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 agree. From dozens of restaurant options to clothing stores and train stations, Montclair has a little something for 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 and around Walnut Street in Montclair.
Arts + Culture
Painted Soul Arts | 124 #C Walnut Street
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At Painted Soul Arts there are a dozen artists who specialize in high-quality artwork and strive to ensure a great experience for all customers. Those interested in tattoos can chat beforehand with an artist. Painted Soul Arts also takes walk-ins. This spot is not just a tattoo parlor but also operates as an artist gallery. Those interested in showcasing their art here can inquire here.
Unlucky Rabbit | 123 Walnut Street
Unlucky Rabbit is a tattoo parlor, owned and operated by Paula Lopez. This spot features a curated collection of art, prints, paintings, stationary, and taxidermy. Unlucky Rabbit is a truly one-of-a-kind working with artists and curators to acquire vintage taxidermy like birds and deer through estate sales, private collections, and museums.
Read More: How to Spend a Day in Upper Montclair
Getting Around
Walnut Street Station | 80 Depot Street
With the most train stations out of any town in Essex County, Montclair provides easy transportation to and from a multitude of neighborhoods. One can travel along the Montclair-Boonton Line to and from this station reaching spots like Hackettstown, Dover, Denville, Wayne, Newark, and Hoboken. Connections can be made to Manhattan, Morristown, Jersey City, Westfield, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Asbury Park, and numerous others.
Shopping
Curated Home + Living | 102 Walnut Street
Curated Home + Living is an edited collection of products aimed to provide character, functionality, materiality, quality, and craft to a space. Here one can find home decor like vases, mirrors, pillows, rugs, baskets, and trays. Curated Home + Living also has handcrafted jewelry, clothing, pet-related items, bedding, glassware, and bags.
Where to Eat
Brick + Dough Pizza | 110 Walnut Street
Photo Credit: @brickxdough
Home of Montclair’s brick oven pizza, Brick + Dough features a multitude of savory and specialty 12’’ pies like Five Cheese White, Crispy Pepperoni, Chicken Vodka Parm, Kale + Sausage, and Gluten-Free Detroit-Style. These mouthwatering pies can be paired with Caesar salad, arugula salad, meatballs, and cheesy bread sticks. For dessert, Brick + Dough serves Chocolate Olive Oil Cake.
Egan + Sons | 118 Walnut Street
Egan + Sons is a neighborhood gastropub serving Irish dishes and American staples. The menu includes Cottage Pie, Fish + Chips, Marinated Beets, Corned Beef Reuben Tacos, and Moules Frites — as well as pizza, burgers, and sides. Along with savory dishes, diners can enjoy TV, indoor and outdoor seating, cocktails, and brews.
Le Salbuen | 97 Walnut Street
Le Salbuen specializes in organic farm-to-table meat, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes using only the finest ingredients cooked in organic coconut oils and organic olive oils. Owners Christina and John blend Portuguese, French, Indian, and Mediterranean influences together to create a unique menu showcasing dishes like Escargot, Pulled Duck Tacos, a Dill Omelette, and Portuguese French Toast. Le Salbuen also has organic juice, organic coffee, tea, and protein drinks.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street
Established in 2014 by Leo and Denise Sawadogo, the Montclair Brewery is a microbrewery in the heart of Montclair. Open five days a week, this spot serves crisp, fruity, malty, and sour beers as well as hard seltzer and slushies.
Montclair Farmers’ Market | 86 Walnut Street
The Montclair Farmers’ Market has year-round produce, food, and handmade goods. Located in the parking lot of the Walnut Street Train Station, visitors can expect to find beef jerky, coffee beans, hummus, jam, bread, pasta, maple syrup, pickles, and cheese. Common vendors include Cactus Pete’s, Belmont Farms, Greenwood Lake Roasters, Jams by Kim, Mike’s Pasta, Sourland Mountain Spirits, and Sweetleaf Farm. The market is open every Saturday. The summer season operates from June to November and is open 8AM to 2PM while the winter season is open from 9AM to 1PM running from December to May.
Palazzo Pasta Company | 33 Walnut Street
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Palazzo Pasta Company serves up a fresh take on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Palazzo’s menu features classic Italian dishes such as Fried Calamari, Veal Milanese, Linguine Carbonara, and Chicken Francaise. For dessert, one can sample Tiramisu, Gelato, Bread Pudding, and Tartufo.
