Hive Bagel & Deli
A Sweet Spot on Front Street
It’s a tiny brick and mortar on Front Street that overflows with flavor, charm, and the best kind of morning vibes. Hive Bagel and Deli is exactly what we needed…a super local bakery that majors on quality and delivers on consistently delectable pastries. Chef Josh Steiner, a Memphis native and restaurateur, started to dream up his shop several years ago after closing his fine dining establishment, Strano, in East Memphis. With a background in beekeeping and a vision for honey-infused baking processes, Josh started small by opening a kitchen on Cooper St. in midtown, selling bagels online, and starting construction on his downtown deli.
The public got a glimpse of what was coming and buzz about Hive started to pick up.
Layers of Flavor
The truth is, Hive is a gorgeous little spot and the perfect place to start your day or grab a bite for lunch. As a “vienennoiserie”, the bakery has a niche specialty…”laminated” pastries (meaning folded with layers of butter for a lighter, flakier shape). You can imagine what the bakery cases look like loaded down with beautiful tarts, cookies, and croissants in addition to a variety of bagels on the daily menu. A recent Saturday visit found us in a steadily moving line working our way to the counter, with plenty of time to take in the open kitchen and watch the pastry chefs at work. The magic they were folding up was making its way to the front pastry cases, enchanting customers as they tried to pick out their orders.
The Hardest Choice
The hardest part about a visit to Hive is deciding what not to order. Along with the expected sweet offerings, Hive has a selection of savory menu items as well, and an afternoon menu that will keep your lunch meetings fresh. From an avocado bagel sandwich to a veggie club on sourdough to a specialty grilled cheese, there are plenty of favorites and novelties served up on fresh bread that’s baked daily.
Honey at the Heart
As for the bagels, Josh uses the honey from his own home hives to boil the dough, creating a slightly sweet, downright delicious situation that tastes like no other. In the process of cultivating beehives, going to culinary school, and creating what he calls a “seed to table” bakery and deli, he’s become laser focused on living a local lifestyle. Your experience at Hive will help you catch that vision.
From a perfectly brewed latte to a flaky breakfast sandwich to the shady sidewalk patio where you can sip, snack, and enjoy downtown Memphis in all its glory, Hive delivers on every detail. Once you’ve been, you’ll for sure be returning soon to Hive.