Location: Montclair
Top Restaurants in Montclair
Top Things to do in Montclair
Most Popular Restaurants in Montclair
Montclair (/mɒntˈklɛər/ or /mɒŋˈklɛər/) is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 37,669, reflecting a decline of 1,308 (−3.4%) from the 38,977 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,248 (+3.3%) from the 37,729 counted in the 1990 Census. As of 2010, it was the 60th-most-populous municipality in New Jersey.
Things to do in Montclair
1. Mishmish Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By M3659GGsarahs - Montclair, New Jersey
When I want absolutely reliably, traditional, delicious Middle Eastern food, I eat at Falafel Hut, also in Montclair. When I want delicious Middle Eastern food with a twist, I eat at Mishmish or its new sibling, which is even more convenient to my house, Marcel's -- same chef. Marcel's isn't yet on TripAdvisor, but it has a Moroccan chicken soup that makes me want to have a cold, though it's also luscious when I'm not ill. I bought it the first time when I was, though, and it hit the spot. Marcel's is my favorite of the two.
2. Anthony's Cheesecake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 86 reviews
We are a Bakery/Restaurant serving fresh baked items as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner. We are open Tuesday through Sunday and we serve dinner every Friday & Saturday 5-9 pm. BYOB You can see all our menus on our website at Anthony's Cheesecake.
Reviewed By alicemI6380LS - clark, United States
We (4 family members) went for Sunday brunch & were pleased beyond expectations. The place is so friendly you feel like family. The service is spot on and the food is perfection. The menu is creative and eclectic, never boring. And the price is more...MoreThank you so much for the kind words. We hope to see you soon.
3. Highlawn Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By ninip0st - Bernardsville, New Jersey
We chose to celebrate a special brithday at Highlawn and now regret our choice. Having eaten here over the years we looked forward to sharing lunch with loved ones enjoying what is an undeniably spectacular setting and view of NYC. But, the food today fell so far short of acceptable that not only are we embarassed for inviting our guests here but are saddened that this day was wasted at Highlawn Pavilion. Perhaps the place is irrelevant now, past its prime, and out of touch. My choice of entree was served completely undercooked, I was afraid to eat it, and when I politely informed our server, he returned it to the kitchen where the chef challenged my opinion. The dish was run through the broiler after which it was returned to me in utter disarray. The appropriate, professional, and courteous solution, at a restaurant that purports to be fine dining, would have been to start from scratch and prepare a new dish. My husband's risotto was served cold and inedible and the shrimp component of our appetizer tasted just awful. In the end, our server wished to satisfy and the cost of the my entree was removed from the check - which was fair - but I, in turn, sat without eating. It seems that Highlawn has some catching up to do. The customer, the paying customer, has a right to determine that, if their meal is undercooked or unnacceptable to them it should be remedied, no questions asked - without a dispute from the kitchem.
4. Matthew's Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By reenie532 - Passaic Park, New Jersey
Short version: Matthew's deserves all the five-star reviews it has received.
Long version: I'm not from Jersey, but have grown to love it here. Well, North Jersey to be clear. Part of it is the southern European enthusiasm for food - Italian, Portuguese, not foodie stuff - although plenty of that - but the ability to take a concrete block of a nondescript building next to a state highway with a sorry excuse for parking and turned it into a fabulous place to have a meal through energy, enthusiasm, great cooking and a desire to do good for people by feeding them well. The night a friend and I arrived for a late dinner on a lousy weather, mid-week evening in early February, Matthew's, a smallish restaurant, located in a nondescript building next to a major interchange off Route 3 in Clifton was filled to the brim. We waited a cheerful 15 minutes as a hostess brought us each a glass of wine as we sat in the cramped wait area, accompanied by a passed hors d'oeuvre, and updated us about the wait, swung by to chat with us and other patrons who were waiting - in short, even though we weren't yet seated, we were welcome and included. At the table, the owner, Matthew, who I was told is there almost all the time, stopped by to say hello and welcomes us as new patrons - obvious since so many of the other ones addressed him by name, including the two cute kids with their father sitting at the table next to us who told us openly that when mother has to work late, they love coming to Matthew's. Don't misunderstand, this isn't a diner - this is white-tablecloth, candle-in-the-center restaurant, but it still has the feel of a happy, family, good China, Sunday dinner kind of place. The place is intimate, but alive - people eating, conversations happening, wait staff helpfully serving and advising. And the food was great. Well-known Italian, but good Italian. Not fancy, but the pasta fresh, light, not sticky or starchy - the veal marsala - or as the menu lists it - vitello marsala - so easy to mess up - was excellent. Eggplant rollatini - another one of my favorites, fortunately was soft, but not soggy and the ricotta smooth and creamy, the eggplant not bitter (yea for that extra step!!). Some people may think that writing vitello and pesce and zuppa on the menu is a bit over the top - why the fancy/shmancy names? - but it reminded me of the way that so many immigrant families (including mine which is not italian) tie their family heritages together here in north jersey - nonna says zuppa, tony jr says soup and whether it's polish or hungarian or portuguese - you blend the home country with the jersey suburbs and whether here or there, it's about comfort, about home, about family, friends, fun and great food. Matthew's Italian Restaurant nails it.
