A view of the main dining space, characterized by a series of three arched openings in a thick, white, textured wall, adding a rustic, neo-vernacular feel. The composition includes a mix of seating: a long, built-in beige banquette with subtle cushions, and tables with warm wooden chairs. A pop of bold red is introduced by a round table and a collection of bright red chairs in the foreground.

Rustic Italian Charm Meets the Laid-Back Spirit of Sydney’s Beachfront in Cibaria Restaurant

Words by Yatzer

55 North Steyne, Manly, Australia

Located in Sydney's beachside enclave of Manly, Cibaria Manly is a new Italian restaurant that channels the rustic charm of Italy while staying true to the suburb’s laid-back yet cosmopolitan spirit. Sydney-based practice Luchetti Krelle layered references from Puglia, Sardinia and the Italian Riviera, creating a joyous mashup of Mediterranean textures, colours and vernacular cues as a reflection of the eatery’s multifaceted culinary character. Structured around the many -rias of Italian dining—be it forneria, spaghetteria, bisteccheria, gelateria and beyond—Cibaria captures the abundance and variety of Italy’s cuisine in a single sweep, offering a fluid setting for every moment of the day, from morning espresso, lunch and aperitivo, to lingering evening feasts.

A detailed interior view highlighting a small, fluted wooden service table topped with marble. The table is adorned with a sculptural terracotta lamp and a vase of greenery. The ceiling is a striking mix of dark, wooden planks and a textured, terracotta-colored finish, while the flooring is a combination of terracotta tiles and speckled terrazzo. This image showcases the restaurant's sophisticated use of diverse materials and textures.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A wide-angle view from the main entrance, highlighting the transitional space of the restaurant. Large, timber-framed glass doors with the gold 'CIBARIA' logo open inward, revealing a long, narrow space with a warm, terrazzo floor. The design features a mix of textures, from the smooth wooden ceiling to the rustic, white plaster walls, culminating in a bright, open kitchen area.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

An expansive shot of the open kitchen and bar area. Several chefs in white aprons are visible in the background, preparing food, adding a sense of energy and authenticity. The kitchen backsplash is made of colorful, square tiles in a rustic, checkered pattern. The foreground features the glossy, green-tiled bar with a row of stools, creating a visual blend of a traditional, home-style kitchen with a modern restaurant atmosphere.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

Located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Manly Pacific Hotel, the venue takes the form of a contemporary piazza. Two conjoined spaces, a trattoria and a gelateria, flow seamlessly into one another, complemented by two large private dining rooms. Within the open-plan layout of the dining space, sinuous banquettes carve the interiors into more intimate zones, while stretches of bar seating introduces a more casual mode of dining, echoing the informality of the piazza. The design not only accommodates the diversity of the menu but also mirrors it spatially, with zones that feel distinct yet connected.

Vernacular Mediterranean elements ground the project in a timeless rusticity. Textured stucco walls, timber ceiling beams, mosaic flooring and terracotta tiles conjure the atmosphere of southern Italy, while asymmetrical arches and grotto-like niches inject a playful note tinged with Surrealism. Inspired in part by Jacques Couëlle’s sculptural architecture at Sardinia’s Cala di Volpe hotel, these carved forms frame ocean views and glowing displays of wine bottles, transforming the space into something between a rustic farmhouse and a dreamscape.

  • An architectural interior shot highlighting the interplay of textures and light. The thick, white, stucco-like wall curves to form a series of arches, one of which reveals a small arched niche displaying decorative vases. The earthy, reddish terracotta floor tiles contrast with the dark wood ceiling and the red-hued, textured plaster on the upper portion of the ceiling, creating a warm, layered look.

    Photography by Steven Woodburn.

  • A close-up of a dining booth with a rounded, curved banquette in a neutral, textured fabric. In the background, a thick, white plaster wall features a pair of arches, one of which frames a smaller niche lined with patterned tiles and curated pottery. The table is adorned with a large, rustic wooden bowl and a vase of greenery, reflecting a biophilic design philosophy that connects the interior with natural elements.

    Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A view of the main dining space, characterized by a series of three arched openings in a thick, white, textured wall, adding a rustic, neo-vernacular feel. The composition includes a mix of seating: a long, built-in beige banquette with subtle cushions, and tables with warm wooden chairs. A pop of bold red is introduced by a round table and a collection of bright red chairs in the foreground.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A view of the restaurant's central bar and dining space. The image captures a lively scene with a variety of seating, including woven chairs and curved banquettes with tan leather seats and textured fabric. The bar area, defined by a scalloped, red-framed rack for wine glasses, divides the space. The design combines rustic elements, like the dark wooden ceiling and terrazzo floor, with clean, modern lines and an open kitchen.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

  • A detailed shot from a service counter, focusing on the whimsical and deliberate design elements. In the foreground, a scalloped red frame with natural wood accents hangs above a wine glass rack, reflecting a playful, neo-vernacular style. A bulbous, textured ceramic lamp with a simple fabric shade sits on a granite countertop, casting a warm glow toward the striped seating and textured walls in the background.

    Photography by Steven Woodburn.

  • A view of a cozy dining area defined by two arched niches in a textured white plaster wall. The niches are lined with small, patterned orange tiles and have floating wooden shelves that display an eclectic collection of vintage-inspired pottery and vases. The space is furnished with simple, round wood tables and minimalist wooden chairs, creating a warm, Mediterranean feel.

    Photography by Steven Woodburn.

