Our Favorite French Food in Montclair, NJ
September 3, 2024
More of Our Favorite Food, Retail, and Entertainment in Montclair, NJ
January 31, 2025
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 The Montclair Preschool of L’Alliance New York, 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
A shop that specializes in charcuterie? Believe it! This spot (owned by CIA-trained Chef Jeff Butler) has everything from a-la-carte sausages to pre-made grazing boards to pates to pickled and marinated sides. They even offer a bacon of the month club.
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.
If you’re looking for whimsical pieces for the smaller set, this infant and children’s clothing shop carries adorable options from both American and European makers along with party dresses and tutus. They also have a lovely selection of toys, books, and cards, so you’ll find everything from special occasion wear to gift items here.
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.
This botanical gift boutique is appropriately light-filled and greenery-strewn—the specialty is houseplants, though you’ll also find pretty pots, handy accessories like moisture meters and plant food, and a wide array of unique gift items. It’s a sanctuary-like space that you’ll be all too happy to browse and get lost in.
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
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.
PEAK Performances at Montclair State University
Creatives of all disciplines grace this stage, and your ticket funds go directly to supporting world-class art and artists. Events include everything from musicals to concerts to multi-media puppetry, and much more. A show at PEAK is sure to be a singular experience, merging techniques and highlighting fresh talent.
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.
Held every October, the 2025 festival will mark the fifteenth year of the festival! The Montclair Film Festival entertains film lovers and professionals from across the region and country with ten days of independent films, comedies, documentaries, panels, family events and work by emerging artists.
Now in its 15th year, this renowned musical showcase spans June through September at locations across the city, and culminates with a day-long jamboree and block party. It’s the biggest free jazz festival in the area, and it brings together over 200 artists, a plethora of food and goods vendors, and over 35,000 fans. The festival emphasizes Montclair as a major destination, and the energy is palpable—it’s a must-experience!
Now, the next time you’re at L’Alliance New York’s Montclair Campus, 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
