Sydneysiders who dwell north of the bridge will now be able to nibble on modern Cantonese with ease thanks to the arrival of Queen Chow Manly. The Merivale casual diner made a name for itself in Enmore, but has proven so popular it has welcomed a second venue on the North Shore in the former home of Papi Chulo.

From Monday July 9, Queen Chow Manly will open its doors, serving up a selection of Cantonese classics and dim sum to North Shore locals. The duo behind the Enmore establishment, Patrick Friesen and Eric Koh, remain at the helm of the Manly, maintaining the same vision for neighbourhood Cantonese crafted by great Australian produce.

“We want to create a place that echoes the sentiment of neighbourhood Chinese restaurants of years past, where people come often and with the people they love the most. Your local Chinese, with all the favourites, cooked beautifully,” explains Friesen. Much like Queen Chow Enmore, Friesen has taken inspiration from Hong Kong’s famous dai pai dongs, but served beachside with local produce.

As a result, seafood forms a hefty part of the menu; there’s Australian mud crab, lobster and pippies incorporated, wok-fried with XO, or Singapore’s black pepper sauce. There are half shell scallops partnered with XO vermicelli, garlic butter king prawns and black pepper Moreton Bay bugs, served with Queen Chow’s special fried rice and Asian greens.

Eric Koh has taken charge of the dim sum menu, his preferences shaped by his 35 years working across restaurants including Mr. Wong. Manly residents can expect steamed, baked and fried dumplings on the new restaurant’s menu, stuffed with everything from scallop and prawn siu mai, to wild mushroom.

Dumplings and dishes are accompanied by a drinks list curated by Franck Moreau and Adrian Filiuta. A self-described ‘relaxed and approachable’ list, wine options number at 200 and steer towards lighter styles in response to the seaside setting. Location has evidently also inspired the venue’s interiors, where a zinc-clad oysterbar takes centre stage next to the kitchen, neighbouring a live fish tank. Deep green timbers, dark woods and marble are incorporated throughout the dining space, where tables thankfully come equipped with everyone’s favourite eating accessory, the ‘Lazy Susan.’

Queen Chow Manly
Manly Wharf, 22-23 East Esplanade, Manly
merivale.com/venues/queenchowmanly