Manly Grill — Restaurant in Sydney

Dined here last Saturday to celebrate my birthday, and sadly, it was a complete letdown from start to finish. For a restaurant that positions itself as premium, the experience was anything but.

💺 Ambience & Seating There was no atmosphere to speak of—just a noisy, chaotic setting with plastic chairs that felt more backyard BBQ than beachfront steakhouse. Seating was poorly managed, and despite requesting to sit indoors due to strong winds, we were left outside with zero mitigation. Not exactly the birthday vibe I had in mind.

👥 Service & Organisation The welcome was disorganised and uninviting. No one was at the front to greet us or explain the seating process. Waitstaff seemed scattered and disengaged. We were never checked on, had to repeatedly chase someone down to top up drinks, and even a simple request for extra serviettes went ignored. The manager appeared overwhelmed and absent from the dining floor, which showed in the lack of oversight.

🍽️ Food Quality & Presentation For the price point—$69 for a steak—the food was shockingly underwhelming. The plating was messy and uninspired, as if cost-cutting had taken priority over presentation and portion. The ribs looked thrown together, and the Wagyu burger was forgettable. Nothing felt premium, and certainly nothing justified the price.

🎂 Overall Experience We ordered 3 steaks, 1 ribs, and 1 Wagyu burger. Not one dish impressed. The entire evening felt like a chore, not a celebration. For a venue in such a prime location, Manly Grill fails to deliver on every front—ambience, service, food, and value.

Would I return? A solid,...

I don’t review very often but had to give this place a shout out. Despite the reviews I’d read (which were quite old) my food radar told me guided me to go and it was fantastic. I’d lowered my expectations but hoped for the best and went here on Friday night. The food was excellent and the service though they were busy was pretty good. Yes one lady forgot our request of turning the fan on at back of room but the young guy who was supposed to be working at the bar was attentive and, friendly and efficient. I ordered the oysters kilpatrick and the 8/9+ Wagyu steak with jacket potato and my gosh it was outstanding and for the marble score I thought $67 was good value. Hubby ordered the roast vegetable kebabs with chimmichurri and the eye fillet/ribs combo and I enjoyed it so much I kept picking at his plate! All the portions sizes were generous and really delicious including the sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

It is also right across the road from the beach and we chose to sit down the back to keep away from crowd though tables were very set apart particularly inside. Parking station is about a 2 min walk. Next time we will just walk and we are grateful to have found such a great local...

Consistently Good Food and Great Location at Manly Grill

Review:

As a regular patron of Manly Grill, I've had numerous opportunities to savor their offerings. One of the standout aspects of this establishment is the consistent quality of the food, which has been exceptional on every visit. This reliability in their culinary standards is a major reason why I keep returning.

When it comes to the service, it can vary. The staff composition often includes both local residents embarking on their hospitality careers and backpackers living nearby. While this mix can lead to a 'hit or miss' experience, it adds a unique character to the place.

The location of Manly Grill is undoubtedly one of its strong suits. For those seeking a more private and comfortable dining experience, I recommend choosing a table set back from the front of the restaurant. This not only offers a bit of seclusion and shade but also ensures that you can still enjoy the picturesque sea views.

In summary, Manly Grill offers a delightful combination of consistent food quality, interesting service dynamics, and a superb location. It's a place I'll continue to frequent and recommend to others looking for a pleasant dining...