With all of the local eateries and outdoor dining options that Montclair has to offer, it is only fitting that diners can also find endless spots to get their dessert fix. Whether the moment calls for fresh baked goods, a gluten-free treat, or ice cream with any topping imaginable, it is unlikely you will leave the area without satisfying your sweet tooth. Read on for our guide to all things dessert in Montclair.
Disclaimer: This is a growing list, and further suggestions are welcomed. Please email hello@themontclairgirl.com with any additions.
Absolute Zero Ice Cream | 410 Bloomfield Avenue
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The staff at Absolute Zero hand-makes ice cream rolls, starting with fresh milk and cream to create a base. The team then mixes fresh fruit or cookies for additional flavor before rolling up the mixture to create Thai-inspired ice cream rolls. There is absolute(ly) nothing not to love.
Read More: Old-School Candy + Chocolate Shops in North Jersey
Applegate Farm | 616 Grove Street
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Dating back to 1848, Applegate is excited to celebrate over 170 years of ice cream as it continues the motto of serving #SweetScoopsFromThePast. Visitors can enjoy almost every variation of hard ice cream, soft serve, and toppings one could possibly dream of in an old-fashioned farmhouse-style venue. The farm store also sells pies, ice cream cakes, chocolates, apple cider donuts, and other novelties.
Bar Franco | 5 Church Street
From the mind of Hollywood TV producer Franco Porporino — who also owns Fresco da Franco — Bar Franco is a new high-end cocktail lounge and Italian tapas restaurant in MTC. On the menu here is a $1,000 dessert called the “La Bomba,” which is a diamond-shaped confection consisting of a vanilla cookie topped with chocolate mousse and vanilla cream, flecked with 24-karat gold leaf. The dessert also comes with a 24-karat diamond-encrusted fork (which you can take home), and a shot of Louis XIII cognac.
Benvenuti Montclair | 20 Church Street
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Two first-generation Italian-American families, the Browns, and the Mazzeos bring an authentic Italian gelato and café experience right here to the heart of New Jersey. They were inspired by the quintessential Italian experience of strolling through town, after dinner, enjoying gelato. The gelato is made in-house, and flavors change regularly. There are also vegan, gluten-free, and CBD-infused gelatos available. In addition to the gelato, sorbet, pastries, and other treats are on the menu. Patrons can also pre-order goodies online.
Guerriero Gelato | 571 Bloomfield Avenue
This local franchise originally started in Caldwell and has made its way to Montclair, providing locals with dozens of gelato, hard ice cream, and Italian ice flavors. Fun fact: chef-turned-CEO Mike Guerriero has been with the company since 2005 back when it was called Gelotti, before major growth and a few name changes. The shop is now ranked #1 Gelato in the USA. There are vegan and gluten-free options, and patrons can pre-order treats online.
Jayce Baudry French Pastry | 17 Church Street
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Jayce Baudry is a French patisserie that serves up traditional French sweets, custom cakes, and elegant desserts. The selection here is practically endless. Some of the pastries and cakes on the menu here include peach cobbler, an individual salted caramel cake, passion fruit cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake, and flan, among others. There’s also French meringue, cookies, muffins, croissants, pound cakes, macarons, chocolates, ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and more to choose from.
Kreme + Krumbs | 147 Bloomfield Avenue
Kreme + Krumbs is a beloved ice cream spot that opened up in Montclair in July 2022 after previously being located in Bloomfield. The spot quickly became popular for the ‘Kremewhich’ — an ice cream sandwich that consists of both ice cream and cake with a variety of flavors to pick from. Also known for its ‘Over The MOOn’ ice cream, Kreme and Krumbs has offered flavors like Peanutbutta Milk and Kookies, Junk Kreme (vanilla ice cream, brownie chunks, caramel, and salted pretzels), and its version of Rocky Road called Jersey Turnpike.
Laboratorio Kitchen | 615 Bloomfield Avenue
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Laboratorio Kitchen is a new-American restaurant in the center of Montclair’s downtown that’s owned by Montclair resident, Chef James DeSisto. Some of the dessert options on the menu here include a mint chocolate chip mousse tart, fresh tiramisu, carmelized pineapple cheesecake, and Tres Leche cake, among others.
