A relaxing start to any weekend morning would have to include breakfast or brunch whipped up by the experts from someone else’s kitchen. Be it with a mate or just zoning out with your fave mag, I love nothing more than heading to a few of my local cafes over the weekend and savouring my way through their menu throughout the year.
Manly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, would have to tick the boxes for some great eats while devouring delish dishes by an idyllic seaside location. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my five fave Manly spots to savour come those two days of the week for a little r&r (or any day of the week).
While Manly offers beach and bayside water views for patrons, The Pantry Manly has long been known for its uninterrupted sandy sore view, perfectly positioned on Manly’s promenade; you really can’t get any close to the crashing waves.
With a luxe deli decor inspired fit-out, large barnyard doors welcome you before the stunning panoramic ocean view sets in. It’s housed in the former “Beach House” built in 1919 before undergoing a few renovations over the years to its current culinary glory.
With warming service, I opted for the ‘baked egg frittata’ vegetarian style, with roasted butternut pumpkin, halloumi, spinach and pine nuts; and it most definitely hit the right spot. The coffee? Yep, just as delish.
The Pantry Manly – Ocean Promenade, North Steyne, Manly, Sydney.
thepantrymanly.com
Hemingway’s Manly is situated along the beachside stretch of North Steyne and directly opposite the beach, just a little walk from The Corso, Manly’s main street and a stone’s throw behind The Pantry Manly. Sitting street side with a great ocean line view, it’s easily recognisable by its bright red doors and window frames and the book-lined feature wall creating quite the relaxed and cozy vibe.
With lunch and dinner items on the menu inspired by the owner’s native French flare, it was breakfast for me and a healthy option with toasted muesli and fresh fruit, honey yogurt & milk; allowing a little room for that croissant craving.
The muesli was great, but the buttery, flaky layers of pastry the French call a croissant was just next level. I have often driven down of an early weekday morning for their great coffee and croissant before hitting the desk and each time it hasn’t disappointed.
Hemingway’s Manly – 48th North Steyne Manly, Sydney
hemingwaysmanly.com.au
Lumberjack Trading Co. is a small space with only a few tables inside. Traditional lumbering utensils hang from the ceiling, there’s a large outdoor seating space with worn timber tables and cool eroded metal tables which do fill quickly with patrons on a weekend.
A North American style café offering up hearty meals like ‘The Lumberjacks Breakfast’ including eggs, waffles, sausage and hashbrowns, I can’t say I was that hungry when I popped in for a morning feed. Going for a small hint of U.S inspired flavour with a Smoked Salmon Bagel, the cream cheese and capers balanced well with the salmon. The coffee also proved the goods. Grabbing a second brew for the road, it’s also nice to see a business doing their bit for the environment providing 100% compostable lids & biodegradable takeaway coffee cups.
Lumberjack Trading Co. – Rialto Square, Wentworth St, Manly, Sydney.
Lumberjack on Instagram
With summer officially beginning in only a few days, anyone after a clean, healthy kick-start to their morning meal should try the Acai Bowl at Native – Feel Real.
A mixed berry bowl of raw granola, coconut water, banana, chia seeds and goji berries, this is an organic vegan based café focusing raw, whole foods while bypassing the use of any animal products, gluten or refined sugars. It’s a small space close to Manly Wharf that also has your green smoothy fix sorted. Don’t stress about not seeing coffee on their menu. It’s served up and ordered from the café right next door, so you won’t go without.
Native : Feel Real – Shop 1A 40 East Esplanade (Entrance on Wentworth St) Manly, Sydney.
nativefeelreal.com.au
The Boat House located in Shelly Beach is part of Cabbage Tree Bay which stretches around from Manly Wharf. It’s a short 10-minute stride along the walkway that hugs around the rock-lined ocean stretch at the south end of Manly’s promenade.
This would have to be one of my fave go to cafes on a sun-filled morning. As you take to the pavement to walk the bends, the ocean views are unreal and of course, the food is as good as the view; it doesn’t feel like you’re in Sydney at all. The nautical and coast inspired interior, marble and beach wood tabletops complete the essence of fresh shoreside living.
Having munched my way through a good portion of the breakfast menu it’s hard to pick a winner, so go off your taste buds for the day and I’m sure it will satisfy. As there are no reservations, this place does get packed so the earlier you arrive the better. But with a view like this on hand, any waiting time isn’t painful.
All pics by Dapper Lounge.
The Boast House – 1 Marine Parade Shelly Beach, Manly, Sydney
theboathousesb.com.au
As John Gunther says, “all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast”.
Robbie – Dapper Lounge.
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