When you’ve got glorious views overlooking Shelly Beach, it’s too easy to rest on your laurels. After all, when the foot traffic is plentiful to tourists and locals alike, why not?
Yet Manly’s The Boathouse Shelly Beach prides itself on fresh, delicious produce and works just as hard as tucked away treasures who need to rely on positive word of mouth to get folks through the door.
It had good ratings so I went with the family to check it out; I was not disappointed.
When the platter arrived a giant display of Sydney rock oysters, fresh raw tuna served on homemade seed crackers, kingfish ceviche served in fresh coconut, trout pate, smoked trout and heaps of QLD tiger prawns came accompanied by giant slices of fresh rye bread and a mammoth salad.
It looked stunning and the produce was super fresh and unbelievably good quality.
Often seafood platters are either fried or boiled but Shelly Boathouse’s had a nice selection of light raw and smoked fish as well as really good quality seafood. The oysters were melt-in-the-mouth and the prawns were plump and tasty.
We devoured the platter alongside a few glasses of crisp rose and dare I say it was one of the best ways to spend a Friday afternoon. Seafood with sea views… simply sublime.
Don’t like seafood? My daughter tucked into a giant burger and chips and ate every morsel without a word. Every now and again we tried to muster conversation, but she had one of those “can’t talk, too busy eating” expressions. I’m certain their flatbreads, fish and chips or crumbed pork chops would have a similar effect.
In addition to the great food and views, the service was fabulous and the atmosphere was lively and packed full of customers chowing down on their cuisines.
So, do they have the best seafood platter on the Northern Beaches? I’ve tried quite a few, and I have to admit that possibly they do.
Enjoy a seafood platter, plus a bottle of rose for $130 every Saturday night.
1 Marine Parade
Manly, NSW, Australia. 2093
+61 2 9974 5440
Transparency check ✓ This is a non-sponsored, genuine review, and the meal was at the reviewer’s expense.
