Get the free Morris County Fall Bucket List
60+ of the best things to do across Morris County this fall. Apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, fall festivals, haunted attractions and cider donuts. Straight to your inbox, free.
Quick answer: The coziest Morris County restaurants with fireplaces this winter are the Black Horse Tavern in Mendham, PH Tavern and Steakhouse at the Publick House in Chester, Tabor Road Tavern in Morris Plains, Black River Barn in Randolph, Cypress Tavern in Kinnelon and Hapgoods in Mountain Lakes.
There is something about a crackling fire that makes a Tuesday night dinner feel like an occasion. Morris County has a handful of restaurants where you can still eat within sight of a real hearth, and most of them live in buildings with a story of their own: an 18th century tavern, a stagecoach stop, a barn, a café beside a 1912 train station.
We checked every spot on this list for a fireplace in the dining room or bar, using the restaurant’s own photos, its own descriptions or recent diner reviews, and we ranked them by how much the fire is part of the experience. Tip: when you book, ask for a table near the fireplace. For more date night ideas, see our most romantic restaurants in Morris County.
1. The Black Horse Tavern and Pub, Mendham
Serving guests since 1742, the Black Horse is New Jersey’s oldest continuously running restaurant, and it reopened in early 2025 after a top to bottom renovation. The redesign opened up the floor plan so you can see from the fireplace all the way to Main Street, and reclaimed barn boards now serve as beams on the mantel. The menu is American classics with a modern touch, and weekend brunch makes a great excuse for a cold morning drive.
Address: 1 West Main St., Mendham
Reservations: blackhorsenj.com
2. PH Tavern and Steakhouse at the Publick House, Chester
The Publick House dates to around 1810, when it was a busy stagecoach stop on Chester’s Main Street, and it still holds its original Federal style architecture. Inside the steakhouse, the dining rooms have red walls, brick hearths and white tablecloths, which is exactly the room in our photo. Order a bone in steak, settle in by the fire and stay for dessert. Live music and weekly specials keep weeknights lively.
Address: 111 Main St., Chester
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; closed Monday. phsteakhouse.com
3. Tabor Road Tavern, Morris Plains
Tucked off Route 10 in historic Mount Tabor, Tabor Road Tavern looks like a mountain lodge dropped into Morris Plains. Its multi gabled building opens into soaring vaulted ceilings with a double sided fireplace at the center, so diners on both sides get the glow. The seasonal menu changes with the weather, and the bar is one of the best spots in the county to warm up with a drink after work.
Address: 510 Tabor Road, Morris Plains
Menus and reservations: taborroadtavern.com
4. Black River Barn, Randolph
A Randolph favorite on Route 10, Black River Barn has a fireplace in its main dining room and a rustic barn feel that suits comfort food: burgers, grilled steaks, pizza and big salads. It is relaxed enough for a family dinner and open late every night, with the bar running even later. Our best Randolph restaurants guide has more nearby picks.
Address: 1178 Route 10 West, Randolph
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to midnight. blackriverbarn.com
5. Cypress Tavern, Kinnelon
Cypress Tavern is a family style Mediterranean restaurant with Greek and Italian dishes, and diners have been raving about lunches spent by its indoor fireplace. Prices are friendly, there is a full bar, and Thursday nights bring live music. It is a great pick when you want a cozy dinner without the steakhouse bill. See more in our best Kinnelon restaurants roundup.
Address: 174 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon
Website: cypressrestaurantnj.com
6. Hapgoods, Mountain Lakes
Hapgoods sits right next to the Mountain Lakes train station, built in 1912, and its dining room has exposed beams, archways and a plush sofa facing a working fireplace. It is the most casual pick on this list and the best one for a long, lazy breakfast or lunch on a snowy day. Hapgoods now serves alcohol too, so dinner by the fire is on the table.
Address: 44 Midvale Road, Mountain Lakes
Website: hapgoodsrestaurant.com
How to get the table by the fire
Fireside tables go fast on Friday and Saturday nights from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day. Call the restaurant directly instead of booking online, ask for a fireplace table by name, and consider an early dinner or a weekday lunch when the room is quieter. If the fire is the whole point, ask whether it will be lit when you reserve.
Frequently asked questions
Which Morris County restaurants have a fireplace?
The Black Horse Tavern in Mendham, PH Tavern and Steakhouse in Chester, Tabor Road Tavern in Morris Plains, Black River Barn in Randolph, Cypress Tavern in Kinnelon and Hapgoods in Mountain Lakes all have fireplaces in their dining rooms or bars.
What is the oldest restaurant in Morris County with a fireplace?
The Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham has served guests since 1742 and is known as New Jersey’s oldest continuously running restaurant.
Can I reserve a table by the fireplace?
Most of these restaurants will try to seat you near the fire if you call ahead and ask, but fireside tables are limited, so book early for weekends.
Photo courtesy of PH Tavern and Steakhouse.
Have a Morris County event coming up?
Share it with Morris County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Morris County.
Enjoying our Morris County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
