It seems as though cute cafes are around every corner now and filling up Instagram feeds no matter the algorithm. It does take some extra effort to make a passerby or curious viewer indulge in a coffee shop’s creations. At Chashni Cafe, located at 349 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, the Pakistani-American fusion drinks and bites make the cafe stand out among its MTC predecessors — and that doesn’t even include the pink interior design that’s just as cozy as its chai. Read on to learn more about Chashni Cafe, the newest addition to Bloomfield Avenue’s must-visit cafes + its all-day menu.

About the Business

Owner and manager Amena Chaudhri was born in Pakistan but raised in New Jersey. “Our business feels like home in every sense, and that strong bond with New Jersey has influenced everything we do,” Amena told The Montclair Girl. While she studied interior design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), she spent more time eating brunch and lunch at Montclair hot spots like The Corner and Toast.

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After her husband and in-laws opened several chicken shops under the name of Namkeen, she was inspired to open her own cafe in Chatham, and now a second location in Montclair. “This is where people appreciate good, diverse food, and it’s home to a dynamic community that’s open to trying new things,” said Amena. “We saw Montclair as the perfect place to open Chashni because it’s progressive, welcoming, and passionate about food. Our goal is to offer an experience that feels familiar yet innovative, mixing the warmth and authenticity of our roots with the modern sensibilities of the community we’re part of.”

Chashni Cafe immediately sets itself apart by fusing Amena’s Pakistani roots and her interior design expertise. Pink hues fill the space and booths feature clay backs instead of cushions that are reminiscent of her homeland. The cafe takes most pride in welcoming all taste buds as it has incorporated Pakistani flavors in the American dishes on the menu. For instance, the cafe tops its home fries with masala sauce that adds a kick of flavor; one of the three Smashburger options is topped with a mint + spicy tamarind chutney; and its date salad includes Medjool dates and Persian cucumbers amongst other ingredients underneath a lemon tahini vinaigrette. These are just a few of the many tasty dishes the cafe serves up all day, which already sets itself apart from other cafes.

Chashni Cafe’s menu includes an assortment of breakfast items such as sandwiches and waffles to breakfast bowls and burritos. It has an array of artisanal toasts with toppings like avocado, burrata + tomato, and strawberry + rose. There are seasonal options, too, and the cold temperatures have brought along comforting toasts like spiced bosc pear (cacao-infused mascarpone, bosc pears, warm spices, and a drizzle of honey on sourdough) and ricotta + butternut squash (herbed ricotta, squash, caramelized onions, sprinkled candied pecans, and fresh mint on sourdough). Drinks like the rose saffron latte and the Rooh Afzah refresher are must-tries as they are delicious Pakistani creations that aren’t easy to find anywhere else in New Jersey.

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Whether it be a weekend brunch, date night, or a much-needed solo outing for a quiet cup of coffee, Chashni Cafe is a place that fits every occasion. Chashni Cafe is open 9AM-5PM Tuesday through Thursday, 9AM-12AM Friday and Saturday, and 9AM-7PM on Sunday. It is closed on Monday.

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