The Happy Yard

Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

A yard with the trees left in.

Off Durgam Cheruvu Road, past a slatted wall that lights up gold at dusk, the roof stops and a courtyard begins. Rain trees and palms come up through the deck. Tables in green marble sit under them. There is a bar along one side and a projection wall along the other, and on a Friday both are busy.

  • 4.5 from 514 reviews on Google
  • South Indian · North Indian · Continental · Chinese
  • Open daily from noon
01

The yard

Most of the seating has no ceiling over it. The trees were there first and the deck was cut around them, so you eat under branches rather than under a pergola pretending to be branches. Above the yard there is a covered room in glass and timber for when Hyderabad decides otherwise.

The yard after dark, palms lit from below, the logo glowing on the wall.
The yard after dark, palms lit from below, the logo glowing on the wall.Photograph: Nikhila Kiranmai
02

The kitchen

Two menus that refuse to stay apart. Karimnagar chicken wings and Golichina Mamsam on one page; butter chicken pasta and palak pesto on the next. Dosa comes folded as a taco and filled with mutton kheema. Haleem arrives in a shot glass.

A dal with a dried chilli, crisp fried fish and papad alongside.
A dal with a dried chilli, crisp fried fish and papad alongside.Photograph: Zomato guest photo
03

The bar

Fifteen house cocktails with names that read like group-chat messages — Mixed Signals, The Green Flag, Hyderabad's Plot Twist. Behind them, draught beer, six single malts, mezcal, and a wine list that runs Sula to Chandon.

The bar counter and its shelving, seating in front of it.
The bar counter and its shelving, seating in front of it.Photograph: Zomato guest photo
04

The screen

A projection wall facing the open seating. Google's listing flags the venue as good for watching sports and for live music, and the photographs show a full yard in front of a lit screen after dark.

Round tables facing the outdoor projection screen, palms behind it.
Round tables facing the outdoor projection screen, palms behind it.Photograph: Hyderabad Stories

Off the card

What comes out of the kitchen

The section names are the venue's own, straight off the card.

Bar Bites

The small end of the card — what arrives first.

Veg

  • Mysore Bonda
  • Pachi Pulusu Pani Puri
  • Watermelon Chaat
  • Crunchy Papaya Chaat
  • Podi Idli

Chicken

  • Andhra Chilli Chicken Spring Rolls

Appetisers

Veg

  • Onion Kaju Pakodi
  • Crispy Corn
  • Veg Machurian
  • Mushroom — Salt & Pepper / 65 / Chilli
  • Tandoori Achari Aloo

Egg

  • Masala Omelette
  • Egg — Salt & Pepper / 65 / Chilli
  • Anda Podi Ghee Roast
  • Hyderabadi Ande Khagina

Dosa Taco

A dosa, folded and filled. One of four ways.

Veg

  • Mixed Veggies

Egg

  • Egg Masala

The whole card

Happy Twists

Fifteen drinks with opinions

Mixed SignalsGin, Lychee, Elderflower, Ginger Ale, Blue Pea Iced Tea
A Cool StoryGin, Cucumber, Basil, Tonic Water
PunchnamaGin, Jaggery, Tamarind, Coriander, Chilli
Main CharacterGin, Vodka, Campari, Orange Marmalade, Basil
Gossip GardenTequila, Sparkling Wine, Peach, Passion Fruit, Grapefruit
Pa-Rum-ParaWhite Rum, Gulkand, Betel Leaves, Pineapple

The pinboard

The yard, as guests shot it

Empty tables and chairs across the open yard in daylight, trees overhead.
Empty tables and chairs across the open yard in daylight, trees overhead.
The covered upper room in glass and timber, plants along the window wall.
The covered upper room in glass and timber, plants along the window wall.
Podi idli and cutlets arranged around two chutneys in a wide bowl.
Podi idli and cutlets arranged around two chutneys in a wide bowl.
A cane-backed table for four beside a planted bed.
A cane-backed table for four beside a planted bed.
A full yard at night watching the lit screen through the branches.
A full yard at night watching the lit screen through the branches.
Crab shells filled with a red masala on a banana leaf.
Crab shells filled with a red masala on a banana leaf.

All the pictures