There is certainly no shortage of great coffee shops in Montclair — each with its own particular specialties. Whether it's part of your morning routine or for a midday pick-me-up, one of the perks of small-town living is having a local coffee spot that knows just how to make your order to perfection. To highlight some Montclair favorites, we've rounded up a list of locally-owned coffee shops right here in Essex County, taking note of coffee options, specific menu items, milk selections and substitutes, baked goods, and of course, ambiance. Keep reading for the list of coffee shops in Montclair, New Jersey.

Disclaimer: This list is growing — email [email protected] with any additions.

Artazu | 6 Depot Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Artazu is operated by the owners of Rombiolo Bakery Cafe, located at 119 Broughton Avenue in Bloomfield. This coffee shop serves drinks like macchiatos, espressos, frappes, and more. Aside from coffee, the spot serves baked goods like danishes, breads, cakes, and muffins, as well as savory pastries, such as oven-baked beef, chicken, ham, and spinach empanadas. These are delivered daily from its sister restaurant.

Read More: 9 Coffee Shops in Essex County With Outdoor Seating

Bleu Coffee | 8 Erie Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At this coffee shop, Montclair customers can expect to find a variety of coffee flavors on the menu, featuring the best brews from all over. From the Jamaica Blue Mountain, a smooth brew with hints of chocolate and fruit, to the Honduras Organic, a brew infused with caramel, chocolate, and citrus, there is something for everyone to try.

Bluestone Coffee Co | 123 Watchung Avenue

You didn’t hear it from us, but word on the street is you might catch Montclair native and celebrity Stephen Colbert stopping by for his AM brew at this local café. Bluestone Coffee is a unique addition to this list as an Australian-owned spot that roasts the beans in-house, which are also available for purchase. It’s rich and strong, which is perfect to fuel your morning.

Non-dairy milk available: coconut, almond, and soy

The Corner | 115 Grove Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This popular brunch and rendezvous spot serves up all the best La Colombe blends, but don’t feel obliged to stay and eat. The coffee bar menu is simple and to the point and features items like drip coffee, Americano, golden latte, espresso, and more.

Non-dairy milk available: almond and soy

Eagle Rock Cafe | 202 Bellevue Avenue #1B

Eagle Rock is more than just a pretty face. This Insta-worthy shop brews Intelligentsia drip coffee and espresso drinks, such as the flat white, mocha, cold brew, macchiato, and much more.

Non-dairy milk available: almond and oat

Insomnia Coffee | 111 Glenridge Avenue

Insomnia Coffee, a Colombian coffee truck on wheels, is located in the parking lot of 111 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. It's menu includes brews like the cortadito, which features fresh brewed espresso topped with foam, the cappuccino, made with espresso, foam, milk and cinnamon, and more. There are other Latin-inspired eats freshly-baked on premises at this spot, like chicken, beef, and cambray empanadas, as well as pastries and desserts such as Arepa de Chocolo and Tres Leches.

Java Love | 244 Bellevue Avenue + 49 Church Street + 39 Glenridge Avenue + 1 University Promenade (inside Montclair State's Student Center)

Whether uptown or downtown in Montclair, there is a cozy corner to enjoy a cup of joe at Java Love. All the coffee is either organic and/or sustainably farmed, fair trade, or rainforest alliance-certified, which means the best of the best. Java Love also has great seasonal specialty drinks as well as both sweet and savory baked goods. On top of serving customers a daily dose of caffeine, Java Love also serves the surrounding community by hosting coffee classes, live music, game nights, and other events.

Non-dairy milk available: coconut, oat, almond, and soy

Lit Cafe | 25 Church Street

This coffee spot, which also sells its own candles and wellness production, serves an ever-changing menu with seasonal drinks “that’ll make your fall and winter days extra cozy,” Lit Cafe told The Montclair Girl. For February, Montclair locals can find drinks like the lavender latte, Mocha Amour, Nutty Affair, and more.

Local Coffee | 107 Watchung Avenue

Photo Credit: Local Coffee

Local Coffee is family-owned and operated, and is brewing hot beverages and bringing decadent pastries from some of the best vendors throughout New York and New Jersey. All of the coffee is sourced from Irving Farm Coffee Roasters, the tea is harvested from Tay Tea, and you can find an assortment of treats from Balthazar Bakery and Granola Lab.

Non-dairy milk available: oat, almond, and soy

Mattarello Bakery + Cafe | 254 Bellevue Avenue

Mattarello serves up dozens of baked goods and specialty coffees. Some of the highlights include the Nutella latte, cortado, Dulce De Leche Latte, and more. Some delicious menu items include Nutella bites, ‘St. Joseph's Cream Puffs’, and gluten-free chocolate Caprese.

