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The Best Restaurants on the Northern Beaches Where the Coastal Flavours Shine
From Manly to Palmy, we're rounding up the best restaurants on the Northern Beaches.
While every pocket within the Northern Beaches has its own unique style and flair, the Beaches have become somewhat of a foodie destination in recent years. The best restaurants on the Northern Beaches stretch from Manly to Palm Beach, led by Pilu at Freshwater for Sardinian cooking with panoramic beach views, The Joey in a restored Palm Beach boatshed, and Cibaria, the Pavonis’ all-day Italian piazza in Manly. The Clareville serves farm-to-table plates on handcrafted ceramics, while St Alma in Freshwater does modern Mexican with visiting chefs.
These are the tables our editors keep returning to, from long beachside lunches to special-occasion dinners.
In This Guide:
Best Waterfront Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Felons Seafood
Brisbane-based Artemus Group — the team behind Felons Brewing Co — has reimagined the iconic Manly Wharf, offering a fresh seafood-focused dining experience that harmoniously blends modern Australian cuisine with the relaxed charm of the Northern Beaches.
Helmed by former Rockpool Bar & Grill culinary director Corey Costelloe, Felons Seafood will showcase a menu that celebrates locally sourced produce and bold flavours, including some seafood offerings that aren’t widely known.
The space accommodates 200 seats indoors and 120 more on the boardwalk and the venue’s waterfront location provides a picturesque backdrop, making it an ideal spot for both casual gatherings and special occasions.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Waterfront, Outdoor dining, Group dining, Special occasion
Hugos
Situated smack bang on the wharf and overlooking the harbour-side of town, watch the sunset as you sip on your margarita and tuck into your pizza at Hugos.
A favourite among local and international celebrities alike, Hugos has an electric atmosphere and buzz — especially on a stunning summer’s day. The menu is brimming with fresh Italian cuisine (Sydney rock oysters, burrata, king prawns) that’s perfect for sharing.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Waterfront, Group dining, Cocktail lovers
Dunes Palm Beach
Bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to the iconic Palm Beach, Dunes is surrounded by beautiful parklands that open out onto that famous stretch of sand. This alfresco-style restaurant more than capitalises on its idyllic location.
Menu standouts include ocean-inspired delights like kingfish ceviche and local prawns, complemented by creative dishes like lamb shoulder with tahini and fresh burrata. Finish with a dessert of dark chocolate mousse.
With a minimalist, white-washed aesthetic, laid-back, beach-friendly take on informal all-day dining (shoes optional), and concertina windows opening onto a decked terrace, it’s relaxed fine dining at its best.
Suburb: Palm Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Best For: Waterfront, Outdoor dining, Long lunch
Need To Know: Beach-friendly all-day dining, shoes optional.
Pilu at Freshwater
As the only authentic Sardinian restaurant in Sydney, Pilu at Freshwater certainly has a reputation to uphold, and Chef Giovanni Pilu and his wife Marilyn Annecchinni, never disappoint. Aside from the mouth-watering menu, which includes degustations and an impressive wine list, Pilu’s panoramic view of Freshwater Beach alone is worth booking a table for.
The menu is regularly on the move, but you can look forward to Sardinian ravioli filled with potato, Pecorino, mint, burnt butter, and sage.
Suburb: Freshwater
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Waterfront, Wine lovers
Need To Know: Degustation menus available.
The Joey
Ideally placed on the Pittwater side of Palmie, The Joey is set within the lovingly restored heritage Barrenjoey Boatshed. The experience is elevated from the get-go with large glass windows, lush gardens and an understated nautical colour palette.
Multiple spaces allow for varied dining experiences from the relaxed ‘The Jetty Bar’ to the casual Garden Bar and the elegant Dining Room & Bar. As for eats, you can expect the freshest Australian seafood cooked up with premium seasonal accompaniments alongside a drinks list packed with Australian-made spirits.
Suburb: Palm Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Waterfront, Outdoor dining, Special occasion
Need To Know: Three spaces to choose from: The Jetty Bar, the Garden Bar and the Dining Room & Bar.
Best Restaurants on the Northern Beaches for a Special Occasion
The Clareville
This sun-filled cottage restaurant is perfect for soaking up filtered sunlight and delicious farm-to-table delicacies. You can expect prettily plated dishes and unexpected flavour combos. Think wild three-corner leek dumplings with asparagus, smoked macadamia, fetta, and brown butter, and chocolate mousse, liquorice ice cream, raspberry, and elderflower. This beautiful dining experience comes with plenty of special details, including handcrafted ceramics from Chef and Owner Cooper Dickson’s late father, Lex Dickson, one of Australia’s finest ceramic artists.
