Inexpensive Vegetarian Restaurants in Morris County, New Jersey
Nevertheless, the bane of the vegetarian’s existence has long been eating out, especially in mixed company with our carnivorous friends and family members. In large cities the challenge implicit in such a scenario has diminished, but in the suburbs options can be limited, particularly if you don’t eat eggs or dairy.
There are however some excellent options in Northern New Jersey that will satisfy a wide range of eaters. The most obvious solution is to go ethnic. Italian restaurants are the easiest, and need not even be listed here. The vegetarian diner can be generally confident when he or she chooses an Italian eatery, even an unknown one, that there will be a suitable option on the menu, or in lieu of that, a helpful chef. And yet, if you eat out frequently, you’ll need more variety than pasta pomodoro. Here are a few great options located in Morris County, all very reasonably priced and all BYOB.
If you’re interested in exploring your ethnic choices, Chinese cuisine is an alternative. Veggie Heaven is a chain restaurant located in Parsippany (1119 Rt 46 East, with two other locations at 473 Cedar Lane in Teaneck and 631 Valley Road in Montclair). As is the case with many such establishments, they are short on atmosphere, and so it might not be your first choice for a romantic date-night, with stripmall parking and harsh lighting. However, the staff is friendly and service is both polite and prompt, which makes for an overall enjoyable casual dining experience. Veggie Heaven features all of the traditional Chinese “meat” dishes, but are actually vegetarian facsimiles made entirely out of soy and wheat gluten products. While that may sound unappetizing to some, most carnivores enjoy the experience, and even if the taste isn’t an exact replica (the success varies greatly with each dish), the food is good. Start with the spare ribs or the barbecue chicken sticks as an appetizer, and then choose between the usual Chinese menu fare like General Tso’s chicken or Three Kinds of Mushrooms, or their more creative specials. All three restaurants in the chain are BYOB (because they observe kosher laws, do not be surprised when your wine is served to you in a plastic cup), and you can expect to spend anywhere from $10-15 per person for dinner, with even more economical options available during lunch service. They also sell small Thanksgiving tofurkeys, which can be ordered ahead and picked up on your way to your in-laws’ house. It certainly doesn’t look like turkey, or even taste like it, but the entire family will be entertained.
If you aren’t in the mood for Chinese, Indian is another outstanding option for vegetarians. Chand Palace in Parsippany is an all-vegetarian (though not exclusively vegan) restaurant in a small – again – strip mall, just off of Rt 46 (257 Littleton Road in Parsippany). On Tuesdays, the small restaurant closes in favor of a larger banquet hall which can make you feel a little like you are a guest at someone else’s wedding, and on that evening, the buffet features meat and vegetarian dishes, and they serve alcohol. Normally, the small BYOB restaurant next door is open, with a vegetarian buffet for lunch and on weekday nights. While some have reported less than perfect experiences there, the food is usually quite good, though it can be more than a little oily. The chana masala and baingan bharta are both satisfying choices, and should be ordered with the garlic nan. Chand Palace is inexpensive option for eating out with entrees costing about $10-12 per person, with appetizers and bread additional. As an aside, if you are looking to spend rather than save, and your company is mixed with meat eaters, you might try the excellent, though far pricier Moghuls in Morristown.
While vegetarians and vegans are used to trying international cuisines in search of more dining options, simple, healthy American food seems something of a pipe dream. Cafe Metro in Denville (60 Diamond Spring Road) is one restaurant that fits the bill, with well-prepared dishes catering to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The restaurant is small and tastefully decorated, with its walls used as an art gallery, though it attracts a families and can get quite crowded. In the warmer months, the favored tables are those outside on the front porch. The menu is eclectic, to say the least, and choices range from salads and cheese or dairy-free cheese pizzas (including one with vegetarian meatballs), to Asian stir-fries and hummus wraps. For the more extreme vegetarian, there is the Classic Macro Supreme, a macrobiotic ensemble of beans, seaweed and steamed vegetables. While much of the menu is vegetarian, they also serve chicken and seafood. Entrees range from the $11-15, and customers may bring their own wine.
Veggie Heaven, 1119 Rt 46 East in Parsippany, 973-335-9876
Chand Palace, 257 Littleton Road in Parsippany, 973-334-5444
Cafe Metro, 60 Diamond Spring Road in Denville, 973-625-1055
