Warning: this list of knock-out seafood joints might make you drop everything and head beachside right now.
We’ve eaten our way through sensational seafood platters, perfectly grilled fish, and some seriously delicious prawn pasta to bring you the absolute best spots for fresh eats along the Northern Beaches. From fine dining with epic water views to casual spots perfect for sandy feet and salty hair, here’s where to get your local seafood fix.
The Surf Deck + The Collaroy, Collaroy
Merivale’s beachside beauty serves up some seriously good seafood with those stunning ocean views. Their seafood platter with Balmain bugs, blue swimmer crab, king prawns, scallops, and three types of sashimi is insane (and good value too). You’ll also find a solid selction of raw and cooked seafood dishes including tuna tostadas, calamari fritti, and kingfish carpaccio. We can’t go past the Sea Bounty Mussels with cherry tomato, nduja, basil, and grilled focaccia. Heaven!
Address: 1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
Website: merivale.com/venues/thecollaroy
Instagram: @thecollaroy
Queen Chow, Manly
Cantonese restaurants are few and far between on the Beaches, and Merivale’s Queen Chow doesn’t disappoint. Their menu reads like a greatest hits of Cantonese chow, with each dish given a polished upgrade that still manages to hit those nostalgic sweet spots. You’ll find all your faves here – honey king prawns glazed to sticky perfection, salt and pepper squid that’s somehow both light and deeply satisfying, and yes, that deep-fried ice cream that takes you straight back to suburban Chinese restaurants circa 1992. But it’s not just about the classics – the team knows their way around more refined dishes too, with their whole steamed fish and pipis in XO sauce aren’t to be missed either.
Address: 22-23 East Esplanade, Manly
Website: merivale.com/venues/queenchowmanly
Instagram: @queenchowmanly
Fish Face, Balgowlah
Attention fish and chippie lovers, this hidden gem in Balgowlah punches way above it’s weight. Fish Face sits at the top of Balgowlah Village shopping centre (previously Stockland) and takes the humble fish and chips to new heights without the fluff and pomp of fancier restaurants. The fish is impeccably fresh (they’re mad about quality here), and the batter is consistently golden and crunchy. The seafood platter is stacked, there’s plenty of seafood specials and steak options for those non-seafood fans, but here’s our hot tip: the prawn sando is the hit that’ll have you coming back weekly.
Address: 215 Sydney Road, Balgowlah
Website: fishface.com.au
Instagram: @fishfacebalgowlah
The Boathouse, Palm Beach
This place practically screams “long lunch by the beach.” Housed in an airy, whitewashed space, The Boathouse does laid-back coastal dining exactly right. The kingfish crudo is what Instagram dreams are made of, but don’t sleep on the lobster rolls with pickled chilli, lemon butter sauce + crisps – they’re incredible too. And if you find yourself admiring the plates, you can pick up some homewares while you’re there!
Address: 1 Beach Road, Palm Beach
Website: theboathousepb.com.au
Instagram: @theboathousegroup
Hugo’s Manly
Sitting pretty on Manly Wharf, Hugo’s has been doing the lord’s work for nearly two decades. The squid ink linguine is the stuff of legend – perfectly al dente pasta tangled with whatever’s fresh from the market that morning. And we can’t not mention the chilli prawn pizza (also the stuff of legend) with marinated chilli prawns, roasted capsicum, tomato and salsa verde. There are plenty of delicious raw seafood dishes – the Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with black caviar and spicy citrus dressing and the King salmon tartare with caviar, cucumber, ponzu gel, smoked soy mayo, and sesame tapioca cracker to name just two. Chuck in those water views and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Address: Shop 1, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade
Website: hugos.com.au
Instagram: @hugosmanly
Garfish, Manly
When you’re craving fresh grilled or spiced fish, head to Garfish. This Manly institution delivers every single time. Their changing menu means you’ll always find something new. As for their staples, we love the classic Snapper Pie and Sri Lankan Fish and King Prawn Curry with cucumber pickle and green pea pilau. If it’s crustaceans you crave, don’t miss the drool-worthy Queensland king prawns in XO butter or Western Rock Lobster. Pro tip: ask for a seat by the window for views of ‘The Office’ that’ll make your meal even better.
