Happy Panda

Tucked away inside The Blind Bear, you’ll find one of Cronulla’s best kept secrets in the form of Happy Panda. This speakeasy is a unique Asian fusion cocktail and dumpling bar that serves up delectable housemade dumplings, bao and dim sum packed with flavour. Combining classic Chinese cooking techniques with Australian influences makes for some truly outstanding dishes that will have you coming back time, and time again. Set against decor featuring rich wooden textures and rusted Asian lattice with bamboo finishes and Chinese wallpaper, this dumpling den is a must-try! Whether it’s for a fill of dumplings or several cocktails, you’ll be one Happy Panda after dining at this secret Sydney spot.

Not only does the food showcase the best of Chinese and Asian fusion cuisines, but Sydney’s Happy Panda’s cocktail list goes one step further in translating the unique and intoxicating flavours this cuisine is famous for. Some of our favourite Happy Panda cocktails include the yuzu margarita made with tequila, yuzu juice, marmalade and sichuan pepper; mandarin and ginger sidecar with Hennessy and Sloe gin shaken with fresh lemon, mandarin and candied and pickled ginger and the red bean old fashioned made with sesame-infused rye whiskey, red bean syrup and Angostura bitters.

To go alongside, you won’t be able to resist the dishes on offer at Happy Panda, if you’re anything like us and can’t say no to anything Chinese. Kick things off at this Cronulla local secret with some loaded duck fries covered in hoisin and duck gravy then topped with shallots and cucumber, and some karage chicken that’s deep-fried and served with yuzu mayo. Following on, select from steamed or fried dumplings with fillings like spicy prawn, mushroom. Mongolian lamb, kimchi and ricke and chicken and bacon shumai. Or, if a bao catches your eye, try your luck with the Peking duck trio or sweet and sour tofu slider. Happy Panda also offers a gluten-free menu so everyone is more than catered for at this Sydney foodie favourite. Located on Cronulla Street, in the heart of Cronulla, do yourself a favour and reserve a table – you won’t be disappointed!