The best restaurants in Manly

What is it? A fun-loving, lively Italian restaurant and Manly’s new waterfront go-to from the team behind Ormeggio, A'Mare, Postino Osteria and Chiosco.

Why we love it: As a born-and-bred Northern Beaches local, I can say Cibaria is exactly what this golden beachside ’burb needed – because let’s be honest, Manly is known for its beach and babes, but not its dining offerings. And considering it’s pumping day and night, it seems locals love it, too. Service is excellent, the food is beautiful and the room is bright and colourful. Ticks all round.

Time Out tip: Sometimes food trolleys can seem naff, but not here. Order the gorgonzola trolley – the rich and creamy cheese is served tableside with caramelised walnuts, honey and crisp crackers. And even if you’re full, you gotta finish with a silky smooth pistachio gelato, made even more delicious with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Address: 55 N Steyne, Manly NSW 2095

Expect to pay: $35–$50 for a main, plus starters and drinks

What is it? Banco is a smart-casual, hole-in-the-wall restaurant from the team behind Corretto Dee Why. You’ll find it hidden away on Whistler Street, marked by a big neon bottle and a couple of street-side tables – signalling that good times await.

Why we love it: A vibrant and progressive addition to the Manly scene, Banco’s warm and enthusiastic service is a highlight. The beverage offering is among the best in Manly, while the kitchen fare is deliberately rich and rustic – a love letter to Great Britain. Check it out; you won’t be disappointed.

Time Out tip: Get around Banco’s happy hour (4.30–6pm daily) for $10 vino, snacks and cocktails.

Address: 17b Whistler St, Manly NSW 2095

Expect to pay: Mains $30–$50, plus snacks and drinks

What is it? A boisterous pizza party where everyone’s welcome – but good luck scoring a table.

Why we love it: There are few better places to snack on a spread of olives, burrata and prosciutto under red-and-white umbrellas during aperitivo hour than Pocket Pizza. After your snacks, move on to pasta – go for the fusilli with vodka – and then it’s on to the main event: the pizza. The crust is charred and chewy, the toppings are bang on, and it’s all a lot of fun.

Time Out tip: The Netflix and chill – featuring a tomato base, fior di latte, ’nduja, ricotta, salami, chilli flakes and honey – is a sweet, salty, fiery delight. Not in Manly? Check out their venues in Brookvale and Avalon, or order takeaway.

Address: 46 Pittwater Rd, Manly NSW 2095

Expect to pay: Around $30 for a pizza, plus snacks and drinks

Norma’s Deli is a Greek-inspired bakery, café, diner and grocer in Manly, and if you haven't been here yet, you need to change that ASAP. Come for loaded sandwiches, impressive-looking and delicious pastries, home-style meals and take-home deli items. Go early to beat the crowds on the weekend, though the lines move quickly.

Time Out tip: There are seats inside, but I suggest getting your focaccia sambo to go and enjoying it by the beach or sitting on the wharf.

Merivale's high-end Cantonese restaurant Queen Chow Manly, located right on the sparkling water at Manly Wharf, is a contenter for Best Views. But for us, it's the food that really does the talking. Think plump prawn dumplings, glistening roast duck, kung pao chicken with a real pow, fragrant and fresh seafood, and moreish fried rice. Finish with a rich, decadent salted caramel brûlée tart – and don't share it. With a sunlit dining room, opulent interiors and a faint coastal breeze, the sister veunue to the OG Enmore spot is one of our favourite places for a long, boozy lunch in Manly.

Manly Pavilion is under new ownership and management, and things are looking as good as the ocean does down below. The beautiful restaurant and bar now has a happy hour from 5-7pm on weekdays, and DJs on the decks each Friday from 5-8pm. Come on down for seriously impressive views and some pretty great food and drinks, too.

Time Out tip: Check out sibling venue and the new waterfront bar, The Espy, found where the old aquarium once was.

If you’re craving fresh fish and a crisp white by the sea, firstly, us too, and secondly, consider heading over to Garfish. The long-standing seafood diner may not be as cool as some of the younger kids on the block, but its consistently high-quality meals make it a reliable option in Manly and a favourite among locals. Plus, the restaurant is conveniently located right across from Manly Wharf and the sea – so you get a side of pristine views with your meal, too.

Time Out tip: Order the fish pie – golden, flaky pastry encasing just-cooked snapper in a well-seasoned, creamy white sauce sweetened with onions. There’s a reason the team can’t take it off the menu.

If you're looking for a great night out in Manly with a banging dinner, head to Sunset Sabi, Manly's funky Japanese spot by the team behind nearby Busta, Chica Bonita and Noon. Here, the rulebook is thrown out, and in its place are fun and flavour – cheeseburger gyozas, we're looking at you. The karaage chicken has had many iterations over the years and is still a must-order (when is it not?), as are their pimped-up sushi rolls. You can't go wrong here.

Time Out tip: The set menu is $65 per person and comes with all of Sunset Sabi's best dishes – go for that.

