Bird & Bear Boathouse

Photography: Natasha Mulhall

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1 Ithaca Road
Elizabeth Bay

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Late Breakfast

Outdoor Dining

Take-away

$$$$$

Manicured parks for picnics, kayaks to hire and a marina set on a picturesque harbour – the ideal surrounds when sourcing a site for your first cafe. Indeed, the dazzling Elizabeth Bay Marina was an obvious choice for Dale Hunter and Adam Marshall, who opened the Bird & Bear Boathouse earlier this year. Modestly decorated with white umbrellas and communal benches, this outdoor cafe screams long summer afternoons, beach club-style.

Orders are taken from the clipboard menu at the coffee stand and moments later, plates wait at the hole in the wall kitchen counter. For breakfast, try the Bear’s Bashed Eggs with ham or prosciutto, served with Infinity Sourdough bread, tomato, avocado and free-range eggs. For those who are more daring, the chilli toast with avocado, sliced tomato and a heavy drizzling of truffle oil may be worth a try. Plates fit for a picnic include toasted sandwiches filled with prosciutto, provolone and rocket and modest poached chicken salad bowls served with sliced avocado, tomato chunks, feta cheese and a side of sourdough.

Coffee here is Vittoria’s organic blend, but to maximise the view, enjoy refreshing coconut water served from a whole coconut.