4 Pines Bonsai Izakaya

4 Pines Bonsai Izakaya sits on the East Esplanade at Manly, by the beach and the ferry wharf, from the team behind the much-loved local brewery. A Japanese izakaya, it pairs the brewery's beers with vibrant, share-style Japanese small plates — the kind of fun, flavour-packed and sociable dining that fits the relaxed Manly mood perfectly.

The appeal is that combination of flavour-packed izakaya plates, great fresh-brewed beer and a buzzy, convivial atmosphere in a prime beachfront location, ideal for a casual dinner, drinks and shared dishes or a fun night out. The pairing of izakaya food and craft beer gives it a genuine point of difference, and the near-perfect feedback shows it's struck a chord.

A 4.9 rating from more than 400 reviews is an excellent result and a strong endorsement. Menus, opening hours and pricing change with the seasons, and a popular Manly venue fills up over weekends and summer, so it's worth checking current details and booking directly before you go — particularly if you're dining with a group, after a table at a peak time, or keen to settle in for izakaya and beer by the beach.