Downtown Montclair was made for walking, shopping and grabbing a bite. The food here is a diverse mix of global flavors, elevated dining, cozy brunch spots and stylish neighborhood eateries.
European-Style Seafood: De Novo European Pub
Styled after family-oriented casual pubs in Europe, the shared plates, house-made breads, charcuterie, and pastas are as popular as the special sushi menu. De Novo crafts a yellowfin tuna burger with roasted jalapeno on a house-made brioche; handcrafted lobster ravioli in a roasted garlic lobster cream sauce; and black fettuccini tossed with rock shrimp in a tomato fondue.
Temaki-Style Sushi: Nami Nori
Traditional rice and fillings are wrapped with nori (seaweed) into the shape of a cone for these open-style sushi hand rolls. Try the Starter Set (California, tuna avocado, yellowtail scallion, salmon cucumber and spicy tuna) or the Signature Set (tuna poke, xo scallop, coconut shrimp, salmon serrano, and cucumber black sesame).
Noodles: Reservations are hard to come by at pastaRAMEN, a popular Wafu Italian ramen and Japanese restaurant that serves mochi ramen carbonara, cacio e pepe gyoza and truffle miso pasta. The menu at Gioia Mia has lots of “joy” through its squid ink tagliatelle, paccheri with black truffle and foraged mushrooms, beet cavatelli and a pork and beef bolognese sauce, and duck tortellini.
Brunch Fave: Toast City Diner
Known for its creative brunch menu, come for standouts like stuffed French toast, vegetable-packed scrambles, hearty grain bowls and avocado toast.
Bangers and Mash: Egan & Sons
The neighborhood Irish gastropub brings a taste of Dublin with bangers and mash, corned beef reuben toasties, the Tipperary Burger, cottage pie, fish and chips, and sticky toffee pudding.
Croissant: The Corner
There are lots of French pastries on the menu, but the croissant – whether plain, with chocolate or sandwiched with ham and cheese – is a classic. Also on the menu are a daily selection of scones, Kouign-Amann sweet French pastry covered in crystallized demerara sugar, and the Brunch Pastry Board with three assorted house-baked pastries.
Indian Fusion: Dhamaal
Chicken tikka pizza, saag burrata and Chettinad chicken croquettes add a multicultural twist to classic Indian dishes.
Bibimbap: Koreander
The Korean rice bowls at this Korean BBQ bistro layer all sorts of seasoned vegetables with rice; your choice of beef, squid, pork belly, chicken or spicy pork in the middle; and then an egg on top.
Fast Casual: Boschetto
Regional Italian dishes include made-to-order grilled octopus, meatballs, and their famous bucatini all’amatriciana, plus a variety of pizzas.
Modern French / Plant-Based Meals: Faubourg
Didn’t think the French could go vegetarian? Aside from shrimp & kumquats, or beef duo with bavette and oxtail, Faubourg has a special plant-based menu with chickpea panisse, wild mushroom & artichoke crostini, grilled broccoli rabe with lentils, and cauliflower steak.
Upscale brunch: Red Eye Café
Breakfast here is an experience, with comfort food items, plus a pesto broccoli egg sandwich, challah French toast, green eggs and ham, breakfast ramen, chilaquiles, and shrimp and grits.
Chef’s Tasting Menu: Sam’s Table
The four-course seasonal tasting menu has lots of veggies included. Courses include Norwegian rye bread with cultured butter, Dashi custard with charred spring onion, beef carpaccio or snow peas, blood pudding or golden beets, lamb neck or Parisienne gnocchi, and chocolate and sea buckthorn or rice pudding.
“Weird” Drinks: Paper Plane Coffee Co.
The owners call their own menu “weird,” with a “science” menu of specialty coffees, cocktails and bubblys. The Mayan Latte is inspired by Mexican chocolate, the pop culture Butterbroo is a take on Harry Potter Butterbeer, and the Truffle Shuffle is a double shot of espresso inside of a Yoo-hoo bottle.
Celebrity-Owned Spot: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto made a name for himself on Food Network, and now he brings his steak and sushi expertise to the main restaurant, MM by Morimoto. Go with an eponymous Morimoto, an 18.5-ounce USDA prime rib with yakiniku sauce and horseradish cream; or the Chef’s Selection sushi and sashimi platters. At OEN Omakase by Morimoto, he curates exquisite chef’s choice selections in small plates during a very intimate (12 seats only) dining experience. Chef Leia Gaccione opened The Saint Claire after appearing on “Top Chef,’’ and added jumbo lump crab salad, crispy eggplant sandwich and grilled pork panini to her menu. There is cast-iron cornbread, duck fat tater tots, saffron mafaldine and whipped maple sweet potatoes, too.
Tapas: Fusionista
The Peruvian menu features aji de gallina croquette, papa a la Huancaina, and Causa de Pollo (a gluten-free dish of mashed potatoes with shredded chicken, avocado and boiled eggs). Other popular items include lomo saltado, ceviche mixto, and salmon a la Maracuya.
Outside-the-Box Pizza: Italiana by Zod
Top your crust with fresh lemon, chili, fresh mozzarella and pecorino, and almond; cauliflower, anchovy, fresh mozzarella and long hots; or cabbage with peanut, honey, Calabrian chili, miso bechamel and lemon.
Best Food to Eat With Your Hands: Mesob
The Ethiopian restaurant encourages you to scoop up its lamb, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetable stews using injera, a traditional bread made with teff and barley (which is available gluten-free, too). Dishes range from portobello mushrooms, collard greens and red split lentils to tender cubed prime beef, Ethiopian-style prime beef tartare, boneless leg off lamb and chicken legs.
Pita Sandwiches: Marcel Kitchen
A farm-to-table bakery, kitchen and café, you get a blend of Israeli and Moroccan cultures through pita selections, like Mediterranean steak, chicken schnitzel, grilled chicken schwarma and herbed falafel.
Comfort Food: Raymond’s brings you back to the old-school luncheonette, with a full diner-like menu of eggs, breakfast items, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, clubs, meatloaf and fried chicken, and desserts like chocolate pudding and wild berry cobbler.
Turtle + The Wolf wants to feel cozy so you can bring your kids and become part of their family. They’re known for their “legendary” fried chicken and rotating Berkshire pork specials.
Mezze: Zeugma Grill
There are over two dozen options for mezze, including pumpkin muhammara, chopped shepherd’s salad, Aegean sea octopus and red lentil soup.
Moms Night Out: The MC Hotel is an elegant mix of overnight accommodations plus Allegory restaurant, the MC Market in the lobby, and The Splendid rooftop lounge. Top cocktails include the MC Margarita, Lychee Cosmo and the Heaven Maple Old-Fashioned. Montclair Brewery has indoor and outdoor seating, is pet-friendly, and lets you bring in your own food. Beers on tap include South Mountain sour stout, Hava Guava IPA, MB Espresso Stout and Eagle Rock Drip Maple Porter.
Make a Day of It:
There’s so much to explore in Montclair beyond the food and drink. Head to Van Vleck House & Gardens or Presby Iris Gardens on a beautiful day. The Montclair Art Museum has a collection of American and Native American art.
Music lovers flock to The Wellmont for concerts, while movie buffs can check the schedule at Montclair Film or The Clairidge and a stop at the Montclair Book Center is a must.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Things to Do in Montclair
The Ultimate Guide of Where to Eat in Collingswood
The Ultimate Guide of Where to Eat in Hammonton
The Ultimate Guide of Where to Eat in Asbury Park
The Ultimate Guide of Where to Eat in Princeton
The Ultimate Guide of Where to Eat in Jersey City
