Market Lane Cafe

This is hands down one of the worst café experiences I have had in Manly, and the problem is not just the food. It is the owner. On my first visit, my breakfast took 55 minutes to arrive and was served with mouldy bread. When I pointed this out, the barista, who is the owner, showed zero embarrassment or accountability. No apology. No concern. He picked up the mouldy bread with his bare hands, swapped it out, and carried on as if serving unsafe food was normal. That alone says everything about his attitude toward hygiene. Despite being warned by locals never to return, I gave this place a second chance. Big mistake. Before I had even ordered, the owner snapped at me, saying, “Don’t come here if you can’t wait. It will take 40 minutes.” When I questioned his aggressive tone and mentioned I was waiting for my partner, he told me to leave the café. His behaviour was hostile, confrontational, and completely inappropriate. I felt unsafe and left immediately. I am a local Manly resident, and this behaviour is an insult to the community that keeps this business alive. Taking over 50 minutes for basic food, ignoring hygiene, refusing feedback, and aggressively driving customers away is not “busy café culture.” It is arrogance and incompetence. Do yourself a favour and do not go here. A café run by someone who treats customers with contempt and food safety as optional does not deserve support.

Bought a smashed avo on toast for A$26.40 on a Sunday afternoon. That is the most expensive toast I have ever eaten in my life.

Delicious meals and drinks! Friendly staff🥰 A great place to chill. If you like to enjoy quality time and the breeze and still be close to the beach, this is the place.❤️

Always been a fan of Market Lane. Great coffee and delicious food. What I love most is the vibe with good music that sets the atmosphere, whether you are popping in for a quick coffee, catching up with a friend, having breakfast, or getting some work done. I especially enjoy coming here in the mornings to work. It’s such a lovely space with a welcoming atmosphere and amazing staff.

We stumbled across this place by accident as many other restaurants were transitioning from breakfast to dinner menus and were not accepting customers, and I’m really glad we did. The most reasonably priced food I’ve found since my arrival. The food was excellent and the service was great. I had one of the specials (lobster pasta) and my wife had a roasted chicken bowl. Both were very tasty. Very highly recommended