Samantha Impaglia 
With the wide array of Montclair-area restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to focus on just the right one for date night — but who’s complaining? Since there are a plethora of gems in the area that should be on your radar, we decided to create a guide for the must-visit romantic restaurants in and around Montclair for first dates, anniversary celebrations, and everything in between. Read on to see our Montclair and Essex County romantic restaurant picks and why we love them.
Allegory Restaurant | 690 Bloomfield Avenue
Photo Credit: David Pelle
Located inside The MC Hotel, Allegory Restaurant is a go-to dining destination, also home to the only rooftop bar in town, Splendid Rooftop, which features signature cocktails, small bites, and sweeping views of the New York City skyline. Menu highlights include ricotta ravioli, smoked piri-piri chicken, and a go-to steak frites.
Bar Franco | 5 Church Street, Montclair
Bar Franco, the sister spot to Fresco Da Franco, is a high-end cocktail lounge from Hollywood TV producer Franco Porporino. The stylish space is ideal for date night, with a menu of elevated cocktails like the Bar Franco Spritz and Pera Carmellata.
Blu Livingston | 277 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
Blu is a sleek, modern spot located in the Shoppes at Livingston, known for its polished atmosphere and well-rounded menu. It’s a go-to for an elevated night out, with a stylish setting that works for both date nights and group dinners.
Campofiore | 664 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Campofiore brings a fresh addition to Montclair’s dining scene, with a focus on Italian-inspired dishes and a lively, welcoming atmosphere that’s ideal for a night out.
Cowan’s Public | 229 Centre Street, Nutley
Cowan’s Public is an elevated neighborhood pub located in the heart of Nutley. It’s cozy space and great cocktail menu can make for an easygoing yet romantic date spot. The dinner menu features short rib French dip on Cuban bread, a classic cheeseburger, butternut squash ravioli, and more.
Read More: 29 Montclair + Essex County Spots That Have NYC Vibes
De Novo European Pub | 275 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
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De Novo is a European-inspired gastropub that provides just the right vibe for a date night. The spot is located directly next to the Montclair train station and serves up lunch, dinner, wine, cocktails, and beer. Some highlights from the menu include fried calamari, served with marinara and orange remoulade; burrata salad, topped with heirloom tomatoes, pistachios, red onions, honey, mint, chili flakes; and risotto, made with mushrooms, spinach, and truffle essence, among other dishes. The restaurant has another location in Edgewater.
Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Zack Pearl @thebacyard
Formerly known as Fascino, Gioia Mia is a Contemporary American restaurant that took over the space. The team behind Gioia Mia is no stranger to Montclair or the restaurant business, as the concept was created by Mary Cumella (General Manager) and Logan Ramirez (Chef De Cuisine) of Fascino. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients — with dishes ranging from house-made pasta, pork chops, and chicken live mousse to Asian-inspired dishes and a chicken dish with Peruvian sauce.
Faubourg Restaurant + Bar | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Faubourg serves French-inspired cuisine and also has a selection of wines and cocktails. There is a bright, indoor dining room equipped with large windows — great for both day and night dates. The place brings some industrial style to Montclair with the already subtle, romantic vibes. It is a bi-level space with an upstairs cocktail lounge, and there’s also outdoor dining with a retractable roof just installed for the winter months. Faubourg has both a plant-based menu as well as regular options, including dishes like salmon + farro, shrimp cocktail, and Faubourg Steak Frites. Faubourg also has an extensive dessert menu, with vanilla caradmon Crème Brulée, cranberry cheesecake, assorted macarons, and more to choose from.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street, Montclair
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Halcyon is a modern, upscale spot known for one of the area’s only raw bars, alongside a menu of American brasserie-style dishes. The space has a polished yet versatile vibe that works for anything from a casual night out to a more elevated date. There’s also an upstairs lounge where guests can sip on house-made cocktails, plus a brunch scene that adds to its all-around appeal.
The Highlawn | 1 Crest Drive, West Orange
This classy restaurant boasts a menu of seafood, sushi, hearty salads, steaks, and more. Diners can order dishes like the Winter Belgium Endives, a salad served with walnuts, bleu cheese, grapes, and balsamic vinaigrette, the Surf and Turf Beef Tenderloin + Lobster Tail, and the Highlawn Seafood Platter, which comes with lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams, market tartare, and so much more.
