To those unfamiliar with the area, “Potts Point” may appear to be one singular suburb, encompassing Kings Cross and surrounding streets, with Macleay St at its heart and the adjoining precincts of Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay forming part of a broader Inner-East picture. But as locals, and increasingly newcomers, soon realise, it is actually a wonderfully interconnected series of village pockets, each with its own atmosphere and character, the collective adding up to create the rich and vibrant tapestry that defines this corner of Sydney.

One such pocket that has quietly come into its own in recent years is the pedestrian laneway of Llankelly Place. Linking Orwell St through to Darlinghurst Rd, this charming thoroughfare has evolved into a welcoming enclave of dining and café culture. Once simply a narrow passageway, today it feels like a little village square in miniature – a place where locals and visitors drift in and out through the day and into the evening, enjoying a laneway atmosphere that evokes the famous alleyways of Melbourne’s CBD.

The popularity of the lane is evident almost immediately. On most evenings the ever-popular Piña hums with energy, its outdoor tables filled with diners and the regular queue forming out front, drawn by the restaurant’s reputation for fine food and warm service. Just a few doors along, Llankelly Thai continues to stand the test of time as a much-loved local institution, while Igniis Bake & Roast has become a favourite morning stop for its superb pastries and generous breakfast offerings. Among nearly a dozen other eateries, Vico Italian adds another layer to the lane’s culinary mix, specialising in handmade pasta, curated wines and the relaxed pleasures of a classic aperitivo.

Adding fresh energy to the scene is Salumerie, a relative newcomer that has quickly found its place among the laneway’s favourites. Specialising in beautifully prepared focaccia, the eatery offers a delicious nod to the 1990s, when the Italian bread staple seemed to appear in almost every café across Sydney.

On a recent busy Wednesday, ebullient staff Edoardo Cipollini and Ania Bertinazzo were happily serving up the eatery’s generous offerings to a steady stream of locals and curious visitors alike. With outlets now also in Manly, the CBD and Bondi, it’s clear the owners are onto something.

“It’s such a buzzing vibe in the laneway,” Edoardo says with a smile.

“There’s always something happening,” agrees Ania.

The story of Llankelly Place itself stretches back well over a century. Originally little more than a dirt lane in the late 1800s, it served as a modest thoroughfare through the neighbourhood before being extended by the Municipal Council of Sydney in 1936 during a redevelopment that included the demolition of nearby Orwell House. Two years later the name was officially changed from Llankelly Lane to Llankelly Place, reflecting its Celtic and Welsh origins.

In the not-too-distant past the lane carried a rather different reputation, once associated with the “colourful” nightlife of the Cross. Yet like so much of Potts Point, it has gradually transformed into something altogether more welcoming – a pedestrian-only enclave now known for outdoor dining, coffee, bars and boutique hospitality, shaded by trees and marked by distinctive overhead light medallions designed by architect Peter McGregor.

And so while the area continues to evolve, it is a pleasure to see this small laneway flourish as such a positive and joyful pocket of the neighbourhood – a place that has become a destination in its own right while still adding its own thread to the broader tapestry of life in Potts Point.

By Adam Gibson 

Photo by Simone McAullay

https://www.salumerie.com.au/

Phone: (02) 9331 5341