In the 1700s there were heaps of literary cafes in Paris alone. These cafés helped patrons sit with a hot drink, discussing politics or economics. But when I heard of Ampersand in Sydney, I still had to ask what is the purpose of a book cafe? Library cafes serve as a social hub for the community, providing a space where people can meet and connect over a shared love of books, coffee and discussion. By blending the 2 purposes, these hybrid spaces create an environment that encourages both social interaction and quiet reflection. The café-bookstore concept isn't new, but it has gained serious drive in recent years in cities.
Very modest front of Ampersand Cafe and Bookshop, Sydney
Time Out
Visitors can enjoy coffee in a cosy armchair, or in the bright sunlight of their laneway seating. Inside there’s bench seating towards the front, al fresco seating to the side, and tables and chairs in most corners of the bookshop. But the entrance is modest, presumably promising the ultimate book lover’s hideaway in Sydney.
The best bookshops are both cosy and quirky, familiar yet surprising. Sydney has a wealth of literary gems for book lovers including stunning libraries with comfy nooks and even a highlands town lined with bookshops, Bowral. While there are plenty of excellent cafes in Sydney, cafes with book shops that provide people with a place somewhat more enriching. When thinking of a quaint space in town to while away the hours with stacks of books reaching the ceiling, recommend Paddington’s community treasure.
Ampersand is spread across three storeys, giving ample places to sit and read, and 30,000+ used books covering everything from popular fiction to history. And there’s a special area dedicated to rare, collectible titles. The character-filled spot features a cosy vibe that makes the space feel eclectic and inviting. The fusion of tasteful furnishings gives an aesthetically pleasing air.
One storey of book shelves and reading space
Brasserie
This site in Sydney has clearly become an important community hub. In this big city (5.5 mill), where life can feel fast-paced and disconnected, these spaces offer a much-needed spot for people to slow down, connect and engage with others. Café-bookstores can host events like book signings, poetry readings and open mike nights.
Spaces in a café-bookstore often feature comfy chairs, wooden tab-les and soft welcoming lighting, giving a atmosphere with a focus on comfort, perfect for a creative afternoon. They offer free Wi-Fi, board games and local art displays, adding to the charm.
The combination of a relaxed environment for working or studying, free Wi-Fi and easy access to coffee helps people focus. Whether writing an essay, writing a novel, or brainstorming ideas for the next big project, it works.
NB many café-bookstores are independently owned. In an age when big shops and online retailers dominate, café-books offer an alternative gathering place to locals. Many pride themselves on offering a curated selection of books, focusing on local authors, niche genres or small publishers that might not be in large chain stores. Similarly many café-bookstores partner with local roasters, bakers and artisans to offer fresh, quality food, supporting small businesses.
In Sydney students studying for exams, freelancers working on projects, friends catching up over coffee, and book fans browsing the shelves. The diverse crowd makes Ampersand feel vibrant and relaxed; a meeting point for people of all ages and families.
One interesting aspect of café-bookstore hybrids can now blend both the digital and physical worlds, embracing technology and allowing customers to enjoy the best of both worlds. Some café-bookstores offer digital reading options, like e-books or audiobooks, through partnerships with digital platforms. This combination of digital and physical also extends to how customers re food: many spaces offer mobile ordering, loyalty apps and online menus.
In addition to its impressive book collection, Ampersand offers a hearty menu that complements the literary atmosphere. Note that although I don’t eat meat, the cafe serves an extensive menu of fresh homemade meals, hearty pies, salads, slow-cooked beef pappardelle pasta and Turkish-inspired labneh eggs that are excellent. Ampersand also has some delicious baked treats on offer including croissants, muffins, bagels and cakes.
Food and drinks on a separate table
goop
See unique second handbooks: literature, art & design, photography, travel writing, biography, fiction, popular crime, history, war, journalism. A children's and young adults section caters well. Browse the vintage and collectibles section to find interesting, hard-to-find books. And Ampersand’s buyer comes to the shop twice a week to buy some of customers' books, IF in saleable condition.
