SLA Thai - Tight menu, bright flavors—papaya salad, curries, noodles—built for sharing. Cozy space, bring a bottle, and let the spice do its thing.

Pasta Ramen - High-energy spot from the tasting-menu pop-up that went permanent: Japanese technique meets Italian comfort. Think handmade noodles, silky broths/sauces, and playful small plates. Portions are share-friendly; the bowls are rich and umami. Book early—resos go fast.

Zeugma - Elegant, share-friendly plates with beautiful presentation and standout ingredient quality. Mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and fish, and roasted veggies come out looking like art but taste even better. Warm, polished room—great for date night or a small group that wants to share everything.

Faubourg - Big, buzzy room and a sleek bar; seasonal French plates, raw bar, and a patio for summer night cocktails with friends. Good for date night or an elevated group dinner.

Raymond’s - All-day comfort food with great pancakes, burgers, and eggs done right. Retro vibe, sidewalk tables, and a reliable crowd-pleaser for out-of-towners.

Ani Ramen - Slurpable bowls (tonkotsu, spicy miso, veg) and soft steamed buns. Lively, fast, and easy to share; cocktails and mocktails keep the table happy.

Cuban Pete’s - Bright, tropical vibes, big portions, and a lively crowd.  It’s group-friendly and noisy-in-a-fun-way; bring a bottle—they’re known for mixing mojito/sangria bases to pair. Great for birthdays or an easy, upbeat night on Bloomfield Ave.

Samba - Homey Brazilian cooking—moquecas, feijoada, grilled meats—with a warm, rustic dining room. Noted for being very gluten-free friendly, so it’s an easy pick for mixed-diet groups.

Java Love - Community hub with house-roasted beans, solid espresso drinks, and plenty of tables to camp out with a laptop.

Paper Plane Coffee Co. - Serious espresso and pour-overs from a micro-roaster; clean, minimalist counter that keeps the focus on the coffee.

Montclair Bread Co. - The doughnut line is famous for a reason, but don’t skip the breads, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches. Go early on weekends.

Red Eye Café - Solid breakfast and coffee; easy go-to when you want simple done right.

Jayce Baudry French Pastry — elegant French cakes, tarts, macarons; perfect for “one of everything.”

Benvenuti — small-batch gelato on Church St; rotating flavors (incl. vegan).

Absolute Zero — Thai rolled ice cream made to order; fun to watch.

Applegate Farm - (Upper Montclair) — old-school ice cream stand since the 1800s; cones, pies, cakes.