by Louise, a Northern Beaches mum
The Pantry Manly is a modern Australian restaurant right on the beachfront, boasting a prime view of the waves year-round. As a family of four with two teenagers, we tried their dinner menu and were very impressed.
A small restaurant where bookings are essential, it’s easy to miss the Pantry, which stands alone directly along the beach opposite Hotel Steyne. It’s actually got the prime position in Manly: you are literally sat at the edge of the beach with the most spectacular view! When we arrived on a rainy night, the cosy feel of the restaurant enhanced by its wooden and rustic decor was very inviting.
While we ordered from the main menu, it’s worth noting that The Pantry offers a kids’ menu for children under 12, with pasta, grilled barramundi, and a mini cheeseburger all available.
We began with tapas and ordered the Bread Basket, the Seaweed Prawn Pillows, and the Zucchini Flowers. While I enjoyed all these starters and I always appreciate good bread, the Seaweed Prawn Pillows are a must-try.
We ordered four different mains, and the barramundi, salmon and the steak were all delicious. We were all most impressed by the Egg Squid Ink Linguine, which has a stronger seafood taste than most seafood pastas, a must-try for seafood lovers. The Chat Potato was a great choice of side dish, and while the Thick Cut Chips were delicious, the portion sizes are big enough that a main and one side should be more than enough for four people.
For dessert, we ordered the new Torta Caprese and the Chocolate Cannolo, and these desserts are big and designed for sharing. The Torta Caprese was nice and light, which was welcome considering that we were already full.
The staff were friendly and found time to talk to us about the food. Service was also quick, and while we went at 6pm on a rainy Wednesday, the restaurant seemed as lively as it would in the summer, with the restaurant at its most lively around 7pm.
The Pantry boasts a number of signature cocktails, and I can’t wait to go back and try the Love Potion. Additionally, The Pantry is open for breakfast, and next time we visit we’d love to take in the view while enjoying an eggs benedict or a smashed avo.
For locals and those visiting from further away, The Pantry is a must visit. For us, it was worth the journey all the way from Palm Beach to Manly and we’ll definitely be back.