There is a popular saying around that one no longer needs to go to Manhattan because Montclair has it all, and here at The Montclair Girl, we wholeheartedly agree. From dozens of restaurant options to clothing stores and train stations, Montclair has a little something for anyone and everyone. We thought it was about time to follow in the footsteps of our sister site The Hoboken Girl, and develop a Street Series of our own to showcase the numerous unique, charming, and tasty business districts spread throughout town. Read more to learn all about what you can do on Church Street in Montclair.
Restaurants + Dining
Beyond Pita | 82 Church Street
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Beyond Pita is a Middle Eastern spot serving up falafel, kabab, shawarma, gyros, hot sandwiches, and more. Like any good deli, this spot also has a mix of sides and spread like hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli, and falafel.
Cafe Giotto | 42 Church Street
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Cafe Giotto is an Italian cafe with a warm and welcoming interior serving authentic, house-made pastries, bread, panini, pasta, gelato, and other delicious specialties. Warm house-made pastries on the menu are Apple Tarts, Cornetto, Bombolone, and Black Berry Tarts. Classic Italian entrees and appetizers include Arancini, Burrata & Tomato, Chicken Parm Panino, Bolognese Pasta, and Pomodoro Pasta. MG Tip: Get the Padova Panino, a sandwich featuring mortadella, marinated eggplant, shaved pecorino, and tomato, and pair it with Orange Italian Soda.
Read More: Things to Do on Walnut Street in Montclair
Dutch’s Sandwich Shop | 16 Church Street
A sandwich a day is good for the soul and Montclair has all the grub. Last year, Amir Kamal opened Dutch’s Sandwich Shop, named after his Olde English Bulldog, Dutch. This spot features breakfast sandwiches like the Becky, Grove Street, Blame Canada, and the Dutch Daddy. For those who sleep in, don’t worry, there are numerous lunch options here. Chicken options include The Claremont, Honey Honey, Walnut St., and Concrete Jungle. Beef and pork lovers should try out Rick + Mortadella, The Italian Job, The Dutch Master, and The Barkley. MG Tip: Order the Rhaenrya, which is made with prosciutto, pepperoni, capicola, arugula, hot Italian pepper spread, tomatoes, pepper Jack cheese, balsamic glaze, and a dash of Italian seasoning on a hero.
Proven Poke Co | 19 Church Street
Proven Poke Co brings the taste of Hawaii to Montclair. Appetizers on the menu are Miso Soup, Shrimp Tempura, Poke Nachos, Spicy Cucumber Salad, Ginger Chili Noodle Salad, and Tater Tots. Entrees include bowls like Heat Wave, Chicken Teriyaki, and Rainbow Love and poke burritos like California Love and the Bang Bang. Hawaii’s favorite snack, Musubi, is also available here. Traditionally, Musubi contains grilled Spam and rice wrapped together in nori. Proven Poke Co. offers over 36 flavors of Musubi like Spam Old Bay, Kimchi, Classic Chicken, Teriyaki Spam, Tamago + Bacon, Spicy Tuna, and Avocado.
Raymond’s | 28 Church Street
When it comes to Church Street in Montclair, Raymond’s is one of its staple spots. This upscale diner with a vintage aesthetic serves American comfort food like Pancakes, Four Cheese Grilled Cheese, Avocado Toast, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Breakfast and lunch are served on weekdays from 8AM to 4PM. Dinner is served daily from 4PM to 9PM and brunch is served weekends from 8AM to 4PM.
Scala del Nonna | 32 Church Street
Scala del Nonna is a BYO fine dining restaurant offering creative twists on traditional dishes. Dishes include Portobello Milanese, a Parmigiano breaded portobello mushroom served in a light mushroom broth with basil, lemon, and shallots. Here diners can also try the Linguini Al Carbonara which is linguini pasta in a sauce of shallots, pancetta, and guanciale finished with pecorino romano and a touch of chicken broth.
