A wise oracle once said “bread is life” and here at The Montclair Girl, we agree. Four years ago we created a guide to fresh bread in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond, so we thought it was time to give the Montclair area what they deserve. From soft and flaky croissants to crunchy Bastone and sesame seed encrusted simit, bread can make anyone’s day. Fresh bread, hot from the oven might just be the best and something you have been hunting for. We’ve knee\aded through the bakeries of the Montclair area finding locations baking up Italian, French, Portuguese, Turkish, Israeli, German, and gluten-free breads. Read on for a list of bakeries to get fresh bread at in the Montclair area.
Calandra’s Bakery | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell + 201 1st Avenue, West Newark
Photo Credit: @calandrasbakery
Calandra’s Bakery has three locations in Essex County, but the Newark and Caldwell storefronts are best known for the fresh bread and tasty Italian desserts. Bread lovers and Italians can find panellas, long and round rolls, bastone, French, kaiser rolls, semolina, whole wheat, rye, focaccia, and much more at Calandra’s. Calandra’s fresh bread is also sold at numerous retail locations and supermarkets in North Jersey like ShopRite, Kings, Foodtown, Corrados, and Weis Markets.
Gencarelli’s | 446 Broad Street, Bloomfield + 321 Valley Road, Wayne
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Taking just New Year’s Day off, Gencarelli’s is open 364 days a year, so you will never be without fresh bread. This Italian staple in Bloomfield has been baking breads, cakes, cookies, and pastries since 1975. Whether you prefer your bread with olive oil or butter, this spot has something for any taste bud. Gencarelli’s shelves are filled with Panella, Bastone, hoagie, baguette, semolina, croissants, numerous flavors and sizes of rolls, and rye, whole wheat, and pumpernickel breads.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair
Le French Dad Boulangerie | 10 Church Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: @lefrenchdadboulangerie
Montclair’s Le French Dad Boulangerie is located in the bustling heart of Montclair, Church Street. From macarons to kouign amann, this spot serves up some of the best French pastries out there and even bakes bread. Le French Dad Boulangerie features baguettes, croissants, olive bread, pain de mire, and ciabatta.
Liv Breads | 184 Essex Street, Millburn
Photo Credit: @livbreads
The downtown Millburn location of Liv Bread is filled daily with the sweet smell of baguettes, croissants, sourdoughs, ciabattas, and brioche. The Country Olive Sourdough and the new Rosemary and Garlic Confit Italian Bread are a must for any pasta dish and a great side to a morning breakfast platter. On Fridays, Liv Breads bakes up fluffy Challah that will be perfect for next-level French toast. Desserts here include several cookie flavors such as chocolate chip and gingersnap, palmiers, brownies, and Livs might just be the only place in Essex County serving Basque cheesecake.
In addition to the soft and crunchy breads and pastries, Liv has soups like tomato fennel and squash, sides, and spreads like labne and muhammara, and numerous sandwiches. Like any good bakery, Liv Bread offers matcha lattes, hot chocolate, espresso, and other hot and cold beverages.
Montclair Bread Company | 16 Label Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: @rabblerise
Montclair Bread Company has been taking the Montclair area by storm with its doughnuts for the last several years but has never abandoned its original mission, to bake delicious bread. Bread lovers can find baguettes, sourdough, challah, sandwich loaves, and ancient grains here, MG suggests ordering the Rosemary Sourdough Loaf. It is phenomenal when paired with olive oil and salt, you might just end up finishing the whole loaf in a day.
Nicolo’s Italian Bakery + Deli | 6 Baldwin Street, Montclair
For over half a century, Nicolo’s has been baking fresh breads like bastone, rolls, ciabatta, semolina, pita, whole wheat, and rolls. Nicolo’s also serves sandwiches and hot and cold sides. It is closed on Mondays.
Paris Baguette | 277 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
Baked daily, Paris Baguette serves milk bread, soft cream bread, multigrain, croissants, croissant loaf, brioche rolls, raisin bread, and baguettes. This spot also features signature sandwiches, salads, hot and cold drinks, cakes, and baked goods like mochi donuts, egg tarts, and buttercream bread. Just over a month ago Paris Baguette announced that a Montclair location would be opening in the future.
Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
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Plum Bakery is Montclair’s go-to spot for all things gluten-free, especially bread. Plum Bakery typically has fresh bagels, rolls, baguettes, and loaves which can go fast, so make sure to stop by early. The loaves here are ever so soft and fantastic when paired with olive oil and salt or a bit of peanut butter.
Rombiolo | 119 Broughton Street, Bloomfield
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South American treats have been meeting European bakery techniques since 2013 at Bloomfield’s Rombiolo. Fresh bread at Rombiolo includes croissants, bizcochos, baguettes, pan casero, hard and soft rolls. This spot also features a variety of sweets and treats like alfajor, chaja, palmera, cinnamon rolls, and muffins.
Styertowne Bakery | 1039 Bloomfield Avenue, Clifton
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Clifton’s Styertowne Bakery has been open since 1949, serving up classic German and American pastries and breads. Here one can find sourdough, German 6 Grain, garlic knots, rye, and more.
See More: Best Bakeries to Visit in Hoboken + Jersey City
Taskin Bakery | 103 Hazel Street, Paterson
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For over two decades, Paterson’s Taskin Bakery has been serving Turkish breads, pastries, and desserts. This spot features croissants, barbari bread, pide bread, flower bread, whole wheat, multigrain, sokak simit, açma, bazlama, and so many more Turkish breads. Check out the full menu here.
Teixeria’s Bakery | 186 Ferry Street, Newark
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Portuguese breads and baked goods can be found at Teixeria’s Bakery located in Newark’s Ironbound. This padaria (bakery in Portuguese) features rolls, baguettes, Italian bread, French bread, pao da avo (Grandma’s bread), pão caseiro, and multigrain breads. Founder Manuel Teixeria began operation in 1976 in Harrison and moved just across the Passaic to Newark in the 80s.
