We ordered deep fried chicken. Satay chicken. Chicken chow mein. Salt and pepper squid. Fillet steak in chinese sauce. Curry chicken and a few extra soups and for dessert we tried the banana fritters and deep fried icecream.. we had 5 kids with us and they all tried and liked everything.. great food great and friendly service. Will be back
I have been going to Happy's for many, many years. First time was in the early 80's. I have never had a meal that I didn't like, the service is always wonderful. The price is affordable and great value for money! I would highly recommend this family run business to any of my friends. Oh and you must try the salt and pepper whitebait!!!
Very nice restaurant in the heart of Canberra mine host and staff wonderful. Excellent food great range of food on menu Bring your own or have at restaurant. Great staff
I’m always looking for good asian food and this place totally satisfy my taste buds. I always order noodles here cause I love their noodles. But their sweet and sour pork is quite good too.
Warning, you need to make your way down around two flights of stairs to get to this basement restaurant. Inside is a very dim lit but quaint gem. Apparently it is Canberra's first Chinese restaurant and has a big menu to offer. I was pleased with both the meals I tried but a special shout out to their Char Kway Teow. I've had a lot of this dish and this was definitely a stand out for me. Service was attentive fast and very friendly!
Finally got around to going to Happy's Chinese restaurant. The entrance is not inviting, and the restaurant is situated in the basement. Once you get past this oddity, the actual restaurant is quite homely and cosy (with a lot of 'character').
Table service is efficient. We tried the prawn toast (superb), chicken and pineapple fried rice (nothing spectacular), sizzling prawn in black pepper sauce (quite delicious) and spicy Mongolian chicken (not spicy at all, actually quite sweet).Lemon lime bitter was ok.
Overall, a pleasant evening, palatable food and the given the time this restaurant has been around, they are obviously doing something right.
We came, we saw and I conquered a beautiful banquet. I really enjoyed our meal here and it is very good for what it is, which is a simple family oriented Chinese restaurant.
OK, call me conventional but I absolutely loved the spring rolls, (fat and flavoursome), the sweet and sour pork and the lemon chicken. The meals were delivered quickly and were very generous in their portion size. By the way, this place also has reasonable prices, which helps.
I can imagine that many Canberrans' have visited this restaurant, as it seems to be somewhat iconic. If you want a good, cheap yet satisfying meal, check it out.
Yuuuum! I highly recommend the sizzling duck with plum sauce. We ordered a couple of other dishes that were good too. The very busy restaurant reflects its high quality food and service.
We have been regulars at Happy's for almost 10 years. It's a great spot -- cheap, cheerful and the food is fantastic. One of Canberra's oldest restaurants, I don't think you're a proper local till you've been here! Usually packed by 7.00 or 7.30, it's a good mix of families, students, workmates etc. Loud and unfussy, but the prawn toast is unbeatable.
This was a terrific little Chinese restaurant hidden within Canberra's 'underground' CBD. We were 2 families with young children on a Monday night in mid January and whilst staff were a little under resourced they accommodated for us with great service. All the classic Chinese dishes served up and the kids loved it!
Mr Shawn & Miss Chicken
+5
Salt, pepper and Tsingtao at Happy's Restaurant, a Canberra eating institution feeding our nation's leaders since 1962. Happy's Restaurant is in Garema Place, Civic. This strange brick pavement arcade in the centre of Civic hasn't changed much in the many years since DAAS busked there, though the drug selling ferals seem to have shifted on. While there's a few new hipster style joints, Happy's still just looks so gloriously daggy, so old school Strayan. We just had to go in.
‘J’ and I have just moved into Inner North very close to Civic and we have eagerly begun to explore the many restaurants in our new realm. Wanting Chinese, we headed over to Happy’s in Garema Place. According to their website, they’ve been operating since 1962. This probably contributes to the old-school Chinatown feel of the entrance that drew me in. You enter through a door leading to a dodgy looking staircase (close the door behind you or it slams! We learned the hard way.) The interior feels a bit cramped and dated but that just seems to add to the authenticity. It didn’t seem to bother all the full tables, including two large parties of at least 10 each.
Take a walk to the north west of Garema place and you'll find a small staircase; go up and you'll find yourself at a hip whiskey bar called Hippo and Co.; Go down and you'll find Happy's Chinese restaurant. This is somewhat an iconic restaurant that has been around for a long time.
You'll be treated by friendly staff that is of a family run business style. The restaurant is not huge in area, however manages to fit in many sizes of tables including several that will seat 10 peeps.
The menu is extensive and there is over a page dedicated to the chef's specials. Fried aubergine (eggplant) with rock salt is a delight with that crunch on the outside and a soft delicate interior. Tofu with pork mince, mushrooms and vegetables are also a good choice. There are many options to go through.
There isn't a big dessert menu, just the basic banana fritters and ice cream, and the likes.
Prices are reasonable and you'll be rather satisfied. Worth a visit
One of the best Chinese restaurants in Canberra. Must try fillet steak, soooooo good!
Authentic Chinese comfort food - old school style. I absolutely loved it - dishes were fresh and flavoursome without being too oily or MSG-laden like other places. My meal felt nutritious and comfortable in the stomach, and I can't wait to return.
So glad we found this restaurant on our trip to Canberra. Amazing food, Amazing service. We booked again for the following night it was that good. Sign at the front says its been around since 1962 and I can see why. Must try.
I love this restaurant. Staffs are nice and friendly, food is delicious. The food is real Canton style and reminded me back my home's food that I always eat. If I come to Canberra again, I probably will eat here again.
Celebrated Chinese New Year at Happy's! It's our first time to dine and the experience was worth it! Quick service and the food was great! Good choice to have the fried chicken in lemon sauce, seafood combination fried rice noodles (which is really big and filled with seafood meat) and the beef with ginger and shallots. Indeed, a Happy Chinese New Year for us!
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