Heading out for brunch has become a favorite pastime for many. Adding in a boozy drink option can take the meal to another level and Essex County has an incredible selection of brunch spots for any occasion. We’ve rounded up a list of restaurants offering boozy brunch for a daytime delight. Read on to find the next place to call the crew for a delicious meal and morning cocktails throughout Essex County.
Agave Maria | 170 Washington Avenue, Belleville
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A Mexican-inspired brunch with cocktails? Say less! Agave Maria in Belleville infuses all of the Mexican flavors we know and love into a brunch menu. Churro French toast, Birria Grilled Cheese, and Agave Pancakes served with a tres leches mix are all great options. The cocktail menu also incorporates Mexican flavors and alcohol. Agave Maria also has a full beer and wine list. Brunch at Agave Maria is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM – 4:00PM. Be sure to follow the restaurant on social media as the team often offers special events during brunch. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
Avenue Bistro | 558 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
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Avenue Bistro describes itself as “exceptionally casual.” the brunch menu here passes that vibe check. Avenue Bistro mixes comfort food and class every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00AM- 3:00PM for brunch. Guests can choose from options like Nutella stuffed French toast or a BLT frittata, to name a few. Mimosas and bellinis can be purchased a la carte for $9.00 each or a 90-minute bottomless option for $21.00. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
Cowan’s Public | 229 Centre Street, Nutley
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Cowan’s Public offers an upscale American brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11:00AM. The menu has fun spins on classics, including a BLT Burger, street corn tater tots and deviled eggs. The cocktail menu has brunch favorites like bellinis and bloody mary or larger tables can purchase a mimosa pitcher. To check out the full menu and to make a reservation, click here.
Fresco da Franco | 15 Church Street, Montclair
Fresco da Franco in Montclair has a menu filled with upgraded, Italian-inspired dishes. Brunch service is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30AM – 3:00PM. Guests can enjoy breakfast options like Crunch Frosted Flakes French Toast or Poached Eggs with mascarpone whipped polenta. Or, if lunch is on the brain, the gnocchi al tarufo or a brick oven pizza are excellent choices. Cocktails are available to add on, and choices include brunch classics like Bloody Mary and Mimosa. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
Read More: The Best Coffee Shops in Passaic County, New Jersey
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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The brunch experience at Faubourg in Montclair is highly sought after in Montclair. Guests can choose from an a la carte menu or a prix-fixe option. The a la carte menu has a wide range of options, from more traditional American breakfast dishes like French toast and a red berry parfait to something for seafood lovers, such as tuna tartare and lime or grilled octopus and lentil. If the a la carte option is chosen, guests can purchase alcoholic beverages from the wine list or cocktail menu. The prix-fixe option is $36 and it includes two courses and one breakfast cocktail. Brunch at Faubourg is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM-2:30PM. To check out the full menu and to book a reservation, click here.
Lit 21 | 1034 McCarter Highway, Newark
Lit 21 is where the party starts. The restaurant serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00PM – 4:00PM, and guests can enjoy a prix-fixes menu that costs $34.95. The prix-fixe menu offers three courses: appetizer, entrée, and dessert. An option for 90-minute unlimited mimosas can be added for a total cost of $49.95. Lit21 regularly hosts special events for Sunday Brunch with live entertainment. To check out the full menu and event schedule, click here.
Meal | 522-526 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Meal, located on Franklin Avenue in Nutley, has a boozy brunch not to be missed. While the brunch menu itself only has seven dishes to choose from, each one packs a ton of flavor. Guests with a sweet tooth can enjoy the crème brulee French toast served with strawberries, whipped cream, and 100% maple syrup, and those looking for something more savory can choose the hanger steak giambota that comes with crispy potatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and sausage. Meal offers cocktails a la carte or guests can opt in to 90-minute bottomless mimosas for $28.00. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
McLoone’s Boathouse | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
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McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange offers a Sunday brunch buffet from 10:30 AM -3:00 PM. Guests can enjoy cold and hot options as well as a raw bar. Some buffet menu items are assorted sandwiches, scrambled eggs, French toast, and chicken fingers. McLoone’s Boathouse also offers stations where chefs prepare food on the spot. Fresh Belgium waffles, create-your-own-omelet, and carving stations are available. Brunch is $42.95 for adults, and it includes one complimentary mimosa. Additional drinks can be purchased a la carte. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
See More: 11 Unique Brunches in Hoboken + Jersey City for Your Next Brunch Adventure
The Barrow House | 1296 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton
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The Barrow House, located at 1296 Van Houten Avenue in Clifton, has one of the most extensive boozy brunch menus in Essex County. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. There’s something for everyone on the menu as the options cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Diners are encouraged to start with plates to share for the table before moving on to entrees. The menu has breakfast options like eggs benedict and French toast and full sections devoted to burgers, sandwiches and pizza. The cocktail menu is also extensive. There are over one dozen cocktail options and a mocktail menu. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
Tops Diner | 500 Passaic Avenue, Harrison
Tops Diner in Harrison has been a New Jersey staple since the early 1940s. Recent renovations have brought a new life to the diner, along with an influx of new guests coming to get a taste of a New Jersey classic. The menu has dozens of options ranging from smoothies and milkshakes to seafood towers, burgers, toasts, salads, and more. Tops is known for its bakery section, where sweet treats come in hefty portions and plentiful options. The libations menu has a morning cocktail section for a boozy brunch. Some classics include peach Bellinis, mimosas and bloody mary or guests can choose from a signature cocktail. No brunch is complete without great tunes, and Tops Diner has a DJ spinning hits all weekend. To check out the full menu and make a reservation, click here.
