Barry Bagels St. Matthews

On the morning of October 11, 2025, my spouse and I visited Barry’s Bagels at their Norton Commons location around 9:30 a.m., eager for a satisfying breakfast. As recent residents of Norton Commons and loyal patrons of the consistently exceptional St. Matthews location, we approached this visit with high expectations. Regrettably, this experience was profoundly disappointing, ranking among the most underwhelming bagel meals we’ve ever had.
I ordered a tuna salad on a plain bagel, while my spouse opted for a plain bagel with cream cheese. To our disappointment, the bagels were cold, tough, and lacked any semblance of freshness—far from the warm, chewy, and flavorful bagels we enjoy at St. Matthews. It’s possible that the Norton Commons location receives pre-cooked bagels shipped from another site, which could explain their substandard quality. Frankly, a store-bought bagel from a nearby retailer might have been preferable.
The establishment’s cleanliness was also concerning, with noticeable neglect in the dining area. The young staff members, while perhaps well-intentioned, displayed a lack of professionalism. When I addressed the poor quality of the food, no effort was made to offer a replacement or refund, further deepening our dissatisfaction.
As new members of the Norton Commons community, we had hoped Barry’s Bagels would become a go-to breakfast spot. However, this experience prevents me from recommending this location. I was unable to leave a Google review directly for the Norton Commons location, as it does not yet have a dedicated Google review page, so I posted this feedback under the St. Matthews location, clearly noting it pertained to Norton Commons. Management should prioritize fresher ingredients, enhanced staff training, and a cleaner environment to improve the customer experience. For now, we will continue frequenting the St. Matthews location, where quality and service consistently impress.
Additionally, I received an automated response from Barry’s Bagels’ system regarding my low-star Google review, suggesting I contact the company directly before posting. This response misses the mark. The purpose of Google reviews is to guide consumers by recommending or cautioning against establishments, with low ratings serving as a fair warning when justified. Rather than instructing customers on how to share feedback, the business should focus on addressing the highlighted issues to prevent negative reviews. If Barry’s Bagels wishes to avoid both positive and negative feedback online, perhaps reconsidering their internet advertising strategy would be prudent. As an amateur food critic, it is my right to assign low scores when they are deserved, and this experience undoubtedly warranted such a rating. I sincerely hope Barry’s Bagels at Norton Commons takes this feedback seriously to better serve the community.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Went there for the first time and the bagel was burnt and didn’t even get it toasted

Went in to order a sandwich. Three people working and only two people sitting in store. One worker never looked at me as she unloaded a drawer. Two in the back talking. Finally one in the back looked up and saw me and sauntered my way. She then stopped and started talking to the other employee. I finally left. Suggest to train and oversee the staff as you try to get started.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

The bagels are fresh and flavorful. The cream cheese mixes are full of spices and are so good. Chicken noodle soup is really good and flavorful with some great broth. The only thing I would suggest is for someone to clean the walls and ledges as they were really dusty. That is kind of off putting. The counter in the front appeared clean. We will be back!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Salt bagel was so salty it was inedible and cheese dried out. Other sandwich had burnt bacon and Asiago bagel was hard a rock.

Food: 1

Service: 1

Just opened in Norton Commons. Took an hour to get 4 bagel sandwiches. Only 2 people Working. My neighbor had the same thing happen while I was there. Also, it’s a bagel place out of most flavors of bagels. No plain at all. I want restaurants in my neighborhood to do well but if this continues they won’t make it here. I probably will not be back. Service is just too bad

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

I recently visited Barry Bagels in St. Matthews and was genuinely impressed! The staff was super friendly and welcoming — they made the experience feel personal and warm from the moment I walked in. The bagels are fresh, perfectly chewy, and come in a great variety of flavors.
I ordered a breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel and it was amazing — flavorful, well-prepared, and super satisfying. The coffee was also surprisingly good (which isn't always the case at bagel shops). Everything came out quickly, and the place was clean and cozy. Whether you're stopping in for a quick bite or grabbing a dozen to-go, Barry Bagels is a local gem that definitely deserves more attention. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

WOW! If I could give 6 stars I would. The person who took my order, Andrew, was incredible. The experience and service was like none other. I will definitely be coming back to try more of their delicious menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Barry Bagels St. Matthews is an absolute gem! The bagels are always fresh, soft on the inside with the perfect chew on the outside, and they have a wide variety of flavors to choose from. The sandwiches are stacked and delicious—great portions for the price. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, and the service is quick, even during busy times. The atmosphere is clean, cozy, and perfect whether you’re grabbing breakfast, lunch, or just a coffee and snack. This place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town—highly recommend to anyone who loves quality bagels and great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Barry Bagels in St. Matthew’s is an absolute gem! The bagels are always fresh, perfectly chewy on the outside and soft on the inside—just the way a bagel should be. The selection is fantastic, with everything from classic flavors to fun seasonal options, and the cream cheese spreads are delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they make you feel like a valued guest every time you stop in. The shop itself is warm, clean, and inviting, making it a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or just grabbing a quick snack. Louisville is lucky to have a place like this—Barry Bagels has definitely earned a permanent spot on my list of favorites!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The bagels here are amazing. Fresh, perfectly chewy, and full of flavor. I had the everything bagel with cream cheese and it was the best one I’ve had in years. The staff was super friendly and made the place feel very welcoming. Quick service, great coffee, and amazing food. I’ll definitely be coming back often.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Barry’s Bagels is hands down one of the best bagel spots around. The bagels are always fresh, perfectly chewy on the inside with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. You can really taste the quality in every bite. Their cream cheese flavors are amazing — especially the veggie and honey walnut — and the breakfast sandwiches are next-level. Staff is friendly, service is fast, and the vibe is always warm and welcoming. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or catering a meeting, Barry’s never disappoints. Next-level!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Barry’s Bagels is hands-down the best bagel spot around! The bagels are always fresh, perfectly chewy on the inside with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. Their selection is amazing—you can go classic with an everything bagel and cream cheese, or try one of their specialty sandwiches that hit the spot every time.

The staff is super friendly and welcoming, and you can tell they take pride in what they do. Service is quick, even when it’s busy, and everything tastes like it was made with care.

Whether you’re grabbing breakfast on the go, meeting a friend for coffee, or stocking up for the weekend, Barry’s never disappoints. Easily a 5-star experience every time I visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The staff are friendly, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about their food, which makes every visit a pleasure. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, enjoying a leisurely brunch, or picking up bagels to share, Barry’s delivers an exceptional experience every time. I can’t recommend this place enough!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went here with a few of my friends for breakfast, the staff were incredibly friendly and got us our bagels very quickly. The food tasted great and was fairly priced. I am now a regular customer at Barry’s!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5