The Navy Bear

Located smack-bang on the water’s edge at Darling Point, with views of the Harbour Bridge and bobbing yachts, is the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (Ransa). It was established in 1966 to encourage serving and retired naval personnel to recreationally sail Sydney Harbour – though anyone with a passion for sailing can now join – and it’s hosted countless social events for members.

But now, after more than 50 years, visitors – and their four-legged friends – can enjoy Ransa’s spectacular water views with The Navy Bear cafe. It’s by hospitality group Bird & Bear, which also runs harbourfront venues Mosman Rowers, The Sandy Bear at Clontarf, and The Flying Bear Cafe and Foys at Kirribilli.

Bird & Bear’s owners Emma Marshall and Adam Marshall worked with Etic design studio (Barangaroo House, Lexus Design Pavilion 2016 and 2017) to freshen up the interior of Ransa’s old boatshed with a palette of mint green and white. They wanted to create an unpretentious space to complement the character-filled heritage tin building, which is decorated with bookshelves, sailing flags and memorabilia.

The Navy Bear’s simple menu matches the relaxed vibe. For breakfast, there’s a maple-smoked bacon-and-egg roll with kewpie mayo and hot barbeque sauce, and the Santorini Bear with grilled haloumi, avocado, tomato, truffle oil and chilli flakes on sourdough. For lunch, there’s fish’n’chips and a selection of sandwiches and salad bowls.