There’s something undeniably charming about a picnic, especially in the Garden State. Summer 2025 is the perfect time to enjoy New Jersey’s green spaces and eat local. Whether it is a European-style summer or a Local Girl summer because of Newark Airport delays, The Montclair Girl has you covered with where to go and what to eat. Whether you’re picking up warm pizza with pepperoni, a sweet spread from a neighborhood bakery, or grazing your way through a farmers’ market, the Montclair area has the goods. Read on for a picnic guide to Montclair area restaurants, cafes, and parks.
Butler + the Board | 103 Forest Street, Montclair
MG suggests preordering a charcuterie board from Butler and the Board and eating it with friends at nearby Erie Park or Crane Park. Selections include meats, cheeses, pickles, and seasonal produce like soppressata, bacon jam, Labneh with garlic and scallions, and feta with tomato confit. In addition to the charcuterie board fixins, the Butler and the Board has a great selection of prepared foods, including picnic classics like pasta salad and a variety of pickles.
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The Corner | 115 Grove Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: @thecornermontclair
The Corner is a staple in the Walnut Street neighborhood, known for its baked goods and cozy interior. Erie Park and Crane Park are closest to The Corner and an easy walk. MG suggests picnicking at Yantacaw Brook Park in Montclair while sampling the Corner Brunch Pastry Board for $9, which comes with house-made fruit preserves + butter.
Crazy Argentinian Empanadas | 143 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
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Crazy Argentinian Empanadas has a baker’s dozen of empanadas for $41.99. The menu features traditional flavors such as Chicken and Mushroom; special flavors like BBQ Pork and Pepperoni Pizza; and dessert flavors like Apple Pie and Nutella Brownie. After making a selection for savory and sweet flavors, MG suggests enjoying your pickings at Yanticaw Park or Kingsland Park in Nutley.
Le Souk | 51 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
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The four for $32 combo at Le Souk features Middle Eastern staples like Labneh, beet salad, falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and Baba Ghanoush, all served with pita. This can be enjoyed nearby at Watchung Park or Watchung Plaza. For a picnic with a view of the water, MG suggests Montclair’s Edgemont Park or Yantacaw Brook Park.
Jaycee Baudry French Pastry | 17 Church Street, Montclair
Jaycee Baudry French Pastry is one of MGs picks for How to Have a European Summer in Montclair. This French bakery specializes in upscale pastries and sweets like croissants, macarons. These goods can be enjoyed at Porter Park, just a short walk from Church Street. Larger groups can enjoy the $70 Sweet Box, which comes with eight macarons, eight madeleines, six financiers, and four Cannelés de Bordeaux; or the $40 Mini Pastries Platter, which includes 12 selections.
Mr. Dino’s | 119 Watchung Avenue, Montclair
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A pie or two from Mr. Dino’s can be enjoyed at Watchung Park or the tables in Watchung Plaza. This spot has deep dish pizza, pasta, chicken parmigiana, seafood like shrimp scampi, and hot and cold sandwiches. Other picnic locations are nearby Brookdale Park or Edgemont Park.
Taqueria Los Gueros | Multiple Locations
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The Fiesta Packs from Taqueria Los Gueros are a picnic must. MG suggests the Taquiza, which ranges from $30 to $40 and comes with 30 tacos, and garnishes including onion, cilantro, salsa, and limes. Taqueria Los Gueros has several locations, including 176 Bloomfield Avenue + 403 West Passaic Avenue in Bloomfield. Other storefronts are in Fairfield, Belleville, Clifton, and Newark. MG suggests picking up from the Bloomfield Avenue location and checking out Watsessing Park, Branch Brook Park, or the Bloomfield Green. Those grabbing their meals from the West Passaic Avenue location should check out Kingsland Park in Nutley and pick a spot near the waterfall.
So Juicy | 24 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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The menu at So Juicy serves up sushi, hibachi, and poke bowls. MG suggests ordering from here for a picnic lunch to enjoy on the nearby Bloomfield Green. Classic Rolls range from $4.75 to $5.75; Specialty Rolls from $10.15 to $13.55; and the Lunch Special from $9.85 to $13.50. The Lunch Special includes dishes like General Tso’s and vegetable hibachi.
Van Hook Cheese + Grocery | 111 Grove Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: @vanhookcheese
Van Hook is a cut-to-order artisan cheese shop in the Walnut Street neighborhood. This family-owned business stocks over 75 cheeses and meats like prosciutto, jamon, bresaola, and a variety of pates. Platters or Cheese Club are two ways to elevate your picnic with the goods from Van Hook Cheese + Grocery. MG suggests ordering a Tiny Platter, which comes with patron’s selection of meat and cheese, and is paired with crackers, fruit, nuts, and pickled things.
