A new fine-dining restaurant, The Social Garden, was officially opened on February 10. The restaurant is located on the top floor above the Delhivery office, opposite Yongpang market, Aongza Ward, Mokokchung and is co-founded by Chiben Jamir (27) and Ongjena (27). The restaurant operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Social Garden is a partnership initiative between Ongjena, an interior designer by profession, and Chiben Jamir, a technical engineer currently preparing for civil services. The restaurant aims to introduce a fine-dining experience to Mokokchung, addressing what the founders identified as a gap in the town’s food and hospitality scene.
Sharing the background of the venture, Ongjena said that the idea for The Social Garden emerged in 2024 after she began studying the local market. After completing her interior designing course, she had been based in Dimapur, where she worked on several projects. During her visits to Mokokchung for other purposes, she developed an interest in starting a side business. Initially considering a café, they later decided on a fine-dining restaurant, noting that while Mokokchung has several cafés, there were limited options for proper fine dining.
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Speaking about the location and design, Ongjena said the top-floor space housing the restaurant had not been constructed at the time of agreement. Following the contract, the space was built and curated according to their requirements. As an interior designer, she personally oversaw the setup and design of the restaurant. The name The Social Garden was chosen to reflect the garden themed outdoor concept and the idea of creating a space for social interactions, gatherings, and events.
On the culinary front, Ongjena stated that the restaurant offers Asian Continental cuisines. The kitchen is managed by a professional head chef assisted by an assistant chef. She added that the menu was specifically curated by Aso Jamir from Dimapur, a professional in the field, to ensure proper planning and understanding rather than a randomly assembled menu.
Ongjena noted that many restaurants in Mokokchung close early, which often limits options for working individuals or those wishing to dine out later in the evening. The Social Garden aims to address this concern based on feedback gathered from the public. The establishment currently employs three staff members – two waitresses and one waiter, and also offers dinner reservations.
Co-owner Chiben Jamir also said sharing his inspiration behind opening the restaurant came from a desire to introduce a fine-dining experience to the town. He noted that while Mokokchung has many good restaurants and cafés, there was room for an upscale dining option. He added that his travels across the country exposed him to diverse culinary experiences, which influenced the concept of the restaurant. He expressed hope that the local community would embrace and support the initiative, while also looking forward to future growth.
Highlighting additional features, Jamir said The Social Garden includes a private lounge that operates on a booking-only basis. The lounge is designed to offer privacy and comfort and is equipped with a karaoke setup for small groups to relax and spend time together.
Regarding future plans, Jamir said the current focus is on maintaining the quality of food and ambience that have been carefully curated. He added that customers can look forward to experiencing good food in a Scandinavian-themed setting as the restaurant continues its operations.
