There is something delightfully indulgent about a meal that takes all the best parts of a restaurant’s menu and serves it at once. Brunch is really quite a genius creation, and we love spending a leisurely afternoon enjoying brunch in Montclair. From French toast to lox and bagels to bottomless mimosas, brunch may not be the most important meal of the day but it’s definitely the most fun. We’ve rounded up some of the best places for a great brunch in Montclair. Read on for a guide to the best brunch spots in Montclair.
Bluestone Coffee Co. | 123 Watchung Avenue
Montclair native Stephen Colbert has named this quaint spot one of his favorites — so you know it’s worth a try. Bluestone Coffee Co. is open almost every day of the year for breakfast and lunch and roasts all its coffee on the premises. The food is delicious and all the bread is sourced daily from Balthazar Bakery, so it’s the best of the best. Try the classic eggs benedict or Virginia ham and brie sandwich to really indulge. The cafe also has gluten-free options available, making it a good choice for a group.
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The Corner | 115 Grove Street
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Walk in to put a name down on the waitlist, because there always is one, and revel in the trendy décor and chill vibes. This is probably one of the most insta-worthy meals in town since the food is as gorgeous as it is delicious. The pastry board is an absolute must — it has three baked pastries that come with fruit preserves and butter. Pair it with the bright, citrusy Sunrise juice for some balance. Give the avocado toast a try plus a poached egg for good measure or, if lunch is on the brain, go for the Corner Burger and do not pass on those shoestring fries.
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
Faubourg provides the elegance and decadence of Parisian cuisine right in the heart of Montclair. The brunch menu consists of shared plates, a two-course prix-fixe menu, and an a-la-carte selection, so there is something for everyone. The tarte-flambée is a thin flatbread with cheese and bacon — think of it as a breakfast pizza sans egg. To get the most bang for your buck, pick the seasonal fruit bowl and crab benedict from the prix-fixe menu. Take advantage of the outdoor oasis and truly feel transported to the charming French quarters.
Fresco da Franco | 15 Church Street
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Inspired by the fresh and authentic dishes from Franco Porporino’s (the owner) family kitchen, this staple on Church Street recently launched a new brunch menu. Some favorites include the eggs purgatory and avocado toast, but don’t skip the crunchy French toast because anything with a cornflake crust is going to be a must-try! P.S. — check out the Instagram page and spot a few Real Housewives that also frequent the eatery.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street
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This modern, upscale Walnut Street eatery serves up a seafood-centered brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30AM to 3PM, occasionally accompanied by a live jazz band to really set the mood. While there is a lot of seafood on the menu, there are other choices like steak and eggs or avocado toast.
Le Salbuen | 97 Walnut Street
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The cheery yellow umbrellas signaling Le Salbuen’s storefront are the first clue that diners are about to escape the hustle and bustle of the city or even downtown Montclair. This French Bistro is a quintessential farm-to-table eatery — the husband and wife chefs take pride in the seasonal, local, and organic menu. If available, may we suggest the bacon, goat cheese, and fig mini croissant with a glass of freshly squeezed OJ, and champagne? Any option with duck is also guaranteed to impress.
Libelula Bakery + Kitchen | 5 North Fullerton Avenue
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Veruska and Brian, the seasoned culinary experts behind Libelula, serve up bakery, breakfast, and lunch items with Latin flair. For a sweet option, try out the Tres leches pancakes or the Avena (chocolate oatmeal, coconut flakes, and berries with a side of pressed bread + butter). If you’re looking for something savory, Libelula has you covered with steak and eggs, and a DR breakfast sandwich with eggs, fried cheese, sausage, mangu, and onions on a Portuguese roll, among other items.
Marcel Bakery + Kitchen | 631 ½ Valley Road
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This Mediterranean cafe has something for just about everyone, both the sweet tooth and the savory seekers. Marcel Bakery and Kitchen serves up egg sandwiches and wraps on freshly baked bread, grain bowls and smoothies, and grilled cheese for our savory-minded friends. For those with a sweet tooth, Marcel has an array of baked goods ranging from cakes and scones to brownies to satisfy. Don’t skip out on the coffee — the spot has everything from lattes and cappuccinos to matcha and chai, among other options.
Mercado | 605 Valley Road
Mercado is truly a one-stop-shop for breakfast and lunch needs: with a coffee bar, a hot food bar, and a menu expansive enough to try something new every day for a whole month. As for the breakfast and lunch highlights, options include an egg white frittata sandwich, a sweet potato hash burrito, avocado toast, grain bowls, and an edamame crunch salad, among other dishes.
Montclair Diner | 613 Valley Road
Montclair Diner is a local favorite that serves up just about everything — including some delicious brunch items. Options include three-egg omelets, buttermilk pancakes, French toast, waffles, and a variety of other items. MG Pro Tip: try the eggs benedict. Montclair Diner also has a special seasonal menu, which currently includes items like shrimp and grits, as well as chicken and sweet + spicy bacon-infused waffles.
Raymond’s | 28 Church Street
Get in line for one of Montclair’s very best. Raymond’s bright and cheerful vibe pays homage to New Jersey’s greatest diners with a modern twist. The waitstaff is friendly, the décor is retro, and the food is on point. Make your own omelet, eat the French toast, and don’t ignore the specials — they’re always enticing. If your table has room for dessert, the wildberry cobbler or warm ricotta doughnuts cannot be overlooked.
Red Eye Cafe | 94 Walnut Street
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Start off Sundays right with a big, hearty breakfast from Red Eye — which has a special brunch menu as well as the regular breakfast spread. The menu is influenced by an eclectic mix of cuisines from around the world made evident by the scotch egg banh mi sandwich, chilaquiles, and shrimp and grits. Don’t forget to try the signature ‘sludge’ coffee made from cold-brewed espresso and cardamom.
Samba | 7 Park Street
Samba highlights a new perspective on Brazilian cuisine, which is typically characterized by rodizio restaurants in Northern New Jersey. Patrons willing to explore new culinary customs will be rewarded and surprised by the tropical ingredients and bold flavors at Samba. Påo de queijo is a type of cheese bread native to Brazil that is naturally gluten-free and is the star of many dishes on the brunch menu like the Brazilian avocado toast, and egg and cheese panini.
Sweet Kitchen | 533 Bloomfield Avenue
Sweet Kitchen has been serving the Montclair community since 2000. The menu here has classics like omelets, eggs benedict, crepes, and French toast, along with yogurt, oatmeal, and other items like a sweet pastry board. Other options include a Sunny Avocado Croissant, salmon toast, and naan pizza.
Toast | 700 Bloomfield Avenue
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Know as a go-to breakfast spot in MTC, diners will find breakfast sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and a build-your-own burger on Toast’s menu. Vegan options are also scattered throughout the menu. The sides and beverages are equally plentiful as the breakfast meats and the lattes are popular.
See More: The Best BYOB Brunch Spots in Hoboken
Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue
Ali and Narjis Lyoussi, the husband and wife team behind Uncle Momo, have been masterfully integrating elements of Moroccan, Lebanese, and French cuisine in the downtown restaurant for almost ten years. Try the Tunisian eggs, made on two over-easy eggs on a bed of spicy pepper and tomato sauce, or a savory crepe made with quinoa flour and filled with eggs and cheese.