Happy’s Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

From the reviews that I had read, I was expecting something a little haphazard but rewarding. This place is pretty woeful. I had heard that it was a rough around the edges, and that is the kind of place I like, I was hoping for something like Thy Thy in Melbourne. We sat down, and within about two minutes, we were being pushed to order. I asked for a couple of minutes to think, and in no time the same waiter was back. We felt pushed from the moment we entered.

This is a basement restaurant is old style, tacky, but great. You have to head down the stairs to find it. It looks as though some parts have not been touched since the 1970's. But the way the food comes out, you know what you are getting.

We ordered the Happy Spring Rolls. In less than a minute these deep fried entrees arrived. Followed by the Special Fried Rice and Chicken Curry which came out in less than 1 minute later. A few minutes later the Lemon Chicken arrived.

At the speed the dishes came, it was clear they were just slopped on a plate from a pre-cooked pot. The spring rolls were average at best, and not served with lettuce or mint. The fried rice was bland, and had 1 prawn. The chicken curry was a watery with celery, carrot and onion, and you could still feel the curry power in your mouth. The Lemon Chicken was actually really good. But in all honesty, this food was of lesser quality of that which would be served up at your average food court at a busy lunchtime rush. As we were still eating were were asked if we were finished.

Watching the manager stand at the till counting money was not a good look. I would not recommend this place and would not go back if I...

I have lived in Canberra for 7 years and occasionally come here to eat, but today was very unpleasant. My mother and I ordered food and tea, and when we were halfway through our meal, a waiter asked if he could clear the plates. I clearly said I was not finished. Shortly after, I noticed several staff members standing at the front discussing the heavy rain outside, so I continued eating while discussing with my mother how to get home, as we live far away and didn’t have umbrellas. During these few minutes, another staff member came again to ask if she could take our plates. Although she smiled, we felt very offended. At that time, the restaurant had only 4-5 tables occupied, with about two-thirds of the seats empty. We were eating at a normal pace, yet within a few minutes we were asked twice about clearing plates that still clearly had food. In Chinese culture, this is generally understood as being rushed out. Moreover, it was still raining outside, and I dislike leaving food unfinished, both out of respect and to avoid wasting money. I have never experienced this kind of service at any restaurant in Australia. From entering to paying the bill, the meal took about an hour, and we spent nearly AUD 70. While the cost is not high, the experience felt more like fast food and created unnecessary pressure. I do not plan to visit again, and I would advise friends and others reading this review to take note of...

Nostalgic retro basement Aussie Canto-Chinese restaurant in Canberra. This place has been operating since the 1960s and owned by the same family which these days is becoming super rare. The place was packed at 6pm on a cold winter Sunday night. The staff were lovely, efficient and friendly.

We ordered Sizzling Mongolian Beef ($28), Chinese BBQ Pork in Plum sauce ($24) and a large fried rice ($13). Despite being so bust the kitchen was pumping out the meals in record time. We didn't wait long for our food and were shocked at the enormous portion sizes! We did our best but didn't come close to finishing. Fried rice - great inclusion of prawns, bbq pork. The BBQ pork in plum sauce was tasty, sweet and had onions and carrots. So much pork! The sizzling Mongolian Beef had so much beef and accompained with onions. Tasty and good char from the hot plate.

Cool retro interior and a nice full wall mural of the Great Wall and love the wooden panelling.

If you are visiting Canberra for the weekend check this special restaurant out, you won't be disappointed and you will leave 'Happy' with very full stomachs!

Street parking near impossible (as we discovered making us late for our reservations) park at the Canberra Centre shopping centre parking and walk across...