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Restaurant

Manu's cafe and restaurant

17 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Recommended by 38 people

Updated

Find Manu's cafe and restaurant

17 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 469 311 327
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Manu's cafe and restaurant

Run by an accomplished hotel-trained chef, this relaxed St Kilda haunt pairs classic Australian brunch plates with vibrant Sri Lankan staples cooked to order. Guests drop in for morning flat whites with house-baked pastries, then return at dusk for flaky godamba roti, hopper curries, and full espresso service pulled straight through dinner.

  • Sri Lankan Specialties & Brunch: Menu features scratch-made regional dishes like kottu, string hoppers, and lamprais alongside cafe breakfast classics.
  • Chef-Driven Craft: Chef Manu prepares curries, house sweets, and bread on-site, backed by international hotel training.
  • Evening Espresso Bar: Unlike most Melbourne dining rooms, the espresso bar stays open for full barista coffee throughout dinner service.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at Manu's cafe and restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Manu's Cafe and Restaurant

Discover authentic Sri Lankan regional dishes, handmade cafe fare, and evening barista coffee on Fitzroy Street.

  • Authentic Regional Sri Lankan Recipes

    Traditional Sri Lankan dishes such as kottu, hoppers, dhal, and curries are cooked fresh from scratch using genuine spices and authentic techniques.

    Every bite was packed with authentic Sri Lankan flavours, from the perfectly spiced dhal to the vibrant beetroot curry and the unforgettable chicken curry with rice.

    Matheesha Ponnamperuma

  • Dual Sri Lankan & Cafe Brunch Menu

    Guests can order both Sri Lankan curries and Australian brunch classics alongside fresh baked goods prepared entirely on-site.

    The menu offers a beautiful selection of international and Sri Lankan food, all is home baked, home cooked and served with love and attention.

    Paul Jansen

  • Hands-On Chef-Led Craftsmanship

    Owner-chef Manu draws on high-end international culinary training, personally greeting visitors and preparing dishes to order.

    All dishes expertly prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients by top chef Manu who is trained in the highest chef schools and has worked in all the major hotel chains.

    Natalija

  • Warm, Family-Style Hospitality

    Attentive, heartfelt service creates a welcoming neighborhood environment where diners feel welcomed into a home kitchen.

    Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you're treated like family from the moment you walk in.

    Chandani Priyangika

  • Evening Barista Coffee Service

    The espresso bar stays fully active well past daytime hours, allowing patrons to enjoy barista-pulled flat whites throughout dinner.

    Also, they always have the coffee machine on, which means coffee during dinner time, a rare thing in Melbourne.

    Valéria Serpa

  • Cozy, Relaxed Cafe Atmosphere

    A cozy cafe setting with warm lighting and low-key music offers a relaxed space for lingering over brunch, pastries, or dinner.

    A lovely place to spend brunch time. The place is very cozy.

    Faw

Authentic Sri Lankan specialties and chef-crafted brunch dishes

  • Kottu

    The kottu was genuinely some of the best food I have ever eaten, the owner was so kind and did everything from scratch himself!

    Mckenzie

  • Hoppers

    The hoppers with spicy sambol, flavourful kottu, and rich curries were packed with authentic flavour.

    Asanka Rambukkanage

  • Corn fritters

    The corn fritters were fantastic and the coffee was absolutely beautiful.

    D Stewart

  • Lamprais

    Had a delicious lamprais from Manu's Cafe. Every mouthful bursting with rich authentic Sri Lankan flavours!

    Anishka Warnakula

Other favorites

House pastries, specialty lattes, and sweet brunch plates

  • Butter cake pancakes

    The highlight for me was the butter cake pancakes – they were truly mouth-watering! Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, every bite just melted in my mouth.

    Malith Iddamalgoda

  • Flat white

    And honestly one of the best flatwhite I've had in 4 weeks.

    Faw

  • Beetroot latte

    Oh, and try the beetroot latte for something different, it's very nice!

    Deanna

  • Blueberry muffins

    The blueberry muffins is delicious

    Faw

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful operational touches and hospitable hospitality at Manu's

  • Hands-On Chef-Owner Hospitality

    Owner and veteran hotel-trained chef Manu personally greets guests, converses from the kitchen, and cooks dishes from scratch to order.

  • Full Barista Coffee at Dinner

    Unlike most Melbourne cafes that close down barista service by mid-afternoon, the espresso machine stays on throughout evening dinner service.

  • Off-the-Cuff Late Kitchen Flexibility

    Accommodating guests arriving 40 minutes before closing time by happily whipping up freshly spiced curries from scratch.

  • Curated Jazz & Bossa Nova Setting

    Dining takes place against a soundtrack of low-key jazz and bossa nova music under warm, dimmed lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of food does the menu feature?

The menu spans traditional Sri Lankan dishes—including kottu roti, hoppers, lamprais, and curries—alongside classic Western cafe brunch options like corn fritters and eggs benedict, plus freshly baked pastries and cakes.

How large are the portion sizes?

Dishes are known to come in massive, filling portions, making them very easy to share or generous enough to satisfy big appetites.

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, the cafe features an outdoor seating area where you can sit in the sun or take in views of the surrounding streetscape.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Yes, the kitchen accommodates gluten-free diners across a variety of options on the menu.

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