Stroll like a dandy down Dee Why promenade of a weekend morning and you'll see a few cafes with…read morezero people in them and one with all the people in them. Literally all of them, like some giant baby has been using them as toys and is jamming them all into one room of a huge Barbie play house for it's own infantile amusement. It doesn't make any sense, only, it totally does. The cafe is Seachange. and the reason it's so beloved by locals is three-fold: the servings are huge (no fleck of steak on a giant white plate here), they're happy to change absolutely anything on your order without any pissy whining or "No, the chef would kill me" type excuses, and the staff and management are unbelievably friendly. Wulf (sp?) made sure our group got a table inside to protect the little baby we had with us from the sun, and even though he was run off his feet stopped by the table a few times to drop jokes. I had the acai brekky bowl with banana and strawberry and bircher, at $15.90 it's the healthiest way to start the day while still feeling like you're eating ice cream. The Local with tons of bacon, eggs, and a potato rosti is also a winner, as is, oh, pretty much anything on the menu. When you're done, slop across the road and roll about on the beach like a walrus. Trust me, it's great.

One and a half years later, it still has maintained that same quality. Nice and efficient service,…read moregreat portions and good food. The coffee ($3.80) is enjoyable (excellent latte art by the way!) and the view is simply perfect. I love coming here when catching up with friends. Their toasted Turkish sandwiches are still my favourite ($15 and a large portion). Nothing better than consistency and they have it here. Highly recommended!!

Delightful spot on Manly beach. It's very pretty inside, with ceiling to floor windows showcasing a…read morespectacular view of the ocean. I highly recommend their affogato!

Our tour guide and countless Redditors said to eat at The Pantry when in Manly. That said, it is a…read morepopular spot and with the restaurant being on the smaller end, it's best to make a reservation. We were lucky to secure a booking for 1:00P on the day of. Their menu is considered modern Australian with an Italian flair, which is an interesting fusion of cuisines. They have tapas, entrees (appetizer size), mains (larger portions) and sides, which can be shared amongst the table or paired with a main to make for a more filling meal. + GRILLED TASMANIAN OCTOPUS (A$28): The four of us shared this and it turned out to be a tantalizing appetizer! Three meaty tentacles and one flat piece were served on top of n'duja (spreadable pork sausage) with pipes of lime confit on the side. This was my first time having n'duja, which had a smoky flavor from Calabrian chilis that paired well with the grilled taste of the tender octopus. The lime brightened up the dish with citrusy notes. + SEAWEED PRAWN PILLOWS (A$22): While tasty, if I tasted these blindly, I probably wouldn't think of shrimp and seaweed being the two main ingredients. The shrimp and seaweed were finely minced and made into a batter which was then fried into a fritter. They were crispy and light with a soft mochi-like texture inside. Salt on the plate enhanced the flavor even more. + SNAPPER FILLET (A$44): The snapper was delicate, moist and had a wonderfully seared skin. It came topped with a few zucchini blossoms, but that was the extent of the dish, so I'd recommend ordering a side with this. It was placed on a pool of creamy white sauce (which may have incorporated Jerusalem artichoke as noted on the menu) and dollops of black garlic sauce came on top. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the black garlic which had a very earthy flavor that I found too strong and off-putting for the mild fish. The four of us shared a side of BROCCOLINI (A$14) which was a great pairing with all of our mains. It tasted super fresh since the stems still had a nice snap to them. They were simply tossed with extra virgin olive oil, sliced almonds and chili for a hint of heat. My dad enjoyed their spatchcocked chicken and my sister was happy with her sirloin steak. The steak was cooked more than the medium that she requested, but it was still delicious and had a zesty salsa verde. Overall, we had a lovely lunch here. Our meals were wholesome and I could tell that everything was fresh and of pristine quality. This restaurant is right on the beach, so we enjoyed a direct view of the water, giving this spot a beachy vibe with casual elegance.

Have been going for about 5 years. Owners are amazing, Food in truely brilliant, Staff are always…read moreso lovely. This is a Freshwater Establishment ..

