Flower Child Is Chatswood's New Cafe Inspired by The Grounds

Most people don't expect to feel particularly in touch with nature when they're standing in the middle of a shopping centre. And yet that's exactly the kind of feeling the team at Flower Child Cafe are hoping to inspire.

Opening this week within the walls of Westfield Chatswood, this cafe, eatery and indoor garden is the brainchild of Chris Lu, formerly of Bondi Hardware and co-founder of Happy as Larry Pizza Truck, and Adam Choker, former manager at The Grounds of Alexandria. "I wouldn’t say I’m a big shopper or enjoy spending time in shopping centres. They all seem very unnatural," says Lu. "We wanted to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside...we want our customers to enjoy our amazing service, delicious food and lose themselves to where they are and the experience."

The space was designed by Acme & Co, the same team behind the incredible interiors of The Grounds and Archie Rose. Customers will find terracotta tiles and a suspended garden bed, along with an open-plan kitchen meant to add a touch of theatrics.

Ex-Merivale chef Nik Jovicki is responsible for the menu, which features dishes such as French toast with banana mascarpone, dark chocolate crumb, fresh berries and salted toffee, and prosciutto and asparagus soldiers with poached egg, buffalo mozzarella, tomato powder and burnt butter hollandaise. Flower Child Cafe also sells cakes and pastries delivered daily from The Grounds. For those who like to do their shopping early, it's a great addition to Chatswood's ever-growing dining options.

Flower Child Cafe is open 9am - 5pm daily (and until 9pm on Thursdays) and can be found in Westfield Chatswood. For more information, visit their Facebook.

Images: Nikki To.