Golden Temple, the retro Chinese restaurant that helped define Brookline’s Washington Square for generations, has shut its doors after 66 years. Regulars say the spot long served as a neighborhood standby for late-night meals, family dinners and holiday crowds. The owners shared the news on the restaurant’s social channels and did not offer a reason for the closure.
As reported by WCVB, the restaurant posted a brief announcement on its social pages confirming that the Washington Square location had closed, without providing further details.
Golden Temple's Place In Washington Square
Golden Temple sat on Beacon Street near the Green Line and was widely remembered as a large, old-school Chinese dining room with a separate bar area. According to Golden Temple's website and local listings, the restaurant hosted late-night DJ nights and maintained an extensive Cantonese and Hong Kong-style menu for decades. For many patrons, the combination of retro decor, large portions and late hours made it a go-to for both celebrations and post-show meals.
Neighbors Remember
After the announcement, neighbors and former customers began sharing memories online, with a Brookline subreddit thread gathering stories about the restaurant’s role in neighborhood nightlife and holiday rituals. Commenters recalled everything from Christmas Eve crowds to wedding dinners held in the dining room. The reactions on social platforms echoed years of reviews that praised Golden Temple’s atmosphere and old-school menu.
The owners have not specified a reason for the shutdown, and it remains unclear whether the closure is permanent. The announcement was short and offered no timetable or next steps, leaving neighbors and longtime regulars waiting for more information from the proprietors or the property owner.
