The best things to do in Manly: a local's guide

These are a few of our favourite spots to eat out around Manly right now, but you can also head here for a more detailed guide.

Our top spot for breakfast in Manly is Noon (1/18 Raglan St). Be sure to order the potato rosti with cured salmon and a jammy egg.

We're also big fans of Norma's Deli (74/78 The Corso), a sprawling Greek café and eatery that serves massive focaccia sambos, home-cooked meals and sweet treats.

After a feed and a beer on the water? Felons Manly (E Esplanade) has taken over the space where Wharf Bar once was, and the former head chef of Rockpool Bar & Grill is behind the new-look menu (the fish and chips and puffy, Napoli-style pizza get our vote). In the mood for something a bit more upscale? We're also big fans of its adjacent chef-led venue Felons Seafood.

One of Manly’s most delicious snack bars is a Nepalese-inspired dumpling house called Momo Bar Manly (28 Market Pl), where you choose your flavour filling (spiced chicken and vegetarian are ace), then select a sauce or make it a soup with broth. 

Busta (10 Pittwater Rd) is a retro-glam Italian diner making a faultless tiramisu that people are queuing for. 

If you want to eat a bucket of fresh prawns, golden seared scallops, and a bowl of hand-made pasta looking out over the expanse of Manly Cove towards the city skyline and out to sea, Manly Pavilion (West Esplanade) is the place to do it.

Pocket Pizza (46 Pittwater Rd) gets top honours for its pizza's puntastic names, including Legalise Marinara, Cheesus Christ and Gordon Hamsey. The Shrimpley Irresistible is in the running for one of the most delicious seafood options around. 

The Boathouse Shelly Beach (1 Marina Pde) is the place to be on sunny weekends for that ‘Byron holiday in Sydney’ vibe. Wear your best coastal whites and enjoy brunch with a view, or get takeaway and eat by the calm waters of Shelly Beach.

The original Chica Bonita (9 The Corso) has long been pulling crowds thanks to their killer chicharron, tacos and Margaritas.

There are countless places for fish and chips in Manly, but for higher end seafood there’s the Herring Room (94 Pittwater Rd).

Sunset Sabi (26-28 Pittwater Rd) is not here to follow the rules of Japanese dining, but rather to break them in service of good times and snacky hijinks. 

Manly loves a little Americana, so get your fix of wings, fried chicken, loaded fries and burgers at JB and Sons (49 Sydney Rd).

What’s a beach visit without a golden packet of freshly battered fish and piping hot chips straight out of the frying basket at Fishmongers (Shop 4, 11-27 Wentworth St).

By day Sketch Manly (19 Pittwater Rd) is an Indian-inspired café, and at night they are slinging curries and craft beers to adoring fans.

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Hemingway’s (48 N Steyne) is the tiny Manly small bar offering the Northern Beaches a double dose of fun drinks and a whole lot of literature directly across from the famous golden sands of Manly Beach.

Donny’s Bar (7 Market Pl) is a New York-style loft bar where you can get a Bloody Caesar and a slider and pretend like you’re Stateside.

Henry G's serves up a global wine list, Galician nibbles and a storied cheesecake, all in the name of the suburb’s earliest tourist officer.

InSitu (1/18 Sydney Rd) is a retro-themed small bar and restaurant that also does bottomless seltzers, antipasto and pizza for lunch on weekends.

Manly’s bar scene gets a touch of glamour at the Cumberland (17-19 Central Ave), an underground speakeasy with Spanish flair.

For craft beers brewed on site, make a beeline for the 4 Pines Manly Brew Pub (29/43-45 E Esplanade).

On a sunny evening in summer the seats out on the deck over the water at Felons Manly (Manly Wharf, East Esplanade) are some of the most sought after real estate in the suburb.

The Hotel Steyne (75 The Corso) is a vast enterprise with different zones catering to any whim that may take you, be it cocktails, cider, pub classics, pizza, or a simple lager with the football on TV. 

What’s a beachside suburb without a nautically themed small bar like the Hold (24 Sydney Rd)?

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Born and bred on the beaches, Barrel One is a northern coffee institution pedalling quality bagels, sangas and a house roasted bean so good it’ll make you want to order another, almost immediately. With locations now dotting across the whole city, the Manly edition (40 E Esplanade) is one of the earliest OGs – and it shows. Not a fan of coffee? Go for an iced matcha, lemon brew or jaffa instead. 

Norma's Deli (74-78 The Corso) is a gigantic Greek-style food emporium where you can get quality coffee, epic take-away sandwiches and a heap of groceries all in one fell swoop.

Skittle Lane (83/87 Pittwater Road) is kind of peak-Manly. White linen, airy interiors and seriously quality coffee (think house seasonal blends) reign supreme at this tiny coffee shop. Opening up onto an Assembly Label store, this is northern beaches neutral living at its finest.

For bread, butter and bloody good coffee, there ain’t nothing better than Berkelo Manly. Fresh sourdough and actually really good gluten-free banana bread are excellent additions to any cup o’ joe.

