Parsippany-Troy Hills might be known more for its corporate parks than its cuisine, but dismissing this township’s dining landscape would be an oversight. Here, you’ll find business travelers sealing deals over steaks, local families celebrating milestones with handmade pasta, and savvy suburbanites discovering gems beyond the chain restaurants. The result? A surprisingly diverse culinary scene, from authentic Sichuan fire to the most tender veal parmigiana you’ll ever taste.
Clean Water Cafe
$ | (973) 879-8655 | WEBSITE
As the spacious layout and vibrant walls will inform you, it’s always a welcoming time at Clean Water Cafe. Make sure you understand the assignment before showing up: your laptop, a good book, or your kids are all a part of the unofficial visitor code. It’s an ordinary feat to find a seat at this cozy cafe, but once you do (and commit to the $12 a person spicy chicken with Polynesian sauce—coffeenotincluded) you won’t be disappointed.
And especially not by the service—particularly the friendly, neurodiverse staff that’ll get you thinking about your next visit.
Garibaldi Peru-Mex
$ | (973) 808-7028 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing like a place where you can joyfully shout across the table and maybe spill Aji sauce on your new white shirt, and that’s why we come to Garibaldi Peru-Mex. The always-busy Peru-Mex restaurant is inspired by authentic spots that blend everything from ceviche to arroz chaufa and serve heaping plates of pollo a la brasa in the center of it all.
Garibaldi plays up its affection for them with colorful photos lining the walls, tables comfortably spaced for families, and a counter stocked with affordable imported beers. Expect a menu full of comfort meals, like saucy tacos de bisteck, sides of Peruvian rice, and warm tortilla chips.
Spice Grill
$$ | (973) 882-4646 | WEBSITE
A lot of places try to replicate authentic Indian cuisine, and many pull it off. But Spice Grill doesn’t need to copy what once was—it’s the real deal, and has been since it opened. Located in a strip mall with plenty of parking, Spice Grill is the kind of accessible establishment where you can grab a daily meal or host a larger gathering.
Dishes like gobhi manchurian, paneer tikka, and methi malai matter line the buffet, and although the dining area is usually full, there’s a comfortable buzz over the restaurant. Flavors are being savored quietly over naan at the tables, so if you want something a bit livelier, grab a plate with friends at the buffet. The Chicken Desi and vegetarian options are excellent, and the fact that the menu includes both North Indian and Chinese dishes means your palate will never go bored.
Panera Bread
$ | (973) 658-3598 | WEBSITE
Panera Bread is our go-to for days when we want a fresh, quick meal. This is a simple neighborhood cafe, with clean tables and some booth seating. While there are other things on the menu, you should come here specifically for the tasty sandwiches, which range from turkey avocado to the classic grilled cheese. Panera Bread’s dishes come with the same efficient service as other locations, so you can expect some similarities in the experience—mainly, the same bright, well-lit environment.
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
$$ | (973) 263-5005 | WEBSITE
When you’re ready for a break from fast food but want something just as satisfying, head to Applebee’s Grill + Bar, which serves up classic American fare in a reliably casual setting. Their riblets are the dish we order the most—they’re tender, saucy, and generously portioned, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself, depending on your appetite.
Applebee’s is our go-to for a laid-back Tuesday dinner out with the family: a plate of riblets with a side of fries and a drink special is the ideal easy meal when you’re too tired to cook at home, or just want a welcoming spot where the staff makes you feel right at ease.
IHOP
$ | (973) 396-8629 | WEBSITE
We’re obsessed with what IHOP calls their ‘birthday pancakes’ (actually, the whole town is), which come topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. The spacious breakfast spot on Parsippany-Troy Hills is our go-to for weekend gatherings, but their food is so consistently fresh and satisfying that it doubles as a move for impressing visiting relatives. IHOP has plenty of booths and tables inside, as well, but we typically opt for the seamless pickup through Grubhub.
Smashburger
$ | (973) 917-3366 | WEBSITE
You always know what you’re going to get at Smashburger: a friendly welcome, perfectly smashed burgers, your meal served with a smile, and a check that won’t break the bank. This is the best place in Parsippany to grab a satisfying meal, and Smashburger does the burger basics best—we love the straightforward, absolutely delicious barbecue bacon cheddar burger with crispy onion rings.
We also like the surprisingly good vegetarian jackfruit burger, and a sweet and creamy Oreo shake that’s a must-try. Smashburger feels clean and modern, with spotless bathrooms that are convenient for travelers and plentiful parking right out front. We hope this place stays busy forever.
Palermo’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant
$ | (973) 917-3303 | WEBSITE
The Godfather pizza is usually the first thing people mention when they talk about Palermo’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant. And while the neighborhood-famous pizza is good, it’s Palermo’s baked ziti that puts them in a league above other Italian spots in the area. The rich tomato sauce in the baked ziti is a love letter to comfort food, and the creamy cheese in the Eggplant Rollatini cuts the perfect tang of the eggplant. Palermo’s doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but they just might have perfected it.
