Banook Bagels Opens in South London 2026

Key Points

• Banook Bagels has opened its first proper high street bricks-and-mortar location at 40 East Dulwich Road in South London
• The new shop sits between Dulwich Village and Peckham, at the site of the old Papa Johns Pizza
• Soft launch began on 5th June 2025 with only part of the menu available
• The business is now expected to be getting up to full speed following the soft launch
• Banook Bagels was founded during the COVID lockdowns by Ashley Mah and David Dalrymple
• Before the Dulwich location, the business operated from an industrial estate between Peckham and Bermondsey
• The site historically was home to M & M Boyes draper in the late 19th century
• Customers can now pick up plain bagels or bagel sandwiches with various fillings
• Sandwich fillings include various flavours of cream cheese, fish, and chicken
• The bagels previously sold out quickly despite being available only for collection or delivery

East Dulwich (South London News) June 17, 2026 — A significant new addition to South London’s culinary landscape has arrived as Banook Bagels opened its first proper high street bricks-and-mortar location nearby East Dulwich, according to reporting by Shortlist.com. The foodie favourite, which began as a hobby during the COVID lockdowns, has now established a permanent presence at 40 East Dulwich Road, caught between Dulwich Village and Peckham.

The new shop represents a major expansion for the business, which previously operated out of an industrial estate between Peckham and Bermondsey.

Despite the industrial location, Banook Bagels’ products would sell out regularly, with customers able to collect or receive deliveries.

The transition to a proper high street location means customers can now visit the shop directly to pick up either plain bagels or bagel sandwiches with various fillings.

How Did Banook Bagels Begin During COVID Lockdowns?

As reported by Shortlist.com, Banook Bagels was founded during the COVID lockdowns by Ashley Mah and David Dalrymple. The business began as a hobby before evolving into a commercial operation that started supplying some Peckham sandwich spots.

This progression from hobby to supplier to permanent high street shop demonstrates the growing demand for quality bagels in South London.

The soft launch of the new location began on 5th June 2025, with only part of the menu available to customers.

According to the Shortlist.com report, the business should — with any luck — be getting up to full speed about now, suggesting the full menu with all fillings is now available.

What Is the History of the Location at 40 East Dulwich Road?

The building housing Banook Bagels carries significant historical weight in the East Dulwich area. As noted in the Shortlist.com article, the shop sits at the site of the old Papa Johns Pizza, a familiar name in the fast-food landscape.

However, recent signage renovations reveal that way back in the late 19th century, the same location was home to the M & M Boyes draper, indicating the building’s long history as a commercial property serving the local community.

This continuity of commercial use — from draper in the 19th century to pizza outlet in recent decades to bagel shop in 2025 — reflects the evolving food and retail landscape of East Dulwich while maintaining the building’s role as a hub for local commerce.

What Menu Options Are Available at the New Banook Bagels Shop?

According to Shortlist.com’s coverage, customers visiting the new Banook Bagels spot can pick up either plain bagels or bagel sandwiches with various fillings.

The sandwich options include various flavours of cream cheese, fish, and chicken. This menu structure offers customers flexibility between those who want simply a bagel and those seeking a complete sandwich meal.

The expansion from the industrial estate operation to the high street location means the business can now serve customers directly rather than solely through collection or delivery.

This change in service model likely improves accessibility for local residents and passers-by on East Dulwich Road.

Why Is This Location Strategic for South London Food Customer?

The positioning of Banook Bagels at 40 East Dulwich Road places it in a strategic location caught between Dulwich Village and Peckham, two well-established South London neighbourhoods.

This location serves customers from both areas and benefits from the foot traffic on East Dulwich Road, a known commercial thoroughfare.

The previous operation from an industrial estate between Peckham and Bermondsey likely meant limited visibility and accessibility for casual customers.

The high street location addresses this limitation by placing the business in a more prominent, accessible position where customers can discover it naturally while walking or driving along the road.

Background: The Development of Banook Bagels in South London

Banook Bagels represents a notable example of lockdown-era entrepreneurship that has successfully transitioned from hobby to established commercial operation.

The business story follows a clear trajectory: founded by Ashley Mah and David Dalrymple during COVID lockdowns as a hobby, it evolved to supply Peckham sandwich spots, then operated from an industrial estate between Peckham and Bermondsey, where products sold out despite collection-only or delivery service, and finally established its first proper high street bricks-and-mortar location at 40 East Dulwich Road.

The soft launch on 5th June 2025 with partial menu availability marks the current阶段 of this development, with the business expected to reach full operational capacity shortly.

The location’s historical significance — former Papa Johns Pizza site and late 19th-century M & M Boyes draper — adds local context to the business’s establishment in this continuous commercial space.

Prediction: How This Development Can affect South London Food Enthusiasts

The opening of Banook Bagels’ permanent high street location will likely affect South London food enthusiasts in several measurable ways.

First, residents in Dulwich, Peckham, and East Dulwich will gain access to quality bagels without requiring collection arrangements or delivery wait times, improving convenience for daily breakfast or lunch options.

Second, the business’s previous pattern of selling out suggests continued high demand, which may create a new regular destination for foodies seeking bagels in South London.

This could reduce reliance on bagel options from other areas of London, making East Dulwich a more complete food destination.

Third, the success of this transition from industrial estate to high street may signal growing confidence in East Dulwich Road as a commercial food corridor, potentially encouraging similar small food businesses to establish permanent locations in the area. This could gradually enhance the neighbourhood’s culinary diversity and foot traffic.

For local residents specifically, the availability of both plain bagels and sandwich options with cream cheese, fish, and chicken fillings provides variety for different dietary preferences and meal occasions, from quick breakfasts to fuller lunch meals.

The historical continuity of the building’s commercial use also maintains the area’s character as a shopping and food destination while introducing contemporary food options.