Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore

What an amazing place to chill! -3 floors, many seats (a bit crowded during the weekend). 10-15min for the service, -Many books to choose -Drinks and meals (breakfast and lunch) are not too excellent, but still we come for the atmosphere, -We've been there over 4 times this month -Easy to reach there

Gorgeous homely cafe and bookstore with great seating available both in and outdoors. VIBE: Relaxed homely setting, floor to ceiling bookshelves, comfy furniture, great little reading nooks. FOOD: Plenty of options, daily salads, burgers, healthy bowls, brekky faves etc. They cater to gluten free, vegan and vegetarian folks too, with gf bread, brownies, almond and soy milks etc. STAFF: Absolutely lovely. Attentive, efficient, kind and understanding. They were very helpful recommending gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. ACCESSIBILITY: Pram and wheelchair access available, although toilets are downstairs. Outdoor seating let's a great flow of fresh air through on hot days. Also ideal for those with dogs. OVERALL: An absolute fave, will definitely keep coming back! So glad we got to meet the owner at Blues Pt road who recommended the place. We love it!

Food is rather mediocre with small serving sizes. Coffee is reasonable, but you attend this cafe for the ambience. This is the perfect place to study, work, host a meeting, meet up with a friend. It’s captivating. Work on the main level or upstairs, the basement level is a mould nightmare and smells like a biohazard.

Lovely bookshop on the surface - poorly managed cafe and overly priced with hidden secret charges on your bill ! 1) When ordering their custom chai tea in a pot, I stated that I would like it extra hot. The cashier (the shift manager) pulled me up for asking for Extra hot: 'our tea is always hot!' To which I explained, that my tea has at times arrived lukewarm. It was only after justifying my preference did she add it to the order. I also ordered an almond croissant. The bill totaled $11; but after handing the money, the owner asked for another 50 cents, as my request for a teaspoon of honey for the chai would include a surcharge of 50 cents. This seemed petty but also odd that the amount was adjusted after payment. 2) After 15 minutes, my food order hadn't arrived. I revisited the counter and found another cashier. The cashier had no ticket for my order at all. The cafe at this stage was not busy at all in mid-afternoon, so having missing tickets on food indicates sloppy organisation. 3) When the croissant arrived at the table, it was served on a tea saucer which was smaller than the croissant itself. (see picture) Croissant seemed a bit chewy. 4) When a cafe is $$$ more pricey than fellow cafes in the area (yet offers the same food as others), and still charges each dine-in customer $2 per head for eating in; charges customer a credit card fee; and ignores customer feedback - you have to ask yourself why are they charging customers with these hidden costs? [there is no signage about the extra costs except a micro slip of paper stuck down to the counter near the till.] Note to manager: Please tighten your customer service skills across your staff to ensure there is consistency over serving styles on food handling, through to interacting with customers at the cashier on last minute charging petty items, and managing food tickets on orders. Customers should not have to remind staff of their missing order. One off little incidences is minor, but for a customer to experience several in one visit is a turn-off. I have been a patron to this cafe for 12 years and seen management change hands a few times over the years, but lately the service is really poor. This cafe used to win awards on customer service, but now It is turning away your long term loyal customers. **Stop overcharging customers - stop the hidden extra costs. You are the most expensive cafe in the area for serving basic food. Over charging people does not make your cafe more exclusive.