Students' favourite kebab shop shuts after 76 years
The Gardenia first traded in 1949, but opened in its current form in the 1990s
- Published
A 76-year-old kebab shop, loved by Stephen Fry and Michael Portillo, has closed for good, according to the landlord.
The Gardenia, known colloquially as Gardies, had been a favourite Cambridge city centre haunt for students and locals since 1949.
Like Lent Bumps, May balls, and missing Monday lectures, a late-night trip to the Greek takeaway on Rose Crescent was considered a rite of passage.
Gonville and Caius, the Cambridge University college which owns the building, told the BBC that Gardies had shut, adding that it needed extensive repairs and refurbishment.
The restaurant's wall of Polaroid photographs showed the whole breadth of student life. Greasy pictures with peeling corners captured failed flings and Boat Race blues.
For Daisy Cox, a Cambridge alumna who spent a year living above the shop, the closure was a "tragedy".
"It was a hub of student interaction - a wonderful place where people came together — especially after club nights when you could get your photo taken and put up on the wall," she said.
"People of all generations knew about it. My uncle who went to Cambridge 20 years ago told me stories about it. It's really sad it has gone."
Daisy Cox lived above The Gardenia when she was a student
It is unclear why the restaurant has closed, but documents on Companies House show accounts overdue, external.
As landlord, Gonville and Cauis College confirmed: "The Gardenia Restaurant has closed.
"There will be no new occupants until at least late 2026.
"A building survey has determined that the premises must close for around one year for extensive repairs and refurbishment."
In 2004, Gardies was saved from closure after over 8,000 people, including ex-Cambridge students Fry and Portillo, signed a petition.
Speaking at the time, the restaurant's owner, Vassilus Anastasiou, said: "It's great news.
"There was a lot of support from the students and the local community and as far as I'm concerned local opinion won this time, which isn't always the case.
"I'm overwhelmed with the interest from people; there's been so much support."
BBC News was unable to reach The Gardenia for comment.
Gonville and Caius College (pictured) owns much of Rose Crescent, which is off Cambridge's Market Square
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