Laboratorio Kitchen | 615 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Laboratorio serves up hearty American cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. The upscale, intimate setting makes it a solid pick for a romantic night out, with a menu that highlights thoughtfully prepared pastas and seasonal dishes.
La Couronne Restaurant | 23 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
La Couronne is a cozy MTC eatery that serves up a variety of classic Italian dishes — including cold + hot antipasti, pizza, soup, pasta, beef, chicken, veal, seafood, and more. A few highlights from the menu include clams casino, sausage + peppers, pasta e’ fagiolli, penne vodka, chicken frances, oven-roasted duck, veal marsala, and grilled Atlantic salmon, among other dishes.
La Rocca Osteria | 23 Midland Avenue, Montclair
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Another classic Italian spot in the area, La Rocca Osteria brings a more relaxed, easygoing vibe that works well for a low-key date night. The space seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor dining, and the menu leans into traditional Italian favorites, from antipasti and salads to housemade pastas and classic entrées.
Lithos Estiatorio | 405 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
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This Greek spot in Livingston has a cozy, inviting atmosphere with a menu centered around classic Mediterranean flavors. It’s a great choice for a relaxed night out, with a variety of traditional dishes and well-executed staples.
Luigino’s Parmigiana | 173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Cindy Blanco
Luigino’s Parmigiana is a “funky traditional” spot that is bringing a taste of the Amalfi Coast to Montclair. The menu boasts traditional, Southern Italian dishes with a modern twist. There’s a choice selection of traditional Italian dishes (including an entire section dedicated to the namesake, Parmigiana) to more explorative Roman-style pizzas + paninis. Perhaps the most exciting, though, is the “Dalla Dispensa” portion of the menu, which includes an array of specialty meat and cheese boards.
Lu Nello | 182 Stevens Avenue, Cedar Grove
Italian restaurants always make for a great date destination, and this one is no exception. Located in Cedar Grove, Lu Nello provides a menu of Italian classics like Cocktail di Ostrice, served with fresh oysters and cucumber mignonette or cocktail sauce, Linguini Alla Vangole, made with clams, garlic, parsley, and hot pepper, and more. This spot also serves daily specials.
Luna Wood Fire Tavern | 223 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Luna Wood Fire Tavern is a go-to neighborhood spot to watch the game with a slice of wood-fired pizza and a craft cocktail. But it’s more than that — it’s a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves homestyle Italian meals and makes customers feel at home the moment they walk in. Gluten-free options are also available. Other popular menu items include rice balls, Margherita pizza, steaks, and seafood. But mezzaluna, one of the signature pies, is the one to get. It is a half calzone, half Margherita pie, basically the best of both worlds. For dessert, we recommend the soft and fresh chocolate chip cookie cup served with ice cream.
Mesob Restaurant | 515 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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Mesob is a BOYB Ethiopian restaurant with an amazing vegan + vegetarian-friendly menu. This spot also has gluten-free options and accepts reservations online. With menu options like Bozena Shiro, made with cubed prime beef simmered in Shiro, and the Derek Tibs, made with cubed boneless leg of lamb marinated and sauteed with onions, garlic, tomatoes, rosemary, and other spices, coupled with a romantic atmosphere, Mesob can make for a great date spot.
MishMish Cafe | 631 1/2 Valley Road, Montclair
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MishMish is a Mediterranean cafe, where chef/owner Meny Vaknin creates his Moroccan-inspired food. He graduated from the French Culinary Institute and eventually went on to win Food Network’s Chopped before taking his family-learned Mediterranean recipes to MishMish. The spot has both indoor and outdoor dining and has a casual setting good for a quick bite.
MM by Morimoto | 193 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
MM by Morimoto delivers a high-end dining experience with a menu rooted in Japanese cuisine and global influences. The sleek space and refined dishes make it a standout for a special night out.
Nami Nori | 2 South Willow Street, Montclair
Nami Nori is a temaki bar specializing in open-style sushi hand rolls. The menu is full of classic temaki options as well as updated twists and even a vegan specialty menu. Everything on the menu at Nami Nori is also gluten-free. Also on the menu are Japanese-inspired snacks and appetizers in addition to beer, sake, and wine.
