Francesca DiPisa 
We have to admit it: as Jersey natives, we are spoiled with having New York City within sight of our hometown. Once in a while, we have the added luxury of a city experience right here in New Jersey. From the most vibrant restaurants to dynamic shopping ventures, it’s arguable that the Garden State may be on par with New York-sized adventures. Read on to find out more about which Essex County spots feel like NYC.
Allegory Restaurant and Bar + Alto Rooftop | 690 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
A floral accent wall and modern decor make for a restaurant + bar straight out of Manhattan at Allegory Restaurant and Bar. Guests can enjoy cocktails at the bar for a happy hour, weekend brunch, or a sophisticated dinner in the dining room. It even hosts Montclair’s only rooftop bar, Alto, if the good times want to keep rollin’.
Read More: 42 Restaurants for a Fun Night Out With Friends in Northern New Jersey
Ani Ramen | 511 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Isabella DiPisa
The bustling energy and epic interior design at Ani Ramen brings Chinatown right to New Jersey. From Ramen and bao buns to healthy bowls and cocktails, the complete Asian dining experience is hard to beat here. Indulge in its ‘sip, slurp, and repeat’ slogan, and enjoy all that Ani Ramen has to offer any day of the week.
Bloom Chicken | 648 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
With a spot already open in Manhattan, Bloom Chicken has made itself a staple with its ambiance and well-known smashburgers. Its mission is to serve delicious, healthy, and affordable food to all, and it surely accomplishes that. Its specialties include soups, rice bowls, drumsticks, and delicious sides while lunch specials from 11AM-3PM run up to $12.
Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House | 409 Franklin Street, Bloomfield
Although Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House is in a colonial home, the inside boasts a surf-and-turf-like menu of Big Apple proportions. This restaurant adopts New York City’s element of historical preservation as this restaurant is the oldest and most historic dwelling of the Pre-Revolutionary War homes in Essex County. Patrons can avoid the city prices, too, with the restaurant’s “Stay Happy” hours from 3PM-6PM from Tuesday to Friday where Well Cocktails are $10 each, appetizers are $10 each, and more.
Blu Livingston | 277 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
Blu Livingston brings an elevated dining experience to Essex County, with a polished space designed for dinners, celebrations, and nights out. The restaurant serves American, Asian, seafood, and steakhouse-inspired fare in a warm, upscale setting.
Church Street Shopping | Montclair
Church Street in Montclair can make any passerby feel like the main character. There’s plenty to check out on this short street in the heart of Montclair right off of Bloomfield Avenue: browse some jewelry at Noellery; grab an iced latte to-go from Java Love; sit and paint pottery at Doin’ Dishes; and try on trendy finds at Oasis. This doesn’t even cover the food: from sweet treats to fine dining, exploring Church Street can take up a fun-filled day all on its own (we even wrote an article about it).
da Pepo | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
If the whimsical, romantic vibes of You’ve Got Mail were transformed into a restaurant, da Pepo would definitely fit the bill. Located inside of Watchung Booksellers, this restaurant serves up delicious dishes while the aromas of paperback books and Italian cuisine fill the air. It also sits right by the Watchung Avenue train station, so the sound of a nearby train whistle adds to the atmosphere.
Fanny’s | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This modern bar + restaurant brings old-school Italian recipes to the table. Owned by the same people at the helm of The Brookdale and Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar, Fanny’s serves up scrumptious apps and plates of handmade pastas made fresh daily. The menu even has a ‘Fanny’s Feast’ option, where guests can eat selections like rigatoni, short rib, Fanny’s Chopped Salad, and more family-style options at an affordable, fixed-price per person on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Fairchilds Marketplace | 71 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland
Sometimes the grocery store run needs a bit of a mix-up, and a city-like specialty market is just the ticket. Fairchilds Marketplace is a great Essex County spot for deli + prepared foods, fine wine, craft beers + ales, gift baskets, and more. Its two-page daily menu is filled with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more creations to satisfy any mid-shopping snack craving.
Faubourg Restaurant + Bar | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Hospitality veterans straight from NYC, Dominique Paulin and Chef Olivier Muller, have contributed their expertise to the Montclair scene with this modern French brasserie. As the menus change seasonally and a mid-day menu is on display at the bar from 3PM-5PM, quality is at the forefront of what Faubourg Restaurant and Bar stands for. Be sure to eat in its patio filled with luscious greenery at least once.
The Grove Grill | 143 Grove Street, Bloomfield
The space inside The Grove Grill is reminiscent of a New York City-style bodega as it serves up authentic Jamaican dishes. From Jamaican patties to its iconic oxtail cheesesteak, this establishment has a robust menu fit for any craving. It’s important to note that The Grove Grill is also an equally great place for the customer familiar with the food or a Jersey girl looking to try a new cuisine
La Cucina Piccola | 178 Eagle Rock Avenue, #1341, Roseland
La Cucina Piccola is a restaurant that serves up authentic Italian cuisine reminiscent of Arthur Avenue. It even has an early dinner special — in classic Italian-American fashion — Tuesday through Friday from 4PM-6PM for $27.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Each dish is garnished with care.
Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This elevated, modern bakery is on par with the sweet shops one would find in any of the five boroughs, but this one is right in Bloomfield. Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar offers all kinds of delectable treats including pastries, savory bites, coffee, and boozy creations. The house-made brownies and doughnuts are a few of our favorite treats, but you can’t go wrong as everything looks so delicious.
