Effortless Yum Factor At Manly Thai Gourmet

Manly Thai Gourmet is that hole in the wall spot that you’ve heard about, through whispers and fervent recommendations; a local, well-kept secret that we’re about to break. Their heavenly menu will have you raving to everyone you meet.

Why, you ask? Read on and find out.

TThis humble restaurant, with its oh-sogood kitchen at its heart, is nestled off the beaten track in the middle of Manly. A few windings, ending up in the arcade, will have you at a seat and perusing arguably one of the best Thai menus on the beaches.

A foodie favourite, upon finding you haven’t yet tried Manly Thai Gourmet will elicit shocked responses from anyone you have; this one’s a local gem, and a delightful discovery for visitors in equal measure. This Manly restaurant is always busy, emphasising quality to bring you incredible Thai at prices that won’t break the bank.

Sam and Nat, who founded the restaurant, studied food and hospitality in Thailand for three years. In 2008, they joined forces, and the epic Manly Thai Gourmet resulted. Ten years strong, to this day the venue is dreaming up fresh takes on a Thai based menu, fusing these flavours with hints of Aussie favourites.

Head chef Nat sources many of these flavours from fresh food markets, which he frequents daily, coming back with only the highest quality produce. For Thai herbs and spices, Nat knows the best “Thai-town” outlets; tapping in to his foodie intel, to bring you his own hotspot on the foodie map.

Nat whips all of his selected elements into a range of imaginative “chef’s specials”. Banana flower salad, anyone? Or maybe the heavenly beef? The soft shell crab with green mango salsa will be irresistible to anyone with curious taste buds, and the herbal barramundi boasts an exquisite explosion of carefully chosen flavours.

Manly Thai Gourmet puts its own daring twist on the classics you’ve grown to love. Our picks are the oyster mushroom stir-fry, or the crispy noodle coconut chicken salad, with green mango and roasted coconut.

However, if all this talk of culinary experimentation is too far a wander from the Thai food you’ve grown to love, Manly Thai Gourmet doesn’t forget its traditional roots. All the classic favourites are still strong contenders on the menu and will surprise you with their richly

“The venue is dreaming up fresh takes on a Thai based menu, fusing these flavours with hints of Aussie favourites.” delicious flavours. The crispy prawn rolls are a great extension of the traditional spring rolls; while they come in single servings, you may want to order a plate full. Their Penang Curry and Massaman Curry are two of their most popular dishes, as they both heartily delve into the goodness of tried and true Thai staples.

It’s easy to fill up on dish after dish at Manly Thai Gourmet, but we seriously advise you to leave room for dessert! The menu offering is small, but each dessert shines through with effortless yum factor. The Mango Sticky Rice is drowned in a creamy coconut sauce over freshly chopped mango, perfect for summer, and the rice is cooked perfectly to the minute.

Go exploring and check it out today.•

Arcade, 4-10 Sydney Road, Manly 2095 | (02) 9977 0990 www.manlythaigourmet.com | manlythaigourmet