First look: Hive Bagel & Deli brings New York-style bagels and much more to Downtown

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·3 min read

Buzz on over to Front Street and check out the new Hive Bagel & Deli.

You will find freshly cooked New York-style bagels, flaky croissants and pastries as well as a tasty menu of bagel sandwiches.

The new bakery and café is the next step for Chef Josh Steiner’s latest venture. The owner of the now-closed restaurant Strano by Chef Josh launched Hive Bagel & Deli in January as a pre-order business. Now it has a storefront at 276 S. Front St.

Steiner’s freshly cooked bagels combine his love of bagels and his love of beekeeping. Honey even makes its way into pastries like in his "Honey Butter" croissants.

Owner Josh Steiner is shown inside Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.
Owner Josh Steiner is shown inside Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.

“Hive is my new bakery that I have been working passionately on to share my love of bagels and pastries with you,” Steiner said when he first launched Hive Bagel. Beekeeping has been a hobby of his for several years.

Steiner said the honey makes his bagels, which have a fluffy interior, have a nice crust.

Using freshly milled grains (Steiner has a mill he uses) and an assortment of specialty grains elevates his bagels as well.

“Make everything we can from scratch is our philosophy,” he said.

Bagels, pastries and breads

Steiner said he plans to offer six to seven bagel flavors each day. His top-selling Everything Bagel will be offered daily, and he also plans to offer limited-edition seasonal flavors.

Don’t forget to add a container of cream cheese to your order. Steiner is making freshly whipped cream cheeses in flavors like Bacon and Cheddar, Bell Pepper and Roasted Tomato, Strawberry and Roasted Jalapeno. In the shop, they will be available in 3-, 8- and 12-ounce containers.

Honey Butter Croissants are displayed on the counter at Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.
Honey Butter Croissants are displayed on the counter at Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.

Flaky French-style croissants (brushed with honey, of course) are on the menu, as is an assortment of croissant dough-based pastries. Items like Pain au Raisin, Pain au Chocolat and flaky Cinnamon Rolls are sure to be popular items to grab for breakfast. Espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos will be available to accompany your morning pastry.

Steiner is also introducing Memphis to the “croissant cube.” Cubed croissants are the latest dessert trend in London and New York City. It’s basically a square croissant stuffed with a filling. Steiner plans to stuff his versions with a hazelnut praline or raspberry jam.

A selection of fresh stone-ground breads — ranging from milk bread to baguettes — will also be offered.

NEW MEMPHIS RESTAURANTS: From burgers to bubble tea, 7 new spots you should try

Bagel sandwiches, for breakfast and lunch

The new 2,000-square-foot shop is part bakery counter — and part café.

“It is fast-casual designed,” Steiner said. “We are catering to people Downtown looking for a quick lunch.”

For breakfast, expect items like bagel sandwiches — ranging from Avocado Toast Bagels and Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwiches. A Bagel and Lox is made with house-cured dill and beet cured salmon. There is also a “Pullman Toast” made with croissant dough — think of it as a flaky cinnamon butter toast.

A look inside Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.
A look inside Hive Bagel & Deli, a new bakery shop and café at 276 S. Front St. in Downtown Memphis, on Sept. 6, 2023.

Not surprisingly, the lunch menu includes bagel sandwiches as well. Sandwich fillings include everything from roast turkey to portabello mushrooms ... to a bagel with banana and peanut butter aptly named the “Elvis” bagel.

There is also an assortment of entrée salads and side dishes.

The café has about eight seats inside and about 10 more outside. Hive Bakery & Deli is open for breakfast and lunch.

DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS: From brisket to Bourbon Mocha, here's a taste of Tom Lee Park's food offerings

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City — like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.

Hive Bagel & Deli

Where: 276 S. Front St., Unit 105

Hours: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed on Tuesday.

Online: hivebagelanddeli.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Hive Bagel & Deli opens in Downtown Memphis: What to expect