Llankelly Place is not a place: it’s a destination. Its sits comfortably in the fulcrum of Potts Point running parallel to Macleay Street. It’s only 240 metres long and is book-ended by Darlinghurst Road to its southeast and Orwell Street to is north.

The famous Metro theatre landmark faces it from the north.
Originally, Llankelly Place was a dirt laneway in 1890s but has evolved and been vivified to become a lively, Melbourne-style zone worth visiting for its own sake. Technically, it is still a road.

It now boasts a large art work, a sculptural installation, non fruit-bearing, shady plum trees, coffee shops, restaurants, a wine bar, art gallery, a home wares shop and a hairdresser.

Its vivid night-time light ‘medallions’ were designed by architect Peter McGregor. 

Visitors or locals could easily spend a day here enjoying the ambience.

A matrix of different outlets provides constant interest. KL Kitchen Restaurant, run by Peter and Jamie provides Malaysian and Chinese food in the Kuala Lumpur Style and can deliver it to your door on their e-bike. Laksa (noodle-based soup) is the most popular dish. “We love the interesting people,” they rush to say.

Philosphi hairdressing run by Shaun, with 30 years’ experience and training by Vidal Sassoon named his boutique as a reference to an ability to back up a theory with reality. He provides balayage styling (a French technique using hand-colouring) and offers a nail service as well. Its décor is chic with platted black leather and chrome chairs. He likes the pedestrianisation of Llankelly Place and his loyal customers.

Room Ten is a coffee lover’s delight. Grain salad with smoked trout is a popular dish. Orwells is also a coffee lounge with a difference. On the menu is Golden Latte, with ginger, pepper and honey, Ploughmans Lunch, with Orwell’s own bread, ham, Wakami imported from Tasmania, and pickles, or Bullet Proof coffee. Japanese Paintin provides black tonkatsu including black garlic and pork broth. David, an owner, really enjoys the mixture of people and outlets in this area. Boccone, with its rustic wooden tables and award-winning chef, includes signature pizzas and a rich mega-lasagna that dances on the tongue. Their Panna Cotta and berries is a party in your mouth.

Joseph Hyde is not just a person but is a food outlet named after Mr Jospeh Hyde Potts, an original inhabitant of Potts Point in the 1840s It is on one of many in Llankelly Place which are licenced. Ulrich, the owner, boasts his staff are super people-friendly. The locals agree with 90% return customers. The Little Italian Place, run by Frank is naturally, Italian and provides a personalised service. He loves the variety of people in the area. Linguine Boscialo is the most popular dish. Nest and Nectar a homewares shop is named because of its association with what we keep in our environment and what we enjoy. All gifts receive free gift wrapping and use artisan-based providers. Think clocks made from bike cogs and colourfully-lined shopping bags made from re-purposed coffee bean bags. Lou and Marie love the area.

Dear Saint Eloise capitalises on its location adjacent to its Orwell Street corner. In George Orwell’s famous book, Down and Out in London and Paris, the key character prays to Saint Eloise to provide food and drink using the preamble, “Dear Saint Eloise”. It’s cosy, intimate atmosphere oozes charm and warmth and is packed with enticing cocktails and interesting food

And no village is complete without an art gallery. Jo Holder’s Kings Cross Art Projects is the thinking person’s gallery with its modern instillations and minimalist ouvre. It exhibits contemporary works reflecting the multiple relationships between art and life, art and the public sphere, exploring the boundaries of this context. Besides exhibitions, it holds talks, walks and other events. And besides art, interests extend to urban planning, architecture and heritage.

Llankelly Place and its renaissance is unique to this area and to Sydney.

Andrew Woodhouse, Heritage Solutions