The Bower Manly

This place is amazing! Fantastic breakfast, really good service and great views. And amazing swimming.

Waited 10 mins for my $8 matcha latte with almond milk and walked away with a brown drink that tasted like chocolate sauce. I hadn’t tasted it and didn’t notice the colour until I got to the beach and took off my sunglasses. Please take matcha off the menu if you can’t make it. Disgusting and a total waste of money and milk. Straight into the bin.

Good food and pretty good coffee in an absolutely beautiful location but disengaged, grumpy staff that could not have cared if I was there or not. It does seem like regulars were treated well but as a visitor I felt invisible.

It’s a beautiful restaurant with a nice ambiance. It’s such a shame for the terrible service and food. I typically like to give people the benefit of the doubt with regard to service (maybe a bad day), but this server in particular went out of her way to be dismissive and clearly didn’t want any human interaction. I asked for the salad without cilantro, to which she said it could be made without cilantro. The salad came with cilantro. I brought it back, to which the manager mentioned it is not possible. A back and forth ensued. The resolution was to ditch the salad and order the granola bowl, only to find hairs in the food. I couldn’t even finish it. I was so disgusted. This ruined my afternoon. Please beware of this restaurant.

A wonderful cafe on Marine Parade, halfway between Manly and Shelly Beach. The recently revamped menu is great, and the food is tasty. Most importantly to me, the coffee is always good. Whilst The Bower has a magic panoramic view over Cabbage Tree Bay marine reserve, it’s the people that make the difference. The managers, Jenny and Mick, and the team take great care to make their customers welcome, and in my view, the top rating cafe in Manly. A few tips for the visitors; 1. Bring a mask and goggles as the snorkelling (and diving) in the marine reserve is wonderful. 2. Bring your towel and togs 3. Take the walk up to Shelly Beach Headland 4. Keep an eye out for the Water Dragons in spring and summer 5. Keep an eye out for the whales and dolphins from June to November 6. Take an outside table, grab a wine and watch the people walk past 7. Visit the great little gift shop next door

The only really positive thing about this place is the stunning view in proximity to the water. The food was expensive and average. My burger looked sensational, but the meat was so overcooked and tasteless. I would forgive food quality and cost if the staff were nice, but they were just miserable. Me and my friends we very polite and friendly. We couldn’t get any of the staff to smile or even acknowledge our thank yous. The only lively staff member was when one of the chefs came out to serve part of our lunch.

Really nice little cafe in a very pretty spot. Staff were lovely and simple menu is fit for purpose. The coffee was also very nice.

This place really improved. It was good and now even better. The atmosphere especially when Live music is fantastic. 10 of 10. Drinks are good and very much surprised the food was good. Some staff are great and some need training to be friendlier. Highly recommend. Love this spot.