Suburb: Clareville
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Date night, Long lunch
Urban Tadka
Tucked away in Terrey Hills, expect the unexpected at the Hatted Urban Tadka. This family-friendly fine dining restaurant blends traditional dishes and modern techniques to suit every taste. From Indian grills to tandoori, curries, and tapas, each dish is steeped in drama, aroma, and spice — and served up in a cosy, ambient setting.
Top picks include the flavourful lamb rogan josh, tender tandoori kebabs, fragrant biryanis, and house-made naan and indulgent desserts like gulab jamun.
Suburb: Terrey Hills
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Indian
Best For: Special occasion, Families, Group dining
Bert’s Bar & Brasserie
Housed on Merivale’s The Newport grounds, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie is an upscale bar and brasserie perfect for special occasion meals. The premium wine list and European-inspired menu pay homage to the opulent hotel dining of the 1930s.
The menu offers a refined selection of European-inspired dishes. Think fresh seafood like oysters and lobster, wood-fired meats, and elegant mains like spanner crab tagliolini, finished with indulgent desserts like chocolate pavé.
Suburb: Newport
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Wine lovers, Date night
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Best Italian Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Cibaria
An all-day Italian hatted dining destination, Cibaria takes guests from their morning espresso at the caffetteria to gelato at the champagneria and all the way to a pasta feast at the spaghetteria. And behind it all? None other than celebrated restaurateurs Alessandro and Anna Pavoni of a’Mare and Ormeggio at the Spit.
This multi-venue Italian ‘piazza’ sits within the Manly Pacific Hotel, hosting a variety of spaces, including a spaghetteria, a bisteccheria (where dishes are cooked over coals and embers), and a pasticceria filled with Italian desserts. Other highlights include a gorgonzola trolley, lobster rolls, and Nutella bombolone.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Group dining, Long lunch, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Located within the Manly Pacific Hotel.
Busta
The intimate yet lively eatery is all about authenticity, from the terrazzo flooring and Pugliese ceramics to the vintage Campari posters and retro glassware. The menu is filled with classic dishes that have delightful, modern twists, like the kale-infused spaghetti and burrata served with charred mandarin and salmon roe.
Working closely with Winona Wine — Manly’s natural wine bottleshop — the drinks list is filled with beautiful organic drops and boasts a delicious sgroppino that is theatrically mixed tableside (check it out on Instagram).
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, Wine lovers, Locals
Pocket Pizza
When it comes to out-of-the-box pizzas that are hilariously named and next-level yum, Pocket Pizza knows how to bring it. The three cool and intimate venues on the Beaches serve as the ideal spot for a romantic date night or a casual catch-up with friends. Be sure to order the Can You Pig It and finish your meal with a serving of their ridiculously good tiramisu.
Suburb: Manly, Brookvale and Avalon
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Date night, Group dining, Locals
Need To Know: Three locations across the Northern Beaches: Manly, Brookvale and Avalon.
Best Casual Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Fat Pomelo
This beachside beauty is fun, fun, fun. From the vibrant interiors to the popping house-made sauces, Fat Pomelo is fresh, bold and lively. Asian and local beers populate the drinks menu, alongside fruity cocktails and an Australian-leaning wine list. Gorgeous Asian fusion dishes like crispy skin master stock Bannockburn chook drizzled in signature satay sauce and wagyu beef cheek rendang round out the offering.
Suburb: Narrabeen
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Best For: Group dining, Cocktail lovers, Locals
The Mona Social
The Mona Social sits atop the Mona Vale Golf Club and commands breathtaking views of Mona Vale Beach. With an a la carte bistro offering reinvented classics and a casual bar with sports viewing areas, pool tables, and an in-house golf simulator, there’s something for everyone here. Headed by culinary virtuosos Mark LaBrooy and Cameron Johnston, the menu celebrates bistro staples with a contemporary twist.
Suburb: Palm Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub Fare
Best For: Breakfast, Wine lovers, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Grab-and-go deli and General Store on site, handy for a beach day.
