5 & Dime Bagels and Pizza

New York or New Jersey bagels? For 5 & Dime Bagels owner, Zev Forman it’s definitely New Jersey (although Yankees would argue otherwise). But ask him about Melbourne’s bagel scene, and it doesn’t rate for him. So, why not get it right? That’s how Forman’s Melburnian bagel venture started.

Inspired by his New Jerseyan roots, Forman tirelessly developed his product then sold it at farmers markets, until eventually he could wholesale it and later open up his own cafe in 2015. Since then he’s been showing Melbourne how to appreciate good bagels!

Now he’s adding a twist to his humble bagels that we’ll surely embrace – pizza! On their new menu are awesome options (including vegan ones), that are worth skipping the gym for. Their ‘Pizza Pies’ are all cheesy, doughy goodness, but not what you would expect. It’s unlike the dense, greasy, guilty pizzas at your local, but rather a lighter, wholesome pizza packed with flavour.

The ‘Tomato Pie’ is their take on the classic Margherita combination of cheese and tomato. It’s simple and satisfying. Expect stringy buffalo cheese and a quality tomato sauce. Yum! Go the ‘Sausage & Mushroom’ or the ‘Pepperoni’ for something meaty and with more savoury depth.

But try the ‘Broccoli Pizza Pie’, this curveball is actually a staple flavour for New Jerseyans and truly showcases the city. The name sounds like an unusual combination, but it’s well balanced. There’s sweetness from the onion jam, spice from the pickled chilli and good texture from the broccoli. A tip for you: a slice of these ‘Pizza Pies’ is best enjoyed when folded in half, just like their natives do. It’s less messy and easier to eat.

This brings me to the novelty that could go viral, welcome the ‘Giant Pizza Bagels’. It’s exactly what you think: a huge bagel – which could feed a family – with cheese and toppings, options include pepperoni, jalapenos, napoli or garlic. Although the bagel base is dense, the flavours don’t get lost. There’s also nice textural play from the poppy seeds. But probably best to stay away from this one if you’re counting calories.

However the hero that really ties all these pizzas together is the dough, and you can certainly taste and smell the difference. When inside the cafe, that pleasantly familiar, doughy aroma wafts – it’s a positive sign of quality baked goods.

Their dough involves a three day fermentation process and it’s all made from scratch. This results in a dough that isn’t thick, tastes less yeasty, and has good chew. Another secret is that their pizzas are built in reverse: cheese on bottom, sauce on top. This way the flavours are spread evenly throughout and aren’t lost in the sauce. Who would’ve thought? All their ingredients are also fresh and often made in-house.

5 & Dime Bagels have put a lot of thought into their new pizza menu, the flavours are not randomly thrown together in the hope that it works, because it does. Sure, there are plenty of pizza options in Melbourne, but 5 & Dime Bagels are not trying to reinvent the wheel. They’re just bringing some New Jerseyan twang to a popular dish!

5 & Dime Bagels 
16 Katherine Place, Melbourne CBD
Open Monday to Friday, 7am to 2.30pm; Pizza cafe, Open Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 10pm
5dimebagel.com.au