Chinta Ria moving to Double Bay, minus the giant Buddha

Chinta Ria's signature giant Buddha will go into storage, with the Cockle Bay restaurant closing mid-October.

Owner Simon Goh says he was unable to reach agreement on a new lease so he'll relocate Chinta Ria to Double Bay.

"I've taken a site next door to the new place in Double Bay [Chinta Kechil], where we'll open a vintage jazz room in October. The menu will come across," he says.

Goh says the giant cement and styrofoam Buddha, which was made by a sculptor in Melbourne, had its challenges.

Shipping it wasn't easy, and the restaurateur says the centrepiece takes up the space of about four tables in a restaurant.

Regardless, he hopes to find a new home for it in the future.