Panzano Pizzeria | 71 Walnut Street
Brothers Jonathan and Christopher Latona incorporate traditional family recipes into the menu at Panzano Pizzeria. The duo serves pizza, pasta, salad, calzones, stromboli, entrees, desserts, and more. Pizza options include Calamari Fra Diavolo, Rigatoni Vodka, Margherita, Cheesesteak, Taco, and Meat Lover.
Pappardelle Ristorante | 77 Walnut Street
Pappardelle Ristorante serves up delicious and traditional Italian dishes with a modern touch. Tuesdays are Pasta Night featuring a delicious selection of pasta combinations and three courses for $24.95. The menu also 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.
Ray’s Luncheonette | 99 Walnut Street
Serving the community for over 60 years, this cozy local gem is a haven for breakfast and lunch needs. Be warned: the menu is big, so be sure to go hungry and with a few people. There’s bar seating and traditional tables, but on any given day Ray’s is bustling with locals. It’s open Monday – Saturday until 3PM. An unexpected favorite is the chicken Caesar wrap, but you can’t go wrong with any of the menu options.
Red Eye Cafe | 94 Walnut Street
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Since 2012, the Red Eye Cafe has led the way for the growing Walnut Street gastronomy scene. Here diners can order pancakes, omelets, quesadillas, salads, soups, sandwiches, and sides. Sandwich lovers can pick between numerous breakfast and lunch sandwiches like Tuna, Pesto Broccoli Scramble, Classic Chicken, Cuban, Highlander, and Grilled Chicken. These can all be paired with a cup or bowl of soup. When it comes to coffee and tea Red Eye Cafe has all the traditional options like Cappuccinos, Spiced Chai, and Americanos.
Sukhumvit Thai Eatery | 104 Walnut Street
At Sukhumvit Thai Eatery diners can try Pad Thai, Pineapple Fried Rice, Roasted Red Duck, Green Curry, and Crab Rangoon. Dessert includes Chocolate Lava Cake, Coconut Ice Cream, and the most unique option of all, Fried Matcha Ice Cream. To wash everything down, MG suggests ordering the Plum or Yuzu Lemonade.
The Corner | 115 Walnut Street
The Corner is one of Montclair’s most stylish brunch spots. Here, modern design overlaps with old-school aesthetics setting the scene for one of Essex County’s most Instagrammable spots. Here diners can sample baked pasta, avocado toast, and pancakes. The drink menu features freshly made juices like Wild Bounty and Field of Greens and traditional coffees like Espresso and Americano. We suggest ordering the Corner Brunch Pastry Board, served with fruit preserves and butter. This pastry board features a random selection of pastries ranging from chocolate croissants to Kouign-Amann and buttermilk biscuits. The Corner is also famous for its chocolate chip cookies.
See More: Things to Do on Bloomfield Street in Hoboken
Walnut Street Bagels + Co. | 98 Walnut Street
Photo Credit: @walnutstreetbagelsandco
Walnut Street Bagels and Co. showcases an assortment of sweet and savory bagels and unique breakfast and lunch sandwiches on plain, everything, cinnamon raisin, garlic, onion, and sesame garlic bagels. Sandwiches include the Filipino Breakfast served with pork sausage, hash browns, eggs, pickled onions, banana ketchup, and roasted black garlic cream cheese. This spot also serves up a savory and sweet option called the Monte Cristo. This French toast bagel is topped with honey ham, Swiss fontina, cinnamon maple, and butter. The aptly named Walnut Street Station breakfast sandwich pays homage to the nearby station, featuring hash browns, egg, arugula, tomato, and lemon-dill cream cheese.
Walnut Street Kitchen | 98 Walnut Street
Photo Credit: @walnutstreetkitchen_
Walnut Street Kitchen is a BYOB restaurant serving comforting yet fresh dishes inspired by family recipes and years of cooking. Located next door to Walnut Street Bagels + Co. and Walnut Street Bakery, this spot also serves dessert and baked goods like Flourless Chocolate Cake and Bagel Pudding. The menu features a plethora of hearty dishes like Chicken Liver Mousse, Cacio e Pepe Arancini, Meatballs, Pappardelle Bolognese, Flat Iron Steak, and Seared Duck Breast. We suggest ordering the House-Made Bread + Butter Board because every dish should be paired with a piece of warm bread.
