Sydney is no stranger to a good sandwich shop. But South Sydney is really flexing its muscle when it comes to serving up a good sanga. Kosta’s Takeaway opened its first outpost in Rockdale and now has a second in Circular Quay. Self Raised – which became an instant cult-favourite among locals – opened its first location in Carlton and just recently its second in Bexley North. 

And now we have a trendy new spot to tuck into. Say hello to Happy Alley, on Rockdale’s Bay Street. While the location is new, Happy Alley is not. Previously serving hungry locals sangas, signature cookies and sweet treats on their local commute out of a hole-in-the-wall shop in an alleyway near Rockdale Station, Happy Alley has been a go-to for south Sydneysiders since 2022. 

But its updated look and location is allowing the cafe to evolve. So what’s new? Going from 24 sqm to 150 sqm has granted Happy Alley the kitchen space to start baking its own in-house goods, like focaccia, roman pizzas, pinsa and pastries. It’s also baking its own bread for its sandwiches.  

Speaking of sandwiches, signatures like the Just Crispy – a hearty schnitzel sandwich that is set apart from the rest thanks to its generous serving of pickles paired and signature Happy Alley sauce – and the Alley Deli – where sweet beetroot relish cuts through generous layers of salty smoked beef, turkey and salami for a perfectly balanced bite – have returned to the menu. There’s also a veggie option, Parmi Melt, Not So Reuben and Smash Burger. 

Related story: No matter how you slice it, these are Sydney’s best sandwich shops 

The bigger space also means more options for the morning crowd. Breakfast is served from 7am – 11am and features an all-new spiced sausage and egg muffin, cheese melt, zaatar croissant, brekky burger, as well as bagels and ka’ak. 

And it goes without saying, Happy Alley’s freshly-baked cookies are also back. There are six to seven flavour options on offer daily from your classic choc-chip to daily specials like pandan. Happy Alley’s Bay Street location now offers cookie lovers the option to pair cookies with soft serve ice cream. 

Not only has the new space allowed for innovations in the kitchen to evolve, it also seats 26 diners and has a sprawling outdoor space surrounding it with park benches, umbrellas and vast space for the kids to burn off the cookie sugar high.

For parents trying to keep up with the kids, or adults simply needing a caffeine hit, Happy Alley have also created their own signature blend of coffee called Happy Brew. While Happy Alley has stayed true to what its customers loved about its original outpost, the new additions will keep you coming back for more. 

Happy Alley is located at 13 Bay St, Rockdale, NSW. For more information, visit happyalley.com.au

Related story: Ol’ Mates is the trusty sandwich shop that you can count on for great sangas