Latte and a lemon tree: Bellbrae cafe returns to roots with nursery offering

Coffee has become a little greener for The Fives regulars, with the cafe preparing to open a new nursery on its rural property.

Since opening in late 2024, The Fives has continued to evolve, refreshing and enhancing its grounds while building on the relaxed atmosphere that has made it a popular destination.

The latest addition, a new nursery, is designed as more than a retail offering.

Large troughs brimming with plants are surrounded by seating areas and benches, allowing visitors to enjoy a coffee among the greenery.

The Fives nursery manager Lucy Adams in the new retail space, set to open on 1 June. Photo: Tahlia Sinclair.

Manager Lucy Adams said the nursery was a natural extension of what already drew people to the venue.

“We wanted to build on what people have always loved about this place while bringing new energy to it,” Adams said.

“The nursery is at the heart of the experience, because we know how important it is for the community to still come to a beautiful plant-filled space here.

“For us, the nursery is about more than just plants. It’s about creating a place that invites you to sit amongst the greenery and continue the tradition of this site as a nursery the community can enjoy.”

For many Surf Coast locals, the return of a nursery to the property may evoke memories of the site’s former use.

Plants will be curated in large troughs, flanked by seating so cafe customers can enjoy their food and drink among the greenery. Photo: Tahlia Sinclair.

Adams said reopening a nursery on the land carried a sense of responsibility, with the team keen to honour that history while creating something new.

“It’s been really important to the team to continue the feeling The Fives has already established through the cafe and shared spaces, and the nursery feels like a natural extension of that,” she said.

“There’s already such a strong connection between the community and this space, and we wanted to continue building on that by keeping the site filled with plants and greenery for people to enjoy.”

The nursery’s initial range has been carefully selected, with future stock guided by what customers respond to most strongly.

The Fives Cafe nursery will open on Monday 1 June, with plant sales available seven days a week.