From a converted ambulance in Hertfordshire to their new sunlit, airy café in Hampstead, Brad & Dills is the new kid on the block with something to prove: brunch can be affordable, beautiful, and most importantly delicious.
Though The Hill is the bagel bakers/baristas’ fifth site, it doesn’t at all feel like a chain. It feels alive. The open kitchen with the bagel sommeliers (which I’m forever calling doughmeliers) is busy and vibrant, while their terrace is beautifully sunlit and peaceful.
The staff treat you like family and as if they actually love their job, which feels increasingly rare in hospitality in 2026. Despite only being open a few months, regulars of all ages gather there as if it’s their second home. The atmosphere feels less like a café and more like a neighbourhood living room. That sense of warmth and familiarity engulfs the entire restaurant, and something like that can’t be manufactured.
Their self-proclaimed BAD coffee is anything but. Sourced from a family-run farm in São Paulo, it blends perfectly with Brad & Dills’ whole vibe: chocolatey, nutty, and smooth enough to earn rare praise from my long-suffering plus one who normally refuses to drink coffee without milk. If you’re a coffee aficionado, you can even take some of their beans home to enjoy if you want the full Brad & Dills at-home experience.
Now let’s move on to the real star of the show: the bagels. Dirty, indulgent, hangover-curing inventions that still feel carefully balanced. We opted for their Lebaneasy and Vegano Picante, both packed with crunch, spice, and acidity, all wrapped in chewy bagels with just the right amount of bite. Right, enough words, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
Frankly, the cheese pull alone deserves a round of applause.
If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s to bring a friend, go halfsies and share. You won’t want to miss out on the bagel they’re having. Nobody wants food envy.
In addition to their bagels, the kitchen also offers a vibrant brunch menu. From an entirely customisable full English and the millennial favourite avocado on sourdough to a green-packed niçoise salad, everything somehow stays under £15.
Ultimately, Brad & Dills succeeds in something surprisingly rare: creating food that feels genuinely fun without sacrificing quality.
Whether you’re nursing a hangover, in need of a gossip-heavy catch-up, or simply want a quality bagel, Brad & Dills feels like the sort of place you’ll find yourself returning to again and again, without breaking the bank.
Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2AQ