It takes a pretty special — and downright genius — place to transcend all ages, dress codes and occasions. But The Boathouse does just that. Whether you're hankering for a post-swim feed up at Palm Beach or taking your mum out for lunch in Balmoral, The Boathouse always fits the bill. The venue at Shelly Beach — the fourth on Sydney's north shore — the winning formula has made it to Manly.
The sheltered, only accessible by foot traffic Shelly Beach location is the perfect spot for the cafe-restaurant. There are people half-dressed, hair still dripping seawater, sipping smoothies, and there are large groups, fully dressed (and nicely), popping a bottle of wine and settling in for a long Sunday lunch. There's also a kiosk for beachside takeaways. Predictably, it's packed, and the hectic order at the counter and finding a table system still stands.
Boathouse owners Pip and Andrew Goldsmith sure know how to run a damn good venue, and unsurprisingly, they've done it again at Shelly Beach.