In recent years, Morristown has turned its long downtown thoroughfare (South Street, extending past the Morristown Green to Washington Street), from a scattering of small shops and minor eateries into one of the most vibrant Restaurant Rows in northern New Jersey. Its craft beer scene is a strong point. Add the rest of downtown, and your choice of cuisines, price points and atmospheres are multiplied. Here are our 16 top picks for the best restaurants in Morristown, in alphabetical order.
Blue Morel
Sea bass at Blue Morel. Courtesy of Blue Morel
Located in the Westin Governor Morris Hotel, the upscale Blue Morel is about a mile from the Morristown Green, the park that represents the center of town, but has plenty of parking and a veteran kitchen team led by chefs Dennis Matthews and Thomas Ciszak. The dinner menu is largely New American, with a sushi section and raw bar.
2 Whippany Road, 973-451-2619; Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily
Committed Pig
Pork roll sandwich with waffle fries. Photo courtesy of the Committed Pig
Burgers rule at the Committed Pig—there are a dozen to choose from. Also popular are the grilled cheese sandwiches, egg dishes, pancakes, pork roll sandwiches and a kids menu.
28 West Park Place, 862-260-9292; Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, daily; BYO
Famished Frog
Chicken taco flatbread. Courtesy of the Famished Frog
This craft beer bar, with live music Fridays and Saturdays, offers burgers, flatbreads, wings, salads, entrées and daily specials. It adjoins with Hops, which offers an even wider selection of craft beers along with a smaller menu.
18 Washington Street, 973-540-9601; Open for lunch and dinner, daily
Grasshopper off the Green
A classic Irish pub, Grasshopper off the Green has a bar and flatscreens downstairs and a dining room upstairs. Menu highlights include shepherd’s pie, bangers & mash, fish & chips, plus quesadillas, salads and American dishes.
41-43 Morris Street, 973-285-5150; Open for lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner, daily: brunch, Sat-Sun
Photo by Laura Moss
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
Occupying the renovated 1918 Vail Mansion, Jockey Hollow has made New Jersey Monthly’s list of Best Restaurants every year since it opened in 2014. Under chef Craig Polignano, who came aboard in 2017, the four separate dining spaces, each with their own ambience, have reached new levels of excellence, especially the upstairs dining room, daPesca, devoted to seafood. Overall, the menu is New American with a specialty in exceptional pastas. The wine and beer lists offer unusual value and variety, and cocktails are excellent.
110 South Street, 973-644-3180; Open for lunch, Tues-Fri; dinner, Tues-Sun; brunch, Sun (varies by room)
Inspiration Roll
Bowl of ramen. Photo courtesy of Inspiration Roll
Fresh ingredients, with many choices of add-ons, characterize this casual spot offering poke bowls (fish over rice or salad) or poke burritos, as well as unusually good ramen bowls brimming with rich broth, high-quality noodles and generous amounts of meat and vegetables.
40 South Park Place, 973-998-9449; Open for lunch and dinner, daily; BYO
Mehndi
The lunch buffet at Mehndi. Photo courtesy of the Mehtani Restaurant Group.
The Mehtani family, award-winning restaurateurs, present a high-quality Indian a la carte menu and a lunch buffet at Mehndi in the Headquarters Plaza Building.
3 Speedwell Avenue, 973-871-2323; Open for lunch and dinner, Tues-Sun
Check out our other town dining guides:
The 20 Best Restaurants in Montclair
The 16 Best Restaurants in Princeton
The Office Tavern Grill
Maple and chili glazed salmon, parsnip puree, apple and fennel relish. Photo courtesy of The Office Tavern Grill
A large craft beer selection is one of the draws at the handsomely redesigned restaurant (formerly the Office Beer Bar & Grill). There are excellent salads and a solid menu of American favorites, from burgers to flatbreads, wings, entrées and changing regional specialties.
3 South Street, 973-285-0220; Open for lunch and dinner, daily; brunch, Sat-Sun
Pierogies House
Potato pancakes. Photo courtesy of Pierogies House
Chef/owner Evelina Berc brings the hearty and affordable cooking of Poland, her home country, to soul-stirring life at Pierogies House. The plump pierogies, with a variety of filings, are the heart of the small menu. But the kielbasa is unusually good and the hearty soups are not to be missed.
45 Morris Street, 973-432-8270; Open for lunch and dinner, daily; BYO
Roots Steakhouse
Spicy barbecue baby back pork ribs. Photo courtesy of Roots Steakhouse
Like its sister restaurants in Ridgewood and Summit, Morristown’s Roots is an upscale enclave specializing in prime beef, including dry-aged cuts. There’s also seafood entrées and a bevy of classic steakhouse sides.
40 West Park Place, 973-326-1800; Open for lunch and dinner, daily
SM23
Cocktails at SM23. Photo courtesy of SM23
Having met an inspirational mixologist on a trip to Australia, Shaun Mehtani opened this sophisticated bar and lounge, with a good small plates menu, on his 23rd birthday. Hence the name, SM23. A DJ spins tunes on weekends.
3 Speedwell Avenue, 973-871-2323; Open for dinner, daily
South + Pine
Seasonal salmon dish. Photo courtesy of South + Pine
A Bobby Flay protégé, who ran several of his top kitchens, chef Leia Gaccione has proven herself a star in her own right with this casual American eatery where the food is relatable, affordable and always touched with imagination and detail that lifts it into super-deliciousness.
90 South Street, 862-260-9700; Open for lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner, daily; brunch, Sat-Sun; BYO
Stirling Tavern
Pan-seared scallops with Thai coconut black rice. Photo courtesy of Stirling Tavern
From the owners of the landmark Stirling Hotel, the Stirling Tavern offers upscale tavern food and excellent burgers in a vibrant, modern space. The bar boasts a creative cocktail menu and a relevant draft list, with local breweries that are often hosted for special beer dinner events.
150 South Street, 973-993-8066; Open for lunch and dinner, daily.
Tashmoo
Opened in 2006, at the beginning of Morristown’s restaurant renaissance, Tashmoo offers a well-stocked bar, a bevy of craft beers, excellent burgers, a menu of American favorites and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
8 Dehart Street, 973-998-6133; Open for lunch and dinner, daily
TOWN Bar + Kitchen
Grilled Octopus is served with salsa brava, roasted new potatoes, piquillo peppers and a ‘nduja aioli. Photo courtesy of TOWN Bar + Kitchen
Slightly off the beaten path, opposite the Morristown train station, this sleek, comfortable, two-level restaurant offers contemporary American fare and an extensive wine list. The dinner menu includes raw bar, charcuterie plates and a range of entrees, including potato gnocchi with pesto, lobster puttanesca and marinated flank steak. Check out the upstairs patio in the warmer months.
80 Elm Street, 973-889-8696; Open for lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner, daily; brunch, Sun
Urban Table
Buffalo chicken meatballs. Photo courtesy of Urban Table
Fresh-squeezed juices, local ingredients, composed salads and modern takes on comfort food characterize Urban Table, a busy, attractive and casual spot.
40 West Park Place, 973-326-9200; Open for lunch and dinner, daily; brunch, Sat-Sun