Sydney Eat Street: Experience dining excellence at Manly Wharf
Manly has added to its famous beaches with an urban redevelopment that has turned Manly Wharf into a new dining precinct. For those living south of the harbour, it’s just a fast ferry ride way to culinary heaven.
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The local’s call it God’s Country — and if it’s even possible, Manly has added to its famous beaches with an urban redevelopment that has turned Manly Wharf into a new dining precinct. For those living south of the Harbour, it’s just a fast ferry ride way to culinary heaven.
Take a tour of the area’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram. #SydneyEatStreet.
HUGOS
With thousands of people either visiting the Northern Beaches for the day or heading back and forth for work, Manly Wharf has always been a busy spot.
Over the past decade respected restaurateur and Hugos co-owner David Evans has watched as this heritage-listed location has morphed from a congested space with people rushing past a ragtag set of retail outlets to catch the ferry to what is now an actual destination in and of itself.
Mr Evans notes how Manly Wharf has become not just a ferry stop for commuting locals or tourists but now with a grocery store, parking and quality food outlets, it’s more a transport hub, an initiative that he feels has helped make Manly Wharf “complete”.
While Sydney foodies on the south side of the bridge may reserve the trip to Hugo’s (for its spectacular seafood platter) for the weekend but for many Northern Beaches commuters, it’s their local — be it a lunch of prawn and capsicum pizza or date night over spaghettini pasta with Queenslander Spanner Crab or seared scallops.
Come for the view; fall in love with the food. hugos.com.au
SAKE
Rise above the bluster and head upstairs to this chic contemporary Japanese restaurant with an outdoor terrace, centre bar, sushi counter and table seating all with a blend of light blonde woods and concrete lit by the floor to ceiling windows.
This attention to detail mirrors the stunning presentation of each element on the menu.
Start with some of their signature kingfish with sweet ponzu or a selection of nigiri.
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The Glaciar51 Toothfish saikyo yaki with renkon pickle is more than worth the trip along with the New Zealand lamb chop with wasabi shiso chimichurri.
Of course there is sake, actually more than 30 bins of it by the glass plus a large selection of Japanese spirits and whiskies.
There’s also a full bar to go with all the wonderful food you’d expect from Rockpool Dining Group.
MANLY WHARF HOTEL, JETTY BAR
It’s been a long week at work, you’ve just had a quiet beer on the ferry and now have a hankering for a chicken schnitzel.
Well, you don’t need to step too far off the boat to get not just a regular schnitty but a parmesan crumbed chicken supreme parmigiana.
The hotel is a local favourite with its family-friendly bistro and the trendy outdoor Jetty Bar, which has recently had a massive revamp to its expansive space adding plenty of seating and plenty and umbrellas.
The menu is seasonal and of course includes the classics such as fish and chips and meaty burger, but also healthy salad bowls, surf and turf options and an epic seafood platter.
For $25 the parmigiana special has smoked nap sauce, prosciutto, mozzarella, chips and a garden salad.
The full drink list is available outside and it’s tough to compete with the view of the harbour.
EL CAMINO CANTINA
El Camino in Sydney is all about Tex-Mex — that modern and amazing blend of Mexican and Americana dips, guacamole, quesadillas, burritos, hot sauce — and nachos, of course.
El Camino is another Rockpool Dining addition that has a sister venue in The Rocks.
They offer massive margaritas — like two-handed sized ones — just like what you’d expect at popular Texas bars because as they say “everything is bigger in Texas”.
There’s lots of rock ’n’ roll, neon signs and every colour of the rainbow in all its brightest and boldest forms.
Take a seat at one of the Corona table tops, order up some of their yummy tacos and fajitas, plus there’s a never ending boot-load of chips and salsa, all on the rooftop of Manly Wharf.
QUEEN CHOW
Manly meets Hong Kong via Enmore — it’s the best description for the latest Queen Chow, the first located at Enmore.
It’s the quintessential Cantonese restaurant right on Manly Wharf.
Eric Koh’s dumplings are worth the trip alone but the menu is loaded with traditional fare plus a tip of the hat to Australian variations.
Peking duck, roast duck, seafood such as honey king prawns (wow), and the dessert that is served in almost every Chinese restaurant in Australia — fried ice cream.
The ambience is fit for a queen — albeit a relaxed one as ferries roll in and roll out of the wharf.
There is an oyster bar and live seafood tanks, which always seem to mesmerise diners of all ages.
MUST TRY
GELATISSIMO
People love their pets and since Manly Wharf is dog-friendly, for the month of May, Gelatissimo has created the Pawesome Peanut Butter flavoured gelato that is both “human and canine approved”. One for yourself and one for your best friend.
THE BAVARIAN
You made it across the harbour. Seems like a good enough reason to celebrate so knock the froth off a stein filled with beer for $5 from 4-6pm, 7 days a week plus Tuesdays are two-for-one schnitzel night.
BETTY’S BURGERS & CONCRETE CO
The perfect pair you never knew you needed and now will never forget — mouth watering burgers and “concretes” (house-made frozen custard blended with a wide range of different sweet toppings. Try their famous Angus beef burger, Betty’s Classic or the crispy chicken burger.
CHAT THAI
From a small spot in Thai-town 30 years ago, the family-owned much-loved Thai eatery has brought their food to Manly — same spectacular flavours, same commitment to quality and best of all, still in the same family.
From fish cakes to curries, you can’t go wrong with anything here but for something different try the whole snapper with sweet chilli sauce.
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Experience dining excellence at Manly Wharf
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