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A West Auckland eatery, praised by critics as “one of the loveliest cheap eats in town”, is set to close its doors less than three months after winning a best new restaurant award.

In a message posted to “dear friends and valued patrons”, Glendene’s Moe Palae’ Myanmar Restaurant announced its plans to cease business on December 22.

“We are deeply grateful for the love, laughter, and loyalty you’ve shown us.”

The Great North Rd eatery said the “current economic situation” was behind the shuttering.

The menu at Moe Palae has been described as a "mix of Chinese, Indian and Thai, with a few indigenous flourishes". Photos / Babiche Martens

Viva’s dining out editor Jesse Mulligan spotlighted the restaurant in October and said the hidden gem, which was opposite a cemetery, was “almost impossible to find” but worth hunting out.

“This menu is a real treat and a great chance to try a style of food you’ve probably never come across. Think of it as a mix of Chinese, Indian and Thai, with a few indigenous flourishes.”

Mulligan said the suburban restaurant had a “huge” menu that boasted “50 things I wanted to order, but for variety I chose what looked like Moe Palae’s signature rice noodles – served with shrimp, chicken, and a pretty moreish pan-fry sauce”.

Casting his verdict on the dish, Mulligan said that “for $20 it’s one of the loveliest cheap eats in town”.

Moe Palae’ won the Best New Restaurant at Metro Magazine’s Top 50 Restaurant Awards in September.

On its website, the restaurant outlines Myanmar’s cuisine as being as vibrant as its culture, “offering a symphony of bold, fresh flavours influenced by neighbouring Thailand, India and China. Meals emphasise balance, with dishes that are sweet, sour, spicy and savoury.”

Moe Palae’s head chef Hein Htet Aung won MasterChef Myanmar in 2023 and is quoted online as saying: “It’s not precise ingredients or recipes that make a perfect dish – it’s the passion behind every preparation that creates something truly great.”

Announcing the impending closure, the owners extended their gratitude “to our incredible team and every guest who dined with us: thank you for being part of our story”.

They also clarified they were not selling the business and hoped they would be able to return in the future, “stronger and sweeter”.