Non-dairy milk available: oat, almond, and soy

Paper Plane Coffee Co. | 61 North Fullerton Avenue

The coffee served at Paper Plane has origins over 150 years old, beginning on a family farm in the mountains of Colombia. The shop also serves up all the classics but also provides a unique selection of pour-over coffees, coffee soda (think cherry-vanilla soda and espresso), and an entire section of the menu dedicated to science. Yes, science. The drinks found in this section experiment with temperatures and complementing flavors like chocolate, spices, and fruits. Paper Plane takes the traditional coffee break to a whole new level.

Non-dairy milk options: oat, almond, and soy

Qahwah House | 493 Bloomfield Avenue

Qahwah House, a Yemeni-style coffee spot with locations around the country, has brought its coffee creations to the Montclair community. At this spot, Montclarians can order signature creations like the Sana’ani Coffee, a medium roast coffee made with cardamom, a Middle Eastern spice, and Adeni Chai, a Yemeni black tea mixed with cardamom, nutmeg, and milk.

Non-dairy milk options: oat, almond, and soy

Red Eye Cafe | 94 Walnut Street

When there’s time to sit down or take a stroll, we recommend doing so with a cup of joe from Red Eye. Located in the heart of Walnut Street, this Montclair staple brews organic, fair trade, and rainforest-alliance-certified Kobrick coffee and espresso. Try the signature ‘sludge’ made from cold-brewed espresso and cardamom or add organic CBD to any beverage.   

Non-dairy milk options: almond, oat, and soy

Sankofa Cafe | 319 Orange Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This spot "prides [themselves] on serving premium, ethically sourced coffee crafted with passion and precision," as per its website. Along with pastries and a global-inspired menu, Sankofa Cafe serves everyone's favorite coffee items, from espressos to macchiatos to flat whites. The cafe encourages locals to stop in and experience the place “where every visit is a journey” and “every cup tells a story.”

Thought in Motion Waterbar | 127B Valley Road Suite B

Thought in Motion Waterbar is a crystal-infused water bar that serves as part coffee shop and part wellness center. This spot features a custom-built 11-step filtration system where the water for its Crystal Charged Water passes through. After the water is cleaned, it is passed over volcanic rocks for natural minerals, shungite, and a mixture of quartz crystals. This process ensures that the water served is balanced, restricted, transmuted, and charged with the highest vibe intentions. The coffee at this shop is made with its charged water. The menu includes espresso, cappuccinos, Americano, cold brew, hot chocolate, and unique lattes like turmeric and matcha.

Non-dairy milk available: crystal charged cashew coconut milk and organic almond milk

Tous les Jours | 520 Bloomfield Avenue

Tous les Jours is a French-Asian bakery located on Bloomfield Avenue. Tous les Jours means “every day” in French, and the bakery, which specializes in desserts, fun beverages, and coffee, makes its products fresh each day, per its website. Along with an expansive menu of baked goods, which includes cakes, savory and sweet breads, doughnuts, and more, locals can find coffee drinks like the iced lavender latte, caramel macchiato, and iced cafe mocha.

Non-dairy milk available: almond, soy, and oat milk

Trend Coffee + Tea House | 411 Bloomfield Avenue

This property, built in 1860, is the oldest house in Montclair, according to Trend Coffee + Tea House's website. The menu at this coffee joint includes signature drinks like the Nutella latte, almond latte, caramel macchiato, white chocolate mocha, and more. For chai lovers, this spot also serves chai latte in the flavors turmeric, chocolate, and pumpkin a la mode.

Non-dairy milk available: organic almond milk and organic soy milk

Vesta Chocolate | 598 Valley Road Suite 2

Come to revel in endless amounts of chocolate decadence and then stay for the extra caffeine boost from a delicious coffee. The couple behind Vesta Chocolate has served some of the most prestigious restaurants and brands in the food world and feels strongly about bringing luxury to everyday treats, like chocolate and coffee. Albeit a simple menu, the coffee drinks are rich and work well to compliment all the bonbons, baked goods, and bars.

Non-dairy milk option: oat

See More: A Guide to the Coffee Shops of Hoboken

Bonus

Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint | 575 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove

Just minutes from downtown Montclair, this coffee spot creates a fun, family-friendly environment. There is ample seating, bookshelves lined with children’s books, and Pac-Man for game enthusiasts. After you're done with the various activities, this coffee shop has a cinnamon-roll-inspired espresso as well as a French toast-inspired drink, among other options to choose from.