Le French Dad Boulangerie | 10 Church Street
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Bringing traditions of France to the streets of Montclair, the owner takes pride in “producing daily boulanger(è)s and pâtissier(è)s handcraft bread, viennoiseries, and pastries for the community.” Menu staples range from more simple cinnamon buns and apple turnovers to pistachio escargot and fougasse cheese.
Let’s Yo! Montclair | 31 Valley Road
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With three locations in New Jersey, this shop is known for its extensive options of self-serve nonfat, low-fat, no-sugar-added, tart, and premium frozen yogurts with unlimited toppings including sweet treats, and healthier fruit + nut options. A vanilla and chocolate plant-based option, along with a handful of custards, gelato, ice cream, and dairy-free sorbets are also regularly available in-store and for delivery.
The Little Daisy Bake Shop | 622 Valley Road
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For anyone with a nut or peanut allergy, this bakeshop is a safe haven. The entire menu is peanut-free and the staff is known for producing seasonal classics to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and Easter.
Marcel Bakery + Kitchen | 631 1/2 Valley Road
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Sharing popular specials “from our Mediterranean home to yours,” the staff at Marcel opens its doors daily from 8AM-7PM except Friday, when it’s open from 8AM-4PM). While sandwiches, salads, and hearty breakfast dishes are the main attraction one can always stop by for a cookie, muffin, or pastry to satisfy a sweet craving.
Mattarello Bakery + Café | 254 Bellevue Avenue
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Fan favorites at Mattarello include cannolis, sfogliatella, and lobster tails, but the extensive menu spans way beyond these top picks. This bakery also serves custom cakes, a coffee bar, breads, and regular holiday specials. Patrons can order online in advance for ultimate ease.
Nicolo’s Italian Bakery + Deli | 6 Baldwin Street
If you are looking for a sandwich made on fresh homemade bread followed by a muffin, cookie, or slice of pie, then Nicolo’s on Baldwin Street is the place to be. The deli started out as a small neighborhood shop just making bread in 1967 and now has advanced to full daily menus, wholesale and retail options, catering, and more. While desserts aren’t the main specialty, Nicolo’s is still known for the Grandma Galasso Sesame Seed cookies, homemade fresh fruit pies, apple turnovers, chocolate croissants, and seasonal pastries.
The Pie Store | 100 Watchung Avenue
Focused on sweet and savory, this shop is known for carrying a variety of imported goods from the UK. The menu, which is a tribute to traditions across the Pond, is a mix of savory Thanksgiving classics including shepherd’s pie and turkey + stuffing pie, along with more dessert-focused dishes such as various renditions of double-crusted apple pie. A few of the weekend-only specials include coconut custard pie, chocolate mousse pie, and banoffee.
Plum Bakery Gluten-Free | 179 Glenridge Avenue
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Plum Bakery is a woman-owned business in Downtown Montclair that proudly brings a mix of the world’s most popular desserts including birthday cakes, rugelach, doughnuts, and much more, all without a trace of gluten. Stop by the store or check out the website and Instagram page for free tutorials on how to make these gluten-free treats right from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Stuff by SJ | 342 Bloomfield Avenue
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Stuff by SJ is a woman-owned, small business run by owner Sarah Jean Miller, known as SJ. The bakeshop sells custom baked goods and chocolate treats for all occasions. Custom orders require advance notice, while the shop is stocked daily with a rotating variety of freshly baked goodies. Custom orders can also be prepared for special diets such as vegan treats and gluten-free.
Sweet Kitchen | 533 Bloomfield Avenue
While this restaurant does offer a more formal sit-down brunch option, it also encourages customers looking for a quick snack to grab and go from the extensive selection of homemade pastries. According to the chef, some fan favorites include the Napoleon, carrot cake, and different variations of cheesecakes.
See More: Unique Ice Cream Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City
Vesta Chocolate | 598 Valley Road, Suite 2
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Those in search of a clean organic luxury bean-to-bar chocolate will find the answer at Vesta Chocolate. Vesta is a small craft chocolate company that roasts cacao beans to make chocolate and then uses its own chocolate to create a variety of confections and baked goods. Many items here are vegan. Don’t miss the hot chocolate!