Address: 39 East Esplanade, Manly
Website: garfish.com.au
Instagram: @garfishmanly
The Espy + Manly Pavilion, Manly
Those strolling down West Esplanade this summer might have spotted the Boathouse Group’s newest venue, The Espy. Located opposite the Manly Pavilion (where the old aquarium was), The Espy is the perfect spot to tuck into a bucket of prawns, a tuna poke bowl or their chilli prawn pizza.
As for the Manly Pavilion, this stunner always delivers. From their low-key beer-battered fish and chips to the more sophisticated crab linguine, the kitchen consistently turns out plates that are both beautiful and delicious. Drop by for sunset and watch the harbour turn golden – and don’t forget to leave room for their potato scallops with whipped roe, harissa oil and chives. They’re the perfect accompaniment to any seafood dish.
Address: West Esplanade, Manly
Website: manlypavilion.com.au
Instagram: @manlypavilion
Stella Blu, Dee Why
This Dee Why gem has been holding it down on The Strand for years, and for good reason. While they do plenty of Italian faves, their seafood game is strong. The risotto is packed with local fish and prawns, and their calamari is tender enough to cut with a fork. Grab a spot on their breezy terrace and watch the beach crowd go by – it’s peak Northern Beaches living. Hot tip: the Spaghetti Allo Scoglio on a cool evening is what pasta dreams are made of.
Address: 41 The Strand, Dee Why
Website: stellablu.com.au
Instagram: @stellabludeewhybeach
Manly Skiff Club, Manly
Don’t let the ‘club’ in the name fool you – this local stunner dishes up some seriously good grub that rivals any restaurant in town. Perched right on the water at East Manly Cove, you’ll get killer harbour views with your meal. The seafood platters here are a bit of a local secret – generous portions of perfectly cooked fish, prawns, and oysters that won’t break the bank. Plus, those under $20 meal specials during the week? What could be better?
Address: Corner Stuart Street & East Esplanade, Manly
Website: manlyskiff.com.au
Instagram: @manlyskiff
Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, Newport
Ok, yes this is obviously on the pricier end of the scale, so if you have something to celebrate or a bonus to spend, head up to Bert’s. Tucked away in The Newport, it’s French Riviera meets Sydney seaside. Start with something from the Oyster Bar – caviar, dressed crab or crudo. For mains, select live lobster from the tank, or whole fish. For the meat lovers, there’s beef, poultry or pork that’s either roasted in the charcoal oven or over the Basque grills. If you’re really looking to splurge, why not catch a seaplane to lunch? We can dream can’t we…
Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport
Website: merivale.com/venues/berts
Instagram: @bertsnewport
The Herring Room, Manly
This cosy spot might fly under the radar, but those in the know keep coming back for some of the most inventive seafood dishes in the area. Start with Sydney rocks (classic mignonette won’t steer you wrong) or those addictive crumpets topped with smoky fish mousse and bonito flakes. The NZ salmon crudo with burnt orange ponzu deserves its cult following, while the spanner crab with yuzu kosho hits that perfect sweet-heat balance. For the main event, either go all-in with their seafood platter (easily feeds 2-3), or the crispy whole baby snapper (pictured above). Pro tip: don’t skip those shoestring fries with umami salt, truffle oil and grana padano. They’re ridiculous.
Address: 94 Pittwater Road, Manly
Website: theherringroom.com.au
Instagram: @theherringroom
There you have it– your ultimate guide to getting your seafood fix on the Northern Beaches. Just remember to book ahead – many of these spots fill up faster than the parking spots along Manly Beach on a hot day! And please note that menu items mentioned above are subject to change.
Did we miss any of your fave spots? Let us know, via northernbeaches@thelivingcollective.com.au and we’ll keep adding to the list!
Images: supplied.