5. Star Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By buffylane - Long Valley, New Jersey
Famous for its pizza, you must try their thin crust pizza. There are unique toppings, but we stayed with the usual meatball and mushrooms. The fried calamari is awesome and the salads are enormous. The eggplant and portabella mushroom appetizer is outstanding. Nice bar with tv's and people were watching basketball while we were there. Lots of families, very comfortable place.
6. De Novo European Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By BobVirginiaUSA - Virginia USA
We first went to DeNovo with friends for lunch and were very happy that we did so. The menu has many varied food and beverage selections. The wait staff is really excellent: responsive, attentive and courteous without being intrusive. We dined there again two days later with family and again everything about the menu and service was the same: excellent. I would note that what is also true, as stated in other reviews, is that the noise level varies depending on how crowded the restaurant is. If you are looking for friendly conversation, go for lunch during the week. For a more “lively” atmosphere, shall we say, expect that went it’s busy.
7. The Manor Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By TRAVELNOW585 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We returned to the Manor for our 35th wedding anniversary A La Carte (not buffet) dinner. We live out of state so it was our first time back. The decor was beautiful, staff were very nice, the service was very fine, the ambience was excellent with live music!!! The food was perfect and delicious! Most all of the people in the restaurant were celebrating something and therefore the staff did not treat our celebratory after 35 yreas return as special! I think they should "fake" it or find joy and rejoice in all celebrations!!! After all if 80% of the restaurant is celebrating, their jobs are in finding joy in celebration!!!
8. Fascino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
"The atmosphere of Fascino, with its minimalist cream and deep red decor, borders on stark but not casual. The complexity's in the entrees, where flavors, scents and textures fuse seamlessly. Puree of kobacha squash soup with oregano crema and hazelnut oil wins the intriguing appetizer award, and the paper-thin sheets of beef carpaccio with truffle oil and petite salad are a beef purist's dream. Pastas, risottos and raviolis are all available as appetizers or main courses, but the duck breast with confit cannelloni and black fig compote or pine nut-crusted codfish might be hard to pass up." -- Mike Hess, AOL Digital City
Reviewed By Marc G - Rockaway, New Jersey
Fascino lives up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in NJ. Food, service, ambiance among the finest we've experienced. Shared the stuffed zucchini blossoms and papardelle with duck as starters, Both cooked and presented beautifully. As we were sharing, kitchen separated the portions on attractive plates and mini skillets. Shrimp scampi style with sweet corn risotto was excellent. Four huge shrimp well prepared. 14-oz pork chop went down too smoothly, Thought I'd be taking some home but it went down with ease. Served perfectly medium. Soft and buttery. Great texture, Even the decaf coffee was good, When does that happen? Nice finishing touch: noted on Open Table that this was an anniversary dinner, Restaurant served a complimentary small dish of homemade gelato. Yummy
9. Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant of Montclair, NJ is a favorite for both vegans & meat lovers with its authentic Ethiopian food. All of our foods are prepared with imported Ethiopian spices prepared daily. The friendly staff and warm decor makes Mesob the perfect place to relax with family and friends. Our Injera, a delicious sourdough Ethiopian flat bread that you wrap your food with, makes Mesob a favorite with kids, where it’s a treat to “eat with your hands.” (but we also have silverware, if you prefer!)
Reviewed By ssgtravel - nj
Ethiopian food is quite different from any other type of food; especially as it is served and eaten with an unusual type of spongy, flat bread--injera. We have eaten here several times and have always been pleased with the variety of food, the taste, and the price is very fair. The noise level is a little high, but otherwise the restaurant is really great. We look forward to coming in to Montclair to eat here.
10. Raymond's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 348 reviews
Reviewed By usroadrats - Houston, Texas
Beer battered fish was just okay, chips were very good.
Cheeseburger was good, but the fries were the best part of the meal.
Soup was average.
Very very crowded on a Saturday and very very loud.
Tables are to close together people bump into us and our table every time they walked in.
As far as RETRO. Table and chairs have passed the RETRO stage they need to be replaced.