Ampersand has recently earned a coveted spot among the world’s best bookshop cafes, beating popular cities after 200,000+ votes were tallied:
Ampersand has recently earned a coveted spot among the world’s best bookshop cafes, beating popular cities after 200,000+ votes were tallied:
1. Minoa Pera — Istanbul, Turkey
2. The Used Book Café at Merci — Paris, France
3. Halle Saint-Pierre — Paris, France
4. Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves — Paris, France
5. Cafebrería El Péndulo Polanco — Mexico City, Mexico
6. Ampersand Café & Bookstore — Sydney, Australia*
7. Ler Devagar — Lisbon, Portugal
8. Maison Assouline — London, UK
9. Bibliotheque NYC — New York City, USA
10. Livraria Funambule — Petrópolis, Brazil
2. The Used Book Café at Merci — Paris, France
3. Halle Saint-Pierre — Paris, France
4. Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves — Paris, France
5. Cafebrería El Péndulo Polanco — Mexico City, Mexico
6. Ampersand Café & Bookstore — Sydney, Australia*
7. Ler Devagar — Lisbon, Portugal
8. Maison Assouline — London, UK
9. Bibliotheque NYC — New York City, USA
10. Livraria Funambule — Petrópolis, Brazil
Chestnut Tree Bookshop & Cafe, W. Footscray,Vic
It supports local schools & the neighbourhood house and supports environmental initiatives.
australiantraveller
Many years ago I dreamed of owning and running such a place, later hte dream became working in such a place, now I'm happy enough at home with my books and coffee.
ReplyDeleteRiver
DeleteIt sounds like a great idea, but I imagine it takes a lot of work covering days and evenings, weekends and weekdays, book management and cooking. However if you do decide to open a cafe-bookshop, I promise I will come and celebrate the opening party with you :)
How many bookshop-cafes are there in or near Melbourne? I haven't seen them advertised on tv, radio or newspapers.
ReplyDeleteJoe
Deletehere are some cafe-bookshops in Melbourne I found easily:
Willows & Wine: Bookstore & Wine Bar, West Melbourne
ENO Café, Box Hill
Dymocks Café, Collins St
Cyrus Artlounge, Carlton
Buck Mulligan’s, Northcote
Chestnut Tree Bookshop & Café W Footscray
All have good ranges of books, but some have much more elaborate foods and drinks than others.
Seems a good idea, don't know of any here in town.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
DeleteAccording to the reviews on line, the best regarded sites in Tasmania seem to be:
Fullers Bookshop, Hobart
Black Swan Bookshop, New Norfolk
St Helen's Books, St Helen's
New Cafe and Bookshop, Sheffield
Owners of such establishments must trust that their patrons won't spill coffee or crumbs on the precious books. Lovely idea, though - very relaxing.
ReplyDeletejabblog
DeleteTrue true. But trust is not enough.... owners have to specify that books are very easily damaged, if patrons are not careful. So the bookshops have to separate cafe and book areas by providing designated eating zones. Patrons are provided with hand cleaning products, if needed, and staff need to wipe down book and shelf surfaces regularly.
Ampersand is an absolute treasure for book and coffee lovers
ReplyDeleteroentare
DeleteBless your heart. You are the first person to give feedback, positive or otherwise, about the Sydney model service.
I always enjoy a bookshop with a café. So much fun :-)
ReplyDeleteCherryPie
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right! Fun is important.
When I retired from the workforce, writing and reading from home was still possible of course, but lonely and absolutely no fun.
It isn't in a part of Oxford Street where I normally walk, but I will make an effort to visit in October when I visit. Are you on a commission?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Readings has embraced the cafe concept, which surprises me.
Andrew
DeleteReadings café opened at the rear of the Hawthorn bookshop, so the book space wasn't reduced. Supernova is a cosy space that offers an all-day breakfast menu with a focus on modern fusion cooking.
No commission :) But a free espresso would be nice.
I've never been to a bookshop cafe. I love the IDEA of it, I think it would have a wonderful vibe but after having taken reading holidays where not a single book was opened, I know I would be far too busy people watching and chatting and drinking to ever open a book!