I sometimes wish that we can give half stars, because this place deserve more than 3 stars, but I…read morecan't give it 4 stars. Firstly, the coffee here is from Toby's Estate. Now I am not a fan of this bean in the slightest. However, I have to say that it was made that well, slightly burnt and 'dirty' after taste. I had two cups here and both were the same. The food here was good though. The Veggie breakfast was quite delicious. The only problem was that the Avo was not close to being ripe, for me and my friend. But other than that the plate was big and quite good. I think the best thing about this place is the people working here. They are extremely friendly and very attentive. We were warned that there would be a wait for the kitchen was busy, and even though we decided to wait, we were given free coffee to help us wait. So a serious plus for the staff there.

This isn't going to be a well rounded post because to date I've only had their coffee, but it has…read morebeen consistently good. If the rest of the menu is as good as that I'll be set. The juices & smoothies look great, will have to sample when is warmer. PLUS they use Sonoma breads! Yummo.

I'm getting my takeaway coffee from several times a week because it is consistantly good. Stay…read moreGrounded is also one of my favorite places for breakfast.

Great beachside spot for coffee or lunch. Bustling but not too crowded on a Friday for lunch,…read moreimagine it is crazy on weekends. Falafel wrap and BLAT sandwich were both delicious.

Me gusta. This is a…read moresolid breakfast/brunch/lunch joint fronting South Curl Curl beach. It has outdoor seating that is super dog-friendly and indoor seating with a splendid view of the ocean if you're feeling cozy. This place is frequented by the locals, which I love. And the workers are super chipper and friendly, which is great! I ordered the Avo Melt on Turkish ($18), which is vegan and can be modified to being gluten-free. It was served hot and fresh, and the cheese melted into the avo-spinach-tomato mixture. The hot sauce gave it a nice kick. Divine. I also had a chai latte, which they nailed. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here if I'm ever in the area again. Who knows, maybe I'll move out to Northern Beaches and frequent this place once a week!

Convenient location and nice atmosphere inside. Not much to look at except a street view but the…read moreinside makes up for that with a warm welcoming feel. Enclosed decking with heaters and rugs ensures you are warm. Great coffee using Toby's Estate beans. Friendly staff and relatively endless steam of locals and regulars getting their coffee and breakfast fix!

Oliver's Twist is a great little cafe in Dee Why. Their coffee is delicious, the hot chocolates are…read moreamazing, but, for the past eight months we've been going there, the service has still not learnt our names, and, their assortment of foods do kit cater to allergies. When we first found this place, we knew we'd be back. Me being caffeine free, found the hot chocolate there delicious. My companion has caffeinated beverages, and, put simply, there's a reason why we go there a lot! I haven't experienced the coffee there, but, their green tea is aromatic and has just the right taste. The hot chocolates are very chocolatey, and are not to bitter like that of other cafes. The milk froth is light and fluffy, and, to top it all off, they make it look fancy. It's a shame they don't put a marshmallow in. We discovered this place at least eight months ago. And, although we have diligently given them our money for the last eight months, they still don't know my name. At other coffee shops, they greet you by your first name, and know what your order is going to be before you even order it. But not Oliver's Twist. After eight months, they don't even know my name, let alone my order. A shame really, but, I'll still give them my money. Oliver's Twist might do good coffee, but their food selection is another story. I'll start with the pros. The sandwiches are all delicious, made on a nice, toasted, crunchy bread, with the right cheese to sandwich ratio. Cafe food isn't bad, however the selection is ever changing. One day it was tarts, the next it was cakes. Now to the downs. No gluten free options, except for a jar of overpriced cookies that gave no nutritional value. The selection is good, but if you have allergies, forget it. The cafe has a gelato cart, but I've never tried it. The gelato looks nice though... Oliver's Twist is a great cafe to go to. The drinks are delicious, and, so long as you don't have allergies, the food is too. A much better alternative to the busy and pricy cafes in Dee Why, Oliver's Twist is the best cafe in Dee Why.

