An iconic Arizona restaurant has served its final meals after more than eight decades in business. New Garden Restaurant, one of Phoenix’s oldest Chinese restaurants, closed its doors October 27, ending an 84-year run that made it a longtime fixture of the city’s dining scene.
New Garden Restaurant closes after 84 years
Located at 823 S. Central Ave. in Phoenix, New Garden Restaurant first opened in 1942. Founded by Kam Yee Tse, who was also known as Mary, the restaurant became a gathering place for generations of local families.
The restaurant announced its impending closure in October, posting a notice on its door that cited the difficult decision to permanently shut down. The announcement prompted an outpouring of support from longtime customers, with some reportedly waiting more than an hour during busy periods to enjoy one final meal.
New Garden was particularly known for its Americanized Cantonese dishes, including chop suey, chow mein, pork noodles, and oversized egg rolls. Its menu remained largely consistent over the decades, helping establish a loyal customer base.
Family ownership spans generations
Tse eventually passed the restaurant to family members in the 1980s. It changed hands again in 1985, when Bill Kwan and his father purchased the business. The restaurant was later sold to its most recent owners in 2015.
According to reporting by The Arizona Republic, the current owners decided to sell because of health concerns and the physical demands of operating the restaurant as they got older. The decision was not attributed to declining business.
The owners had hoped to find someone willing to take over the restaurant and preserve its legacy. However, the closure ultimately went ahead.
A piece of Phoenix dining history comes to an end
New Garden’s departure marks the loss of an important piece of Phoenix’s historic Chinatown, which was once concentrated south of downtown. The neighborhood’s Chinese restaurant community has gradually diminished over the years, making New Garden one of the last remaining reminders of that history.
The restaurant’s closure also follows several other longtime Phoenix-area restaurant departures in 2026, including Café Lalibela, which closed after 30 years, and Scott’s Generations, which ended its 37-year run.
For longtime customers, New Garden’s closing means saying goodbye to more than a restaurant. It marks the end of a family-run establishment that served generations of Phoenix residents since 1942.
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