Before Kleinsky’s became known for its generously filled bagels and classic deli fare, brothers Joel and Adam Klein were in the nightlife business, running Neighbourhood Bar on Long Street, Cape Town, from 2007 – 2017. By 2014, they were ready for a shift towards something more sustainable and food focused, gradually swapping bellinis for bagels.
They opened Kleinsky’s as a small, hole-in-the-wall shop in Sea Point, inspired by New York-style Jewish delis like Katz’s and Marlen's, with a clear emphasis on quality and authenticity. Many recipes, including the bagels themselves, were developed by Adam, drawing on their grandmother’s cooking (like chopped liver at the holidays) and refined through plenty of hands-on trial and error. Culturally Jewish but not religious, the brothers built Kleinsky’s around their heritage, flavour, and straightforward, well-made food.
Kleinsky's comes to Joburg
Kleinsky’s feels like it has always belonged on the corner of St Andrews Street in Birdhaven, and that was entirely intentional. The team created light-filled interiors with clean lines and an easy, “your usual?” neighbourhood vibe that makes you feel at home from the moment you walk in.
DECOR AT KLEINSKY'S
Step inside and the warmth becomes clear. Retro-inspired touches, mod design details, and classic checkered floors offer a refreshing break from the neutral, minimalist look of many Joburg restaurants. Bold, colourful artworks stretch across an entire wall, adding a playful edge while giving the space a warm, lived-in feel. With cosy indoor booths (a rare find these days) and outdoor seating under cheerful yellow umbrellas, it’s a space made for long lunches, quick coffees, and everything in between – designed to be a neighbourhood hangout.
And the customers are a direct reflection of that welcoming atmosphere: locals popping in after padel or a morning run (this is the fitness corner of the city, after all), office workers grabbing lunch, parents collecting kids, shoppers, families, and a steady stream of regulars who already feel at home. The Kleinsky brothers found Joburgers to be open, engaged, and social – a refreshing shift from their earlier impressions of seeing Joburgers only as a December wave in Cape Town. The warm reception made expanding a no-brainer, with a second location opening in Linksfield in December 2025 in addition to their Cape Town and London branches.
The Menu at Kleinsky's
ALL ABOUT THE BAGELS
At Kleinsky’s, it all starts before sunrise – bakers arrive around 04:00 or 05:00 to hand-roll, boil, and bake bagels, pastries, and more, all fresh on-site. The menu blends classic bagel staples with playful twists: smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers for the purists; breakfast bagels stacked with cheese, tomato, egg, and bacon or lamb bacon; chicken schnitzel bagels with a hint of Asian flair, topped with slaw and chilli mayo; the signature California bagel starring salmon and avocado; and the teriyaki pastrami bagel, where the sweet-savoury teriyaki pairs perfectly with hearty pastrami.
Each location has its own favourites: Cape Town and Birdhaven lean on smoked salmon and fresh salads, reflecting the health-conscious air of the areas, while the Linksfield crowd are more meat-lovers with pastrami, teriyaki brisket, and hearty rye sandwiches being popular there.
There’s also a bagel of the month – when we visited (Feb 2026), it was a Hot-Honey Halloumi with chilli-infused honey, sesame-grilled halloumi, fresh mango salsa, tzatziki, and a minty herb salad – a tasty mix of sweet, salty, savoury, and fresh.
BEYOND BAGELS: KLEINSKY'S SANDWICHES, DESSERTS AND DRINKS
Drinks are just as tempting. Kleinsky’s matchas are a crowd favourite, alongside refreshing green juices, smoothies, and cocktails like mimosas or their vodka-spiked lemonade.
Desserts, pastries and noshes (snacks in Yiddish) include latkes – traditional Ashkenazi potato pancakes, crispy on the outside and soft inside, similar to a hash brown. Other treats include Russian Honey Cake, New York-style cheesecake, and Nutella rougelats, great for those who love to finish meals on a sweet note.
There’s also merchandise, from dad caps and illustrated tote bags to everything bagel seasoning for those who want to bring the Kleinsky’s experience home.
Kleinsky's opening hours and location
Open: Monday – Sunday from 07:00–16:30Bookings: Walk-in
Where: 64 St Andrews St, Birdhaven
Contact: +27 (10) 900 5969 (Birdhaven)
Kleinsky’s is big on deliveries – you can order many of their deli favourites straight to your door. You can also explore the full menu, order online, or find more information about all locations on their official website: www.kleinskys.co.za.
Kleinsky's Birdhaven is available for delivery via Uber Eats in Johannesburg.
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