Hello dear
Garfish Manly, located in the stunning coastal area of Manly, Australia, offers a delightful dining experience focused primarily on seafood. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking views of the Esplanade, this vibrant bar and restaurant serves high-quality dishes, including perfectly seared scallops and signature fish and chips, renowned for their crispy beer batter. Guests appreciate the friendly and attentive service, though some have noted occasional wait times during bustling periods. With a diverse menu catering to all ages, including a kids menu, Garfish Manly promises a satisfying culinary outing, exemplifying the essence of local Australian seafood dining.
About
Welcome to the culinary gem that is Garfish Manly, located at 1/39 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia. This charming seaside restaurant serves up a tantalizing selection of seafood and comfort food, ensuring that every visit is a feast for the senses. With its spectacular views over Manly Esplanade and the fresh ocean breeze, dining here feels like a mini-vacation.
Renowned for its fresh seafood, Garfish Manly is a must-visit for both locals and tourists. The menu showcases stellar dishes, with the seared scallops—a breathtaking presentation layered atop succulent grilled pork belly—standing out as a highlight. Diners rave about the fish and chips; the beer batter is crispy perfection, complementing the firm, fresh fish with a delightful crunch.
Families will appreciate the comprehensive kids’ menu, which does not compromise on quality or generous serving sizes. The crumbed fish and chips could easily satisfy an adult, ensuring that even the pickiest eaters leave happy.
The customer reviews paint a picture of not just quality food but also inviting service. It’s common to hear praises about the efficient and friendly staff, who make every effort to ensure diners feel at home while also fetching that extra glass of wine or a fresh catch special. This combination of warm service and divine food makes every visit memorable.
However, like any venue, Garfish Manly has its quirks. Some diners have noted mixed experiences regarding food quality on certain dishes, with opinions on the battered fish swinging between highs and lows. While classics like the Snapper Pie receive rave reviews, others have found the tempura fish lacking in the freshness expected at this price point. But even amidst these inconsistencies, many patrons leave feeling satisfied, driven by the enticing atmosphere and overall charm of the locale.
In summary, Garfish Manly invites you to indulge in its delicious offerings while soaking in breathtaking coastal views. Whether you’re at the heart of a family gathering or enjoying a quiet meal alone, the vibrant ambiance and friendly service promise a delightful dining experience that will leave you enthusiastic for a return visit.
For reservations or inquiries, feel free to call +61 2 9977 0707. Come, savor the flavors of Garfish Manly—where quality meets the sea!
“ We had different kinds of seafood to share and they were all cooked beautifully and flavoursome. My main dish was grilled swordfish with spices, mash potato and boiled spinach. The fish was cooked perfectly, rub with spices. It was smooth balance in texture and flavour. The mash potato was creamy and pair nicely with the spinach. Focaccia bread was lovely. I dislike the dip as it was too fishy for my liking. The Sydney rock oysters were fresh and creamy. The scallop and raw fishes were delicious to start with. The cocktail was so so but the wine selections were good. In general, we enjoyed our dining here. Food and floor staffs were fantastic. ”
“ Always good food & good service , we are very happy each time dinning at Garfish , winter warm special was such nice experience. ”
“ The food was delicious and the service was great. The restaurant is conveniently located within walking distance of the wharf. ”
“ Came in a few months ago. But left very satisfied. Definitely be back. Staff at door needs to be more welcoming but our waiter was delightful. So the food and waiter staff made up for that. ”
“ Went there for lunch and it just happened that snapper pie was 50% off…. … was already planning to order that anyway. Food was delicious … had zucchini flowers and scallops for entrees and pie as main. Service was excellent. Will be back for sure! ”
“ Specifically planned to visit Garfish on a relaxing Sunday time out at Manly. Though there are quite a few food places in the area, none match the atmosphere and quality of Garfish. The restaurant is obviously geared towards seafood but there are other options as well. I enjoyed their seared scallops which were cooked to perfection and uniquely layered on top of a slice of grilled pork belly. Their fish and chips are great - the beer batter is one of the best I've had being extremely crispy while the fish is firm and fresh. A number of kids menu items are on offer and they don't skimp on quality or size - the crumbed fish and chips is more than enough to feed an adult! Service is efficient and friendly, always checking that everything is well at your table while never forgetting any requests. The location looks out over the Manly Esplanade shore front and we enjoyed some fresh breeze while there. Recommended and would definitely return! ”
“ Let's talk food first. We went for the classic Fish and Chips, and they were... well, just okay. Nothing to write home about at $36, but they did the job. What really hit the spot though was the Snapper Pie ($45). Now that was good! Definitely recommend giving that a go if you're ever there. The place was absolutely buzzing, which is always good, but it also meant the service was pretty slow. We had to wait a fair bit for things, which is understandable when it's that busy, but still a bit of a drag. Here's where it got a bit...weird. They've got an open kitchen, which usually I love, but I saw the head chef (who clearly had a cold) continuously wiping his nose on his sleeves, and honestly, it was pretty off-putting. And then, because of where we were sitting, we were super close to the menu station. So close that we could hear the waitresses complaining about disrespectful customers ordering Merlots with attitude. I get it, patrons can be annoying, but there's a time and a place for venting, and I really don't think it's within earshot of customers during service. Just felt a bit unprofessional. Garfish Manly had some yummy bits, especially that pie, but the slow service and those couple of hygiene and professionalism moments kinda dulled the shine. ”
“ I stopped in at Garfish Manly for lunch with a craving for classic battered fish and chips. With a high star rating and a stack of reviews, it looked like a sure thing. I was expecting more of a takeaway-style fish and chip shop, but it turns out this is more of a bar and restaurant—which ended up being a great surprise for a Tuesday lunch on the way back to the office. They do offer takeaway, but with such a prime location right across from Manly Wharf, I couldn’t resist taking a casual seat in the front area. There’s a converted deck with windows, now a relaxed dining space, and enjoying a cold beer on an overcast winter’s day made it a great spot to unwind. What I Ordered: • Battered Fish and Chips – Served with a fresh green salad and light vinaigrette. The chips were outstanding—fresh, light, and perfectly cooked. The fish, however, missed the mark. For $30 and such strong reviews, I expected more. It seemed like frozen, processed fillets, not the quality I was hoping for. Service & Atmosphere: The staff were super friendly, service was quick, and the location is unbeatable. All up, it’s a great place for a casual lunch, whether you’re flying solo or catching up with friends. I’d definitely come back—though next time I might try something else on the menu. ”