There is an abundance of choice when it comes to restaurants with water views in Manly and the Northern Beaches. We've put together a list of our favourites from casual to more formal options, to take your group on an amazing culinary experience whilst overlooking Sydney Harbour or the Pacific Ocean!
The aroma of the ocean and sound of the crashing waves will give you all the feels at The Pantry - you couldn't get closer to the sand than this. With wide open windows looking out onto iconic Manly Beach, The Pantry Manly has an enviable position at North Steyne. The venue is suitable for groups or exclusive use events with a range of set menu options to suit most budgets. The modern Australian menu is focussed on fresh, local and seasonal produce and offers an extensive wine, craft beer and cocktail list.
Located just opposite Manly Wharf with peaceful Sydney Harbour views, Garfish Manly is a beautiful choice for a lunch or dinner venue. Group bookings can be accommodated for 12 or more guests and it also features a private dining room for up to 20 guests, with audio visual facilities available. Alternatively, the restaurant can be hired for exclusive use. Whilst the menu showcases the finest seafood, the team can tailor a menu to suit your needs and dietary requirements. Choose from a sharing menu, premium three course menu or a vegetarian set menu. They also have a range of beverage packages available.
The Wine Room is located on the middle level of Shore Beach House and boasts views across the surf beach to the ocean. The menu is French and Spanish inspired and includes tapas and share plate options. Featuring a very extensive wine list and premium cocktail selection, the Wine Room is a an ideal option for an exclusive restaurant event for up to 90 guests seated or 120 cocktail style.
Sake Restaurant is located on the upper level of Manly Wharf, easy walking distance from the centre of Manly or arrange a private boat charter from Sydney CBD across the harbour.
The venue has 4 small private dining rooms seating six guests in each and these can be combined to create a larger space. They also have a larger private dining room which can seat up to 18 guests. For exclusive events, the restaurant has capacity for up to 300 guests, overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour. The Japanese style menu includes fresh, sustainable seafood and their robata style grilling technique creates a charcoal-smoky flavour to some of the dishes. This modern and stylish restaurant is sure to impress.
Located on the lower level of Manly Wharf, Queen Chow is a Cantonese style restaurant with an extensive menu which includes all your favourites such as roast duck, Peking beef and dim sum selections. Easily accessible from the heart of Manly, the venue can accommodate up to 200 guests for larger events and also has a semi private dining room for smaller groups. They have several banquet menu options and very good drinks list including delicious cocktail options.
This is a great casual dining option suited to small to large groups. Located at Manly Wharf, this is a fun and lively restaurant with a Tex-Mex menu and of course, frozen margaritas! The venue has an outdoor terrace section overlooking Sydney Harbour and a large indoor dining area. Sombreros provided!
Positioned on the western side of Manly Wharf, Hugos is a very popular venue with the locals. The menu is contemporary Italian and they have an award-winning bar team creating amazing cocktails. The restaurant has a stunning outdoor dining terrace as well as a large indoor seating area. Suited to small to medium groups, the restaurant is a great option for a stylish post conference gathering.
Opposite Manly Surf Beach (and at the bottom of the Sebel Manly), Little Pearl Bar is the reincarnation of Manly Wine which opened in January, 2022 - a gorgeous wine bar serving Asian inspired share plates and a predominately Australian wine list. This venue is suited to smaller groups due to the layout and they also have limited outdoor dining available. There is a semi-private dining area for up to 38 guests seated. In addition, upstairs the venue offers private function spaces with stunning views of the beach for up to 140 cocktail style.
Take a leisurely stroll from Manly CBD to Shelly Beach and enjoy a casual meal at this lovely café. Open for breakfast and lunch, The Boathouse at Shelly Beach serves up healthy breakfast options and a delicious seafood focussed menu for lunch. They don't take bookings, so this venue is suited to smaller groups for casual dining. It's best to walk from Manly as although there is carpark, it's often difficult to find a parking spot. Enjoy a swim or snorkel in Cabbage Tree Bay while you are there!
On the western side of Manly Wharf you will find a German inspired casual dining restaurant with incredible sunset views from their floor to ceiling windows overlooking the shores of Sydney Harbour at Manly. Showcasing it's Bavarian heritage, the menu includes classic dishes such as pretzels, pork knuckle and schnitzels, plus seven styles of imported German beer on tap! They have hearty group menus starting from $40.00 per person.
This stunning venue with views over Freshwater Beach is ideal for a more formal dining experience. The restaurant has three function areas including two private dining rooms - The Garden Room seating up to 20 and The Balcony Room seating up to 15 guests. The Pilu Pavillon has capacity for up to 45 guests. The award winning team deliver exceptional service with a menu inspired from Sardinia. The extensive wine list showcases the best vintages from Italy and Australia. Parking is available close by. This is a venue which will certainly impress!
