The suburb is officially heating up. And we’re not talking about Summer. Following the arrival of Queen Chow Manly, Rockpool Group has also made its way to the North shore with the introduction of Saké at Manly Wharf.

Making its debut on Friday November 9, Saké Restaurant & Bar has settled itself on the rooftop of Manly Wharf. The sixth Saké outlet is by no means easy to miss – the 300-seat Luchetti Krelle designed space offers impressive views of surrounding Manly Cove, a series of floor-to-ceiling windows, and both indoor and outdoor dining aplenty.

The seaside restaurant has been split into several different sections, with each space lending itself to a different occasion or event. There’s the dining room (complete with window-side tables), within which sits an open kitchen partnered with a robata grill and 40-seat sushi counter. There’s also a 60-seat bar and lounge area, as well as a handful of private dining rooms. The emphasis at the new Saké is evidently on casual izakaya-style food, with a menu that caters to every occasion, including the lazy night in thanks to the involvement of Uber Eats.

All of the traditional Saké favourites will be present. The a la carte menu boasts made-to-order nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls for light bites, accompanied by dishes hiramasa kingfish and popcorn shrimp complement dishes, unique to the new outpost. There’s also a robata section, showcasing shiokouji lamb chops, king prawns with yuzu herb miso, and roasted chicken with hot and sour dipping sauce. And for the hungry, Saké’s take on Japan’s traditional hamburger steak which comes served on a sizzling hotplate, partnered with kimuchi fried rice, and chunks of tempura nasu dengaku served in a hollowed tempura eggplant bowl. Saké’s famous chocolate Dragon Egg will also be making an appearance, alongside sweet treats like the Coco Loco, which consists of house-made coconut ice cream with yuzu granita, caramelised popcorn and fresh berries.

Rockpool Dining Group CEO Thomas Pash said the Manly-based Saké was all a part of a larger plan to provide residents of the northern beaches with the opportunity to indulge in their favourite food without having to cross the bridge. “We’ve brought locals their favourite Saké dishes to their doorstep and some exclusive dishes that Head Chef Shoji Toru and Consulting Chef Shaun Presland have collaborated on, so there is even more to explore,” he said. “Not only that, we’ve packaged it all up in a stunning rooftop location with an ocean view that is textbook Sydney, so all-round it’s a pretty special dining experience that’s not to be missed this summer.”

To call the drinks list ample is an understatement. Obviously Japanese drops are the specialty here – there are Japanese spirits, whiskies and over 30 bins of sake by the glass, carafe, bottle and flight, as well as umeshu, shochu and flavoured sake found on the list of tipple. A 150-bin Australian and international wine list is also available, alongside a lengthy array of Japanese beers. Gin (perhaps surprisingly) has taken over much of the spirit options, with more than 30 different types to try. Saké is also evidently a fan of the spritz, with four seasonal spritz to choose from, showcasing sparkling sake, umeshu, yuzu and shochu, and available for $10 each during the Saké Sundowner Sessions (from 5pm on Monday through Wednesday).

Saké can be found at level 1, Manly Wharf, Manly; sakerestaurant.com.au.