Now Open: Melbourne's The Happy Mexican Has Launched Its First Sydney Outpost Inside a Chippendale Stalwart

Good news, Sydneysiders — for the first time ever, you can enjoy The Happy Mexican's vibrant dishes without having to book a flight to Melbourne. Julian Romero's Melbourne-based restaurant is now taking up residence inside the iconic Lansdowne Hotel, slinging its coveted Mexican cuisine from Harbour City digs.

To celebrate its launch, the Sydney restaurant is doing a bunch of exciting giveaways, including slinging 500 free tacos and tequila shots across three huge days until Saturday, April 13, and dishing out $2 tacos for the entire month of April.

The eatery's Sydney home fits up to 500 guests and features dark, moody interiors with emerald green splashed across its walls. The historic charm of The Lansdowne, paired with live gigs and now vibrant Mexican fare, creates an inviting spot to hit up for great food and tunes.

The Happy Mexican's Head Chef, Jesus Rios, says he will be "serving up a spectrum of unique, authentic flavours straight from the heart of Mexico to Chippendale."

If you're wondering what'll be on offer at the first-ever Sydney spot, look no further. Keep an eye out for tacos galore, with the menu starring roasted chicken breast, marinated pork, beer-battered fish and its signature slow-cooked beef birria tacos, as well as excellent Mexican dishes like chilaquiles, calabacitas and nopales.

Rounding out the menu — which runs across both lunch and dinner service — is its famed Jalisco Birria-style quesabirrias with Oaxaca cheese. As for drinks, the plethora of cocktails available spans from piña coladas and palomas to variations of margaritas and mezcalitos, as well as beers on tap.

You'll find The Happy Mexican Sydney at 2-6 City Road inside The Lansdowne Hotel at Chippendale, open from 12—10pm from Wednesday–Saturday and 4–10pm on Sunday.