There is certainly no shortage of great coffee shops in Montclair — each with its own particular specialties. Whether it’s part of your morning routine or for a midday pick-me-up, one of the perks of small-town living is having a local coffee spot that knows just how to make your order to perfection. To highlight some Montclair favorites, we’ve rounded up a list of locally-owned coffee shops right here in Essex County, taking note of coffee options, specific menu items, milk selections and substitutes, baked goods, and of course, ambiance. Keep reading for the list of coffee shops in Montclair, New Jersey.
Disclaimer: This list is growing — email [email protected] with any additions.
Artazu | 6 Depot Square
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Artazu is operated by the owners of Rombiolo Bakery Cafe, located at 119 Broughton Avenue in Bloomfield. This coffee shop serves drinks like macchiatos, espressos, frappes, and more. Aside from coffee, the spot serves baked goods like danishes, breads, cakes, and muffins, as well as savory pastries, such as oven-baked beef, chicken, ham, and spinach empanadas. These are delivered daily from its sister restaurant.
Read More: 9 Coffee Shops in Essex County With Outdoor Seating
Bleu Coffee | 8 Erie Street
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At this coffee shop, Montclair customers can expect to find a variety of coffee flavors on the menu, featuring the best brews from all over. From the Jamaica Blue Mountain, a smooth brew with hints of chocolate and fruit, to the Honduras Organic, a brew infused with caramel, chocolate, and citrus, there is something for everyone to try.
Bluestone Coffee Co | 123 Watchung Avenue
You didn’t hear it from us, but word on the street is you might catch Montclair native and celebrity Stephen Colbert stopping by for his AM brew at this local café. Bluestone Coffee is a unique addition to this list as an Australian-owned spot that roasts the beans in-house, which are also available for purchase. It’s rich and strong, which is perfect to fuel your morning.
Non-dairy milk available: coconut, almond, and soy
The Corner | 115 Grove Street
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This popular brunch and rendezvous spot serves up all the best La Colombe blends, but don’t feel obliged to stay and eat. The coffee bar menu is simple and to the point and features items like drip coffee, Americano, golden latte, espresso, and more.
Non-dairy milk available: almond and soy
Eagle Rock Cafe | 202 Bellevue Avenue #1B
Eagle Rock is more than just a pretty face. This Insta-worthy shop brews Intelligentsia drip coffee and espresso drinks, such as the flat white, mocha, cold brew, macchiato, and much more.
Non-dairy milk available: almond and oat
Insomnia Coffee | 111 Glenridge Avenue
Insomnia Coffee, a Colombian coffee truck on wheels, is located in the parking lot of 111 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. It’s menu includes brews like the cortadito, which features fresh brewed espresso topped with foam, the cappuccino, made with espresso, foam, milk and cinnamon, and more. There are other Latin-inspired eats freshly-baked on premises at this spot, like chicken, beef, and cambray empanadas, as well as pastries and desserts such as Arepa de Chocolo and Tres Leches.
Non-dairy milk available: almond
Java Love | 244 Bellevue Avenue + 49 Church Street + 39 Glenridge Avenue + 1 University Promenade (inside Montclair State’s Student Center)
Whether uptown or downtown in Montclair, there is a cozy corner to enjoy a cup of joe at Java Love. All the coffee is either organic and/or sustainably farmed, fair trade, or rainforest alliance-certified, which means the best of the best. Java Love also has great seasonal specialty drinks as well as both sweet and savory baked goods. On top of serving customers a daily dose of caffeine, Java Love also serves the surrounding community by hosting coffee classes, live music, game nights, and other events.
Non-dairy milk available: coconut, oat, almond, and soy
Lit Cafe | 25 Church Street
This coffee spot, which also sells its own candles and wellness production, serves an ever-changing menu with seasonal drinks “that’ll make your fall and winter days extra cozy,” Lit Cafe told The Montclair Girl. For February, Montclair locals can find drinks like the lavender latte, Mocha Amour, Nutty Affair, and more.
Local Coffee | 107 Watchung Avenue
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Local Coffee is family-owned and operated, and is brewing hot beverages and bringing decadent pastries from some of the best vendors throughout New York and New Jersey. All of the coffee is sourced from Irving Farm Coffee Roasters, the tea is harvested from Tay Tea, and you can find an assortment of treats from Balthazar Bakery and Granola Lab.
Non-dairy milk available: oat, almond, and soy
Mattarello Bakery + Cafe | 254 Bellevue Avenue
Mattarello serves up dozens of baked goods and specialty coffees. Some of the highlights include the Nutella latte, cortado, Dulce De Leche Latte, and more. Some delicious menu items include Nutella bites, ‘St. Joseph’s Cream Puffs’, and gluten-free chocolate Caprese.
Non-dairy milk available: oat, almond, and soy
Paper Plane Coffee Co. | 61 North Fullerton Avenue
The coffee served at Paper Plane has origins over 150 years old, beginning on a family farm in the mountains of Colombia. The shop also serves up all the classics but also provides a unique selection of pour-over coffees, coffee soda (think cherry-vanilla soda and espresso), and an entire section of the menu dedicated to science. Yes, science. The drinks found in this section experiment with temperatures and complementing flavors like chocolate, spices, and fruits. Paper Plane takes the traditional coffee break to a whole new level.
