Banco Manly — Restaurant in Sydney

Quality yet informal Banco has crashed into the club of Manlys top dining experiences, despite being bar focused. It's testament to the kitchen expertise and maintaining that balance by sheer weight of quality which does not come easy. The kitchen managed to maintain a high speed of service with faultless food. The drinks add a little fun and theatre. Service wasn't flawless yet was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and warm.

The food can easily complement a drink and vice versa yet I would recommend having a relaxed almost tapas style meal with wine by the glass, beer or cocktail.

We booked and were sat at the bar, we had plenty of space with good dedicated service from multiple staff. The ambience was hip-hop music and low light, just right to maintain our own conversation, a little dim for the menus at the bar, a risk with edgy music and volume perhaps yet just right and it worked. Perhaps a little candle or magnet light on the bar edge would add to it

We let the kitchen deal with the big orders first then dined tapas style as we felt, it was fun and fast.

We experienced modern Western European cuisine, emotive for us of Swedish and French, not too heavy despite some tasty rich moments. Food portions were generous and we found it easy to share, we will go back again soon to complete the menu we did not have space for.

We just managed a dark chocolate orange mousse dessert.

Drinks included an on trend juicy natural style Rose, french Pinot Noir, Tasmanian Bruny Island Dark Ale and modern complex twist on a Pisco Sour.

Banco wins because, it's... An inviting bubble, intimate, sincere, relaxed, adventurous,...

New Best on Field

The drinks, THE FOOD, the beats, the peeps….

Everything at Banco has been en pointe every time I’ve been , about 6/7 times now at least.

Let’s start with the Sunday roasts they are doing which are ridiculous. I don’t know anyone who has not said it’s the best roast they’ve ever had, and I keep foodie company. It’s super elevated without being weird or fancy, and enough that you can just squeeze in dessert if you have to. The stuffing balls and yorkies are delish. Rotating roster of meats all yum.

The celery margy is just out of this world. They’ve had some other very instagramy yet delicious cocktails, but this is my go to at the moment. It’s the kinda list you won’t necessarily know all the cocktails, but can’t go wrong. One time the table next to me just kept asking for whatever we had 🥹

The other menu options are equally impressive. It’s really good value to IMO - bringing that Poly type of cool but accessible cuisine that Manly hasn’t really had.

The vibe is solid. Trés cool fit out, usually french or beatsy hip hop you’ll be shazaming, and the staff are just lovely and real - very on top of it.

Great spot for a casual lunch, or hot little date.

• edit - just had THE BEST octopus ever last night. It just keeps getting better. The ceviche is also...

If I could give it 100 stars I would .

Food - I went with my Dad and got the set menu. I asked for them to surprise me with a wine to go with the food, which was a wonderful chardonnay (I'm not a classic Chardonnay lover but this was 👌). Bread with lemon butter was perfectly sour and salty, scallop and waghu skewer we paired with lovely sauces , okra had the most wonderful hint of chilli, the mustard pork with thrice cooked chips and the most lovely midly spiced ketchup was sensational and plentiful.

Service- Apart from the great wine recommendation... we were quite tricky customers and the team were great throughout. My dad has advanced parkinsons and his meds kicked in quite late and meant he was flustered. All of the staff were all so incredibly lovely. They were patient whilst we were ordering and when my Dad knocked over a glass of wine the were calm, kind and offered to replace it in a more suitable vessel. They also were really vigilant in checking the menu for my allergens.

Atmosphere - Classy and chilled . Would be a great date location. Also very instagrammable :)

I dont get to eat out with my Dad much nowadays .Thank you for making it so lovely ...