It's impossible to pigeonhole Potts Point. The art deco architecture and decadent mansions have you feeling like you've stepped back in time. And the buzzing galleries, cafes, wine bars, theatres and clubs, all packed with the city's best artistic talents, will transport you to the creative pockets of foreign cities like London's Soho or NYC's Greenwich Village. But then, you'll catch an exhilarating glimpse of the harbour and you're reminded that you are, in fact, in Sydney. One thing's for certain: time spent in this area is never time wasted. The locals are friendly (and intensely passionate about the suburb they call home), the dining is top-tier and the creativity is palpable. To help you explore more of this part of Sydney, we teamed up with City of Sydney to ask Concrete Playground readers what businesses they love to visit and support around Potts Point and Woolloomooloo.
Read on to discover some of the most popular picks to visit during the day. Then, flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do once the sun goes down.
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Lactose-intolerant readers, look away. This little fromagerie is the closest you’ll get to cheese heaven. It was recommended by Concrete Playground reader @emmajoy_e, who said, “Penny’s Cheese Shop has all the stinky goodness for my cravings — and a coveted toastie.”
Step inside this unassuming corner store and you’ll be greeted with every type of creamy, funky and hard cheese you’ve heard of — and plenty more you haven’t. Owner Penny Lawson, a self-confessed “curd nerd”, is on hand to help you find your new favourite Aussie or international cheese. To pair with said cheese is a range of local produce, like honey from the Blue Mountains and bread from Pyrmont’s Pioik Bakery. The latter is also used to make the aforementioned toasties, which may just be some of the best in the city.
Image: Kimberley Low.
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Specialty stores abound in Potts Point, and honing the craft of coffee is Dan Kim. Kim is the owner of Primary Coffee Roasters, which was recommended by CP reader Carlie Beer. Kim opened the Ward Avenue shop in 2017 after putting in time at Brewtown Newtown and Heritage Coffee Brewers.
The focus here is firmly on making the perfect cuppa joe. Limited bites are available — just a small selection of pastries from Leichhardt’s Penny Fours. This minimalist approach translates to the space, too, which has a stripped-back palette of concrete, white and timber, plus a handful of seats. As well as serving up great lattes and custom roasts, Primary is also a big supporter of The Umuvumu Project, which raises money to support children of coffee farming families in Rwanda.
Images: Cassandra Hannagan.
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Recommended by two Concrete Playground readers — @caulm_howe and @sonia_scorp — Joseph Hyde is a much-loved cafe in the heart of Potts Post. Well before the outdoor dining initiatives were implemented, Joseph Hyde had tables and chairs spilling out onto Llankelly Place. So, while you’re welcome to grab a sandwich or coffee to go, the laneway’s general hubbub and people- and dog-watching opportunities will make it worth staying a while.
Owned by Potts Point local Lou Hunt, Joseph Hyde offers up hearty cafe fare. And it’s all incredibly dietary requirement-friendly — think sautéed mushrooms with house-made ricotta; a falafel bowl with hummus, sauerkraut and savoury granola; and a roast veggie sandwich with olive tapenade and goats cheese. And the best part? The venue is licensed, so you can swap your latte for a bloody mary and while the morning away in style.
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The Applejack Hospitality group has a knack for delivering venues that you want to stay all day in, including SoCal (Neutral Bay), The Botanist (Kirribilli) and a recently revived Forrester’s (Surry Hills). And, of course, The Butler, as recommended by CP reader @ally_brown88.
There are a few reasons for why you could easily lose hours at this hidden Potts Point gem. The first is the decor — foliage, wicker furniture and botanical wallpaper make it feel like a true oasis. The second is the extensive cocktail menu which utilises native ingredients like lemon myrtle and strawberry shrub. The food menu has an Ibero-American influence — think empanadas, tacos and lamb barbacoa. And, perhaps most importantly, the view from the terrace of Sydney’s CBD skyline. It’s quite the spot to be to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand.
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Sunday has only been open since December 2020 and it’s already made an impression. Suggested by CP reader @jrhemsworth, the Potts Point rotisserie restaurant is the newest venture for Belles Hot Chicken’s Morgan McGlone. It’s an homage to traditional family meals on Sundays where a roast chook is the protein of choice. It’s served with all the classic trimmings, like lemon thyme-roasted spuds and coleslaw.
Not up for sharing? There’s a chicken schnitzel burger, Creole-style chicken wings with burnt chilli aoili and a panko-crumbed fish roll. To finish, there’s a Rivareno Gelato ice cream sandwich with bourbon chocolate sauce. Keen to add it to your must-try list? The good news is, despite its name, it’s open for lunch and dinner every day of the week.