In a laneway off the Corso you’ll find Rollers Bakehouse (19 Rialto Ln) in a baby pink garage, baking croissants in every flavour imaginable and serving up their house coffee in white, black, filter or bottomless form.

Pair your coffee with a side of Scandinavian comfort food from Fika the Cafe (5B Market Pl), like a sugar-crusted, spiced cardamom bun.

The simple pleasures of good coffee and Belgian waffles cannot be overstated at Barefoot Coffee Traders (18 Whistler St).

Get a colourful, tasty breakfast at Market Lane Cafe (9-11/37-39 The Corso) that ranges from a superfood salad to a spanner crab omelette or masala scrambled eggs, with Allpress coffee on the side. 

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Best beaches in Manly

The beaches in this 'burb are counted among Sydney's best. Fringed by countless secluded swimming spots, epic surf breaks and long stretches of golden sand, Manly is made for, and shaped by its proximity to the Pacific. After a pumping surf? Go to Queenscliff, North and South Steyne. Want to swim without any waves bothering you at all? You can’t go past the Hawaiian-like paradise of Shelly Beach or the secret seclusion of Collins Flat. Want to feel like a real life mermaid, no matter the time of day? Jump into the Fairy Bower pool and feel all your woes melt away. 

If you want to keep on beaching, do the classic Manly to Spit coastal walk. Rugged, with stunning ocean views, you’ll get to walk past ancient Indigenous rock carvings, wander through the bush, and then dip into pristine beaches along the way. Pro tip: If you want to end with snacks, start at the Spit, and end at Manly – otherwise, views will be reward enough.

Best day spas in Manly 

Manly is all about wellness – which calls for one thing, and one thing only: a luxe day spa experience. Whether it’s a massage, facial or sauna you’re after, this town has you covered (with warm, essential oil-scented towels).

Hit up Akasha Integrative Health (Unit 8/7 West Promenade) for an affordable sauna, massage and ice-bath experience – it’s incredibly only $159 for all three sessions. They’ve got an oxygen chamber on-site too for all those who really like to tap the wellness button.

SahSin Massage Therapy (9 Whistler St) have been massaging Manly’s residents for years. With a massive massage menu on tap, they’ve got all your aches and pains under control.

Aqua Vitae Day Spa is good for a solid (yet luxurious) facial. From detoxing skin treatments to anti-ageing rejuvenation numbers, this is a one-stop shop for your skin.

Best outdoor activities in Manly

Frolic with bandicoots and gaze out across the whole city from North Head Lookout. 

If you’re seeking some serenity head to Manly Dam (112 King St) to commune with nature over a picnic or a bush walk.

You can book a game of beach volleyball on the North Steyne segment of Manly beach where nets are set up for daily tournaments.

Dive Centre Manly runs snorkeling tours around several popular spots in the area, and they take visitors on underwater adventures every day (10 Belgrave St).

On both weekend days Sydney Road is home to the Manly Markets, an open air market selling knick knacks, snacks, local art, jewellery, candles, hats and grocery items. 

If you're down to test your skills on wheels, you should purchase a skateboard from Henrietta Skate (Shop 2, 49-53 North Steyne). The team are super friendly and helpful for beginners looking to let loose on the lovely flat track that runs along the beach.

Add some adventure to your day with a paddle organised by Manly Kayak Centre (Manly Wharf, East Esplanade). Tours visit some spectacular look-out spots and secret beaches.

Always wanted to hang ten? Book a group or private surfing lesson through Manly Surf School (North Steyne Surf Lifesaving Club), who will show you how to master the waves.

Hire a beach cruiser from Manly Bikes for $35 per hour (or $40 for two hours) and take a leisurely cycle along a dedicated cycle path. 

Best indoor activities in Manly

If you're headed indoors, make it for the Manly Art Gallery and Museum (West Esplanade), which has an annual program of exhibitions that includes prominent local artists and major touring exhibitions. The museum is devoted to the history of Manly and has a marvellously kitsch collection of beach memorabilia.

Scare yourself silly at one of Australia’s most haunted sites. Q Station (1 N Head Scenic Dr) runs after-dark ghost tours for $65pp.

At Desire Books and Records (3/3 Whistler St) you can sift through the discount vinyl record bin on the steps of a secondhand bookstore that has branched out into preloved surf-rock. 

Fill your home bar, fridge and esky at Winona (2/12-14 Pittwater Rd), a beautiful wine boutique stocking the most delicious new-era natural wines, local spirits, craft beers and tasty snacks .

Emporio Home and Flowers (185 Pittwater Rd) is where you can shop around for beautiful fresh blooms, then grab a snack or drink first at Ruby Lane Wholefoods (200 Pittwater Rd), an idyllic café and organic grocer for the health-conscious. 

If you’ve done the lessons and have decided to commit to the salty life, gear up at Dripping Wet Surf Co (2/93-95 N Steyne), where life-time surfers will guide you through board, wetsuit and accessory shopping.