After 29 years of serving Chinese-inspired food in Dunedin, the Asian restaurant in Moray Pl will close on May 26. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Anyone wanting a final meal at one of Dunedin's longest-running and most popular Asian restaurants might need to book ahead.

The Asian restaurant in Moray Pl will prepare its last meal on May 26 as the owners of 29 years, Kevin and Hong Juan Lee, start their retirement.

The building has been bought by commercial property management company NZ Moray Property Ltd, which also owns the commercial car-parking area behind the building.

Since the couple announced they were selling the business earlier this year, the restaurant had been full almost every night and Mrs Lee expected it would only get busier.

"Yes we're really busy at the moment. There are some families who have come each week and some people have cried they're so sad."

While she was looking forward to retirement, she would miss her regular customers.

"It is sad to be leaving and I will really miss all my customers so much, but you can't make your life longer."

NZ Moray Property Ltd general manager Mirko Harnisch said the company was still undecided about what it would do once it took over the property but it could involve a mixture of retail and hospitality.

The building would not be knocked down for car parking as rumours had suggested, Mr Harnisch said.

Until the company took over the building it would not be appropriate for him to speak about any potential plans, he said.