Where to Get Mocktails in Essex County, New Jersey
While dry January is all about cutting back on alcoholic drinks, there's more to this than just the club soda and a splash of cran with lime. Mocktails are all the rage this Dry January and make for a great alternative for alcoholic beverages. These bars in the Montclair area have crafted some seriously tasty mocktails. Read on for a list of must-try mocktails in Montclair + Essex County, New Jersey.
Bar Franco | 5 Church Street, Montclair
This high-end cocktail bar, located next to its sister restaurant Fresco Da Franco, has three mocktails on its menu. The first, the Aranciata, is made with aranciata di sicilia, grape jelly, and clementines. The second is Limonata, which is made with limonata di sicilia, watermelon juice, and San Pellegrino. Lastly, the San Garibaldi is made with San Pellegrino 'and pressed orange juice.
Read More: Date Ideas for Dry January in Northern New Jersey
Bloom | 648 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
This French and Korean-inspired restaurant does not have any alcoholic drinks on its menu, which means there are plenty of great options for Dry January. Among the highlights are Seren-ade, made with blueberry, yuzu, and lemonade; Pomegranate Fizz, made with organic pomegranate juice, tajin, lime, and ginger beer; Strawberry Milkis, which comes with strawberry, honey, lemon, and milkis; and Mango Marni, made with mango, honey, turmeric, and cayenne.
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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Visit this lively spot for brunch, dinner, or an alcohol-free happy hour with friends. Some items on the drink menu here are available as mocktails, including A Little Bit of Cucumber, which is made with cucumber, lime, and rosemary.
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Faubourg is a French brasserie located in the heart of Bloomfield Avenue. This upscale spot has multiple mocktails on its menu, including the Virgin Mojito, made with lemon, mint, and club soda, and the Witching Hour, made with pomegranate, ginger beer, honey, and lemon.
Jack's Surf + Turf | 718 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This restaurant, which has another location in Short Hills, knows how to turn classic beverages into fun alcohol-free treats. Jack's Surf + Turf has twelve mocktails on its menu, some of which include the Rose-Berry Spritzer, made with cranberry juice, rose water, and club soda, Mango Mule, made with mango pure, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer, and Classic Mojito, made with fresh mint, fresh lime juice, and club soda.
Kai Yang | 345 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Kai Yang is a street food restaurant that serves all kinds of Thai food and drinks. Customers can find Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee, and fun pink mocktails that are topped with mint leaves on the menu.
McLoone’s Boathouse | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
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This restaurant is located within the South Mountain Reservation Complex, which means guests can enjoy the spectacular view of the reservoir while sipping their drinks. McLoone's Boathouse has three non-alcoholic drinks on its menu. The Blueberry Smash is made with blueberry puree, lemonade, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice. The Cucumber Mule-Less is made with cucumber, mint, lime, and ginger beer. The Grapefruit No-Jito is made with muddled lime + mint, simple syrup, and Q Mixers' sparkling grapefruit.
Millburn Standard | 42 Main Street, Millburn
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Millburn Standard is known for its tasty takes on familiar dishes and cozy dining room. The extensive drink list includes various mocktails, like A Tost to Sobriety, made with Tost Sparking white tea, cranberry, and ginger, and Nice List, made with Lyre's Agave spirit, Stella's sparkling peach, cranberry juice, lime juice, and cinnamon syrup.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street, Montclair
The husband and wife team who own this brewery keep it stocked with a revolving list of craft beers. The spot also has a selection of non-alcoholic craft drinks, including the MB Root Beer, Cranetown Lemonade, Pineapple Ginger Beer, Peach Lemonade.
Nami Nori | 378 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This casual temaki bar caused quite a buzz in town for its open-style sushi rolls. The spot does not have a liquor license so all the beverages are alcohol-free, but that doesn’t hinder the creativity. Try the Yuzu Palmer, made with lemon verbena tea, peach, yuzu juice, and mint.
Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen | 398 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This local gem serves pub grub, cocktails, and — of course — mocktails. At Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, patrons can find a mocktail made with Ritual's Zero Proof Tequila Alternative and topped with a mint leaf.
See More: A Guide to Mocktails in Hoboken + Jersey City
Sweet T's Southern Eatery | 387 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
For those who like their mocktails fruity, look no further than Sweet T's Southern Eatery. The menu at this spot includes three different fun mocktails, some of which include the Strawberry Lemonade, made with Sweet T's signature lemonade, muddled strawberries, strawberry flavor, and seltzer, and the Blueberry Lemonade made with Sweet T's signature lemonade, muddled blueberries, and seltzer.