  • A detailed close-up of a small dining table set for four. The round, white table is surrounded by four chairs, each with a bright red frame and a woven straw seat. The vibrant red of the chairs adds a pop of color that stands out against the pale, reddish terracotta floor tiles and the soft beige tones of the built-in banquette seating in the background. The lighting highlights the textures of the materials.

    Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A detailed interior view of the restaurant's bar and dining area, showcasing a juxtaposition of materials and textures. The foreground features curved, striped banquette seating next to a large bar clad in pale blue-green tile. The ceiling combines white, clean-lined sections with exposed dark timber beams and a warmer, wooden soffit, creating a rustic yet refined look.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

Red-and-white stripes recur throughout, recalling Cinque Terre’s striped parasols and Venetian pali da casada mooring poles, draped across awnings, upholstering banquettes, and even appear in the ceilings of the private dining rooms. Lending rhythm and cohesion while hinting at Italy’s coastal iconography, additional pops of pistachio green, deep burgundy and soft baby blue also lean into the scheme’s nostalgic charm.

The focal points, however, are the bars. In the trattoria, the open bisteccheria/spaghetteria kitchen is anchored by a sculptural mint-green counter clad in glossy tiles with rounded edges. Animated by terrazzo floors flecked with pistachio and amber, the kitchen becomes both hearth and stage, where culinary craft unfolds in full view. By contrast, the gelateria counter is more exuberant with its  striped composition of convex rose marble rods, a bullnose edge in deep Barbera red and a swirling granite top. Behind it, wall panels in burgundy and Milanese blue echo its curvaceous geometry.

A close-up shot of the bar counter and seating. The bar is clad in glossy, light-green tiles with softly rounded edges, giving it a playful, vintage-retro feel. The base is an intriguing design with a large foot, and the counter is set with glasses and a bowl of lemons. Three modern stools with a brass base, brown leather seats, and wooden frames are arranged next to it, blending warmth and industrial elegance.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A close-up of the flooring and bar base, highlighting the restaurant's intricate material palette. The floor is composed of two different types of terrazzo—a reddish one and a light gray one—divided by a striking border of multi-colored square tiles in blue, yellow, and red. The bar base is clad in smooth, pale green tiles with rounded edges, a seamless blend of retro and modern design.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A close-up of a service counter, highlighting the intricate details of the design. The counter is built from light green-blue tiles and topped with a marble slab. Behind it, a wooden framed doorway leads to a sunlit room. The counter is adorned with a decorative bowl of citrus, two woven baskets, and a striking green vase holding feathery stalks, adding a biophilic touch.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A dynamic, wide-angle shot of the lively counter area. The bar is a central element, featuring a top of red and white striated marble and a base of vertical, pastel-colored panels. A group of people, including staff and a customer, are engaged in activity. The space is defined by its high, vaulted white arches, which provide a contrast to the colorful accents and warm, textured terrazzo floors.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A bright dining space with a view of the ocean. A long, light wood communal table is set with glasses and plates, ready for a meal. The bold, red-and-white striped ceiling draws the eye toward a large, woven pendant light fixture. A geometric, blue-and-white tiled rug anchors the space, while large, multi-paned windows offer a cinematic view of the beach and pine trees outside.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A close-up of the flooring and bar base, highlighting the restaurant's intricate material palette. The floor is composed of two different types of terrazzo—a reddish one and a light gray one—divided by a striking border of multi-colored square tiles in blue, yellow, and red. The bar base is clad in smooth, pale green tiles with rounded edges, a seamless blend of retro and modern design.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

An interior view of the main dining room, capturing a rhythmic arrangement of curved, red-and-white striped banquette seating. The warm, inviting atmosphere is enhanced by soft lamplight illuminating textured, white plaster walls and a series of arched niches at the back, which display a curated collection of wine bottles on illuminated shelves, creating a modern, Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

A striking view of a whimsical, sculptural bathroom sink. The biomorphic sink is made of travertine and features two elegant, golden faucets. A circular mirror hangs above, reflecting the arched, rust-red hallway and a second matching sink in the distance. The space is defined by its bold, monochromatic pink walls and a dark terrazzo floor, creating a theatrical and artistic atmosphere.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

The playfulness extends to details like scalloped shelving, fluted timber accents and richly patterned tilework, as well as to an eclectic collection of ceramic and wicker vessels. While each element feels carefully chosen, the overall effect is relaxed, almost improvised, as if layers of Italian vernacular and coastal Australiana have naturally coalesced. Even the unisex bathroom becomes a stage for design: centred on a free-standing travertine vanity whose bulbous, four-legged form has been sculpted from a single block of Italian Silver stone, the space slips into the surreal.

With sweeping views of the ocean, courtesy of the all-glass facade, Cibaria does more than transplant Italian dining culture into Sydney, it fuses it with the rhythms of the beach. It is as much a place for a gelato pit stop after a swim as it is for a long, wine-soaked dinner. Just like the many piazzas of the home country that inspired it, it thrives on multiplicity, where rustic charm, theatrical design and convivial dining converge to great effect.

An exterior shot of the Cibaria restaurant facade at dusk. The warm, inviting glow from within contrasts with the cool, evening light outside. The storefront features expansive, multi-pane windows reflecting the surroundings and is topped with a bold, red-and-white striped awning. A row of small, blue tables and chairs with a vintage-retro feel is arranged on the cobblestone patio.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.

An exterior shot of the main entrance, showcasing the building's distinct facade. A large, pink archway with "CIBARIA" in white lettering draws the eye to a pair of arched wooden doors with glass panels. Flanking the entrance are two large potted olive trees. The building's white walls are contrasted by a red-and-white striped awning on the left and a green-and-white striped awning on the right.

Photography by Steven Woodburn.