The Bower Manly

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

The coffe was good. However, the matcha tasted like those instant packets you find at any grocery store and was SUPER milky- did not taste like matcha at all. It even wasn’t fully mixed and I had pieces of the sugary powder in my mouth. My boyfriend thought it tastes like banana milk because the matcha taste was so weak.

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.

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.

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