While some may argue the sides are the tastiest part of the Thanksgiving spread, the turkey is arguably one of the most important aspects of the Thanksgiving dinner. Whether it’s spatchcocked, deep-fried, wrapped in bacon, or just roasted the plain old-fashioned way, the turkey is really a symbol of something greater — a day of gratitude and sharing with loved ones. To help you prepare for Thanksgiving this year, we’ve compiled a list of restaurants and markets in the Montclair area where you can buy a cooked + seasoned or uncooked turkey. Read on to see where to buy Thanksgiving turkeys in the Essex County area.
Please note: This is a growing list. If you’d like us to make an addition, please send us a note at [email protected].
Montclair
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
Cooked
For those looking for a fully catered meal, Faubourg is a great option. The family-style Thanksgiving dinner package can serve 6-8 people for $395. In addition to butternut squash soup, fall vegetables, and pommes purèe, this includes a roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, cranberry chutney, and gravy. All items come ready-to-reheat and with serving instructions. You can view the menu here. To place an order, email [email protected] or call 973-542-7700. Note that orders must be placed by November 18th and picked up on November 25th or November 26th no later than 2PM.
Read More: Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2023 in the Montclair Area
Montclair Diner | 613 Valley Road
Cooked
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The Montclair Diner will provide a separate Thanksgiving catering menu for the holiday. It includes all kinds of appetizers like Caesar salad or chicken noodle soup, sides like mashed potatoes or candied yams, holiday pies like apple or pumpkin, and, most importantly, two kinds of turkeys. Customers can order either the fried turkey, which comes in the flavors of cajun butter or roasted garlic butter, or the 14 to 16-pound turkey, which comes with stuffing, dressing, and cranberry sauce. Patrons can order the entire package for $235 or call the restaurant at 973-746-0911 for pricing on the turkeys individually.
Bloomfield
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street
Cooked
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Customers can choose from two Thanksgiving packages. The first serves four people and is priced at $165 and the second serves eight people for $315. These packages come with a selection of favorites including broccoli souffle, corn bread stuffing, and–of course–a whole roasted turkey, among other dishes. To place an order, email [email protected] or call 973-323-1680.
Mastriano’s Prime Meats | 1058 Broad Street
Uncooked
The Italian specialty market has served Bloomfield for over 55 years, so the quality is almost guaranteed. While in the store, remember to try some of the classics, like homemade meatballs, cured meats, cheeses, and one of the legendary sandwiches. For Thanksgiving this year, this market will sell a wide range of Bell + Evans turkeys from 10 pounds to 30 pounds, as well as various sides. Mastriano Meat Market + Deli encourages customers to call 973-338-6880 to hear more about its selection.
Livingston
Eppes Essen | 105 East Mount Pleasant Avenue
Cooked
This Livingston-based Jewish Delicatessen has served the Essex County community since 1956 with home-style cooking. The deli’s Thanksgiving menu has yet to be announced, but Eppes Essen has confirmed it’ll include a whole roasted 18-pound or 16-pound turkey. Last year, the turkey dinner came with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce for $15.99 a pound, and customers should expect similar prices this year. Patrons can also expect a wide selection of sides on the menu, like noodle pudding, bread pudding, potatoes, challah, and pie, babka, rugelach, and hamentashen for dessert. Check Eppes Essen’s website for updates on the 2024 Thanksgiving menu.
Caldwell
Caldwell Market Place | 5 Park Avenue
Uncooked or Cooked
This Caldwell butcher shop serves up Bell + Evans fresh turkeys — and it even provides options for brining, French butter, or herb seasoning the bird for you. The birds available are at market price and range from 8 to 30 pounds — or you can opt to get cooked turkey breast (which averages 5-8 pounds). For those who want to opt to have the turkey cooked, there’s an additional charge — and the team encourages booking early for this since they’re limiting the number of turkeys they cook. For specific prices, Caldwell Market Place encourages customers to call them at 862-702-3328 or view the Thanksgiving holiday menu, which will be posted here soon.
