The Corso, Manly welcomes back al fresco dining — with more to come

Diners will once again be allowed to eat on one of Sydney’s most famous Corsos after the local council approved outdoor seating for the first time in almost a decade.

The Net Sashimi Japanese food outlet, pictured on Tuesday, has won approval to provide outdoor dining for its customers on The Corso, Manly. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Outdoor dining is returning to The Corso in Manly for the first time in close to a decade with the hope it will boost “vibrancy” in the famous Sydney tourist hotspot.

Japanese eatery Get Sashimi has won approval for seats at its newly opened premises on the north side of the iconic pedestrian mall.

Northern Beaches Council has confirmed that two other businesses have also submitted applications for customers to eat outside at tables and chairs.

And its understood there are at least a dozen other eateries that could apply for outdoor dining on the The Corso.

The recent appearance of the Get Sashimi seating comes 14 months after the council voted to adopt its Manly Place Plan — a detailed blueprint to make the Manly town centre more attractive to visitors and more liveable for locals.

The Net Sashimi Japanese food outlet, is leading a revival of al fresco dining on The Corso. Picture: Jim O' Rourke

It was drawn up after consultation with the Manly Business Chamber, Youth Advisory Group, resident associations, businesses and Manly ward councillors. Public feedback showed “strong support” for outdoor dining

As part of the plan “key” locations, including The Corso, would be updated and redesigned in an effort to revitalise the tourist hub and encourage the return of alfresco eating.

Former Manly restaurants on The Corso, Watervue (left) and Cristals, were popular for their outdoor dining option. Picture: James Elsby

Until 2016, The Corso was well known as an outdoor dining location with two prominent restaurants — Watervue and Cristals — each having multiple tables, chairs and shade umbrellas on the south side of the mall.

But a conflict with the then Manly Council over fees for renting the outside space, and ongoing animosity between the restaurant owners about who had the rights to host al fresco dining, ended with outdoor dining disappearing altogether.

The Corso, without outdoor dining, was described as a “bowling alley” by Mayor Sue Heins. Picture: Julian Andrews

An artist's impression of proposed changes to The Corso, with outdoor dining and shade trees, contained in the “My Place: Manly" plan. Picture: Northern Beaches Council (Mark Gerada)

Now, a business can pay $450 to make the application and $900 per square metre per year to provide outdoor seating.

Mayor Sue Heins said while outdoor dining had been a contentious topic locally it made sense to have the seating and allow people to congregate “if you want a vibrant Manly, instead of a wide bowling alley down The Corso”.

“Let’s hope we can bring some vibrancy back into Manly”.

Originally published as The Corso, Manly welcomes back al fresco dining — with more to come