Social Hub by Dhaba
$$ | (862) 401-2800 | WEBSITE
People love the Indian restaurant Social Hub by Dhaba so much they had to put a hard cap on the time guests can spend there (120 minutes). And for good reason: You can put away a lot of fusion dishes in that time. The menu is $45 per person, no matter how much or how little you eat. Everything is just a few bites, so you can try a bit of everything—though if you’re like us, you’ll want two orders of the Paneer Fusion Tacos.
Wash it down with some Guava Delight mocktail, a unique Indian-inspired drink made from fresh guava and spices. Like a lot of the restaurants in Parsippany-Troy Hills, the inside of Social Hub by Dhaba looks a little vibrant and stylish, which is probably why most people opt for indoor seating or a comfortable booth.
Valentino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
$ | (973) 775-9872 | WEBSITE
Valentino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant serves as Parsippany’s living room and fills the neighborhood’s longtime pizza void. Modeled after a classic New York slice joint, the space looks like the set of a neighborhood hangout, with red-checkered tables, vinyl booths, and counter stools scattered beneath a drop ceiling—a fitting vibe for the all-day spot inside a suburban strip mall.
It’s least crowded during the week, and it’s then that you’ll have the best chance of snagging a seat for a tangy Chicken Parm or a fresh Sicilian slice.
Outback Steakhouse
$$ | (973) 257-4888 | WEBSITE
If a classic American steakhouse had a more approachable, family-friendly cousin—one that’s a little more relaxed, and a lot more affordable—it would be Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant serves straightforward, satisfying meals that range from hearty classics like the blooming sirloin to crowd-pleasing options like the ribeye, which pairs perfectly with their blooming blonde ale.
Each visit feels like a solid value, with most entrees landing in the $20–$30 range, but that doesn’t stop Outback from filling the booths each night. Set apart from the fuss of fine dining, this is a good spot for a family night out or a casual celebration, with servers like Eli, Charlene, and Moataz making everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
China City
$ | (973) 299-1008 | WEBSITE
Picture a suburban strip mall filled with chain restaurants and fast-food joints. Then, picture a family-run spot that’s been holding down the same corner for over two decades. That’s China City, the reliable favorite of Parsippany. This Chinese restaurant from the family that’s been running it since the ’90s is so consistent, with its generous portions and fresh ingredients, that it stands out among the cookie-cutter options.
The dining room is about as large as a living room, so you might have to wait behind a few regulars for a table, but it’s worth it for their beef and broccoli and perfectly balanced sweet and sour dishes.
Asahi Sushi Ramen
$ | (973) 240-7198 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a quiet strip mall in Parsippany-Troy Hills isn’t necessarily where you’d expect to find a cozy restaurant serving such fresh sushi and ramen. But Asahi Sushi Ramen has become a favorite of locals who stop by for lunch or a casual meal. The restaurant’s space is so welcoming, you’ll feel right at home. But that just means there are fewer things to distract from the food, which is made fresh to order with no imitation ingredients.
If you can make room after your main course (and your wallet still has something left in it—the miso chicken ramen is around $15, and the tonkotsu ramen is similarly priced), you’ll want to add on the house salad with ginger dressing or one of their amazing rolls.
La Cocina de Maria
$ | (862) 701-5015 | WEBSITE
Regardless of the occasion, you’ll want to bring the whole family to La Cocina de Maria. Yes, you’ll squeeze into the cozy dining room and share tables with other large groups, but it’s the commitment to authentic Mexican home cooking that makes us (almost) feel like we’re in Mexico. You should come here for the shrimp tacos, although they do have some excellent chicken tacos, quesadillas, and Al Azar plates, too.
Their classic interpretation of horchata makes for a refreshing, easy drink, but we’ve also been known to just fill up on their Barracoa and Carnita Street Tacos.
Spa Restaurant
$ | (973) 335-7770 | WEBSITE
You probably won’t be able to hear yourself think over the hum of regulars, families catching up over coffee, and the sizzle from the grill at Spa Restaurant, but you don’t come here for quiet contemplation. You come here for some of the most comforting home-cooked meals in town (which makes sense—Spa has been a local landmark for over 55 years).
A retro atmosphere with vinyl booths and checkered floors looks out over the ample seating crowded with plates of grilled chicken omelet, stacks of French toast and pancakes, and the best house-made cheesecake we’ve ever had.
Hot Breads
$ | (973) 263-9808 | WEBSITE
Fluorescent lights, simple white walls, and a menu designed for grabbing have made Hot Breads the ultimate quick-bite spot in the neighborhood. It’s been years since it opened—and now, there are a few more options in the area—but Hot Breads is still reliable for days when you want something tasty but easy. A snack is around $8-12 per item, with straightforward (and satisfying) combinations like mango mousse cake with creamy layers, and vegetable toast with fresh toppings.