Located at Dee Why and also Belrose, is Italian restaurant, Stella Blu, which translates to Blue Star. Their more formal dining experience in Dee Why promises beautiful beachfront views and service that reflects the restaurant's focus of sharing Italian heritage, love of food and zest for life. The indoor dining space seats 100 people, their alfresco area seats 50 people and they can also seat 24 people on the footpath area. The indoor bar area can seat 30 people and fit 40 people standing, with 36 alfresco seats. Their menu features a delicious range of fine, yet hearty and traditional, Italian antipasto, pastas, homemade pizzas, meat and fish main courses and desserts. This restaurant provides food and service that is good for the soul!
Corretto provides packages that can be tailored to suit your next event, from large group dinners, sit-down special occasion dinners or product launches. This all day drinking and dining restaurant offers stunning beachfront views and features a European flare to their menu. The meaning of Corretto stems from how Italians would 'correct' a coffee with a splash of alcohol represented in their opening hours from breakfast to dinner each day so you can grab a coffee in the morning, and a cocktail by night! They also offer bottomless brunch bookings with set food and drink menus for your group.
BOSK
Clontarf's Bosk is a special restaurant, kiosk and events space all in one, situated underneath the branches and leaves of an iconic Morton Bay Fig tree and overlooking the water of the gorgeous Clontarf Beach. Luxury coastal interiors are surrounded by the greenery of Clontarf Reserve, creating a noticeable connection between the outdoors and indoors as you dine.
Pasadena serves Mediterranean fresh, seaside, modern cuisine by world-class, sweeping panoramic views of Pittwater. A new space extended to the venue, called Palms by Pasadena, varies to the Pavillion Dining, both with menus that cater to both sit-down and canape style events. With a world class chef and menu selection to excite your palate as you sit beside pristine, sparkling water of the lake, Pasadena at Church Point is bound to impress.
Situated within the Mona Vale Surf Club is the Basin Dining Room that came to life during the surf club's revamp. It's a laid back and welcoming restaurant with the most beautifully crafted seasonal menu with a Scandinavian style interior of the venue on the first floor and big, comfy booths near the kitchen and venue rear. Oversized, white pendant lights hang and float gently from the roof that looks like manta rays, with stools then lining the balcony terrace for perfect sea-viewing spots.
Located at Whale Beach, Jonah's Restaurant has incredible views overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean. The restaurant has capacity for up to 100 guests for an exclusive event and offers both indoor and outdoor function areas on it's cliff top position - a stylish option for a product launch or luxurious private luncheon. The menu is inspired by the Italian background of the Executive Chef and includes their home made pasta. A limited menu is available for smaller groups of up to 23 guests. Parking is available on site.
Within Palm Beach's serenity is Dunes. This white-washed, relaxed, bright and friendly informal dining restaurant is an all-day eat and drink spot with a decked terrace to show off coastal greens and blues. This Mediterranean vibe restaurant can cater 12-40 guests for an intimate lunch and up to 140 pax for sit-down functions. For stand-up canape functions, they can cater for 200 people. Enjoy the marriage between outdoors and indoor at Dunes Palm Beach, with beautiful views and food, served with excellent service for your next group booking.
All day fresh, modern Australian cuisine can be found at The Marina Cafe at Church Point, located just beyond Bayview within Quays Marina and caters for both casual and formal functions. The venue can accommodate 70 guests for a sit-down function and for a cocktail function, 100 guests with a $50pp impressive banquet menu, a 2-3 course menu or a delicious cocktail menu. Book your next group breakfast, lunch or dinner at Marina for stunning waterside dining with local and market fresh produce and friendly service.
Bert's Bar and Brasserie
Travel back in time to a 1930s grand hotel style bar and brasserie, with the relaxed air of Sydney's northern beaches infused into your light-filled lunch, or dim-lit evening, dining experience. Being in Bert's makes diners feel like they are in and amongst the treetops overlooking the waters below. The coastal European menu crafted by executive chef, Jordan Toft, features impressive seafood dishes from the Oyster Bar like caviar, dressed crab or crudo, or even a live lobster from the tank.
Right on the water's edge is Church Point's famous Pasadena, a gorgeous all day dining spot with a large heated and open-air deck with bistro fare, cakes, coffees and cocktails. It really has it all! Not to mention views of the glistening waters of Pittwater. This special rustic casual dining destination is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner bookings and can also cater for corporate meetings, weddings or simply just a coffee-on-the-go!
Contact Meet in Manly if you need help planning a function at a restaurant on the beaches.