Maplewood
N+K Prime Marketplace | 1899 Springfield Avenue
Uncooked or Cooked
This Maplewood butcher sells Bell + Evans fresh turkeys. The turkeys are all hormone and antibiotic-free and never frozen. The free-range turkey cost $4.99 a pound, and brined turkeys cost $5.49 a pound N+K also sells turkey parts, like drumsticks and thighs, for $3.99 a pound, breast with the bone for $8.99 a pound, and boneless breast and brined breast (bone-in or boneless) for $9.99 a pound In addition, this spot has a bunch of different Thanksgiving sides, like pierogis, potatoes, veggies, and more. While there is no deadline to order, the team advises customers to place orders ASAP before items go out of stock. Check out the menu here.
See More: Thanksgiving Catering in Hoboken + Jersey City
Shop for uncooked turkeys at the following local supermarkets:
ALDI | 244 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield
Kings Food Markets | 650 Valley Road, Montclair
Shoprite of Brookdale | 1409 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Super Food Town | 296 Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield
Superfresh | 19 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield
ACME | 510 Valley Road, Montclair
Whole Foods Market | 701 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
First-Ever Montclair Porchfest Happening on 5/17
Porchfest is known across the United States, Canada, and beyond as a way for the community to celebrate local talent. Now, Porchfest will officially make its debut in Montclair this year. The Montclair Porchfest organizers shared with The Montclair Girl back in October that the team was aiming for the event to take place in spring 2025 — and now, Montclair's first-ever Porchfest will take place this weekend on May 17th. Read on for details about the first-ever Montclair Porchfest happening this May, including a glimpse into which local artists are participating.
The Montclair Event
The first-ever Montclair Porchfest will take place on Saturday, May 17th, 2025. The Montclair Porchfest Instagram account announced the official date back in December 2024.
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Musicians participating in the event have also been announced, including Vintage 135, Camino Sound, BREAKTIME, Jacqueline Ellis, 80 Proof, Adjustable Thrills, Alien, Dopamine Allstars, Druids, Ed Seifert + Friends, Elle Taranis, and Jason Didner. According to Instagram, over 150 bands have confirmed that they'll be performing across 60+ porches in Montclair.
Montclair is the 221st city to host its own Porchfest, with 226+ cities across the United States, Canada, and Australia participating as of this writing.
Read More: Watchung Deli Sandwiches Are Returning to Montclair with Pop-Up Concept Called ‘The Skinny Deli’
So, how does Montclair Porchfest work? Every house in every ward in town has the opportunity to volunteer their porch to host a band. There are no exclusions. "This will be the largest festival to come to town," the organizers told MG.
The Montclair Porchfest time slots will be held between 12PM and 5PM, and the organizers will have a map of bands/artists and locations for locals to plan their day. After the bands finish at 5PM, there will be a main stage with finale acts from 7PM-10PM at 64 Upper Mountain Avenue in Montclair. The main stage event will also include food + retail vendors as well as local businesses. See the full schedule and map at this link, and see more information about the finale here.
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As of this writing, the band and porch registration has closed. Those interested in getting involved and volunteering can register here. Keep up with future updates on the event on the Montclair Porchfest website and Instagram.
About Porchfest
Porchfest first originated in Ithaca, New York, in 2007, and has since spread to host events in towns across the United States and Canada. The event has rapidly expanded in recent years and is a way for the community to come together and celebrate local artists. Other New Jersey towns, including Maplewood, Caldwell, Newark, Princeton, Cranford, Asbury Park, Red Bank, Belmar, Ventnor City, Collingswood, Trenton, Bordentown, and Moorestown, also host Porchfest events each year. The full list of cities that have Porchfest events can be found here.
See More: Hoboken’s 2025 Spring Arts + Music Festival Happening on 5/18
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