Tali’s Bagel & Schmear announced the opening of a new Kailua location this Thursday.
The bagel shop opened its first location in Ward Village in the beginning of July 2023 after finding success in the farmer’s market circuit.
Tali’s Bagels makes New York-style bagels that are traditionally boiled and baked.
The bagel flavors served at Tali’s Bagels & Schmear are classics: plain, poppy seed, black and white sesame, and everything. However, the schmears are where they add a Hawaii twist. (“Schmear” is a Yiddish word that refers to a spread that goes on a bagel.)
While their schmear menu rotates, it may feature furikake lox schmear, lomi lox schmear, haupia schmear, ube schmear, smoked local eggplant schmear, and zesty za’atar schmear.
They make their schmears from scratch, with cream cheese from whole milk and vegan options from tofu. Plus, many of their ingredients are purchased from local businesses and farms in Hawaii.
Tali’s Bagels location in Kailua will fill a bagel-sized hole left by the closure of Empty Elle Bagels, which shut down in February after losing its lease and was known for making Montreal-style bagels.
The new Tali’s Bagels will be at 26 Hoolai St, Suite 500 (in the shopping center with Anytime Fitness and Kailua Town Pub and Grill).
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.