Published: Feb. 06, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

By Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Diners can chose to dine in the quieter Fox’s Den at the Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham. The establishment has been continually running since 1742 was recently renovated. It took 10 months to update the nearly 300-year-old tavern.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media

New Jersey’s oldest restaurant has certainly earned its facelift.

The Black Horse Tavern and Pub, a 283-year-old haunt in Mendham that predates New Jersey’s statehood, recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation. The entire dining room was stripped down to the studs and rebuilt. The kitchen and basement were completely remodeled. Windows, siding and the roof were replaced.

Oh yeah, and the menu was revamped as well.

Executive Chef Dan Zappulla make a tuna tartare at the Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham. The establishment has been continually running since 1742 was recently renovated. It took 10 months to update the nearly 300-year-old tavern.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media

“It just needed, both from an aesthetic and guest perspective, some refurbishment,” Kevin Felice, vice president of 40 North Restaurant Group (which owns The Black Horse Tavern and Pub) told NJ Advance Media. “From an infrastructure perspective, we needed to put new kitchens in, new mechanicals and all the fun stuff behind the scenes just so that the building could work the right way to be able to take care of guests.”

The restaurant closed in March 2024 for the restoration project, and was expected to reopen in the fall. But delays, namely a fire in the building this past September, pushed the reopening to January.

I first visited the tavern back in 2022 and was impressed by its tasty comfort food, refreshing drinks and cozy ambiance that clearly withstood the test of time.

So as I returned, my question was obvious: Does the newly polish Black Horse still maintain the same standards that built its loyal following over nearly three centuries? Does it enjoy the same charm? Let’s dig in.

The good

Before renovations, The Black Horse specialized in classic pub dishes: burgers, fish and chips and the like. While pub grub is still on the menu, dishes now feel elevated, modernized and upscale.

I started the meal with burrata ($19) atop thinly sliced prosciutto garnished with slow-roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted peppers and basil. Everything about this dish screamed fresh, with the luscious cheese, melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto and juicy tomatoes. It’s a simple yet classic dish done well.

Burrata at The Black Horse Tavern in Mendham, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni

The tuna tartare ($19) at The Black Horse featured diced tuna mixed with cucumber, scallions, avocado, citrus and crispy onion served with a few pieces of rice cracker dusted with togarashi (a Japanese spice made from red chili peppers and other seasonings). The firm, buttery tuna was impressively dressed with each ingredient, adding a bright and crunchy component to the fish. The large rice crackers were a nice touch as well, adding height to the presentation.

The clam dip at The Black Horse Tavern in Mendham, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni

Another standout appetizer was the clam dip ($14), which felt novel and adventurous for a pub. The chilled dip filled with chopped clams, bacon, sesame toasted breadcrumbs, lemon and chili was served with a side of saltine-like crackers. Each bite of the creamy dip bursted with a rich, savory and tangy seafood flavor that wasn’t too intense — which would work well for those who don’t gravitate toward seafood. Serving the dip chilled was also a smart choice, adding a refreshing coolness to it.

Roasted mushroom pasta at The Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni

As one of my entrees, I ordered roasted mushroom pasta ($27), which was highly recommended by my server. The pasta itself was flat, wide and long — similar to pappardelle — and made with parsley boasting an earthy green color. The noodles were atop a mushroom ragu made from cremini and oysters mushroom, lemon parsley gremolata (an Italian herby green sauce) and topped with crema. Once mixed together, the pasta tasted amazing with the robust and comforting ragu, velvety crema and the zesty gremolata.

The crab cake sandwich at The Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni

The crab cake sandwich ($22) featured two slices of sesame challah gently cradling a delicate crab cake, a smear of roasted pepper aioli, lettuce, and sliced tomato. The crab cake itself was tender and light while still being substantial and perfectly seasoned, while the aioli added a subtle spiciness — making for an exceptional sandwich. It was served with a choice of regular or sweet potato fries. I ordered the latter which were exceptionally crisp and sweet.

The bad

Just like my first visit to The Black Horse Tavern and Pub, there were no overtly negative components during my experience. I do wish that the burrata came with a portion of sliced bread, so I could pile each component on top of it. But nothing extreme that ruined the meal.

The vibe

Thankfully, the extensive renovations have not undone Black Horse’s charm; if you loved the old spot, you won’t be disappointed. While the atmosphere is elevated and more modern — the vintage wood paneling, for instance, is now a gray, neutral tone — it’s still plenty warm, offering friendly hospitality and high-quality food.

Lunchtime at the Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham. The establishment has been continually running since 1742 was recently renovated. It took 10 months to update the nearly 300-year-old tavern.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media

Some of the tabletops were replaced with marble and most of the wooden seating were replaced with cushioned seats. They also replaced their lighting with more contemporary designs.

New Jersey’s oldest restaurant still clearly cares about its customers. I overheard multiple conversations between wait staff and customers during a busy Thursday lunch. In fact, I had the same server I had last time. She didn’t recognize me until I was leaving, but once she did she asked how I was doing.

The bottom line

This very old tavern continues to be a place of community in Morris County, enjoying the same homey vibe — just with a little makeover.

“What’s the same is the sense of community, and the sense of pride with our staff and the guest base,” Felice said. “I’ve been doing this a long time in a lot of different restaurants. The sense of belonging that the guests have to this restaurant is amazing to me.”

Touting a delicious, revamped menu to boot, I can see The Black Horse Tavern and Pub lasting another 283 years.