The best bookshops are both cosy and quirky, familiar yet surprising. Sydney and NSW have a wealth of such literary gems for book lovers including stunning libraries with comfy nooks and even a town lined with bookstores. While there are plenty of excellent cafes in Sydney, cafes with book shops provide people with something just a little bit more enriching. If you’re looking for a quaint space in town to while away the hours with stacks of books that reach the ceiling, we recommend Paddington’s community staple Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore which promises the ultimate book lover’s hideaway in Sydney.
Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore
Spread across three floors, it’s grand but no less cosy with huge armchairs to sink into, plenty of natural light, hearty food to load up on, an old-timey feel and very good in-house chai sourced from Assam in India. Home to over 30,000 used books, the bookstore is laden with literary gems and genres ranging from popular fiction, crime, history, war, journalism and more sold at affordable prices. You can also amble through a special vintage and collectibles section with rare and hard-to-find gems stowed away for the bookish. It’s located on Oxford Street, one of Sydney’s busiest, yet the atmosphere inside remains nice and quiet in that warm, cocooning way.
Ampersand doesn’t just offer a drool-worthy collection of books. There’s plenty to choose from on their menu including brunch offerings, salads, pies and sandwiches to go with your latest read. Their Turkish-inspired labneh eggs come highly recommended along with the miso-glazed salmon poke bowl and slow-cooked beef pappardelle pasta. Ampersand also has some delicious baked goods on offer including croissants, muffins, bagels and cakes.
Head to Ampersand Cafe’s website for opening hours and more information.