Whether you have a green thumb or you’d just like to enjoy a coffee surrounded by flowers and chickens instead of the noise of busy suburban traffic, a trip to the right plant nursery can be a relaxing way to spend a weekend morning. With enough space for the kids to run around and enough caffeine to keep the parents happy, these are North Shore mums’ top picks for garden-variety entertainment.
Cafes in garden centres and plant nurseries around the North Shore
- Frankies Food Factory, Terrey Hills
- New Leaf Nursery, Ingleside
- The Gardens Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park
- Cafe Saligna at Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills
1. Frankies at Flower Power, Terrey Hills
The playground next to Frankie’s
After you’ve had a mooch around the incredible garden centre and been tempted by the stylish homewares, relax over coffee or lunch at Frankies while the kids can play. It overlooks a gated and shaded children’s playground within the grounds of Flower Power. There’s plenty of easy parking too!
- Address: 277 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills
- Phone: (02) 8401 7555
- Website: frankiesfoodfactory.com.au
2. New Leaf Nursery, Ingleside
New Leaf Nursery are experts in edible plants, landscaping and raised garden beds, but are specialists in poultry, with chickens and ducks available to buy at the nursery. The centre offers a petting zoo and free buckets of feed so kids can get up close and personal with cute critters like bunnies, guinea pigs and the famous ‘pink chickens’.
“New Leaf Nursery on Powderworks Rd is my all-time favourite. Very home-grown, hand-made and friendly with chickens wandering around the garden beds and old tricycles for your kids to play on. Go for the products they sell or just for a fun family excursion – you’ll definitely leave happy.” – Sophia
- Address: 224 Powderworks Road (Cnr Wilson Ave), Ingleside
- Phone: (02) 9913 3709
- Website: newleafnursery.com.au
3. The Gardens Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park
The Gardens Restaurant
Boasting an impressive nursery, Eden Gardens is also home to the The Gardens, serving fresh seasonal produce for breakfast and lunch dishes, with a wine list available. The display gardens are terrific and are often the spectacular backdrop for weddings. There’s a small playground near the cafe for the kids to play in after you’ve refuelled!
- Address: 307 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park
- Phone: (02) 9491 9900
- Website: edengardens.com.au
4. Cafe Saligna at Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills
Cafe Saligna – another name for the Sydney eucalyptus, or the blue gum- is situated in Australia’s only metropolitan state forest, Cumberland State Forest. The picturesque surroundings are the perfect place to enjoy the offerings at the cafe, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea with an assortment of cakes, cookies, raisin toast and croissants plus heartier fare like salads, burgers and pasta. Outside, pick up a native plant from the on-site nursery.
“After being at the nursery and cafe in the Cumberland State Forest today I would definitely recommend. Loads of space for running around, lovely bushland, decent coffee, and dog-friendly too.” – Sara
- Address: 95 Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills
- Phone: (02) 9873 2955
- Website: cafesaligna.com.au
More outdoor fun for the whole family…
