320 cities · 12,480+ places · updated weekly
Restaurant 4.7· 447 reviews

The Arsonist

Queensland, Australia

Experience cozy and trendy dining at The Arsonist in Manly, QLD, featuring fire-cooked dishes, cocktails, and a great wine list. Reservations suggested.

4.7 / 5

Guest rating

447

Reviews

Restaurant

Cuisine

Queensland

City

Closed

Overview

About The Arsonist

Located on Manly’s Esplanade, The Arsonist offers a distinctive dining experience centered around fire-cooked cuisine with a moody, upscale atmosphere. Guests usually spend 2–3 hours enjoying a menu of small and large share plates alongside a varied selection of drinks.

The restaurant features a blend of cozy and trendy vibes, perfect for groups, tourists, or solo diners seeking quality lunch or dinner options. The bar onsite serves a wide range of cocktails, beers, coffee, and wines tailored to complement the fresh and flavorful dishes.

Accessibility is considered with wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and seating. Reservations are recommended, particularly for lunch and dinner, to ensure a smooth visit. Payment methods include credit, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Popular dishes include charcoal-smoked meats, seafood like scallops and oysters, and house specialties such as the rye sourdough and smoked brisket butter. The inviting ambiance balances fine dining with relaxed coastal hospitality.

Great cocktails Great beer selection Great coffee Small plates Vegetarian options Great wine list Wheelchair accessible

Quick facts

  • 457 Esplanade, Manly QLD 4179, Australia
  • +61 7 3396 8962
  • Typical visit: 2–3 hours
  • Dine-in only (no delivery or takeout)
  • Reservations recommended for lunch and dinner
  • Accepted payments: Credit, debit, NFC mobile payments
  • Free parking lot and street parking available
  • Cozy, romantic, and trendy atmosphere
Amenities & features

What's available at the restaurant

Grouped by category — each group lists what's available and what isn't at The Arsonist.

Service options

  • Dine-in
  • No Delivery
  • No Takeout

Highlights

  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Romantic
  • Trendy
  • Upscale

Crowd

  • Groups
  • Tourists

Planning

  • Lunch reservations recommended
  • Reservations required
  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Parking
Hours

Opening hours

When The Arsonist is open during the week.

Closed

  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Thursday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Friday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location

Location & Nearby Places

Central Queensland, with cafes, shops, and other restaurants within easy walking distance.

Reviews

Reviews for The Arsonist

What recent guests say after dining at The Arsonist.

4.7/ 5

Based on 447 guest reviews

Brisket Cocktails Bar Seating Crème Brûlée Scallops Kitchen View Figs Dry Aged Steak Sharing Plates Prawns

Rating distribution

5 84%
4 6%
3 5%
2 2%
1 3%

Alicia Lynch

Jun 23, 2026

"From the moment you walk in, The Arsonist delivers atmosphere in spades. The lighting, interior design and overall feel are exceptional. The space is warm, elegant and inviting, with every detail carefully considered. The bar itself is stunning, and the entire venue feels spotless and well maintained. The service was outstanding. Every staff member was professional, attentive and genuinely welcoming. They struck the perfect balance between fine dining and relaxed coastal hospitality, which made the experience feel effortless. The food was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Each dish was full of flavour and cooked with precision. The oysters and scallops were standouts, fresh and perfectly prepared. Every plate looked like it belonged in a top-tier restaurant but tasted even better. A unique highlight is the idea that if you purchase a full bottle of liquor, it is stored for you in your own cupboard for the next time you visit. It is such a clever and personal touch that makes you feel like a valued regular from the start. Overall, The Arsonist is a must-try. The food, service, style and atmosphere come together perfectly. It is a genuine 11 out of 10 experience and one of the best dining spots in Manly. Highly recommend."

Kylie Nott

Jun 11, 2026

"We opted for the $49pp Thu/Fri lunch special and it was divine. The most succulent steak I’ve eaten, melt in the mouth perfection."

Marion August

May 25, 2026

"Service was amAzing as soon as you walked in the door. Atmosphere warm & the food was to die for. The brisket butter is something else! Money well spent & were definitely going again. Thank you Mindy. You & your team are truly amazing"

Nicole C

May 07, 2026

"My goodness what a great spot! We had $110pp banquet for 6 people and there was ample food and it was next level delicious. Drinks menu had a goid range and ordering a cocktail not on the menu was no drama. The service was great: friendly and professional. We had one of our group who is coeliac and this was no problem at all: staff made sure she had her own alternative dish for those dishes that had gluten. It was a great night! No it isn't super cheap but the experience isn't either! Refreshing to have a nice restaurant outside the city - and not have to pay city parking prices! I recommend The Arsonist!"

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about visiting The Arsonist provide useful information to plan a smooth dining experience.

The venue includes wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and seating to accommodate guests with mobility needs.

Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner to secure a table, especially during busy periods.

The Arsonist operates dine-in service only and does not provide delivery or takeout options.

Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments are accepted on site for convenience.

The menu features fire-cooked dishes, small and large share plates, seafood, vegetarian options, and various alcohol selections including beers and cocktails.

There is free parking both on site and on nearby streets for visitors.

The setting combines cozy, romantic, trendy, and upscale elements to create an inviting dining environment.

More options

Similar restaurants nearby

Other places nearby you may also consider.

Tacos Don Chava
Taco Restaurant

Tacos Don Chava

Pujal, Lomas Poniente, 79082 Cdad. Valles, S.L.P., Mexico

4.8 View
Lol-Beh Restaurane
Coffee Shop

Lol-Beh Restaurane

QROO 109, Q.R., Mexico

4.3 View
Andres Kopi Pop-Up Cafe
Cafe

Andres Kopi Pop-Up Cafe

Bulusukan Bridge, Pinagbayanan, Pila, 4010 Laguna, Philippines

5 View
Comedor el COSTERO
Restaurant

Comedor el COSTERO

E3102 Paraná, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina

4 View
Caldos de Gallina 'Los 2 Carnales'
Restaurant

Caldos de Gallina 'Los 2 Carnales'

Canal de Miramontes 2545, Coapa, Prado Coyoacán, Coyoacán, 04810 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

4 View
For business owners

Own or manage this restaurant?

Keep your listing accurate by updating your address, opening hours, menu, photos, and contact details. Reach more diners searching for Restaurant in Queensland on Locallya.

  • Free to claim & verify
  • Edit menu & hours anytime
  • Respond to customer reviews
  • Track views & engagement
Directions Call Menu