We had pleasure having lunch at this quintessential cafe in QVB. I wanted to go and have afternoon tea as their hot chocolate is infamous. We were sit outside on the bus stop, you can imagine the busy street noise, smoke and fume. Next time we should book a table as it was absolutely packed on a normal Tuesday lunch.
We ordered lunch first, had their breakfast menu served because it was before 12pm. The croque madame was good without being great as the bread was stale on the spot where the bechamel sauce was not soaked. The flavour of sauce was good but pepper was not distributed well. I liked the egg on top, not runny but jammy. Cassoulet was better. It was similar to eggs in hell, but their bean sauce had more flavour. Don’t expect duck or chicken, it’s only breakfast cassoulet.
The orange juice was not fresh squeezed unfortunately, and very diluted.
Finally the chocolate chaud, apparently they have aussie style hot chocolate too. It was the most expensive hot drink I ever tried! Thick and smooth, you can feel the good quality chocolate in your mouth, and the caffeine rush! With the cream, it’s even more velvety heaven. It’s like about 200g of pure liquid chocolate… with or without cream, it’s excellent. We ordered waffle for dessert, the chocolate sauce that came with waffle was thinner and not as good as the chocolate chaud! And waffle was dry.
The service was good, efficient and quick. The servers were attentive, not super friendly but not rude. Our guy seems new as he looked so confused whenever he came out with food in his arms… bless him… and didn’t know what credit card surcharge means…… told us there is no surcharge, but it was charged. Hope he knows now and doesn’t tell an unintentional lie to customers lol
Regardless, it is overall good experience. Sipping French/Italian style thick hot chocolate in cold Sydney weather, watching the world goes by in the beautiful QVB, worth to have a go once.
I honestly don’t understand why this place has received some poor reviews. I’ve been to many restaurants over the years, and every single time I’ve visited Manon’s, the food and service have been outstanding.
Sandra, the manager, is always welcoming and professional, and it’s clear she takes great pride in running the restaurant. On my most recent visit, I ordered the burger and the Waffles Deluxe, and both were cooked to perfection. The quality and consistency of the food make this a benchmark for meals like these.
I highly recommend Manon’s to anyone looking for a great meal, you won’t be disappointed.
Manon has a pleasant spot with windows looking out to the street and the movement of the city.
The place itself is cute. Service was cordial and polite, but noticeably slow considering the venue wasn’t busy at the time.
One thing that stood out was the noise. When the staff clean the cutlery and dishes, you can clearly hear them placing utensils down one by one after drying them, and cups and plates tend to be handled a bit roughly, creating a lot of clatter. It makes the space feel louder than it needs to be.
The food is nicely presented and portions are fair for the price. Their signature thick chocolate is definitely the highlight — rich, dense, and indulgent. That said, it’s very sweet, so it’s best suited for people who truly enjoy intense sweetness.
Overall, it’s a decent stop if you’re already visiting the Queen Victoria Building, especially for a chocolate break or quick treat while sightseeing. Not necessarily a destination on its own, but pleasant enough if you’re in the area and craving something sweet.
Manon Brasserie & Boulangerie is a standout café in Sydney for brunch. The food is excellent—well-executed, balanced, and clearly made with attention to detail.
Service is highly professional, smooth, and attentive without being intrusive. The outdoor seating area is especially appealing, with a relaxed, stylish vibe that makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the experience.
This is a place you should definitely try if you’re into quality brunch spots. Monday morning ^^
My daughter-in-law took me here on a Saturday afternoon for their hot chocolate, and it was such a lovely experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, and there was a gentleman playing the violin, which made it feel even more special.
The hot chocolate was truly delicious — rich and indulgent — though I personally found it slightly cooler than I would have preferred. Still, very enjoyable.
I liked it enough to bring my husband back another time. We tried the éclair as well, which was nice and complemented the hot chocolate well.
The only downside was the service, which felt a bit slow and somewhat uninterested. That said, the ambience and quality of the food made the visit worthwhile.
