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Best Things to do in Manly

Bar at The Boathouse Manly

Updated: May 21, 2025

The charming bayside suburb of Manly, with its stunning boat harbour, is home to waterfront restaurants and cafes, as well as an overwater bar, seafood eateries, open fire restaurant, seafront markets, beautiful walks, free movies in the park and more.  Here's 19 of the best things to do, including a motel with stunning water views, perfect for a weekend stay:

Manly Boathouse
Manly Boathouse
This stunning white seafront restaurant and bar features a chic beach resort-inspired interior with views of Manly harbour and the bay
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The Arsonist
The Arsonist Manly
A dark moodily lit restaurant and luxe bar where food is cooked over a fire pit
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Wang Chung
Tables overlooking water at Wang Chung
Wang Chung is an overwater restaurant serving contemporary Pan Asian cuisine, located on the William Gunn Jetty at Manly
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Shucks Bar
Shucks Bar is providing a fresh seafood experience, one of the 10% of Australian restaurants that serves freshly shucked oysters
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Manly Farmers Markets
Jan Powers Farmers Market Manly
Wandering around this market by the seaside at Manly, is certainly an idyllic way to spend Saturday morning and a magic start to any weekend.
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Cafe La Mer
Cafe La Mer's al fresco deck offers a true waterfront dining experience for breakfast, morning tea or lunch
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Manly Municipal Pool
Nestled on the foreshore, Manly Pool is a bright little patch of blue comprising a 25 m covered pool with access ramp, a toddler pool, slide and a kiosk.
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Cambridge Lane Espresso
Cambridge Lane Espresso
Serving the seaside suburb of Manly, Cambridge Lane Espresso is a charming coffee nook tucked down a laneway off Cambridge Parade
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Wynnum to Manly
This scenic seafront walk or ride of around 10km return packs a lot of variety into its length
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Groundhog Social
Groundhog Social, Manly
Groundhog Social is a bright and airy cafe perched in prime position on the Esplanade in Manly
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The Mad Hatters Bookshop
The Mad Hatters Bookshop Manly
This cute little bookshop by the bay is a wonderland of delightful surprises and has big kids and little kids alike completely enchanted.
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Marina Cove Motel
Manly Marina Cove Motel
Manly Marina Cove Motel is a modern, boutique motel, located next to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Moreton Bay
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Lota-Manly Walk
Lota Manly Walk
This picturesque walk leads from the sleepy bayside village of Lota to stunning Manly Marina
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Bluebottle Cocktail & Tapas Bar
Bluebottle Bar & Kitchen
A neighbourhood bar made for Manly locals to enjoy inventive cocktails, live music and delicious tapas.
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Banter Coffee House
Banter Coffee House Manly West
Banter Coffee House is an absolute gem of a café tucked away in Manly West - the go-to for what is arguably the best food and coffee on the bayside.
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Hide Green Cafe
Hide Green Cafe Manly
The Hide Green Cafe in Manly West has leafy feature walls, fruit & vegetable inspired artworks, and a health conscious menu
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Manly Creative Markets
Lota Many Markets

The dog friendly bayside market, which has been running for 30 years, is a the place to find novel and eclectic wares including arts & craft, fashion, gifts and more

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Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Restaurant & Cafe
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Restaurant & Cafe

Brisbane's premier sailing club offers waterfront dining from its restaurant Squadron Harbour View Restaurant and the more casual Boardwalk Cafe

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Movies In The Park
Enjoy a family night out for free at Manly’s monthly Movies in the Park
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Looking to discover more hidden gems of Brisbane, check out our Guide to Brisbane Suburbs HERE! Happy exploring!

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