New restaurants pop up in Montclair all the time + new eateries are great for a dynamic food scene. But there’s also something special about Italian food spots with old-school vibes that make Montclair the vibrant city we all love. When a craving for a hot Italian sandwich, cannoli, or a classic butter cookie strikes, there are plenty of traditional Italian eateries in Montclair to visit. Keep reading to discover some of Montclair’s old-school Italian food spots.
Belgiovine’s Italian Deli | 714 Bloomfield Avenue
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Belgiovine’s Italian Deli is a family-owned eatery that has been part of the Montclair food scene for over 15 years. The menu features sandwiches, like the MKA Special with chicken cutlet, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, shredded lettuce, + balsamic vinegar, salads, soups, and sides. The Sausage Stuffed Peppers on the sides menu is a must. Guests craving pizza can also order old-fashioned pan pies like the Drunk Grandma with fresh mozzarella, vodka sauce, pecorino romano, + cherry tomatoes.
Read More: This Family-Owned Deli Serves Jewish + Italian Specialties in Livingston
Grove Deli + Catering | 121 Grove Street
Grove Deli serves authentic Italian flavors for breakfast, lunch, + dinner. This family-owned and operated restaurant first opened in 1974. The menu has cold subs, like one with soppressata, cappicola, + provolone, hot subs, burgers, wraps, and pasta.
Leone’s | 19 South Park Street
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Leone’s is an Italian-American pizzeria that opened in Montclair in 1995. It was featured on an episode of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares in 2011 but the restaurant recovered from some initial struggles and is a Montclair staple today. The restaurant serves a selection of wood-fired pizzas, pasta, weekly specials + entrees like Eggplant Parmesan and Chicken Milanese. The dessert menu features tartufo, cannolis, + lemoncello mascarpone cake.
Mattarello Bakery + Café | 254 Bellevue Avenue
Mattarello Bakery + Café sells classic Italian baked goods and sweets like cannolis, sfogliatella, lobster tails, St. Joseph’s cream puff, and pandoro. The extensive cookie selection includes amaretti, pignoli, biscotti, nocini, biscotti, + butter cookies. Gluten-free guests are not left out and there’s an entire GF menu with options like pistachio ricotta cheesecake, lemon caprese, and ricotta pear cake.
Nicolo’s Italian Bakery + Deli | 6 Baldwin Street
Nicolo’s is as old school as it gets. This family-owned bakery opened in 1967 and continues to make traditional Italian and Semolina bread. The deli sandwich menu has favorites like an Italian hero, an Italian-style hot dog, + a sandwich with soppressata, fresh mozzarella, and peppers. Pizza, homemade pasta, + desserts are also available. Anyone with a sweet tooth will want to try Nicolo’s pies, cookies, or muffins.
Panzano Pizzeria | 71 Walnut Street
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Panzano Pizzeria is owned by brothers Jonathan and Christopher Latona who were excited to share their traditional family recipes with Montclair residents. The pizza menu is huge and has something for everyone, such as a Chicken Cutlet Pesto Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, and Grandma’s Pizza along with gluten-free and cauliflower crust pizzas. Beyond pizza, the Italian eatery has classic pasta dishes, strombolis, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts like zeppoles.
Rosario’s Butcher Shop + Italian Specialities | 252 Park Street
This family-owned butcher shop + deli has been serving authentic Italian dishes in Montclair for over five years. The shop is owned by Michele and Rosario who both bring family recipes to the menu. Rosario is a second-generation butcher from Calabria, Italy who specializes in homemade sausages. The shop sells salads, sandwiches, wraps, + hot heroes.
See More: The Best Italian Restaurants in Hoboken: A Definitive List
Sparo’s Deli + Catering | 197 B Bellevue Avenue
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Sparo’s is an authentic Italian deli that aims to be “a local spot that is bringing back the nostalgia of being at grandma’s kitchen table.” The menu is a mix of traditional family recipes and modern favorites. Dozens of different sandwiches served on seeded semolina or unseeded Italian bread are available like the Mama Cici with a chicken cutlet, prosciutto, mozzarella, broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, + Duke’s mayo and the Dani Girl with chicken and eggplant parmesan, marinara, + mozzarella. Wraps, salads, + gluten-free sandwiches are also on the menu.
