A Guide To Manly’s New Eateries And Bars

The Assembly Label store in Manly is surrounded by inspiring businesses, and that’s the beauty of this Northern Beaches enclave - you don’t have to venture far to find charming design stores, top-notch bakeries and coffee shops (our Manly store just so happens to share a space with Skittle Lane). Over the past few months, our coastal community has welcomed a bevy of new eateries and bars, so we thought it was time to get to know them better…

Wilburs

Assembly Label’s newest neighbour in Manly is Wilburs Deli. A nostalgic tribute to homemade lunches, Wilburs offers a daily menu of amazing sandwiches with a focus on quality, fresh produce and cold deli fillings. The Wilburs team say good food may be easy to find, but it usually comes with a hefty price tag or busy booked-out times. Their ambition is to become a part of the community’s daily routine, a go-to for breakfasts and lunch breaks. We’ll be stopping by for a sandwich (of course), the must-try Wilburs lemonade, and great conversation over the counter.

The Tropic

Taking up residence in Manly Wharf Hotel is The Tropic, a new restaurant that balances the elegance of fine dining with the relaxed conviviality of an open air bar. The light-filled, terrazzo-clad interiors by Alexander &CO make the most of the waterfront location, and heading up the kitchen is executive chef Francois Poulard, who was lured over the harbour from Chiswick. It’s the perfect spot for long Sunday lunches with friends, grazing over lobster frites and Mediterranean-inspired share plates, or should the occasion call for it, a cold seafood platter with a bottle of something sparkling.

Banco

Since arriving on the scene in late 2021, Banco has established itself as the place to go whether it’s date night, after-work drinks, or a last minute decision to eat out for dinner. Located on the backstreets of Manly, this intimate venue has the hallmarks of a zeitgeist-y Northern Beaches bar - hip hop records playing, a strong focus on cocktails - but it pushes the boundaries with a menu inspired by traditional English fare that’s been deliciously reimagined, and a drinks list offering loads of natural wines. And rather than playing into the coastal design vernacular, the handsome interiors have a distinctly inner-city feel.

Pocket Pizza

The Northern Beaches is getting another slice of New York - Manly’s Pocket Pizza has just opened a second venue in Brookvale. The Little Italy-inspired pizza parlour is a local favourite thanks to its crowd-pleasing menu, considered extras and old-school atmosphere, and fans of the original will be pleased to know they can expect the same pop culture references and seriously good selection of Italian spritzes.

Little Pearl

Little Pearl Bar & Dining looks and feels like summer. It tastes like summer, too. The breezy waterfront venue is right at home in Manly with its cool, coastal palette, uninterrupted beach view and vibrant hawker-style menu that takes inspiration from Asian cuisine. The atmosphere is utterly laidback no matter what the time of day - this is the sort of place you can wear Pilates gear or a party dress. Little Pearl really comes into its own on weekends - it opens for late brunch and hosts Sunset Sessions in the evenings, with live music and a relaxed bar vibe.

Rollers Bakehouse

There are few things quite as satisfying as biting into a beautifully buttery, perfectly flaky, just-baked croissant from Rollers. Tucked into a Manly laneway, this blush-hued bakehouse has been turning out some of the most experimental sweet and savoury croissants in Sydney. Coffees and classic pastries are served alongside fruit-filled, cheese-infused, chocolate-drizzled creations, and no recipe is off limits. Be warned: one look at the daily pastry cabinet and you’ll be tempted to order everything. 

Winona

Not too long ago, natural wine was considered a bit of a weird trend. But as the quality, complexity and diversity of these minimal-intervention wines evolves, Australia has embraced organic, biodynamic and sustainable styles with gusto. Enter Winona, a bottle shop in Manly that stocks and delivers natural wines, craft beers, sake, artisan foods and handmade objects with a focus on small-scale producers. Whether you’re a natural wine novice or savant, you can trust the Winona team to find you the perfect drop.