In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, Maplewood is hosting Latin Restaurant Week from September 19 – September 25. The city is encouraging residents and locals from the surrounding cities to visit and indulge in classic Latin eats at participating restaurants. The festivities were coordinated by Ileana A. Castillo and are sponsored by CODA Kitchen & Bar.
(Photo credit: @codakitchenandbar)
Each restaurant will offer its own menu items. From finger food like empanadas and fajitas to fiesta pizza and festive desserts, the lineup showcases a variety of cuisine.
On Friday, September 24th, there will be a dance party on Maplewood Ave. featuring DJ Jimmy from 7PM – 10PM. Plus extended shopping hours with Kimaya Kama, Words Maplewood’s Bookstore, The Cannaboss Lady, Kokoro, and My CBD Organics.
Read More: A Guide to Latin Restaurants in Montclair
Participating Restaurants
St. James’s Gate Publick House
Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Montclair
In the past few years, outdoor dining has become a year-round staple in North Jersey and beyond. Spring is here and restaurants are ready to once again open their outside areas in full force. Whether you're looking for a sit-down brunch, quality seafood, a quick grab-and-go dessert, or specific ethnic cuisine, Montclair has endless options. Read on to learn more about these eateries with amazing outdoor dining options in Montclair, New Jersey.
Disclaimer: This is a growing list, and further suggestions are welcomed. Please email [email protected] with any additions.
Alto | 690 Bloomfield Avenue
Alto, a restaurant under The MC Hotel, is a rooftop bar that features indoor and outdoor seating. While indulging in small plate-style food and various drinks, guests can enjoy the NYC skyline.
Bonjour Montclair Cafe | 254 Park Street
This cozy cafe inspired by everyday family cooking has over three dozen sweet + savory crepe options, ranging from a steak, onion, and pepper combo to more classic cinnamon and sugar. The eatery also has a full menu of sandwiches, an indoor dining room, and outdoor tables open to the public daily weather permitting. No waiter service is available, but anyone is welcome to grab a seat.
Read More: 9 Coffee Shops in Essex County With Outdoor Seating
Boschetto | 111 Grove Street
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This elevated fast-casual restaurant serves a variety of pizzas, pastas, and other Italian favorites. One of the chef’s many specialties is the panuozzi, a made-to-order sandwich baked with homemade pizza dough. It also serves desserts including gelato, and the restaurant is BYOB. Outdoor seating is available on Boschetto's patio.
Cuban Pete's | 428 Bloomfield Avenue
With a BYO-alcohol option available, it’s always five o’clock somewhere. Cuban Pete’s encourages patrons to bring bottles of wine or rum so the staff can make custom sangria or mojitos. The restaurant is also known for its non-alcoholic versions of these fan-favorite cocktails.
da Pepo | 54 Fairfield Street
Da Pepo serves up traditional Italian recipes — made in-house and learned from Italian ancestors — making the pasta selection top-notch. With warmer months on the horizon, its outdoor seating area will be open along the sidewalk. After dinner, MG recommends checking out Watchung Booksellers (right next door) for a post-dinner read.
Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes | 598 Valley Road
Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes provides a wide-ranging menu of grass-fed beef burgers, wagyu hot dogs, homemade veggie burgers, and creamy milkshakes. The restaurant has picnic-style tables outside its space, making it great for larger groups.
Diesel + Duke | 20 Church Street, Montclair
The menu of this burger joint includes, of course, burgers hand-cut fries, shakes, and, its most popular item, poutine. Diesel + Duke has picnic tables outside for any customer to enjoy during the warmer days.
De Novo European Pub | 275 Bellevue Avenue
Photo Credit: De Novo
This family-friendly European-inspired gastropub is located directly next to the Montclair train station, with outdoor tables a safe distance away from the tracks. There’s no place better to grab a flatbread and beer while waiting to head out on a trip, or simply just decompressing after a long day of work.
Efi's Gyro | 521 Bloomfield Avenue
Efi's Gyro is a Bloomfield Avenue restaurant that serves up authentic Greek gyro as well as other Greek dishes like bowls, pies, Greek iced coffee, and more. The spot has quite a few tables outside the storefront for customers to enjoy Mediterranean food with a view of downtown Montclair.
Egan + Sons | 118 Walnut Street
At Egan + Sons, there is heated outdoor seating that is regularly available if you are looking to check out this location’s fish ‘n’ chips, pizza, signature cocktails, or beer on tap. The seating area takes up a good portion of the parking lot, which means large parties are welcome.