La Rocca Osteria | 21 Midland Avenue, Montclair
Nothing screams ‘New York City’ like a restaurant named after a medieval castle in the heart of Imola, Italy. The decor of La Rocca Osteria is rooted in “simplicity and comfort,” along with its iconic Italian dishes. Guests can enjoy a delicious four-course meal right in Jersey in this modern take on an old-style Italian restaurant.
Last Minute Market | 102 Walnut Street, Montclair
Last Minute Market aims to provide specialty items that aren’t easy to find, last-minute essentials, and fun food items. Along with grocery products, there’s also a coffee bar from Paper Plane Coffee Co., and hot breakfast sandwiches are available for patrons to grab on the go.
Millburn Standard | 42 Main Street, Millburn
The Millburn Standard is known for its tasty takes on familiar dishes and cozy dining room. Its extensive drink list includes mocktails, making it accessible to all guests. Do be warned, however, that they do not take reservations, just like some establishments in the city, but the experience is surely worth the wait.
MM by Morimoto | 193 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Owned + operated by the world-renowned Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, is located in the former Maddox and Musuko space and serves Japanese cuisine. Some highlights include the omakase bar with fish flown from Japan, Japanese and Australian Wagyu, USDA Prime steak, and signature dishes like tuna pizza, Toro Tartare, and A5 Wagyu Carpaccio.
Napoli | 9 Park Street, Montclair
Serving up delicious Italian fare runs in this family, and Napoli Trattoria is no exception. Tucked away adjacent from the iconic Bloomfield Avenue, this restaurant is a secret favorite by many. Patrons can enjoy a Sicilian pizza, along with an array of other Italian specials like a complete charcuterie board to start. Choices are plentiful here — similar to those of “the concrete jungle.”
Nostrana Ristorante | 91 Elcock Avenue, Boonton
Photo Credit: Nostrana Ristorante
Nostrana is the sister restaurant of Hoboken’s Sorellina and Sirenetta, opened its doors in November 2024 and is already proving to be a favorite. Creator Gabi Lombardi specializes in a seasonally inspired menu featuring local ingredients, homemade pasta, and a curated selection of fine Italian wines + cocktails.
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
With features like a custom oak bar with a lounge feel in the back dining room, and a seasonal outdoor garden space, The Parkside Social has the name and look of a New York City restaurant + bar. The restaurant has a sophisticated feel while serving affordable and familiar yet elevated bar food.
pastaRAMEN | 6 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
View this post on Instagram
This culture-fusion restaurant is reminiscent of those found in none other than New York City. Some Italian ramen dishes worth trying out are the Tonkotsu Porchetta (pork parmigiano, fennel, arugula, yuzu, + ajitama) and the Chicken Katsu (chicken parmigiano shoyu broth, caper, kikurage, burro, + ajitama). People from all over are attracted to its speakeasy vibe, specifically the tinted windows that give way to privacy inside for that Gossip Girl-level status kind of feel.
Pink Moon Coffee | 258 Montgomery Street, Bloomfield
Pink Moon Coffee is exceptional in its service to its customers as well as standing out from the Jersey coffee scene by offering an international selection of pastries, snacks and coffees. From crepes and desserts to Cuban and bistec sandwiches, it also serves up some delicious yet diverse food options along with coffee.
Popolari | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This restaurant is great for patrons looking for a place to enjoy a handcrafted pizza or a classic Italian pasta dish. Popolari is a “retro-chic” pizzeria and restaurant worthy of the New York seal of approval. Its interior features an open-concept kitchen with bar-top seating, and a colorful display of handcrafted vintage posters displaying different Italian icons. Popolari also expands its menu a bit by serving not just American-style pizza but Neopolitan-style, as well.
Queen Margherita Trattoria | 246 Washington Avenue, Nutley
This Naples-inspired restaurant is city-like in that it is a hidden gem in Essex County. From classic Italian dishes to unique dessert delicacies, the restaurant has many delicious plates to offer any Instagram foodie or Italian cuisine connoisseur. Some of MG’s favorites are the tapenade and the linguini in clam sauce as these dishes are just scratching the surface of how unforgettable its recipes really are.
Sayola Restaurant | 38 Valley Road, Montclair
This fine dining establishment serves authentic Spanish cuisine any New Yorker would be impressed by. Sayola Restaurant has a variety of appetizers like the Tabla Iberica (serrano ham, chorizo, salchichon, and olives). It’s also known for delicious chorizo dishes like the Chicken Extremeña and the Grand Parrillada de Carne.
Sam’s Table | 377 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
The menu at Sam’s Table includes vegetable-forward, modern American flavors, which change every two weeks, based on what local farm flavors are the freshest at the moment, making every visit a little bit different. Sam’s goal is to make every meal at Sam’s Table as memorable and unique as possible, with an element of unexpected curiosity and surprise.
Somedays Bakery | 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Somedays Bakery is owned and operated by the team behind Chip City. It is a Parisian cafe that specializes in artisanal croissants and other bakery treats.
Terra Modern Cuisine | 300 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Terra Modern Cuisine is a family-run restaurant led by Chef Evelyn Cordoba, serving a menu rooted in traditional Peruvian cooking, with nods to Italian technique and a modern, fusion-minded point of view.
See More: The Best Jersey City Restaurants to Take Your Parents to Eat
Turtle + The Wolf | 622 Valley Road, Upper Montclair
Turtle + the Wolf is an industrial-chic eatery that has a Brooklyn feel to it. The restaurant serves family-style meals as well as individual dishes. Family-style choices include whole roasted suckling pig or Lo’s famous fried chicken, while the other meals include dishes like Spanish octopus, local burrata, and “brick” chicken with Parisian gnocchi, creamed Swiss chard, and more.
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Montclair updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