Best Mexican Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Alma
For those keen to venture further up the beaches to Avalon, Alma (the OG location of Freshwater’s St Alma offering), dishes up a flavoursome Mexican fare in a cosy and inviting space. With a seasonal menu that highlights locally sourced seafood and produce, Alma creates zesty, modern takes on traditional Mexican street cuisine.
Suburb: Avalon Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Mexican
Best For: Date night, Group dining, Locals
St Alma
It was a very good day indeed when the team behind Alma opened a sister venue down the beaches in nearby Freshwater. With beachside charm, casual fine dining and Mexican dishes with a modern twist, St. Alma hosts visiting chefs from Mexico and features a range of shared plates and a seasonal cocktail menu.
Suburb: Freshwater
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Mexican
Best For: Group dining, Cocktail lovers, Date night
Need To Know: Regularly hosts visiting chefs from Mexico.
Best Bars for Dinner and Drinks on the Northern Beaches
Corretto
Sitting pretty on Dee Why’s The Strand, Corretto is the beachside cocktail bar-slash-eatery locals can’t get enough of. With cool blue interiors and a relaxed and laid-back vibe, it serves up amazing cocktails with a killer food menu (standouts include baked parmesan scallops, homemade gnocchi and fish and chips) to match. Pop in for a shared-style lunch or make a night of it with a cheeky sundowner.
Suburb: Dee Why
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Cocktail bar
Best For: Cocktail lovers, Group dining, Locals
Bar Elvina
Providing good vibes and great wines, Bar Elvina is one of Avalon’s most popular spots for a sunset bev, and don’t get us started on the stunning interiors.
This gorgeous little bar offers an eclectic menu focusing on seafood, craft beers, an interesting wine list, and carefully curated cocktails — Beaches-based locals can’t get enough!
Suburb: Avalon Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Wine bar
Best For: Wine lovers, Cocktail lovers, Locals
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Pilu at Freshwater is one of the strongest all-round picks on the Northern Beaches. Chef Giovanni Pilu serves Sardinian cooking, including degustation options and an impressive wine list, in a dining room with panoramic views over Freshwater Beach. The menu changes regularly, but dishes like Sardinian ravioli with potato, pecorino, mint, burnt butter and sage show the kitchen’s style. For something more relaxed, Cibaria in Manly offers an all-day Italian experience, while The Clareville delivers farm-to-table cooking in a sun-filled cottage setting.
The Northern Beaches has plenty of waterfront dining. In Palm Beach, The Joey sits in the restored heritage Barrenjoey Boatshed on the Pittwater side, while Dunes opens onto parklands beside the famous stretch of sand with a Mediterranean menu. Pilu at Freshwater pairs Sardinian cooking with panoramic views of Freshwater Beach. In Manly, Hugos and Felons Seafood both sit on Manly Wharf. Hugos is known for sunset margaritas and shared Italian plates, and Felons focuses on locally sourced seafood with boardwalk seating.
Manly has some of the Northern Beaches’ most varied dining. Cibaria, inside the Manly Pacific Hotel, is an all-day Italian piazza from Alessandro and Anna Pavoni, the team behind a’Mare and Ormeggio at the Spit. It covers everything from morning espresso to coal-cooked dishes and Italian desserts. Busta on Pittwater Road pairs modern Italian dishes with an organic drinks list. On Manly Wharf, Hugos and Felons Seafood offer harbour-facing dining, while Pocket Pizza is a reliable pick for creative pizzas and a casual date night.
Palm Beach has three standout options depending on the occasion. The Joey, set in the restored Barrenjoey Boatshed on the Pittwater side, offers multiple spaces from a relaxed jetty bar to an elegant dining room, with a focus on Australian seafood. Dunes brings a Mediterranean menu to Governor Phillip Park, with dishes like kingfish ceviche and lamb shoulder with tahini in a laid-back, all-day setting.
For a special occasion on the Northern Beaches, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie at Merivale’s The Newport is a strong choice. It has a premium wine list and a European-inspired menu nodding to 1930s hotel dining, including spanner crab tagliolini and chocolate pavé. The Clareville offers a more intimate experience, with farm-to-table dishes served on handcrafted ceramics made by the chef’s late father. Pilu at Freshwater offers degustation menus with beach views, while Urban Tadka in Terrey Hills brings a family-friendly fine dining approach to Indian cooking.
Finished eating your way through the best restaurants on the Northern Beaches and after more north-side inspo? Check out our edit of the best restaurants on the North Shore. After that, have a look at our round-up of the best beauty salons on the Northern Beaches for a luxe pamper.
