The Boathouse Shelly Beach — Restaurant in Sydney

The Boathouse group has a number of beautiful venues, in waterside locations, with 8 venues across Sydney such as Palm Beach and Balmoral. The cafes have a beautiful hamptons vibe to them, with white and navy nautical colouring to its décor, complemented by stunning floral arrangements. We visited their Shelly Beach location which is a beachside cafe and attached kiosk, as well as wedding and event venue. From the kiosk you can grab your coffee and food to go, or dine in for a more leisurely experience with the stunning beach view from your table. The menu is a modern Australian one, with a focus on high quality products and fresh produce and proteins, many of which are inspired by the sea. They’re open for breakfast and lunch (changing over at 11:30). There’s no reservations, so get there a little earlier than your intended time and put your name down in anticipation of an available table. Service is fast and the kitchen are pumping out the meals, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. We had a party of five and thus we ordered a good mix of the menu. The Mushroom and eggs dish is a gluten free option and to be honest is probably less mushroom, more potato Rosti, though we have no issues with that. The most gigantic piece of rosti you’ll see, served with a whole roasted tomato, poached eggs and salsa verde. Some tomato relish or similar would be a great addition We very much enjoyed the seasonal greens (another GF option), a good mix of kale, brown rice and seasoned with sesame, Chili and topped with poached eggs and a lovely sauce packed with flavour. The smoked salmon fritters was an interesting one, the fritters were little round pieces and then topped with smoked salmon, zucchini and poached eggs. Probably could have done with a bit more flavour and especially more creme fraiche to tie it together. They also have the sweeter options, an especially beautiful plate of ricotta hotcakes, drizzled with a generous lashing of lemon curd and marscapone, sprinkled with poppy seeds and topped with summer berries. Not to mentioned their quality buttermilk scones, light and fluffy and a good amount of gold to the crust, served with jam, cream and fresh strawberries. Drink wise, there’s your favourite coffee options, with the attempt of an anchor in its art as well as juices and smoothies. If you’re there for lunch, there’s beers and wines and even a few cocktails. The Rhubarb crumble even works well at breakfast, a beautiful concoction of Vodka, rhubarb syrup, apple, cinnamon + Boathouse granola. We did have a lovely time, but could be improved somewhat by a bit more promptness with table cleaning. Lots of tables had dirty plates and ours remained for quite a while from the previous customers before we asked them to clean it. That said, staff were friendly...

The Boathouse at Shelly Beach is one of those places where a simple meal feels like a small holiday. You wander off the path from Manly, sand still on your feet, and step into a bright space filled with flowers in jars, striped umbrellas and sea breeze drifting through the open windows. Ordering happens at the counter, the line moves quickly, and staff stay cheerful as they point out specials and suggest a good table if you are juggling towels and a pram. Grab a spot facing the water and you are set for a very easy hour.

Mornings shine here. Coffee lands smooth and hot, and the bacon and egg roll comes on a soft milk bun with a tangy relish that actually tastes like tomatoes. Avocado toast is generous with lemon and chilli, and the ricotta hotcakes have that cloudlike centre people make detours for. Later in the day it turns seafood forward in the best way. Fish and chips arrive crisp and not greasy, the prawn roll tastes fresh with a touch of dill and lemon, and the salt and pepper calamari stays tender with a proper squeeze of citrus. Bowls and salads are built with bright herbs and crunchy greens, so you never feel weighed down before a swim back at Shelly.

A few little things make visits smoother. It can get busy on sunny weekends, so earlier arrivals win the best tables and easier street parking. The place is largely cashless, water jugs and glasses are self serve, and families fit right in with plenty of high chairs and space to park a stroller. Bring swimmers because the marine reserve out front is perfect for a quick snorkel, then circle back for an iced drink and something sweet from the cake display. Good food, relaxed service and that view add up to an...

I have been coming here for years and sadly it’s just getting worse over the past 2 years.

Very dirty, tables, floor, drinking glasses. Flies around. The place has a beautiful aesthetic and it’s has dwindled. They used to have a beautiful table with fresh flowers - gone. Now one side has these timber tables that are chronically sticky. The outdoors is feral. There is no regular cleaning here.

Brush turkey and pigeons freely walking around and on tables having a feed. People walk and dine inside with dogs even though it is prohibited in Health and Safety of food premises.

Service is appalling, complete disregard to what customer service is. Plates and cutlery is almost just tossed in front of you. Staff are young, inexperienced and sloppy. Often chatting away behind the coffee counter while food and coffee sits for ages ready to be served out, just getting cold.

Now the menu, which used to be perfection, is utter crap and just oddly put together. The food often is served cold, particularly breakfast.

The coffee is good, however the cup it is served in is often sticky and outright dirty. Coffee is ALWAYS delayed 20-30min, there’s always about 3-4 staff fluffing around the coffee machine but it is very slow service. Maybe worthwhile investing in an another machine or a proper barista?

Sadly, they have the advantage and absolute monopoly being the only cafe/restaurant at Shelley beach so much won’t change, tourists come and go and they clearly don't care about us locals.

They used to have nice music playing - gone.

Onto the next place for now.. goodbye Boathouse you don’t deserve the prices you charge and the position you demand at beautiful...