Nomada | 700 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
Nomada brings a vibrant, global-inspired menu to Verona, paired with a stylish setting that’s perfect for a lively night out. The space blends a relaxed feel with an energetic atmosphere.
Pappardelle Ristorante | 77 Walnut Street, Montclair
Pappardelle Ristorante serves up delicious and traditional Italian dishes with a modern touch in a cozy and romantic atomosphere. The menu features appetizers, salad, soup, chicken, fish, and veal dishes like cold antipasto, minestrone, chicken cacciatore, salmon dijon, and pork chop murphy. For dessert, Pappardelle serves ricotta cheesecake, tartufo, cannoli, carrot cake, and more.
pastaRAMEN | 6 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
pastaRAMEN is one of Montclair’s most buzzed-about spots, blending Italian and Japanese flavors in a creative, tasting-style format. The experience is unique and reservation-based, making it a fun pick for something different.
Popolari | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Popolari was featured in Best of New Jersey for its pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes. The team has created a fun, retro vibe in the space. The menu includes appetizers like Popolari meatballs, and calamari fritti as well as both classic and gourmet pizza options like penne vodka and spinach ricotta. There’s also a wide range of sandwiches, pasta, and entrees like pork chop and peppers or shrimp scampi.
Prime 94 SteakHouse + Grill | 94 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
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For couples who still want a romantic setting, but with a more casual feel, this restaurant in Fairfield is the place to go. Customers can find dishes like an Italian salumi board for two, mixed green salad, the East Coast burger, rigatoni vodka, and more at this spot.
Sapori Ristorante | 9 Park Street, Montclair
Sapori Ristorante is a longtime favorite in Montclair, serving up traditional Italian dishes in a warm, inviting setting. It’s a classic go-to for a cozy dinner with a menu rooted in authentic flavors.
Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
Samba Restaurant serves homestyle Brazilian cuisine and is a certified gluten-free restaurant. The place has a lively, rustic interior with tons of foliage — good for an energetic date that’s not too fancy or casual. Samba serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, with every item conforming to the gluten-free menu. The brunch items include an omelet with eggs sourced from local farms, Brazilian avocado toast, and more. The entire menu is gluten-free and there are several vegan options as well.
SLA Thai Restaurant | 596 Valley Road, Montclair
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SLA Thai Restaurant features a warm, simple dining room that’s ideal for a casual night out. The menu highlights a mix of traditional Thai dishes and house specialties, from flavorful small plates to classic favorites, along with fresh salads and a variety of signature entrées.
See More: The Best First Date Spots in Hoboken, New Jersey
Turtle + the Wolf | 622 Valley Road, Upper Montclair
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Turtle + the Wolf is an industrial-style eatery, with a chic vibe that’s welcoming. On the upscale menu, the restaurant has family-style meals as well as individual dishes. The owner grew up in Montclair, so naturally, was ecstatic to open a place here. For family meals, the choices include whole-roasted suckling pig or Lo’s Famous Fried Chicken, and the other meals include dishes like Spanish octopus, local burrata, and “brick” chicken with Parisian gnocchi, creamed Swiss chard, and more.
Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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Lebanese-French fare is served at Uncle Momo, a restaurant that serves a great brunch menu. The space aims to capture the vibes of a French bistro in a classic atmosphere, although the outdoor dining area is a bit more vibrant. Along with dishes like French toast, Uncle Momo also serves non-traditional dishes like Tunisian eggs.
Zeugma Grill | 44 South Park Street, Montclair
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Zeguma Grill is known for its selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. It has brunch and dinner as well as indoor and outdoor dining. A unique part of Zeguma is that it has a mezze bar, which includes a bunch of different Mediterranean dips and small bites to choose from. There’s a big selection of wine and a clean, fresh vibe in this restaurant. The restaurant uses its Turkish background to combine flavors of the Mediterranean, including European and Middle Eastern influences. The menu includes hearty salads like beet yogurt and quinoa, as well as entrees like organic chicken shish, beef shish kebab, salmon artichoke, and a pistachio steak burger.
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