Happiness Inn

Located in the city centre, Happiness Inn opened its door 50 years ago and is still one of the best oriental restaurants in Newcastle. In fact, just ask any locals to recommend a Chinese restaurant and they are bound to answer with a smile: Happiness Inn. 

It boasts over 60 Chinese dishes, covering Cantonese food, Sichuan food and Dongbei food, including starters, main courses and desserts.

This is a lovely restaurant, quiet and well decorated. The beautiful pictures on the walls make you feel as if you have been invited into their home. The staff members all have great personalities and get on really well with anyone who steps through the door.  Chefs here follow old recipes, MSG-free, minimising salt and oil for a natural and healthy take on Oriental food.

Daniel, a 25-year-old teacher, said: “I have been to this restaurant since I was 7 or 8 years old and I still love to go. The food here is always the best”

Spare ribs in black bean sauce 粉蒸排骨)                            Har-Kauw (shrimp dumplings 虾饺)

I strongly recommend you try the home-made Dim Sum. Dim Sum is a type of Cantonese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions and served up in small steamer baskets or on small plates. The Dim Sum here not defrosted rubbish but made freshly on the premises. Try the Sui-Mai (pork and shrimp dumplings 烧麦), Won-Ton (馄饨), Har-Kauw (shrimp dumplings 虾饺) and of course the Cheung-Fan (rice noodle wraps 拉肠粉). The salt and pepper king prawns or the Kung-Pow Chicken (宫保鸡丁) are also outstanding.

Whatever your choice, Happiness Inn is worth a lunchtime visit, if you would like to taste some real Chinese dishes.