Have you heard much about the “third space”? It’s a public area for people to connect, chill out and switch off – and importantly, it’s gotta be separate from work and the home. And in an increasingly online world, those spaces are becoming rare. Enter book-cafés – a glorious cross between a bookshop or a library and a café where locals can read a book, sip an oat cap and hang out. Now, 1000 Libraries has named the world’s ten most beautiful book-cafés, and Sydney is home to one of them.
To find the winners, the global publisher first nominated 16 book-cafés across the world for their work, then reached out to its community to cast votes. More than 200,000 were submitted by readers, café enthusiasts and urban planners – and the results are now in.
Found on Oxford Street in Paddington, Ampersand Café & Bookstore was voted the sixth most beautiful book-café in the world. Home to 30,000 pre-loved books spread over three floors – from chick-lit to crime and history – Ampersand is a book-lover’s paradise. And with its vintage charm, cosy nooks, plush red-velvet armchairs and a touch of whimsy, it’s also an excellent place to get lost in another world.
All that reading may see you work up an appetite. From colourful, zingy salads to cracking wraps, Ampersand’s menu is simple, hearty and comforting. Here for brekkie? Go for the Turkish-inspired poached eggs with cherry tomatoes, sumac- and cumin-spiked labneh, caramelised paprika butter and sourdough. Other menu highlights include pappardelle with slow-cooked beef cheek, red wine and tomato ragù with gremolata and parmesan; a nourishing greens and grains bowl with falafel, kale, zucchini, broccoli, quinoa, avocado, hummus and herbs; and a classic cheeseburger.
The drinks menu features lots of warming sips to enjoy with a great book – from spiced house chai to Egyptian rose tea and hot espresso. Their coffee beans are roasted by Little Marionette; they make their own chai featuring seven spices, as well as iced tea, fresh juices and almond milk. Ampersand also sells boozy drinks (sparkling, white and red vino, beers) for when it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
Wander in, sit back, admire its character and relax. Sounds good to me.
In case you're wondering, Minoa Pera in Istanbul was voted the world’s most beautiful book-café, followed by The Used Book Café in Paris.
These are the world’s top 10 most beautiful book-cafes:
1. Minoa Pera, Istanbul
2. The Used Book Café at Merci, Paris
3. Halle Saint-Pierre, Paris
4. Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves, Paris
5. Cafebrería El Péndulo Polanco, Mexico City
6. Ampersand Café & Bookstore, Sydney
7. Ler Devagar, Lisbon
8. Maison Assouline, London
9. Bibliothèque NYC, New York City
10. Livraria Funambule, Petrópolis
See all the winners here.
Find out more about Ampersand Café & Bookstore here.
Address: 78 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021