Ampersand Bookstore & Cafe

I wish there were more places like this in Melbourne. For Australia’s cultural capital they certainly don’t seem to have a huge number of cafe/book stores, or at least from what I have noticed. Anyway, this is an awesome shop hidden away on Oxford Street. Actually, it isn’t necessarily hidden, but from the outside it simply looks like your typical cafe, than is until you go inside and see a huge number of second-hand books out the back. In fact they also have a second floor which contains even more books. Not only that but they also have a number of place where you can sit down and simply read. However, I just love how they also have a cafe here as well. Okay, while I didn’t try their coffee, I did spend an inordinate amount of time perusing their bookshelves. However, it is certainly a place I would consider returning to, even if to just have a coffee and sit down and read a book.

Love this place. It's so cute. Their coffee is nice and you can enjoy it outside after you have a look around.

i love this place ! its so close to my uni so when i have an hour's break or so i can come down here, go upstairs which is so beautiful, order a cup of coffee (delicious here) and just relax. the atmosphere is so on point, and really well attained thanks to the staff too. they always have great salads too!

Ampersand at Oxford St has been serving this lively neighbourhood for quite some time, with its beautiful bookstore cafe concept served in an intimate multi-storey terrace establishment. The seating area overflows to the adjacent alley featuring the breeze of the wind in many days of the year.

As it is a semi table service, they only take your orders at the counter (and pay in advance) before your orders delivered to your tables. The queueing area is a little small and can easily be overcrowded given the number of people visiting this ...read more

A great spot to really chill out and unwind. Great food & beverage staff, combined with tasty cafe style food and a large and inspiring collection of books - your afternoon or morning will fly by. Situated in the middle of Oxford Street, a great spot to check out before or after a day hitting the shops.