Just a short ferry ride from the CBD, with golden sands and sea-green water, Manly is a glittering jewel in Sydney’s crown. The city is well-known for its thriving food scene and Manly is no different, with bustling cafes, buzzing brewhouses and elegant restaurants. From hearty sandwiches to overflowing seafood towers, this popular area offers unforgettable flavours alongside showstopping views of the ocean. For romance-filled dining destinations for date nights, casual weekend brunches, family-friendly spots and fun night outs with a group, whatever you’re after, you can find it at the best restaurants in Manly.
A Balgowlah wine bar pairs natural wines with a curated menu of crudo and sandwiches, while a Mexican hotspot features fully housemade cocktails. A chic French bistro boasts a prime spot opposite Manly Beach, while a hole-in-the-wall Indian bar serves up hearty curries and refreshing beer. Enjoy a beachside brunch by Shelly Beach, or try local brews straight from the tank in Brookvale. You’ll find Italian food and coffee served with stylish flair at a Balgowlah bar and bistro, while everyone can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and rich pasta at a family-friendly restaurant in Freshwater.
The best restaurants in Manly await – so book your spot before you go on OpenTable today.
Your next great meal awaits at the best restaurants in Manly
For one of the best wine bars in Manly – check out Effie’s in Balgowlah
Effie’s is exactly what you’d expect from a Manly wine bar. A bright, minimalistic interior featuring sleek modern seating and an embossed ceiling for an extra elegant touch. The focus here is on natural wine, sourced mostly from Australia, France and Italy. Pair some King Valley prosecco with kingfish crudo or indulge with a Rhone Valley red and a basque cheesecake. This hotspot designed everything for sharing, and the menu also caters to non-wine drinkers with NSW beers, classic cocktails and non-alcoholic sodas. Happy hour (5 pm to 6 pm) means $10 margaritas, which go down a treat with a cheese and charcuterie board. Effie’s also offers breakfast from 6 am to 2 pm, with whipped ricotta and pear on toast and grilled chicken sandwiches. A selection of wines by the glass is available from 11 am, perfect for a relaxed weekend brunch.
For one of Manly’s best restaurants for group outings – check out Tommy’s Manly in Manly
Get the gang together and head to Tommy’s Manly, a Mexican restaurant with a creative cocktail menu featuring agave spirits. The chic dining room features bench seating for smaller parties and long wooden tables for larger groups. Delicate paintings line the walls, and diners can peek behind the bar through a curved archway to watch the mixologists work. The cocktails here bring a truly special handmade touch to every glass. The kitchen makes the syrups and cordials in-house and squeezes the juices fresh every day. Margaritas are the speciality, with a bottomless margarita brunch featuring classic and spicy margaritas alongside Mexican favourites. For a special occasion, book the 8-plate banquet menu featuring some of Tommy’s most popular dishes. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, book a table during $5 Taco Wednesdays – beer-battered barramundi, pork carnitas, vegan chorizo, all just $5 each. Outside of tacos, you’ll also find tender steaks with salsa verde and chiles toreados, smokey chargrilled sweet corn and fluffy churros.
For one of the best restaurants near Manly Beach – visit Hemingway’s Manly in Manly
Ernest Hemingway’s portrait looks out towards Manly Beach from the exterior of Hemingway’s Manly. One of Manly’s best seaside restaurants, it offers French cuisine in a relaxed bistro setting complemented by sea views. Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, this local hotspot will help you wake up with a morning brew and wind down with a late-night cocktail or two. Enjoy French classics like a cheesy croque-madame or some roasted escargots. Pair French cooking with the seaside atmosphere and try the traditional bouillabaisse seafood stew with a hint of saffron. Finish off with a creamy creme brulee paired with a glass of muscat. During the winter months, warm up at Hemingway’s with raclette night – melted cheese served with charcuterie, unlimited potatoes and green salad. Each table gets a raclette machine so you can melt your cheese to your liking. With the lights dimmed and vintage, candle-style lighting at your table, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a cosy winter evening.
For great beer, wine and Indian food – book at Sketch Manly in Manly
Sketch Manly is an intimate bar that offers Indian cooking alongside cocktails, craft beer and natural wines. This lively, hole-in-the-wall gem is the perfect spot for a fun night out with your mates. Exposed brick walls and mood lighting help create a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy rich Indian cooking and good company. Start with some crispy pappadums before moving on to one of Sketch’s famous curries. Try the peppery buttery chicken or the Pakistani-style pindi chana. If you want to taste a bit of everything, order the feed me menu, featuring Sketch’s most popular dishes. If you’re just after some lighter bites to enjoy with your drinks, share some guac’ and chips or try the sweet and spicy chilli maple halloumi. The wine menu has been carefully curated with tasting notes and recommended bottles. But, if you prefer to bring your own, Sketch hosts BYO Mondays. Tuesdays are all about ales and lagers with cheap craft beers. In the mornings, enjoy some Indian flavours for breakfast, like the Indian scrambled eggs with chilli and garam masala.
