Manly Boathouse

Manly Boathouse is a stunning white seafront restaurant and bar with a chic beach resort-inspired interior and wraparound views of Manly harbour and the bay.

The coolest restaurant on Brisbane's bayside, Manly Boathouse is the go-to for delectable seafood dishes with a wood-smoked flavour, cooked over the open ironbark fire in the restaurant's kitchen.

The light-filled white pavilion-style interior (designed by co-owner Nikki Kay) is a dreamy vision featuring exposed white timber beams, ceiling fans, sheer curtains, woven light fittings and chic resort-style furniture, with a central bar for more casual dining and drinks and an outdoor terrace to one side for walk-in diners. 

To start or to enjoy with a drink are snacks such as yellowfin tuna tartlets, fresh curd, peas and salted lemon; flash fried fish wings with palm sugar dressing, kaffir lime and chilli; or a bucket of prawns with boathouse cocktail sauce and lemon.

Small plates (suitable to share) include crudo of white fish, avocado & chive oil; BBQ Tassie scallops with miso mayo and crisp panko; flash fried squid, ginger mayo & chilli caramel; lamb ribs, fermented harissa, soured cream and roasted onion or coal-grilled Moreton Bay bugs, garlic and onion emulsion with Yarra Valley caviar.

And larger plates, from the grill and cooked over ironbark, include line caught snapper with stewed peppers, salsa verde and candied olive; wild line-caught barramundi, scallop, pea, parsley and butter emulsion; 330g Black Onyx scotch fillet; wood- grilled swordfish with smoked eggplant, sauce verge and baby coriander or sand crab linguine with garlic, chilli, parsley and abalone broth.

Large share plates include slow-cooked lamb shoulder, Greek oil, lemon & oregano; whole BBQ free range chicken, green chermoula & lemon or fried NZ squire, green mango salad and hot sour dressing. There's also Chilled Seafood for 2 (including crab, bugs, tuna tartare, Pacific oysters and wedge salad or hot and cold seafood for 2 (with the addition of beer battered prawns, flash fried squid, Miso scallops, Oysters Kilpatrick, gem salad and selection of sauces).

Manly Boathouse is a fine place to kick back at sundown with a cocktail such as a Mai Tai, Japanese Sour, Spiced Espresso Martini or Elderflower and Cucumber Cooler. In keeping with the seafood theme you can also partake in oyster shots - either a Hail Mary (Belvedere vodka, tomato juice, chilli & lemon) or Verdita (tequila, pineapple, chilli, mint & coriander). for groups there are also pitchers to share, including Boathouse punch and Pimms jug no.1. 

Meanwhile the wine list features an extensive range of Australian and NZ wines with a smattering from Italy, France and Spain and there's a wide selection of boutique spirits, liqueurs and beers as well. On tap, you'll find local craft beers including Boathouse Lager, Balter XPA & green Beacon Windjammer together with Peroni Nastro and a selection of bottled beers features a mix of local craft and international beers.

Good to know - The talented folks behind Manly Boathouse are also the owners of Newstead Gasworks' wildly popular Reef Fish & Sushi. 

Need to know - Manly Boathouse (formerly the site of Wilsons Boathouse) can be found on the furthest point jutting out to sea, just north of Moreton Bay Trailer Club. There is plenty of free parking nearby.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

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