Top 5 Morristown Restaurant Picks

Realtors tend to eat out more than just about any profession (besides say food writers or attorneys). 

Why? Because we work untraditional hours, are always on the go, and are regularly meeting up with clients and business associates to talk shop.  That being said – you guessed it – I eat out a lot.  With that in mind, I thought I’d share my favorite places to dine out in Morristown.  So with no further adieu, I share with you my Top 5 favorite dining spots in Morristown.

1)      – Located off Morris Street nestled behind , literally in the path of Burger King’s drive-through lane, sits the quintessential Mom-and-Pop sushi restaurant owned by Charley Zhang and his wife Ivy.  Charley spent 20+ years working as a sous chef and chef with Hilton Hotels in Tokyo and Short Hills before opening Nara.  Ivy works the front of the house graciously and always with a smile.  Why I love it: This epitome of a “hole in the wall” opens into an atmosphere that is very calm and inviting with a dozen or so tables and a sushi bar.  The sushi in my opinion is the freshest in town, offering a nice selection of specialty rolls.  The udon is also fantastic but I simply can’t resist going back for the sushi time after time.  As this is a Mom-and-Pop restaurant, be prepared to wait for your order if it is a busy Friday or Saturday night – but as it is a BYOB, having a bottle of sake or a sixer of Asahi makes the time fly and spirits rise. .

2)      – Located in Headquarters Plaza, next to sister restaurants Ming II and the SM23 lounge that are also owned by the Mehtani restaurant group, Mehndi is a high-end Indian restaurant that offers a great dining experience when you are looking for a special night out.  The staff is professional yet warm and inviting at the same time.  The food is excellent and the restaurant offers a full bar that includes wine, specialty cocktails and even Indian beer.  Why I love it: Mehndi, which is the application of henna to hands and feet as a temporary skin decoration, is the theme that the restaurant carries throughout.  The atmosphere is sophisticated, adorned with chandeliers and art and artifacts that reflect the restaurant’s theme of Mehndi.  The smell of henna wafts through the restaurant as most nights the restaurant offers free henna to patrons, done by an onsite artist following your meal.  While Mehndi is usually reserved for special occasions in Indian culture like weddings and festivals, every night at Mehndi is made into a worthwhile occasion.  (If you don’t want to feel the pain to your wallet with several trips to Mehndi, I also highly recommend on Washington Street, ).

3)       – Every town needs a neighborhood bar and for me, it is “the Frog.”  Not to say that other places like the Grasshopper, Tashmoo, and Sona 13 aren’t great, they are, it is just that the Frog is my go-to joint.  Located right on Washington Street the large restaurant is what the Friday’s and Applebee’s of the world strive to be but never deliver on.  Why the Frog is different is that the food tastes great and is made fresh.  There is something for everyone and deals like $11 surf or turf night – either Fish and Chips or Prime Rib can’t be beat.  The bar has live entertainment on weekends and there is always a great crowd.  If you are a member of Jersey Club Sports or if you make it to the bar during happy hour the drink and appetizers specials are fantastic.  Why I love it:  I love the Frog because you can feel like the proverbial Norm from Cheers; you will always find someone that knows your name.  The game room with shuffle board, darts and foosball, and the occasional beer pong game keeps a fun and always lively atmosphere.  The staff is always solid and the food is definitely above par for your local-neighborhood bar. 

4)      – Morristown’s own slice of Havana is Cha Cha Cha Cuban Bistro located right on Washington Street.  Having eaten at Cha Cha Cha several times both through take-out and sit-down, I have yet to eat something that I didn’t love.  I’m no Cuban dining aficionado but the food tastes authentic and delicious.  I recommend that any newbie give their sampler appetizers a whirl – you won’t be disappointed.  The tiny little restaurant has a shabby-chic interior that is adorned with old photos and Cuban art.  Coming with a group of friends makes for a great dining experience as long as you are smart enough to get a table before the place is packed.  Why I love it:  If you bring your own wine (red or white), they will make you sangria, which is as delicious as it is dangerous because the wine goes down all too easy.  With great food and good drinks and a great atmosphere, you can’t go wrong. 

5)       – Origins gets some mixed reviews online, but I personally have always had a great dining experience there.  The French-Thai fusion restaurant has a hip interior on two-floors of dining space.  The menu is very large and diverse, and there are nightly specials to boot.  As it is a BYO, you can help keep the bill down if you are with a large group.  The restaurant is always filled on weekend, which is always a sign of a good establishment. Why I love it:  For a lot of reasons but the two biggest are the Royal Massaman Curry that is prepared with coconut milk, tamarind, peanuts and avocados with choice of chicken, beef or shrimp (personally I think shrimp is the way to go) and Sweet Sticky Rice Topped with Fresh Mango.  I am not sure what is in the sticky rice but I am pretty sure it should be illegal. 

Without a doubt, there are a ton of other fantastic restaurants in Morristown.  Frankly, this blog post would be far too long to list them all.  You might not agree that my picks are the best in town, but for me, they are the ones I just keep heading back to.  Knowing there are many foodies just like me in town, I’ll sign off by asking my fellow Morristownians: what are your favorite places to dine in Morristown?