Each month, those who partake in Cheese Club receive three to four cuts of cheese paired with accompaniments like preserves, crackers, and chocolate. Upon pick up, MG suggests heading over to The Glen in Glen Ridge and enjoying the month’s selection with a picnic. This park runs parallel to the Second River and has walking paths, a gazebo, and connects to Glenfield Park. Erie Park and Crane Park in Montclair are other options and just a short walk from Van Hook Cheese + Grocery.
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Walnut Street Farmers’ Market | 86 Walnut Street, Montclair
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The Walnut Street Farmers’ Market is open year-round from 8AM to 2PM from June to November and 9AM to 1PM from December to May. MG suggests building your own grazing board from the vendors on site like Pickle Licious, Valley Shepherd Creamery, Hummus Boss, Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn, Jams by Kim, Luxx Chocolate, and Jed’s Bread. The Erie Park is closest and has some picnic tables. Other spots to enjoy your spread are Brookdale Park, Crane Park, and Glenfield Park in Montclair. During April, MG suggests picnicking at Branch Brook Park in Newark when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Montclair Family Launches Science-Backed Brain + Mind Supplement ‘HappyMynd’
In today’s fast-paced world, self-care has never been more important. We know from our readers that mental health and wellness are a top priority, whether it’s seeking therapy, fitness, healthy foods, or healing activities. But healthy living starts with a happy mind — or shall we say a HappyMynd. HappyMynd is a new Montclair-founded, science-backed brain and mind supplement drink that aims to improve lives one sip at a time. Read on to learn more about HappyMynd and how one Montclair local kicked off a brain-power revolution.
About HappyMynd
HappyMynd is an all-in-one powder based drink with essential daily nutrients designed to support a healthy brain and mind function “for busy minds juggling busy lives.” The powder includes thoughtfully sourced ingredients supported by over 400 clinical studies, including natural adaptogens, nootropics, antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals in effective dosages that work to combat the main problems areas of stress, cortisol, mood and mental clarity and focus.
Founder and Montclair resident Julia Isdale spent years working in fast-paced corporate environments that ultimately led to major stress and burnout (something most of us know all too well). After trying to get her health back on track, a hormone test revealed that elevated cortisol and nutrient gaps were leading to Julia’s extreme mental fatigue.
This wake-up call sparked Julia to share this information with her kids (who are graduates in neuroscience and behavioral health). As a family, they wanted to do something about it; to flip the script and help millions of others struggling with burnout, mental fatigue, and elevated cortisol levels. Together, they created HappyMynd to help those looking for support with stress, mood, clarity, and cortisol balance. Their ethos is stated plainly (and proudly) on the HappyMynd website: “Your brain is your superpower. Now you can take better care of it.”
What’s Inside
The core idea is that daily nutrients and brain support should be easily accessible, without having to juggle multiple supplements. As such, the HappyMynd powder packs a mighty punch of nutritional benefits: just one raspberry lemon-flavored scoop a day can deliver core benefits such as stress relief, cortisol management, mood support, mental clarity, and focus.
Here’s a closer look…
- Natural herbs Ashwagandha KSM-66® and Rhodiola Rosea can help relieve stress and manage cortisol levels
- Ingredients like saffron, 5-HTP, and holy basil support mood balance and emotional well-being
- Lion’s Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, and Ginkgo Biloba, help to sharpen attention and overall mental energy
- Foundational brain and neural functions are powered by magnesium glycinate, bioactive folate (5-MTHF), and essential B-vitamins for core brain health, energy, and cellular resilience
When it comes to quality, HappyMynd keeps standards high, stating on its website, “when it comes to brain and mind health, there’s no room for compromise. Each ingredient is selected to provide the strength, absorption, and nutrient density your brain and mind need." The team doesn’t “believe in filler of fluff, only real ingredients, in the optimal amounts to ensure you’re getting the real benefits – not just a label full of empty promises.”
Every serving of HappyMynd is also soy free, gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, paleo/keto friendly, and free of added sugars.
What to Expect
The benefits of HappyMynd are designed for everyday use and targeted to help customers feel and perform their best. HappyMynd has even broken down a timestamped version of the projected benefits according to their tested experience and customer reviews.
According to drinkhappymynd.com:.…
- The first signs: “within the first hour, a gentle wave of calm begins to settle in, helping you feel more centered and focused. You’ll notice tension start to ease, and a clear-headed calm sets the tone for the rest of your day.”
- Weeks 1-2:“after a couple of weeks, you may start noticing a more resilient response to daily stress.”
- After the first month: “one month in, you’ll feel a difference in mental clarity and mood stability. Tasks feel more manageable, focus comes naturally, and there’s an underlying confidence in tackling whatever comes your way. Your mind feels sharp, and emotional balance is consistent.”
- 1-3 months later:“as you reach three months, a lasting resilience has taken root. Stress feels manageable, and your mind remains calm, clear, and focused. With every day, you feel more empowered, balanced, and ready to take on life with ease.”
To shop and learn more about HappyMynd, visit drinkhappymynd.com and be sure to follow along for more mindful moments on Instagram.
