Blue Manna Bistro — Restaurant in Dunsborough

If you're ever in the mood for a dining experience that transcends the ordinary, look no further than Blue Manna. Nestled in the heart of our favourite charming beach town, this gem not only serves up delectable dishes but also provides an immersive culinary adventure that is simply unmatched.

From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We had the pleasure of requesting a seat at the kitchen for our second visit —a decision that turned out again to be nothing short of spectacular. This was not just dining; it was a front-row seat to a culinary performance.

The kitchen at Blue Manna is a bustling hub of creativity and passion. As soon as we were seated, the chefs greeted us with genuine enthusiasm. They were eager to share their craft, walking us through each dish with a blend of pride and joy.

The interaction with the cooks was a highlight of the evening. They weren’t just preparing our food; they were engaging with us, offering insights, and even sharing a few behind-the-scenes secrets. It felt like we were part of a special event, where every dish was a masterpiece being crafted just for us.

And let’s not forget the food—it was nothing short of spectacular. From the fresh, locally-sourced seafood to the inventive, flavorful presentations, every bite was a testament to the skill and creativity of the culinary team. Each dish was a harmonious blend of taste and artistry, beautifully presented and perfectly seasoned.

The ambiance of the kitchen setting added an extra layer of excitement. The hum of activity, the sizzle of ingredients, and the occasional laughter created a lively backdrop that made the evening feel both intimate and exhilarating.

In summary, Blue Manna is more than a restaurant; it's a destination where food and experience come together in a truly unique way. The opportunity to dine in the kitchen was a remarkable touch that elevated our visit to new heights. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable meal, Blue Manna is an absolute must-visit. We left with full bellies, happy hearts, and a newfound appreciation for the art of cooking....

Came here with high expectations because it was recommended by 2 of our local friends. We ordered the clams, baked oysters, scallops, salt and pepper dunsborough squid, dandan noodles, and espresso martini for myself.

The only reason why it’s 2 stars is because the staff were extremely friendly and service in general wasn’t bad. Without the service, I would’ve given 1 star because food was extremely underwhelming for its high price point.

Espresso martini went flat after awhile. But I think what did this place in for the group is the dandan noodles (raved by the staff) that cost us 42 AUD. We’re Asians and we know what dandan noodles are supposed to be like. Even if this was a twist on the traditional dandan noodles, it was way too far off. It felt like a dish borne out of a late night kitchen experiment with no distinct character. I might’ve been less displeased if it didn’t cost us 42 AUD because we’ve had a lot better quality seafood dishes for a better price point. Would probably be only willing to pay 24 AUD tops for this.

Scallops were new on the menu — refreshing but nothing to shout about. Squid was ok — wasn’t rubbery but average at best. Baked oysters just tasted like mentaiko overload and the oysters were lost in the sauce spread all over it. Probably better off with the plain oysters.

Place has nice vibes in the evening… but would not recommend as this is...

Overall it was an amazing experience. The service was great, and we had a good dinner. To start off, the bread was warm with soft interiors and a crunchy crust while the truffle butter that it was paired with was heavenly.

The entree was a special, a lamb rib which was deep fried to perfection. There's a thin crispy batter and the meat was so tender it fell off the bone. The salad that it was paired with was refreshing and helped to cut back the fattiness of the lamb.

We got a second entree as a result of miscommunication on our part but the waitress insisted on giving it as an apology for us as we ordered a mains Balinese style duck instead of the entree roasted duck wrap. The duck meat was a bit on the salty side but the picked vegetables helped to balance it out.

The mains was the Balinese duck which came with a coconut milk curry with some white rice to pair. The curry was creamy and full of flavour while the duck had a crispy skin. The meat is a bit on the dry side but it overall tasted beautiful.

Dessert was the sticky ginger pudding. It was nice and warm with a ginger tone which came up really nicely with the creamy vanilla ice cream.

We also ordered the Red Ruby cocktail which is grapefruit forward gin based cocktail. Again it's refreshing with a slight bitter...