ReplyDeleteAmpersand looks positively lovely
kylie
DeleteIf you get there at 9 AM and don't arrange to meet your friends until lunchtime, you will find the 3+ hours of reading and writing rush past before you know it. Nobody ever disturbs a reader sitting in a quiet corner, getting on with their own work. Thankfully :)
Hmm.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting concept and we have some london too hels.
They're good for socialising. but otherwise, for me, I like my own quiet space to read. I don't like being in a cafe and feeling a bit guilty taking inorindate space and time from the establishment.
Do you live in Sydney to visit the Ampersand?
Liam
ReplyDeleteMy husband lived in Sydney till 1970 and so he had never heard of cafe- bookshops. Next time we visit Sydney, we'll definitely visit Ampersand in Oxford St.
I too like reading and typing in quiet, but I am desperate to see other humans. Even just an hour, for coffee and biscuits.
There’s something quietly magical about bookstore cafes. Maybe it’s the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the pages of well-loved novels, or the way time seems to pause the moment you settle into a window seat with a book and a flat white. Across Australia, these literary hideaways offer more than just caffeine and a curated shelf—they’re spaces for slow mornings, quiet company, and stolen moments of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhether you’re a paperback purist, a collector, or someone who just loves a beautiful place to read, these 15 bookstore cafes blend culture and comfort in the most charming ways. From eclectic second-hand havens in Hobart to Japanese-inspired serenity in Brisbane, each one invites you to linger a little longer.
Modern Muse Magazine
Deletemany thanks for your selection of bookshop cafes. I particularly paid attention to Sappho in Glebe (NSW) because of its "courtyard oasis" and because of its second hand sheet music shop upstairs!
What wonderful places to read!
ReplyDeleteIrina
DeleteI instantly found Dom Knigi (House of Books aka Singer House) in St. Petersburg, and the Dom Knigi in Moscow, both large bookstores that include cafes and are central to the literary culture of their respective cities. Other cities also have, I am sure, equally excellent bookshop-cafes.
I love these places but haven't visited one for ages. There is one at Brisbane airport. A great way to wait for a plane.
ReplyDeletediane
DeleteWatermark Books & Cafe is apparently in the Qantas Domestic Terminal at Brisbane Airport but I cannot find any reviews yet. Nonetheless it is perfectly located because I resent wasting time at an airport, before the plane finally loads.
Hello Hels, I understand the appeal of both cafes and bookshops, but never understood why people feel they belong together. Eating and drinking around books (especially new ones) is likely to get them spotted and dirty. Also, I don't like to examine or read books while eating or socializing. I like to read at home with no distractions, and don't even read-and-eat (or drink) at home.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Parnassus
DeleteCleanliness is important, of course!
But for people who have recently retired or recently agreed to work from home, life can suddenly become very empty and lonely. I used to love writing lecture notes in my office, using the staff-and-students' library, and going to lunch with some of the other lecturers and tutors. From home, the most sociable thing I did was walk the labrador down the street and back :(
I love the concept of book cafes so much. It's so hard to focus sometimes, and a cozy place with good coffee and books sounds like the best combination. I bet their baked treats are so good. You mentioned there are other cool spots in Sydney too, do you have another favorite one besides this?
ReplyDeleteMelody
DeleteI knew about Ampersand, but the other Sydney sites I have had to take from reviews:
Kinokuniya, Sydney CBD
Berkelouw Books, Paddington
Sappho Books Cafe & Wine Bar, Glebe
Gertrude & Alice, Bondi Beach and
Unwritten Bookshop Cafe, Hunters Hill.
Because my beloved lived in Bondi, that is where I would head first :)
We have a book club in our community, no assigned reading. We just discussed book. But what I notice by photos is the selection of books. My question would be. Has anyone or group tried to ban or pull any of the books in the so called cafe. In my state there been those who tried to so called pull books what they thought or felt was unworthy. Yes, everyone has opinion. But I can handle someone who isn't on the same page of me. Actually I find it interesting.
ReplyDeletePeppylady
DeleteGood question!
The bookshop cafes were originally bookshops who had longstanding regulations the owners followed. But has the introduction of new patrons, with new interests in literature, changed the local council or state regulations?