How One New Jersey Castle-Themed Diner Gives Guests A Royal Experience

There's nothing more entertaining than dining at a restaurant with a fun theme, and the Chit Chat Diner in West Orange, New Jersey, certainly delivers on that front. Patrons can enjoy a meal while being treated to a breathtaking view of the New York City skyline, all from inside a storybook fantasy diner. As soon as you pull the heavy iron doors open, the diner's décor will make you feel as if you've fallen down a rabbit hole.

While the diner's exterior resembles a medieval castle, its interior recalls a scene from Alice in Wonderland, with its brightly colored booths, elaborate chandeliers, and a dessert menu that says "Read Me." Black-and-white checkerboard patterns can be seen everywhere, from the ceiling to the trim around its booths, to many other visual elements.

The menu at the Chit Chat Diner can only be described as extensive. Not only does it serve standard diner fare, such as tuna melts — which almost always taste better at a restaurant – but you'll also find more elevated offerings, such as a burger made with fig jam and Gouda cheese. The main menu alone currently has 20 salads, plenty of adult beverages, and specialty coffee drinks.

Diners can choose from a stack of cards at each table designed to stimulate conversation ... or chit-chat, if you will. Reviewers on Yelp rave about the great service, the cheerful atmosphere, and the large portions. Of course, almost every review mentions the unique and quirky look of the place.

If you're interested in a bite to eat after a night on the town, the Chit Chat Diner is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until midnight. With seven different types of pancakes (also taste better from a restaurant) it may be hard to choose. Chit Chat's extensive desserts, such as the Big Fat Chocolate Cake and the Monkey Business Sundae, are hard to politely decline, and it's clear that the chefs are having fun with these creative sweets.

After your meal and before you head on your way, take a stroll around the grounds. There, you'll see statues of children playing, which adds to the restaurant's storybook theme. The Chit Chat Diner's sister restaurant in Hackensack, New Jersey, does not have the same flamboyant theme as the one in West Orange, so make sure you double-check your directions are sending you to the right one before setting out.