Ample Café & Bar

Meeting people, making coffee, and hosting—that’s what Matt Elias lives for.

Matt, together with his sister Marcelle Ibrahim, has spent over a decade creating a welcoming cafe where the community comes together over fantastic food and coffee.

“Family is the heart and soul of what we do at Ample,” explains Matt. “There are a lot of cafes in North Melbourne, but there are not many places that are family-owned and operated. Marcelle and I are hands-on in the business, every day.”

While the Elias family has long been involved in the food industry - Matt’s father was a food service supplier in the 1970s - Matt discovered his passion for hospitality after working for a stint in a cafe after university.

“After studying business marketing and multimedia, I worked at a café for six months to see if I’d enjoy it - and I absolutely loved it,” he says. Inspired, the family found their first location, and Ample Café opened in Howard Street in 2013.

Fast forward to today and Ample has a bright new home in Arden Street. When their original lease ended, Matt and his team embraced the change as an opportunity.

“We took all the experience and lessons from the past eleven years and built this space to better serve our customers,” Matt explains.

The new venue, which once housed a mechanic’s workshop and showroom, offers two meeting rooms equipped with whiteboards and TVs, cosy corners, free Wi-Fi and plenty of natural light. It’s no wonder that the new site has become a favourite among remote workers and locals.

And then there’s the menu. Ample’s offerings include all the classic café staples plus seasonal updates that keep the menu fresh and exciting.

“My current favourite is the Eggs Benny with pulled beef and spicy hollandaise. But the crowd favourite has got to be our zaatar chicken toastie. We’ve had it on the menu for years and I guarantee that you’ll love it - or I’ll give you your money back!” laughs Matt.

Ample’s house blend, Happy Days, is from local roastery Roasting Warehouse. You can savour it at the café, or grab a bag to enjoy at home.

What truly sets Ample apart is its dedication to making everyone feel welcome and part of something bigger.

“The magic of Ample is the sense of community. We’ve seen strangers become regulars and regulars become friends, all because they met here.
“We believe that Ample is more than just a cafe - it’s a place where connections happen.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio