Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Manly

"Back in the day, a visit to Sydney wasn't complete without a visit to the family-friendly nooks and picture-perfect crannies of the Grounds. You'd know it was a long wait to get in, but it was an honour you'd queue for. While the brand of prettily plated café fare popularised by places like the Grounds has filtered out to eateries around the city, it's still a lovely spot to wander around, pet the pigs and grab a fresh brewed takeaway coffee to sit in the sun with."

"This cafe is constantly rated one of Sydney’s best for a very good reason. The Grounds of Alexandra is a cornucopia of whimsical delights. From the farm animals (meeting the famous pig, “Kevin Bacon” is a must) to the play area, fountain and rambling paths leading through gardens and lanes bursting with flowers, statues and tiny creative details, the external grounds at The Grounds is, in itself, worth a visit alone."

"From ex-pollies enjoying an espresso over the paper to couples in need of a late-night bowl of scampi spaghetti, this café-turned-trattoria is woven into many a local's weekly routine. There might be a wait. A glass of Tuscan sangiovese from the mostly Italian, largely natural wine list might take a while to arrive."

"Something of a city institution, Fratelli Paradiso is bringing authentic food and homemade pasta to Potts Point. Hands down one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney, the Challis Avenue kitchen is keeping you fed on spuntini platters, Caprese salads, seafood-laden spaghetti and more."

"Restaurants Potts Point"

"Customs HouseLocated on the rooftop of the Customs House are Cafe Sydney, another dining institution with spectacular harbour views, an outdoor terrace, cocktail lounge, and delicious food. The a la carte menu highlights the best of Australian produce including grilled prawn and salt cod croquette, black Angus beef carpaccio, crustacean platter, and Humpty Doo barramundi for main. The award-winning wine list proudly showcases Australian tipples, but also has a few international favourites, particularly in the champagne region."

"Café Sydney’s rooftop position, chic interiors and sweeping harbour views make this an essential dining spot, especially during Vivid. Unlike the other venues, Café Sydney sits atop the popular Vivid projection at heritage-listed Customs House, so diners are right at the heart of the action. Book a seat on the balcony so you can enjoy the sunset and watch the lights turn on."

"Located at the top of Customers House, the cafe guarantees you a spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor as you sip on Australian-grown and brewed coffee. Address: 5 Sydney Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Phone Number: (02) 9251 8683"

"With the epic five-course Italian hampers from Bar Zini, you can be instantly transported to the Mediterranean. Every Thursday and Friday, Bar Zini is offering a five-course hamper for two complete with a bottle of wine at an astounding $120 – bargain!. For your Italian flavour trip, you can expect burrata with house made rosemary foccacia, pipi orecchiette and crispy pork belly."

"Every Thursday and Friday, Bar Zini is offering a five-course hamper for 2 with a bottle of wine at just $120."

"Dig into Cuban-style tapas, coffee and cocktails at this Parramatta location. 📍 Coco Cubano, 302 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150"

"Known throughout Sydney as both quality purveyors and successful restaurateurs, the Salt Meats Cheese group is family-owned and has a deep passion for the honest cooking of Italy. There’s five locations in Sydney, but the flagship Drummoyne eatery is our favourite because it’s open from 7am. Yet regardless of which restaurant you visit, premium ingredients drive home a menu of Italian dishes which is always reliable."

"With a prime position in Circular Quay, this branch of Salts Meats Cheese combines a stellar view of the Sydney Harbour and delicious food. Contemporary Italian cuisine is the name of the game at this Sydneyside favourite, and most of it is designed to be shared. So when thinking of lunch plans, we recommend heading here with friends who don’t mind sharing."

"Booked for Valentine's Day, it was a great deal at $85 per person. The food was excellent. The accompanying matching wine offer was at $60 per person seemed too steep."

"Decked out in hanging foliage, a chic muted colour scheme and a dedicated cocktail bar, Elm Rooftop is a hidden gem on the top floor of The Taphouse. With views of Darlinghurst's Centennial Park, this place is a must for alfresco drinks and pub-style snacks."

"A gorgeous destination in Bondi Beach, Bondi Hardware is the plant-filled paradise that your brunch dreams are made of. Grab a table on their leafy terrace and tuck into some of the prettiest plates of food in Sydney, with flower-topped avo toast and colourful brekky bowls washed down with fruity cocktails."

"If you head all the way through Bondi Hardware, you'll find a hidden oasis of botanical bliss that's perfect for outdoor dining (there's even heaters for when it gets chilly). Head on over to enjoy one of their famous brunches and you're guaranteed to stick around for a good few hours."

"Sweet toothed folks with dietary requirements haven’t been left behind either, thanks to good folks at Nutie. The crew is currently keeping both the Balmain and Surry Hills spots open for takeaway so Sydneysiders can continue to get their sugar fix. If you’ve never had the opportunity to try one of Nutie’s extravagant doughnuts, here’s the lowdown: they’re all 100-percent gluten-free, resulting in a slightly denser, cake-like treat (and this is not a bad thing)."

"For the best baked ricotta cheesecake this side of the equator, go to Pasticceria Papa - easily the one of the best cakes in Sydney. Visit one of their three locations spanning the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney - the locals can’t get enough. All stores feature a huge display cabinet piled high with Italian cakes, desserts, and sweets, and friendly, fast service."