One of Manly Beach’s most recognisable dining landmarks is preparing to close its doors on the beachfront, with The Pantry Manly set to relocate elsewhere in the suburb as its long-held site lease passes to new operators.
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Owners Sean and Zeynep Blasdall confirmed the move, saying they are in the process of securing a new Manly location and are excited to share more details soon. In a reassuring sign for loyal regulars, the couple say their full team will be making the move with them.
The beachfront site itself, a heritage building dating to 1919 that has served the Manly community as a tea house, change rooms, information kiosk and, since 1997, a restaurant, will not be sitting idle for long. Northern Beaches hospitality duo Shahid Rahman and Anna Walker have been announced as the successful tenderers for a new long-term lease on the property.
The pair, who met while working at the Sebel Manly and have since built a reputation on the Northern Beaches, will rebrand the venue as The Beach House Manly, reviving its former identity as Manly Ocean Beach House. Their new lease, running on a 10-plus-five-year term, kicks off on 1 October 2026, at which point renovation works are slated to begin with the goal of opening in time for the summer season.
For Rahman, the project carries a personal significance that goes well beyond business. He was part of the original launch team when The Pantry opened in November 2010, working alongside founder Hasan Erman for over a decade across what was, for a time, one of the largest hospitality operations in Manly. Rahman has described the opportunity as a chance to bring the venue full circle, crediting Erman’s mentorship as foundational to his career in hospitality.
Walker, speaking about the vision for the new venue, said the pair see the site as one of the finest dining locations in the country, and are focused on making it feel genuinely welcoming and accessible to the local community. Their concept is designed to span the full day — from early morning trade through to late-evening happy hours, and is described as an elevated version of their current operation, offering full table service and a smart dining experience.
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That current operation is The Beach Eatery at South Curl Curl, which the pair launched after selling their Balgowlah restaurant Fish Face in 2024. The Beach Eatery has found strong footing with the local community, and Walker has cited its warm reception as a key factor in giving the pair the confidence to take on a second beachfront venue.
To support both locations, Rahman and Walker have secured a prep kitchen and storage space on Howard Avenue in Dee Why, in the former Olive and Peel site, with a small bakehouse also being considered as a longer-term possibility at that address.
The new venue will also look to expand its footprint, with the operators flagging plans to open a kiosk on the opposite side of the lifeguard facilities attached to the building. The building itself sits above public amenities that are managed separately and not part of the incoming lease.
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The Pantry has been a fixture on the Manly beachfront since its opening in 2010. The business changed ownership at the end of 2016, with the Blasdalls among those who have continued its reputation as a go-to for locals and visitors. While no firm details have been announced yet about where The Pantry will reopen, the Blasdalls have confirmed they are committed to staying in Manly and retaining their staff.
Published 12-June-2026
