Ripples Little Manly

Ripples Little Manly sits right on the sand at Little Manly Beach, a calm harbour cove on the quiet side of the peninsula, with the operator describing service from sunrise breakfasts through long lunches to easy dinners. The beachfront tables are where dogs come in, and the cove's sheltered water makes the outlook gentler than the surf beaches a walk away.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor, beachfront tables beside the sand. Indoor dining is people-only under NSW food rules, so plan on the terrace and pick a table with room for your dog to lie clear of the waiters' path. Staff have a reputation for being accommodating, but bring your own water bowl to be sure.

Worth knowing

The kitchen is well regarded for fresh seafood, fish and chips and barra, with breakfast, lunch and dinner service and BYO on offer. One correction to the usual tourist advice: under Northern Beaches Council rules dogs are not permitted on the sand at Little Manly Beach, or at Manly and Shelly, so this is a tables-only visit for your dog rather than a beach run, and the Little Manly Cove bushland next door is a protected penguin and bandicoot habitat with dogs restricted.

Getting there and parking

The restaurant is on Stuart Street at Little Manly. Metered street parking on Stuart Street and the surrounding streets is limited, and the larger council car parks in central Manly are a 10 to 15 minute walk. From Manly Wharf it is a short walk over the hill, which suits a dog that has already had its exercise.

While you're out there

For the actual off-leash time, the Manly off-leash dog beach is the designated sand option, and LM Graham Reserve Fenced Dog Park in Fairlight runs 24-hour off-leash on the way in. Cooper's Speciality Coffee and Tap House is the other Manly dog-friendly stop if you are pairing venues.

More in the area is on the Manly destination page, and the full list is in the NSW cafes index.