasties that look unnaturally yellow. Samosas are huge too but I have never dared to try one. Now onto the good part: They do a selection of bagels: plain, poppy seed, onion, and cinnamon and raisin. They also have a range of pre-filled ones. I always go for the salmon and cream cheese - mmmm so good. The bagels themselves are just like the famous Brick Lane ones. Only difference is the filled bagels aren't freshly filled. Still fresh though. The Yelper who commented on hard/burnt bagels.... Must have been a dodgy batch because I've had bagels here many times and have always been fresh and spot on consistency. They have a selection of loaves and breads as well. These are so-so. Stick to the bagels :) read more

Me and my four kids loved finding this place. It was priced well, and had a huge selection. Their braided bread was amazing!! It was our favorite. I bought the Cornish pasty and was very pleased. They also have bagels, donuts, and cakes. I consider this place a gem and I had one near my home in California. read more

Great place to pick up a cheap, filling and not overly unhealthy snack. I've dropped in here several times en route into town for a pre-shopping blood sugar boost, and have not yet been disappointed by the freshness and quality of the bagels. As is so often the case they could do with a few more veggie options beyond cream cheese, but i guess there's only so much you can shove between two bits of bread! read more

I usually favour the East End bagels shops, mostly because they're open 24 hours and generally fantastic, but there are times when I don't really fancy the journey eastward. On such days Happening more than does the trick. Their bagels are a bit bigger and a lot dense, but though they require a bit of extra effort chewing, they're still nice and soft and always fresh. It's hard to find a good bagel in London, but gosh darn it if the Happening doesn't make a fine effort. read more

Great Bagels! Great Chola! Great Doughnuts! Cola in the Firdge! Don't worry about everything else :) read more

While I was in Finsbury Park, I would always pass this place walking from the tube to my hotel but only stopped in a few times. Their selection was always a good one and I never walked away unsatisfied. Though I wish they took debit/credit cards, it was never an issue since I always had cash on hand. The ladies behind the counter were always so helpful and really nice. read more

I can just confirm the rating. The place is about right, the bagel are not that bad as one reviewer said (got the wrong batch & day?). However they are not as they used to be. I've heard that they'll move to a 24h opening. read more

I'll stop in whenever I'm in the area. Solid selection of fresh bagels, rainbow bagel is fun but more of a novelty. Salt beef is the go-to. Great selection of cakes and fresh breads too. read more

Though this place has tons and tons of baked goods, and I pride myself on having such a sweet tooth, every time I give this place a chance I leave unimpressed. Their bread gets stale quickly and their sweets are bland. I think they're more of a quantity over quality place, which is fine. But just doesn't quite hit the spot for me. read more

Just returned form the US I see myself as a Bagel expert ... a bit. My ex-company over there sponsored bagels every Friday and I'm having some serious cravings for them since then. This place just hits the spot. It has poppy and sesame seed bagels for 60p each. Also turkish baked goods. I'm literally in heaven. read more

My professor told me about this place, which is right by the Finsbury Park tube station. I had been meaning to try it for a while, and once I did I was extremely impressed! You can watch the bakers make the bagels (and they give little kids extra dough to play with), which I thought was cool :) The selection is amazing! I got two bagel sandwiches (salmon and cream cheese and a turkey one) which were so simple, yet so good, and a brownie... which was unlike a brownie, because it was sooooo good! I want to go back and try everything! read more

I always have a classic cream cheese bagel here and it is always AMAZING. I really should branch out and try other things but...it's just so delicious! The cakes are enormous and nice enough but it's not the thing they do best. The pastries are also amazing and one day I will definitely try them. A great local bakery with bagels that I would walk much further for....! read more

The presentation of the baked stuff needs to be changed. I went there to buy something sweet but they are not appealing at all. I had a plain bagel which was okey. The lady was not friendly. read more

I've been going there for years but recently they have started ripping people off! I usually get the large chola (sweet bread) and recently the woman with the short blonde hair has been giving me a small one and charging me for a large one! The first time it happened I thought maybe she made a mistake because I've been going there for years and used to think they were trustworthy people. Today she did the same thing so now I know they are robbing me on purpose! Won't be going there again and unless you want to be robbed I suggest going to the many other honest food outlets in the area instead! How that theiving woman sleeps at night I well never know read more

Quite hit and miss. The bagels are good and the bread is always fresh. However the cakes are very much quantity over quality with huge portions for £1.60. Some (chocolate) are quite tasty but others (marble) are inedible. The savouries are equally inconsistent. I've had a very nice samosa but the spinach croissant was not at all exciting. But it's cheap and has a good range so I'll keep going back. read more

Conveniently situated by Finsbury Park, this is a great stop for a cheap lunch or cheeky cake. The alluring aroma of freshly baked bagels entices you into a bright shop with an array of baked goods on display and open kitchen. The bagels are tasty although slightly greasy (not as good as boiled bagels in Brick Lane). The assortment of fillings is good and it is good value for money. The cakes and pastries are a little more expensive than they should be, but dont disappoint. The only thing that lets it down is the partisan Arsenal support, due to its proximity to the Emirates Stadium. Ah well... ;) read more

Very tasty freshly made bagels, proper ones, not just donught shaped bread. They cost about 25p each and are delicious even with just butter the filled bagels are delicious, particularly the halloumi or salmon and cream cheese costing £1.40 and 1.80 each. The cakes are a bit hit or miss most of them misses yet they're good value for money. read more

Great freshly made bagelsbest I've had in LondonDelish! The staff also wear their Arsenal strip proudly on game days

I've been to this bakery quite a few times actually, and i must say it's quite a reasonable shop. There products are all really cheap and so if you're just queasy and wanting a little snack, it's perfect. It has a wide range of both sweet and savoury products. They're not the best I've been to but i like it. read more

Great very tasty and yet cheap bagels, the best I've found so far in the area. The bake everything on site and never sell leftovers from the previous day, which is why the bagels are always fresh and delicious. They also offer some other sweet things, such as cakes, but I wouldn't recommend trying them as from the few experiences I've had they were pretty much a big disappointment. Never the less the bagels are a huge hit and you should definitely try the salmon and cream cheese one. read more

Standard bakers. Better than your supermarkets bakery. The jam doughnuts while not greasy, are a bit on the chewy side. The White bloomer is also good. Highly recommended for a quick stop by for a snack. read more

I cannot stress this enough - this place is amazing!! Open 21 hours a day, serving a variety of options on the best tasting bagel I've ever had at very reasonable prices! And fills you up! Very popular place at all times of the day in a convenient location. Despite being busy, the staff are friendly and efficient. I recommend the bagel with salt beef and mustard - hits the spot after a night at the pub. Although I've never had any, they also have a huge selection of cakes that look divine. If you have not been here, you are truly missing out. read more

Great bakery and always open. The bagels are always fresh and the cakes look amazing.