For one of the best restaurants in Manly for brunch – swing by The Bower Restaurant in Manly
You’ll find Manly’s best beachside brunch at The Bower Restaurant, a locally owned and operated restaurant in Cabbage Tree Bay. Only a single wall separates the outdoor tables from Shelly Beach, so you can enjoy your morning coffee before taking a dip in the Fairy Bower tidal rockpool. The all-day menu celebrates the best seasonal flavours, featuring organic, local growers as much as possible. Think housemade granola with mango chia pudding or crisp battered flathead fillets with tangy tartare sauce. Many dishes on the menu have a recommended cocktail, wine or beer pairing, such as the loaded deluxe breaky burger (perfect with a bloody mary) or the Vietnamese rice noodle salad (great with a Jim Barry riesling). Non-alcoholic options include creamy milkshakes (in kids and adult sizes) and fruit-packed smoothies. Located in one of Manly’s busiest areas, you’ll want to make sure you book a table at this relaxed yet elegant hotspot.
For one of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Manly – head to Freshwater Brewing Company in Brookvale
Retro beachy vibes bring a refreshing atmosphere to Freshwater Brewing Company, affectionately known as Freshie. The team accented the sleek, modern interior with pops of yellow, orange and blue and brought it to life with leafy, tropical plants. Brewing up crisp lagers and hoppy pale ales, Freshie’s taproom is the perfect spot to sample the latest flavours straight from the tanks. Don’t skip the iconic fish finger sando, especially paired with one of the easy-drinking beers on tap. Start with some share plates of crispy calamari and arancini filled with mushroom and manchego cheese. Vegetarians should be sure to try the charred cauliflower tacos or the grilled halloumi and sweet potato burger. On Thursdays, settle in on one of the mint-green couches and put your heads together for trivia night, or grab a spot in the sunny front yard and enjoy a schnitty. Fridays have a range of lunchtime deals, including burgers and fish and chips. Sundays take budget-friendly meals one step further with a kids eat free deal with any adult meal.
For one of Manly’s best restaurants and cafes – book a table at L’Americano in Balgowlah
When premium lifestyle brand Coco Republic blended its classic American aesthetic with Vittoria Coffee’s Italian heritage, the result was L’Americano – Balgowlah. Brass finishings and forest-green tables set the scene for a relaxed meal at this cafe, bar and bistro. Sleek and stylish, it has quickly become one of Manly’s best spots for an unhurried morning coffee with a friend or a laid-back lunch with the family. Step up to the sleek wooden espresso bar and sip on some artisanal coffee designed to evoke the feeling of a 1950s espresso bar on the Italian Riviera: decadent, elegant and refined. Start your day with the L’Americano breakfast brioche with crispy bacon and a free-range egg, or classic avocado toast. The kitchen serves brunch from 11:30 am and includes indulgent Italian favourites like pillowy potato and ricotta gnocchi and a tender steak sandwich with Tuscan fries. Check the glass cabinet at the bar and choose some baked treats for dessert.
For one of the best restaurants in Manly for families – head to PIZZACATO in Freshwater
Italian cooking and hospitality shine at PIZZACATO. Here, food is for sharing and enjoying in the company of loved ones. With the heat of the woodfire oven, the flavour of rich pasta sauces and the aroma of freshly opened wine, PIZZACATO is a delight for all the senses. Start with an antipasto board of Italian meats, juicy olives, woodfire focaccia and more. Alternatively, opt for the Roman suppli arancini filled with mozzarella tomato and basil. Move on to a hearty bowl of housemade potato gnocchi with bolognese sauce or a spaghetti marinara. Wood-fired pizza options include a classic margherita with fior di latte and a pizza topped with prawn and nduja salami. Finish off with a wood-fired Nutella pizza or a scoop of the rotating selection of gelato. The bambini menu includes kid-friendly dishes like tomato pasta, ham and cheese pizza and nuggets and chips.
One of Sydney’s best-loved suburbs by locals and tourists alike, Manly’s foreshore and surrounding areas boast a wealth of foodie hotspots. Whether you’re after artisanal coffee in the morning, cocktails for brunch or a relaxed dinner in the evening, this beachside suburb has something for every minute of the day. Whether you’re a local or you’re making the trip across the harbour from Circular Quay, there’s always something new to try. Share slices of pizza, local brews, hearty curries and more at the best restaurants in Manly.
Don’t miss these seaside views – book your spot at the best restaurants in Manly on OpenTable today
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