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Restaurant

The Arsonist

457 Esplanade, Manly QLD 4179, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

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Find The Arsonist

457 Esplanade, Manly QLD 4179, Australia

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+61 7 3396 8962
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Arsonist

A custom-built fire pit anchors this moody Manly Esplanade dining room, where open embers and smoke drive the kitchen. Pull up a counter stool by the bar for front-row views of chefs searing over coals. Regulars back the multi-course feasting menus—arriving in generous waves from warm rye sourdough with smoked brisket fat butter to charred octopus skewers and flame-grilled sirloin. Cocktails match the hearth’s profile, pouring drinks like brisket fat washed bourbon stirred with smoked honey, while guests investing in full liquor bottles store their personal reserves in dedicated on-site cupboards for the next round.

  • Hearthside Bar Counter: Diners watch the kitchen team work over live coals and smoke directly from counter seating by the bar.
  • Generous Shared Banquets: Multi-course feasting banquets roll out steadily with smoke-kissed cuts, seafood, and brisket fat butter.
  • Bottle-Keep Cupboards: Guests purchasing full bottles can stash them in personal on-site cupboards between visits.
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What's On at The Arsonist

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose The Arsonist

Why diners choose The Arsonist for flame-cooked banquets and special celebrations on the bayside

  • Fire Pit Cooking at the Heart of the Venue

    Dishes are prepared over an open custom-built fire pit using charcoal, embers, and wood smoke for distinct depth and texture.

    A custom-built fire pit sits at the heart of the space, with the smell of smoke lingering in the air and perfectly complementing the fit-out.

    Dan R

  • Front-Row Bar Seating Experience

    Guests sitting along the counter enjoy direct views of culinary teams cooking over flames and bartenders crafting specialty drinks.

    bar seating, which was actually perfect as we got to watch the ladies creating cocktails right in front of us.

    Matt Wood

  • Generous Multi-Course Feasting Menus

    Multi-course banquet offerings deliver a generous spread across courses, ensuring no guest leaves hungry.

    if you are going to order the degustation which is phenomenal I suggest stretch pants as it’s quite the volume.

    Rob Young

  • Personal Bottle-Keep Lockers

    Bottles of liquor purchased during dining can be held on-site in dedicated personal lockers ready for future visits.

    if you purchase a full bottle of liquor, it is stored for you in your own cupboard for the next time you visit.

    Alicia Lynch

  • Deeply Sated Milestone Indulgence

    Rich wood-fired courses and attentive pacing culminate in deeply fulfilling and indulgent dining.

    The pace of food delivery was spot on, giving us time to savour and digest each course.

    Darian Spence

  • City-Calibre Dining Without the Urban Commute

    Destination-level dining along Manly's Esplanade delivers fine dining hospitality without requiring travel into inner-city traffic.

    Refreshing to have a nice restaurant outside the city - and not have to pay city parking prices!

    Nicole C

Signature flame-kissed and wood-smoked dishes central to the feasting experience

  • Scallops

    The scallops might just be the best thing on the menu.

    Darian Spence

  • Smoked Brisket Fat Butter

    The brisket butter is something else!

    Marion August

  • Yellowtail Kingfish Crudo

    Next up was Port Lincoln Yellowtail Kingfish Crudo with burnt orange and finger lime vinaigrette, bright, clean and fresh.

    Dan R

  • Cherrywood-Smoked Duck Breast

    One of the standout dishes of the night was the cherrywood-smoked Aylesbury/Peking duck breast with fermented cocoa, confit leg, radicchio and blackberry jus.

    Dan R

Other favorites

Craft cocktails, hearth-fired sides, and desserts to complement your feast

  • Paris Mash

    Sides included Paris mash with dripping, which was everything you want, smooth, creamy and indulgent

    Dan R

  • Short Rib Old Fashioned

    SHORT RIB OLD FASHIONED brisket fat washed bourbon, bitters, smoked honey

    Peter Gregory

  • Crème Brûlée

    The crème brûlée with bitter orange and macadamia biscotti, however, was another highlight. Perfectly set, with a smooth, silky custard and a beautifully caramelised top, I’d happily return just for this dessert alone.

    Dan R

  • Charred Gem Lettuce

    Who knew charred gem lettuce could be so delicious!

    Emma C

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches and bespoke fire-cooking details that elevate your visit

  • Personal Bottle-Keep Locker

    Guests who purchase a full bottle of spirits have it kept and preserved on-site in their own private locker cupboard for their next visit.

  • Front-Row Fire Pit & Bar Theatre

    Guests seated along the bar counter get direct, unobstructed views of chefs working the woodfire pit and bartenders handcrafting bespoke cocktails.

  • Dedicated Dietary Accommodation

    Kitchen and service staff seamlessly prepare dedicated gluten-free alternative dishes on set banquets without disrupting group service.

  • Guided Dish Storytelling

    Waitstaff guide guests course-by-course through multi-dish feasting menus, detailing preparation techniques and fire-cooked ingredients as each plate arrives.

Before you head over

Practical advice for planning your visit and ordering from the woodfire menu

  • Arrive with a serious appetite

    Feasting and banquet tasting menus feature substantial portions across multiple courses, so pace your ordering and come hungry to fully enjoy the progression.

  • Opt for bar seats for kitchen views

    Securing bar seating places you directly in front of the kitchen and cocktail bar, giving you front-row views of chefs working over the fire pit.

  • Gluten-free alternatives are accommodated

    The kitchen accommodates coeliac and gluten-free dietary requirements by providing dedicated alternative plates during group banquet services.

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