Highlights of the Upcoming Comic Arts Fest 2025
March 21, 2025
More of Our Favorite Food, Retail, and Entertainment in Montclair, NJ
January 31, 2025
Updated October 1, 2026.
The charming, culturally-rich town of Montclair, New Jersey cannot be contained in just two blog posts, and we would know—to mark the launch of L’Alliance Preschool Montclair Campus, we told you about our favorite French retail and culture destinations and our favorite French food in town. But we’re not done yet! Here are even more food, retail, and entertainment attractions to explore during your next visit.
FOOD
Part wine and spirits emporium, part microbrew shop, and part wildly popular seasonal patio bar, this is your one-stop spot for artisanal sips (they carry over 900 wines), tastings, hosted dinner pairings, and outdoor drinking and snacking.
This charming location in a brick and window-lined space serves up handmade baked goods incorporating locally-sourced ingredients. They serve up some of the best doughnuts you’ve ever tasted, along with croissants, baguettes, sourdough loaves, an array of sandwiches, and Gifford’s Ice Cream straight from Maine.
This energetic microbrewery, tasting room, and beer garden is owned by husband and wife team Leo Sawadogo and Denise-Ford Sawadogo, who established the business in 2014. Leo is Burkinabé, hailing from a francophone area of West Africa, and Denise has Jamaican roots—their unique backgrounds are reflected in the flavors of their brews, of which they offer dozens on tap. The variety of craft options is massive—pilsners to IPAs to lagers, with ciders and nonalcoholic options as well—so there’s something for everyone.
Of this family-run restaurant, Marie-Catherine Glaser, Director of the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York, says, “Just Jake’s is more than just a local spot. With an Egyptian chef who’s fluent in French, and a menu that’s a delightful mix of classic comfort food and unexpected culinary adventures, it’s a hidden gem in Montclair. While their bar food is great, it’s the specials that truly shine, showcasing Chef Alex’s experience in top-tier restaurants. Don’t miss out on their private supper club, announced regularly on their Instagram.”
You’ll need some quality caffeine to fuel your shopping, and this cute subway tile-lined space offers all the espresso and drip classics along with a robust assortment of comforting breakfast and lunch options (think: pancakes, egg sandwiches, omelets, quesadillas, sandwiches, and salads) during the week.
For another coffee and eat-in option, this chic spot also serves up tea, pressed juice, and handcrafted pastries. They’re famous for their ultra-fluffy pancakes and super-crispy rosemary shoestring fries, and don’t miss their house-cured bacon and addictive chocolate chip cookies (made fresh daily).
If you’re craving Mediterranean food, you can’t go wrong with just about anything on this locally-sourced menu. The team even offers catering! Just one visit, and you’ll find yourself craving their shawarma, shakshuka, falafel, and smoked eggplant dip. Lucky for you, there are grab and go options on the way out!
RETAIL
This eclectic boutique specializes in emerging designers, and carries both women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and curated beauty items. Owner Natalie Haddad also occasionally hosts pop-ups highlighting independent makers and workshops with local creatives. Plus, Haddad recently opened a menswear store next door to Monty called Mister. Check it out!
This “slow fashion” clothing shop focuses on independent designers who specialize in sustainable material. Think: billowy linen caftans, woven leather totes, and regenerative cotton jeans for women and USA-made denim jackets, wool-lined deerskin gloves, and lambswool sweaters for men.
One of our favorite stops for little ones, Francis Henri is a delightful children’s boutique filled with beautifully curated clothing, accessories, and gifts. We especially love finding some of our favorite French brands right here in Montclair, including Petit Bateau and Arsène et les Pipelettes. Whether you’re looking for something special or just popping in to browse, it’s hard to leave without falling in love with something!
This mecca for all things makeup was founded by iconic makeup artist Bobbi Brown. The Montclair location is one of seven shops across the country, and it’s not just the spot to shop for your new favorite beauty items: Jones Road also offers makeup lessons and application appointments for both adults and teens.
Need a show-stopping floral display? Look no further than Amy Gofton’s stunning creations. Gofton spent decades in the fashion industry before breaking away to create her own high-end floral design business. Whether you’re looking for a custom bouquet or container garden, event installations, or a workshop, Gofton is your go-to flower guru.
This adorable shop stocks grab-and-go floral arrangements, a build your own bouquet experience, and offers subscription and local delivery options. There’s even a vintage flower truck available to rent for events (it’s named Charlie in honor of owner Angelica’s father).
CULTURE
2026 marks a special milestone for Montclair Film as the Montclair Film Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary. Held every October in Montclair, NJ, the festival brings film lovers and professionals together for ten days of independent films, comedies, documentaries, panels, family events, and work by emerging artists. But the movies don’t stop when the festival ends! Montclair Film also operates The Clairidge in downtown Montclair and The Bellevue in Upper Montclair, giving our community access to great cinema all year round, including French and Francophone films. And here’s a special perk for our community: L’Alliance New York members can enjoy complimentary tickets to select French films at both theaters throughout the year.
One of Montclair’s most beloved summer traditions, the Montclair Jazz Festival brings world-class jazz and an incredible sense of community to town each year. Produced by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, the festival features free performances throughout the summer and culminates in the Downtown Jamboree + Block Party, a day filled with live music, food, local vendors, and tens of thousands of jazz fans. From internationally renowned artists to the next generation of young musicians, it’s a wonderful celebration of jazz right in the heart of Montclair—and an experience not to miss!
PEAK Performances at Montclair State University
Creatives from across disciplines grace the stage at PEAK Performances, bringing world-class dance, music, theater, film, and multidisciplinary performances right to our community. With artists and productions from around the world, a show at PEAK is sure to be a singular experience, offering Montclair audiences the chance to discover exciting and innovative work close to home.
How often can you say you caught a concert at a gorgeous circa-1922 theater? The historical locale has since been restored and outfitted with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, for a top-tier immersive experience. From your favorite bands to beloved comedians, all the best grace Wellmont’s stage.
This community-oriented non-profit theater emphasizes productions that highlight diverse experiences, spark conversation, and create change. Here, you’ll catch world-class plays, film screenings, and interactive experiences. They also offer acting, storytelling, movement, and drama classes for all ages, and summer camps for kids and teens.
Now, the next time you’re at the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York, you’ll have a full days’ worth of pre-planned food, retail, and entertainment options to explore in the charming New Jersey town. Feel free to merci us later—we’ll happily accept gratitude in the form of Montclair Bread Company croissants!
Image credit © Montclair Film, Monty
