Ella Barchie 
Uncle Momo, the Parisian bistro at 702 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, has announced it will close later this June. Due to increases in rent, the restaurant cannot afford to stay open. Uncle Momo will still be available for catering and at its second location at 45 Broadway, Denville, but the Montclair restaurant, which has been there for almost 15 years, will be closing. Keep reading to learn more about Uncle Momo and its closing.
About Uncle Momo in Montclair
Uncle Momo opened in Montclair in 2012 by Ali and Narjis Lyoussi. The two are of Moroccan descent, a country whose cuisine has been greatly influenced by French food culture. Ali’s food experience comes from working at a Lebanese restaurant in New York City. Uncle Momo’s menu is a combination of French, Moroccan, and Lebanese cuisine. The restaurant describes itself as a Parisian bistro that combines French, Lebanese, and Mediterranean cuisine.
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Why Uncle Momo’s Montclair Location Is Closing
The restaurant has been continuously operating for 15 years. On Monday, June 15th, Ali and the Uncle Momo team announced on its Instagram page that the restaurant will be closing the Montclair location at the end of June after Father’s Day.
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Per the post, the decision was made once the building’s lease came to an end. Increasing rent prices meant that keeping Uncle Momo open was not possible. The restaurant has made a continuous decision over the past years to not raise prices out of respect for its loyal customer following. But this meant that keeping up with inflation was more challenging. “The restaurant has been so much more than a business,” the restaurant wrote on its Instagram. “Many of our customers became friends, and many friends became family. Serving this community has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
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Uncle Momo Will Continue
The decision to close the Montclair venue does not mean a full goodbye to Uncle Momo. It will continue to stay open at its Denville + Jersey City locations, and catering is still available to book online.
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