Perched right on the water, Hugo's attracts a smart crowd from Sydney and beyond. With panoramic harbour views, and a breezy, sun-dappled terrace, it's the kind of place where a long lunch effortlessly slips into evening sundowners. The menu strikes a balance between relaxed coastal dining and polished Italian flair – wood-fired pizzas topped with burrata arrive alongside tuna ceviche and butterflied king prawns. 

Set right on the harbour, Garfish has been a Manly mainstay since 2006. Its ethos is simple: serve the freshest, sustainably caught seafood in Sydney, and the crowds of regulars and visitors that fill their waterfront tables suggest that it's on to something. The menu shifts with the tides, from crisp salt and pepper calamari to wood-roasted barramundi and grilled mirror dory. Weekends bring a lively bottomless lunch, while Mondays and Tuesdays have a more relaxed BYO spirit. With effortless charm and consistently top-notch seafood, Garfish is a reminder that sometimes classics stay that way for a reason. 

Named after the traditional Swedish fika - taking a break over coffee with friends and family - Fika in Manly is Australia's first Swedish eatery. Tucked into a narrow lane just off the beach, this bustling cafe offers a taste of Sweden with everything made in-house, from their signature homemade skagen toast with prawns, cured gravalax to the cakes, cookies and jams. And of course, great coffee. 

Hidden just off the Corso, Jipang is Manly’s low-key Japanese favourite where the focus is firmly on flavour over fuss. The menu is tight, authentic and cooked with the kind of care that makes regulars fiercely loyal. Start with a light prawn tempura or karage chicken with the house-made teriyaki sauce before diving into steaming bowls of ramen or a rice curry. The sake selection is extensive too.