Wharf Bar has transformed into Felons Manly, now owned by the team behind Brisbane’s much-loved craft brewery. There's a lot to like, including 150 new outdoor seats, perfect for soaking up the big blue views with your Spritz. Plus, the food menu has been completely overhauled by Rockpool's former top chef. Bring the fam and enjoy great pub classics paired with cold beers.

Time Out tip: My picks are the fish and chips served with mushy peas and chunky tartare sauce, and the puffy Napoli-style pizzas.

Manly got a little bit cooler with the opening of Busta, a sexy little mod trattoria on Pittwater Road from the team that brought Chica Bonita and Sunset Sabi to life. If you pop by for an afternoon aperitivo and snack in the sunshine you may find yourself staying for hours. Which really, wouldn't be a bad thing. We love the retro Milan-meets-Amalfi design, the thirst-quenching cocktails and faultless tiramisù.

Locals know Sketch Manly well. That’s because for close to eight years they’ve been hitting up 19 Pittwater Road for their morning coffee and spiced eggs, and swinging back at night for craft beer, natural wines and seriously good curries. Think: slow-cooked brisket curry with garlic, ginger, tomato and fresh spinach; a rich, complex and not-too-sweet butter chicken curry; and marinated eggplant with turmeric tomato masala. The confit garlic roti is bang on, too. With more than 25 craft beers on the menu – including sours, dark ales, IPAs and lagers —plus lo-fi vino, Sketch’s drinks menu is also impressive.

Time Out tip: Weekly specials that you should get around include: Monday BYO Wine Night, where you can enjoy your favourite wine alongside butter chicken; Tins & Taps Tuesdays, offering $10 craft beers all night long; and Bottle Share Wednesday, where the team opens a new bottle for guests to sample, so you can try something new.

Directly overlooking the beach stands this homey beach house. It’s a triple threat of smug real estate, consistently good service and a menu that says you’re in for something special. Start with charcuterie, pate, terrine or tapas, all ideal for sharing. Manly is proud of its seafood and you’re in capable hands here.

Quality seafood overlooking the big blue is actually not as easy to come by in our fair Harbour City as one might expect. That makes the prospect of nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls featuring the freshest catch prepared by one of Sydney's most respected Japanese kitchens all the more tempting. You've still got all the original Sake signatures at the Manly location – the Hiramasa kingfish with jalapeño and lime kosho and yuzu ponzu, the popcorn shrimp with spicy mayonnaise – but there are a whole host of other dishes to discover, too. As with the other outlets in the Rocks and Double Bay, there's an extensive selection of Japanese spirits behind the bar to keep you hydrated, as well as more than 30 bins of sake (the name's no joke!), umeshu and shochu. Kanpai, indeed.

You'll find The Boathouse Shelly Beach tucked around the bend from Manly Beach – it's about a 20-minute stroll, and you'd be hard-pressed to find better views. For years, The Boathouse has been a great option for brekkie and lunch, and that’s still true. Sunset Spritzes and oysters? We're there.

Time Out tip: This is the place to bring your overseas guests.

Hugo's has been slinging cracking pizzas and fruity cocktails to locals and tourists alike since it opened its doors back in 2009. So it's fair to say the well-oiled machine is as much of a part of Manly's DNA as the cheeky seagulls and surfers. Start with oysters and yellowfin tuna, before the pizzas. Choose the slow-roasted lamb pizza with feta, Sicilian olives and rocket; or the one with fresh figs with salty pancetta and creamy gorgonzola. If a view of the ocean with your squeeze is what you're after, be sure to book ahead for deck seating.

Time Out tip: The Mango Daiquiris go down a treat, too.

Ever tried a Nepalese dumpling? They’re called momos, and you can find some of the best pudgy little pork pockets on the Northern Beaches at Momo Bar Manly. Seems simple, right? Wrong. This little Market Lane kitchen is also doing poke bowls. Yes, the Hawaiian fish salad. Stay with us, because somehow Nepalese-Japanese-Hawaiian-on-the-Northern Beaches works an absolute treat. Locals know it – a small queue snakes out of the shop front, and virtually every table is taken up on a Friday at lunchtime. 

Some things in Sydney are worth queuing for, and some things aren't. Banana Blossom in Manly (with sister stores in Bondi and Mona Vale), which is pretty much rammed to the nines every time we go in, is worth the wait. That's because the Asian-style salads here are massive, filling and totally delicious. In the Manly outfit, each salad is made fresh in front of you in the open kitchen beyond the counter. There are a few simple tables inside and a couple of cute wicker tables and chairs outside, but most people choose to take away to sit and eat on the beach.

Mexican diner Chica Bonita remains a solid choice for lunch or dinner in Manly. While we reckon the bustling restaurant could benefit from a refresh, and the loaded fries are not as 'wow'-inducing as they once were, the tacos and ice-cold Margs still do the trick. Chica has been a go-to spot for date nights in Manly for ages, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon.