Guidebook for North Balgowlah
Food Scene
Hugos
1 E EsplanadeOn Manly Wharf with beautiful views and fine dining.
Eclectic mix of Japanese & Mexican. Small and vibrant primarily frequented by locals.
128 locals recommend
Sunset Sabi
28 Pittwater RdEclectic mix of Japanese & Mexican. Small and vibrant primarily frequented by locals.
Manly Wine
13 S SteyneOpposite manly beach. Mix of locals and tourists
Little pricey but fantastic fusion Japanese. Great cocktails as well. Sit at the bar for nibbles and cocktails if you want cheaper meal
17 locals recommend
Sake Restaurant and Bar Manly
West EsplanadeLittle pricey but fantastic fusion Japanese. Great cocktails as well. Sit at the bar for nibbles and cocktails if you want cheaper meal
Drinks & Nightlife
Large pub with multiple bar spaces including the rooftop Glasshouse Gin Bar overlooking Manly Beach
163 locals recommend
Hotel Steyne
75 The CorsoLarge pub with multiple bar spaces including the rooftop Glasshouse Gin Bar overlooking Manly Beach
Great gin distillery in industrial park. Have the Coastal Gin. Won lots of awards globally. And lots of micro breweries to wander to afterwards
8 locals recommend
Manly Spirits Co. Distillery Tasting Bar
4A/9-13 Winbourne RdGreat gin distillery in industrial park. Have the Coastal Gin. Won lots of awards globally. And lots of micro breweries to wander to afterwards
Indoor and outdoor venue on water. Good spot for a drink and a pub meal.
254 locals recommend
Manly Wharf Hotel
East EsplanadeIndoor and outdoor venue on water. Good spot for a drink and a pub meal.
Sightseeing
National park with parking and spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and ocean. Easy bushwalks
197 locals recommend
North Head
National park with parking and spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and ocean. Easy bushwalks
2-3 hr bush walk along harbour. Moderate difficulty. Beautiful views. Park Nth Side of Spit Bridge (cheaper) and get bus back from Manly once finished.
59 locals recommend
Spit to Manly Walk
Fisher Bay Walk2-3 hr bush walk along harbour. Moderate difficulty. Beautiful views. Park Nth Side of Spit Bridge (cheaper) and get bus back from Manly once finished.
Walk past Condover Oval (just around corner), walk up stairs, turn right and then walk on bush track for about 50m, left turn down hill and you’re 10min walk from the dam. 3hr circular walk around dam. Playgrounds and picnic areas.
116 locals recommend
Manly Dam
112 King StWalk past Condover Oval (just around corner), walk up stairs, turn right and then walk on bush track for about 50m, left turn down hill and you’re 10min walk from the dam. 3hr circular walk around dam. Playgrounds and picnic areas.
Marine reserve - protected. Great snorkeling. Keep eye out for blue groper
13 locals recommend
Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
1 Bower LnMarine reserve - protected. Great snorkeling. Keep eye out for blue groper
For a local spin on the beach, join the Bold & Beautiful swim squad at 7am from Nth Styne and ocean swim the 750m to Shelly Beach. Turn around and back another 750m. Or for the less fit walk back! Need to be comfortable with open ocean swimming but a supportive and large group (on summer weekends up to 100ppl) with you. The group swims every day of the year including winter
752 locals recommend
Manly Beach
For a local spin on the beach, join the Bold & Beautiful swim squad at 7am from Nth Styne and ocean swim the 750m to Shelly Beach. Turn around and back another 750m. Or for the less fit walk back! Need to be comfortable with open ocean swimming but a supportive and large group (on summer weekends up to 100ppl) with you. The group swims every day of the year including winter
Fast ferries run from Manly to Watsonia Bay - across harbour - on weekends. Great day trip - get the fish and chips at Watsonia Bay and visit The Gap for spectacular view of south side of harbour
332 locals recommend
Watsons Bay
Fast ferries run from Manly to Watsonia Bay - across harbour - on weekends. Great day trip - get the fish and chips at Watsonia Bay and visit The Gap for spectacular view of south side of harbour
Narrabeen Lagoon Trail
Lakeshore Drive8km circular walk / bike. Fairly flat - easy for kids
Coffee / Breakfast
Good coffee with great patisseries next door. Bacon and egg rolls so good!
19 locals recommend
Four Brothers Espresso
38 Frenchs Forest RdGood coffee with great patisseries next door. Bacon and egg rolls so good!
10 minute walk from Manly Beach to Shelly along foreshore past surfers, swimmers and snorkeling. Great for casual breakfast.
153 locals recommend
The Boathouse Shelly Beach
1 Marine Parade10 minute walk from Manly Beach to Shelly along foreshore past surfers, swimmers and snorkeling. Great for casual breakfast.
Hidden in a suburban quiet backstreet is this award winning sourdough bakery. Open 7am- 1pm Thu- Sun a must for locals. Can’t go past their sourdough but they also do croissants and other baked goods
12 locals recommend
Staple bakery
20-28 Montauban AveHidden in a suburban quiet backstreet is this award winning sourdough bakery. Open 7am- 1pm Thu- Sun a must for locals. Can’t go past their sourdough but they also do croissants and other baked goods