Manly beach has a new kid on the block wowing locals and definitely drawing crowds. In fact, the day we popped in to BunBar Burgers we were told that the team had sold 437 burgers the previous day! We can guarantee these Buns are just as hot as J-Lo and Shakira’s Superbowl spectacular.
From the outside the venue is simple and sleek with a clean aesthetic and glass entry. We arrive bang on open time and as we wander inside we note immediately that the space is already filling up quickly with patrons eager to try the new Manly hot spot. Made up of tanned leather booths, dark moody furnishings, dark grey/blue metal room separators and wooden pallets loaded with plants the space is edgy and fresh. An altogether tougher more industrial edge than general burger or fast food joints the interior lends itself easily to the modern menu and eclectic drinks list. The comfy booths and chilled atmosphere will definitely make you want to stick around to enjoy a crisp beer or delicious frozen Aperol after a swim or before a night out on Manly’s corso strip of bars and pubs.
“We are the burger disrupters, the burger bun innovators” enthused Stephen Grant, one of three owners of BunBurger, alongside Deanna Bechara and Gary Linz (former Oporto owner).
“We have been working really hard at perfecting the diffrent menu elements for we are really proud of the innovations we’ve made to the typical ‘Aussie Burger joint’ stereotype. We wanted to create a balance of flavours and options that we are excited to share with our customers.”
BunBar takes a noticeably different approach to burgers with options that cater to a plethora of dietary requirements. From lettuce cup buns to rice buns to falafel buns… we were intrigued! But burger traditionalists don’t fear, they also provide their mouthwatering soft ‘AF’ fluffy Bun. When we asked if inclusivity to all manner of todays dietary needs was a focus Stephen nodded “Absolutely. We want to jump right into the health movement that is just blowing up right now. It’s great that everyone is more aware of what they are choosing to eat. So at BunBar you can be vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, keto… or just want a really juicy meaty cheesy burger! Theres something here for everyone.”
We tried each of the bun choices on offer and the skin-on homestyle fries (with extra tahini sauce of course) and let us tell you, they did not disappoint! The crisp lettuce cup bun was refreshing and light – the perfect meal to confidently rock your cossies for a dip at Manly afterwards. The 100% plant based and 100% flavourful falafel burger with salty pickles and lashings of tahini was a DA favourite. As was their traditional soft AF bun that was indeed, soft (and mouthwatering) ‘AF’ including 20 hours slow cooked brisket and moorish melty cheese. The most individual burger we tried was the innovative rice bun. Truly unlike anything we had tried in any ‘burgerville’ joint to date. With their spicy grilled chicken and crunchy fresh lettuce strips it was tasty and filling without the after-burger-binge regrets (I know we have allllll been there.)
They have a lot of plans for BunBar including expansion and a more drink based environment for visitors and locals alike and we are excited to see what they have in store for their disruption of the ‘basic bissh burgers’. Stay tuned!
BunBar :Shop 1 – 2-8 Darley Rd, Manly (Just off the corso, two doors down from Fishbowl) Hours : 11am – 11pm Monday – Sunday
