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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

The Arsonist Manly

A dark moodily lit restaurant and luxe bar where food is cooked over a fire pit

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

Indoor dining area at Shucks Bar Manly

Shucks Bar is providing a fresh seafood experience, one of the 10% of Australian restaurants that serves freshly shucked oysters

Manly Farmers Markets

Water view from Jan Powers Farmers Market Manly

Wandering around this market by the sea at Manly is an idyllic way to spend Saturday mornings and a magical start to any weekend.

Riverside seating at cafe

Cafe La Mer's al fresco deck offers a true waterfront dining experience for breakfast, morning tea or lunch

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.

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

Wynnum to Manly

Woman and dog walking Wynnum to Manly

This scenic seafront walk or ride of around 10km return packs a lot of variety into its length

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.

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

Lota-Manly Walk

Lota Manly Walk

This picturesque walk leads from the sleepy bayside village of Lota to stunning Manly Marina

Bluebottle Cocktail & Tapas Bar

Interior of Bluebottle Bar & Kitchen

A neighbourhood bar made for Manly locals to enjoy inventive cocktails, live music and delicious tapas.

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.

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

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

Looking to discover more hidden gems of Brisbane, check out our Guide to Brisbane Suburbs HERE! Happy exploring!

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