Faubourg Restaurant + Bar | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
This elegant bi-level, indoor-outdoor location is best known for its French-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and its separate plant-based menu featuring dishes like vegetarian orecchiette and mushroom tarte flambee.
Java Love | 49 Church Street, Montclair
Java Love, a Montclair staple, has bright orange tables that sit alongside Church Street. The seating sits two, making it a great spot to catch up with friends, complete some computer work outdoors, or just take in the New Jersey suburbia views.
Just Jake's | 30 Park Street
With TVs, tents, and heaters, the patio at Just Jake’s is the perfect spot to watch weekend sports games or gather with co-workers for weekday happy hour, Monday through Friday 12PM-6PM.
Leone's | 19 South Park Street
This pizza place has a lovely outdoor seating area to enjoy Italian-American cuisine outside. With salads, pasta, a large list of Italian entrees, and — of course — pizza, this is a great stop for delicious and comforting food while enjoying the breeze. Leone's also has an indulgent dessert menu — we're talking Oreo cheesecake, mini cannolis, and more.
Lit Cafe | 25 Church Street, Montclair
Lit Cafe, a specialty coffee shop, serves all kinds of brews, teas, and pastries, and sells wellness products from the sister brand, Lit Lab. While the spot does not have any tables, it does provide benches for customers to sit on and people-watch.
Marcel Bakery + Kitchen | 631 1/2 Valley Road
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Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, conveniently located in Upper Montclair, is home to bagels, pastries, rotisserie chicken wraps, daily vegetables, and breakfast specials that regularly change. The restaurant is set up for customers to order and purchase the items inside, and then the hardworking staff will bring all food to the outdoor tables if one prefers to dine on-site rather than grab + go.
Mattarello Bakery + Cafe | 254 Bellevue Avenue
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Mattarello with dozens of baked goods and specialty coffees. There are small tables set up outside the front sidewalk area so guests can leisurely enjoy the dessert. Some delicious menu items include Nutella bites, ‘St. Joseph's Cream Puffs,' and gluten-free chocolate Caprese.
Mercado | 605 Valley Road
Mercado, a MTC spot from the same owners as the former Sandwich Theory, pays homage to traditional Portuguese marketplaces. The food choices here include breakfast items, bowls, salads, sandwiches, soups, specials, and a plant-based menu. There is outdoor seating set up at the front of the restaurant.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street
Established in 2014 by a husband and wife duo, the microbrewery and tasting room was born from a passion for home brewing and hosting. Now, the brewery is a go-to for unique brews and a unique experience. Patrons can enjoy a beer inside the tasting room or in the outdoor patio area.
Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street
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Weather-permitting outdoor dining is set up at the front of this Church Street location branching out to the sidewalk area during all business hours.
Paper Plane Coffee Co. | 61 North Fullerton Avenue
Established in 2015, Paper Plane Coffee Co. is more than your average, run-of-the-mill coffee shop, and serves up a creative and diverse menu. There is outdoor seating set up outside so customers can enjoy their drinks during this beautiful weather.
Pappardelle Ristorante | 77 Walnut Street
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Whether looking for a romantic night out or a traditional Italian dinner with the fam, Pappardelle opens its doors, and outdoor front area weather permitting.
Porta | 499 Bloomfield Avenue
The Italian joint, which also has locations in Asbury Park and Jersey City, added a rooftop dining space in the summer of 2024. Adorned with flowers and greenery, the space is about 62 feet long and seats up to 48 people at tables with removable umbrellas.
Raymond's | 28 Church Street
This upscale BYOB bistro is serving up delicious comfort food in a whimsical environment and people line up every weekend for a bite. There are a few dishes that every visitor must try, and that includes French toast, huevos rancheros, pancakes, and breakfast burritos. It’s all about fresh ingredients at Raymond’s.
Sweet Kitchen | 533 Bloomfield Avenue
There are very few things in this life that are sweeter than brunch. Except maybe brunch in the sunshine with a side of fresh-made pastries. This is exactly what Sweet Kitchen, located in the heart of Montclair, can provide with the daily outdoor dining option.
See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Hoboken + Jersey City
Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue
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Uncle Momo’s serves up an award-winning fusion of French and Lebanese cuisine. Outdoor reservations, which can be made on OpenTable, are only currently available on warmer days, weather permitting.
Zeugma | 44 South Park Street
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Zeugma, a delicious Mediterranean restaurant, has an outdoor patio weather permitting. The patio is first-come, first-served, and reservations are for indoor dining only. Whether you're craving hummus, falafel, halloumi, lamb, or more, this is a great spot for good eats outdoors.