YES! 5 STARS !!!!! I don't give these out freely, this is…read moreabsolutely the best coffee we have experienced in Manly!!!! GREAT AMBIANCE, NICE STAFF & FOOD 2 GOOD THE PASS UP ~ while it is a bit of a walk from where we're staying it is DEFINITELY worth it!!! Excellent coffee options with cappuccinos, pour overs, cold brew and tea selections too! The Most Beautiful way to start your morning, minus a view~

This is an awesome cafe off the main beach in Manly. This place is not as popular as the other…read morecafes, as it is not only the main wharf or beach - however, don't let that stop you, this is probably one of the better cafes here. The coffee here is good, serving Barred One coffee, it is a nice cup. You can order the single origin if you want, which according to the Barista changes every so often. The coffee is probably not as good as Showbox coffee around the corner, but it still can stand on its own. The best part of the cafe is the food. A lot of fresh and healthier options. The most popular dish is the 'Dog' which is chirizo and eggs. However, if you are like me and love mushrooms, then you are going to love this place as they serve a mountain of mushrooms on toast - and they cook the mushrooms in pesto, which makes them awesome. The service here is good - nothing special, yet nothing to complain about. The seating arrangements is the large tables that are shared by all! So if you don't like things like that, then don't come here, but if you don't mind the new hipster style of seating then come along and share your space.

Fantastic service and truly excellent food. This has it all beautiful outdoor seating with an…read moreoceanfront view, stellar food, and wine and excellent service.

Was visiting the beach and needed some grub so I could have energy to dodge all of the bluebottles…read more After looking at Hemingway's menu online, it definitely fit the bill for me. It is literally right across from the beach but still away from the main tourist drag. I took a seat on the beautiful patio and ordered a cider and a salade niçoise and a fondant au chocolat for dessert. The food was fantastic. The salad was great and had that bright, salty bite you expect from salade niçoise. Two complaints though are that the portion was quite small and the pricing was quite high. My dessert was also quite good. Creamy, chocolatey, and just the right amount of sweetness without going overboard. The food paired with the Manly Beach people watching was a great experience and start to a nice beach day.

A great place to stop for a drink or snack while wandering the Manly beach area. The interior is…read morebright and open with great water views. Place any orders directly at the bar, or at the food service window and they'll give you a number for everything to be brought to you. We didn't eat here but the drinks prices were reasonable considering the prime waterfront location. Very dog & family friendly as well.

The setting makes this worth the trip. The food and service are solidly four-star. For two, lunch,…read moreAUD 84.7: Roaring Meg Sauvignon Blanc 10.00 San Pellegrino 8.00 Boathouse Salad -- Salmon -- Half Avocado 32 Dory Burger with chips 27 TIP: Counter service with food served at your number-flagged seat TIP: Bikes prohibited from Manly Beach to Shelly on the weekends

Such good iced coffee. And I'm not talking about the delicious, creamy atrocity Aussies call iced…read morecoffee, I'm talking about coffee. With ice in it. It's an art, people! (They also have an 8-hour cold drip should you so desire.) The shop is tiny, but if you're lucky enough to snag a stump you'll be privy to some of the most amusing customer conversations. Hungry? They were whipping up waffles last time I was there. But don't get your tastebuds in too much of a tizzy, it's just waffles, so if that's what you want, consider yourself a winner. If not, well, tough luck. But let's be honest, you're heading here for the coffee because it's undoubtably Manly's best, whether hot or cold. And hey, I'm sure they'll even put the ice cream in there if you ask nicely. Just don't ask for decaf. Or larges.

These guys are serious about coffee. Whether it's a doppio espresso or cold drip, you can always…read morecount on a great coffee. The menu is simple: Coffee in one size. No large. No decaf. Waffles with optional chocolate. Because they do it simple, they do it well. The waffles are freshly made as you order. The chocolate is freshly melted Belgian chocolate. The coffee is either their standard blend, or a single origin that rotates every few days - and they are fastidious about how they make it. The actual café is just a hole in the wall with a few boxes & logs that serve as stools. The popularity of this spot ensures an intimate buzz and more often than not, a friendly conversation with the locals. Well worth a visit.