Manta Restaurant - Woolloomooloo

What can I say?! Staff were friendly and easy to be part of conspiracy surprise for a birthday dessert thingy. Food was just excellent from the entrees, main down to dessert paired with champagne is just perfect. Will definitely come back!!! :-))

We ate here on Friday night, lovely to sit on the wharf and enjoy a meal and a few drinks. The food was lovely but not amazing, bouillabaisse enjoyed by two of the group and whiting by the other two - all cooked well but could have been slightly larger size, perhaps more broth in the bouillabaisse. It was a lovely gesture by the restaurant when they brought out a dessert to share for a special anniversary gift.

How often have you been impressed with the view, but disappointed with the food? I'm happy to say Manta has food that matches the view and also good service to match. The standout dishes for me were the scallop starter, and the play on the Pavlova for dessert. Certainly a good restaurant besides being a location restaurant.

I had heard about Manta from a few friends and thought I would give it a try.It is a short, pleasant walk from the central business district in Wooloomooloo, on the wharf.There is very pleasant outdoor seating with a view of the Sydney skyline.The meal was on the expensive side, but I decided I deserved a treat after a grueling travel schedule down under. I wanted to have all local food, so I went with local oysters that were saline and creamy- fantastic.This was followed by and incredible grilled scallop-- local and huge, that was too good to pass up. It was a whole different scallop experience that we are used to in the NE US, but wonderful texture, briny and sweet at the same time.My entree was toothfish-- which I had never even hear of before, but was local so I thought I would give it a try, It was amazing-- deboned, very white, tender flesh, but rich and flavorful. Everything was expertly cooked and beautifully presented.While it seemed like all of the Sydney restaurants were pricey, this one seemed to offer better value and better service than the ones on Circular Quay of the Rocks.I will come back here on my next time through Sydney.

We had a great night out. Food was exceptional. We had a beautiful lobster, expensive but worth it and the rib eye off the bone. Lighting at the table could be better but it goes with the ambience. Desert was also good but small Had the arancini for an entree. Not much flavour but nice Well done and thanks for a great night