Passing through Notting Hill around noon, Kuro is the right pick for a three-star quick bite. A round trip to Brooklyn, New York, included in the very reasonable price of their outstanding bagels.

The place is part of a small neighbourhood galaxy: Kuro Bakery, Kuro Coffee and the newest addition, Kuro Bagel, which replaced their Eatery in January 2025.

Minimalist décor without feeling cold, with clear Japanese and Scandinavian influences: the space lets the products shine, just as it makes room for the crowds who come in numbers to enjoy them.

Better choose a mild day, as indoor seating is limited; we enjoyed ours in nearby Holland Park, which is absolutely lovely.

The bagels are made in-house every day. The recipes don’t reinvent the genre, but they are executed to perfection, with impeccably sourced ingredients. In short, they manage to turn this street food staple into a genuine little delight, almost an object of food design.

Absolutely worth doing, with one last piece of advice: the wait can be long, and ordering the precious goods before setting off seems like an excellent idea. That way, you arrive like a winner just as your order lands on the counter.