Business

The unique restaurant which brought New York-style classics to South Africa

Daily Investor • 27 July 2026

Kleinsky’s is a unique restaurant which focuses on New York-style classic offerings, including bagels, breads, and pastries.

Kleinsky’s was founded by brothers Adam and Joel Klein in 2014 when they opened a small hole-in-the-wall eatery in Sea Point, Cape Town.

From the start, the focus was on quality. They used old-school recipes and methods, with everything crafted in-house.

Breads and pastries are baked fresh daily, while bagels are rolled, slow-fermented, and boiled in malted water before being baked.

The pastrami is brined, coated in a secret spice blend, and braised for hours, the true New York way.

This quality made it an instant hit with customers, and the original Kleinsky’s in Sea Point outgrew its original home.

The restaurant moved across the road to where it stands today, 92 Regent Street. It expanded shortly after to include a deli and a bakery.

Following the success of the flagship Sea Point location, it expanded within Cape Town by opening Kleinsky’s at Workshop17 on Kloof Street in Gardens.

The success in Cape Town led to Kleinsky’s expansion to Johannesburg, where it opened Kleinsky’s Birdhaven at Wrenrose Court.

Kleinsky’s Birdhaven offers a bagel menu and classic deli fare, serving as a gathering spot in Johannesburg next to the popular James & Ethel Gray Park.

The next stop was London. The brothers brought the South African-inspired, New York-style bagel concept to North Audley Street in Mayfair.

Operating as a boutique bagel shop and deli counter, the Mayfair location focuses on core hand-rolled bagels and house fillings, including lamb bacon.

Apart from the food, Kleinsky’s is known for its Art Wall, featuring local artists in its restaurants and giving clients the option to order select artwork online.

A visit to Kleinsky’s Birdhaven

Daily Investor visited Kleinsky’s Birdhaven and tried a few of its classic dishes, including the Lamb B.L.T. and Pastrami bagels.

The Lamb B.L.T. features Kleinsky’s lamb bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The Pastrami option includes pastrami, house-blend mustard, and sliced gherkins.

The quality was exceptional. As bagel enthusiasts, we did not expect the same quality as what we enjoyed in New York. We were wrong.

The Kleinsky’s bagels had a thin, shiny, and crackly crust and a dense, chewy interior. They are clearly using a trusted New York recipe and preparation method.

The fillings were top-notch. The Lamb B.L.T. was our favourite, as the crispy lamb and mayo fitted perfectly with the sesame seed bagel.

We visited Kleinsky’s Birdhaven on a Saturday morning, and the restaurant was packed. There was not one table open.

We opted for the takeaway option, which we enjoyed at a small counter for people who want a quick bite. Many others did the same.

Although we live in Pretoria, we returned the next weekend to get our weekly fix of New York-style bagels and baked goods. It is that good.