Cafes, Dessert, + Pastries
Benvenuti | 20 Church Street
Benvenuti brings delicious gelato to Church Street, sporting flavors like Vanilla, Pistachio, Strawberry, Stracciatella, Hazelnut, and Mascarpone. Dairy-free and vegan gelato options include Vegan Coconut with Coconut Milk, Vegan Matcha with Coconut Milk, and Vegan Hazelnut with Almond Milk. Dairy-free and vegan sorbet options are Dark Chocolate, Lemon, Mango, and Limoncello. All gelato and sorbet served at Benvenuti are gluten-free. This delicious spot not only features creamy and rich frozen desserts, but also serves coffee, pastries, and specialty dishes. MG Tip: Get the Bombolato, a warm Italian donut served with gelato.
Chip City | 2 Church Street
With over 33 locations, Chip City can be found in Virginia, Florida, and even Montclair. Scrumptious flavors include Chocolate Chip, Confetti, Strawberry Shortcake, Nutella Sea Salt, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. Those looking for a dairy-free option can order the Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie and the Dairy-Free Brookie Cookie. Chip City also offers almond, oat, skim, and whole milk to pair with your desserts.
Java Love Coffee Roasting Co. | 49 Church Street
In the heart of downtown Montclair, lies Java Love Coffee Roasting Co.’s Church Street location. This spot serves up hot and cold drinks and dozens of pastries that quench any sweet tooth. The drink menu features Cappuccinos, Hot Chocolate, Americano, Espresso, Cortados, Japanese Matcha Lattes, and teas. A Sweet Treat at Java Love ranges from Banana Bread and Scones to Chocolate Chip Cookies and Doughnuts.
Jayce Baudry French Pastry | 17 Church Street
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Jayce Baudry French Pastry offers traditional French sweets, custom cakes, and elegant desserts like macarons, croissants, meringue, and eclairs. Nut-free options at this shop include the Vanilla Bean Éclair, Flan, Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake, Salted Caramel Candy, and Blueberry Muffins.
Le French Dad Boulangerie | 10 Church Street
Le French Dad Boulangerie is a small family-run artisanal bakery in the heart of downtown Montclair. This spot bakes fresh bread like Baguettes, Ciabatta, and Croissants and dishes up the finest French desserts like Kouign Amann, Macarons, Eclairs, and Tiramisu. MG Tip: we suggest ordering the Pain de Mie and using it to cook up the most delicious French Toast.
Activities + Retail
Alchemy Scent Bar | 30 Church Street
One can create custom fragrances with more than 100 different scents at Alchemy Scent Bar. Here, guests can make their own candles as well as home and body products. Alchemy’s candles are natural soy and use pure fragrance oils.
Blu Lotus Metaphysical Center | 20 Church Street
Blu Lotus Metaphysical Center has healing-based products, psychic readings, massage therapy, meditation, circles, yoga, and more. This spot has herbs like Catnip, Oatstraw, Rose Buds, Wood Betony, and Dandelion, and teas like Summer Solstice and Pixie Dust. Blu Lotus also has essential oils, candles, jewelry, decor, crystals, incense, and sage.
See More: Things to Do on Bloomfield Street in Hoboken
Doin’ Dishes | 50 Church Street
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Guests will paint ceramics at Doin’ Dishes. This is a fun place to create gifts, your next flower vase, or enjoy time with a friend. Tuesdays are adult-only nights from 6PM to 9PM. Reservations are recommended for weekends, holidays, and rainy summer days. Doin’ Dishes is open daily except for Sundays.
Oasis | 40 Church Street
Oasis is a clothing and accessories boutique that has been serving Montclair since 2007. This two-floor store is curated and categorized by color and season and has crop tops, bralettes, pants, matching sets, jackets, maxi dresses, and more. Up the staircase is the sale section where a variety of random tops, skirts, and more can be found at discounted prices. Oasis is open from 11AM-7PM Monday to Saturday and 11AM-6PM on Sundays.