Non-dairy milk options: oat, almond, and soy
Qahwah House | 493 Bloomfield Avenue
Qahwah House, a Yemeni-style coffee spot with locations around the country, has brought its coffee creations to the Montclair community. At this spot, Montclarians can order signature creations like the Sana’ani Coffee, a medium roast coffee made with cardamom, a Middle Eastern spice, and Adeni Chai, a Yemeni black tea mixed with cardamom, nutmeg, and milk.
Non-dairy milk options: oat, almond, and soy
Red Eye Cafe | 94 Walnut Street
When there’s time to sit down or take a stroll, we recommend doing so with a cup of joe from Red Eye. Located in the heart of Walnut Street, this Montclair staple brews organic, fair trade, and rainforest-alliance-certified Kobrick coffee and espresso. Try the signature ‘sludge’ made from cold-brewed espresso and cardamom or add organic CBD to any beverage.
Non-dairy milk options: almond, oat, and soy
Sankofa Cafe | 319 Orange Road
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This spot “prides [themselves] on serving premium, ethically sourced coffee crafted with passion and precision,” as per its website. Along with pastries and a global-inspired menu, Sankofa Cafe serves everyone’s favorite coffee items, from espressos to macchiatos to flat whites. The cafe encourages locals to stop in and experience the place “where every visit is a journey” and “every cup tells a story.”
Thought in Motion Waterbar | 127B Valley Road Suite B
Thought in Motion Waterbar is a crystal-infused water bar that serves as part coffee shop and part wellness center. This spot features a custom-built 11-step filtration system where the water for its Crystal Charged Water passes through. After the water is cleaned, it is passed over volcanic rocks for natural minerals, shungite, and a mixture of quartz crystals. This process ensures that the water served is balanced, restricted, transmuted, and charged with the highest vibe intentions. The coffee at this shop is made with its charged water. The menu includes espresso, cappuccinos, Americano, cold brew, hot chocolate, and unique lattes like turmeric and matcha.
Non-dairy milk available: crystal charged cashew coconut milk and organic almond milk
Tous les Jours | 520 Bloomfield Avenue
Tous les Jours is a French-Asian bakery located on Bloomfield Avenue. Tous les Jours means “every day” in French, and the bakery, which specializes in desserts, fun beverages, and coffee, makes its products fresh each day, per its website. Along with an expansive menu of baked goods, which includes cakes, savory and sweet breads, doughnuts, and more, locals can find coffee drinks like the iced lavender latte, caramel macchiato, and iced cafe mocha.
Non-dairy milk available: almond, soy, and oat milk
Trend Coffee + Tea House | 411 Bloomfield Avenue
This property, built in 1860, is the oldest house in Montclair, according to Trend Coffee + Tea House’s website. The menu at this coffee joint includes signature drinks like the Nutella latte, almond latte, caramel macchiato, white chocolate mocha, and more. For chai lovers, this spot also serves chai latte in the flavors turmeric, chocolate, and pumpkin a la mode.
Non-dairy milk available: organic almond milk and organic soy milk
Vesta Chocolate | 598 Valley Road Suite 2
Come to revel in endless amounts of chocolate decadence and then stay for the extra caffeine boost from a delicious coffee. The couple behind Vesta Chocolate has served some of the most prestigious restaurants and brands in the food world and feels strongly about bringing luxury to everyday treats, like chocolate and coffee. Albeit a simple menu, the coffee drinks are rich and work well to compliment all the bonbons, baked goods, and bars.
Non-dairy milk option: oat
See More: A Guide to the Coffee Shops of Hoboken
Bonus
Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint | 575 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
Just minutes from downtown Montclair, this coffee spot creates a fun, family-friendly environment. There is ample seating, bookshelves lined with children’s books, and Pac-Man for game enthusiasts. After you’re done with the various activities, this coffee shop has a cinnamon-roll-inspired espresso as well as a French toast-inspired drink, among other options to choose from.
Autism Acceptance Month: Resources for Parents
April is Autism Acceptance Month and is a time to educate ourselves and raise awareness about a disability that affects many children and adults worldwide. Also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this disability appears in many different forms and varying levels of severity from person to person. Here in the Essex County area, there are a variety of resources for parents of children with autism. Read on to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how you can support those living with the disorder.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and impairs the ability of children and adults to communicate and interact with others. Although there is no known cure for this condition, treatments such as behavioral therapies, family therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) are helpful in reducing symptoms and supporting development + learning. A child or adult living with autism may experience symptoms that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, obsessive tendencies, or repetitive behaviors. These symptoms also appear in a variety of forms and severities from one person to the next.
Read More: Organizations + Non-Profits to Give Back to in Montclair
How You Can Support Autism Organizations from Afar
It is simple enough to support autism organizations from afar by donating to a variety of different charities. This list of well-known organizations is a good place to start:
Autism NJ, a nonprofit organization, is "committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them," according to its website. The agency provides clinical expertise, information on public policy, awareness resources, and more. Austim NJ also hosts various events throughout the year. See the calendar here. Those looking to donate, see here.
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) emphasizes ensuring that adults with autism reach their potential by providing scholarships to colleges, programs + resources for self-advocates, and a portal for employers interested in hiring adults with autism.
The Autism Society of America has chapters across the country that provide person-to-person support and advocacy, as well as an online database of information and recommendations for parents and caregivers.
Whole Spectrum Autism, a Jersey City-based non-profit, raises autism acceptance by hosting family-friendly, inclusive events throughout the year because "autism isn’t just one day or one month — it is everyday living for so many of us." Advocacy and education are the core of their work, with the mission to build inclusive communities. FYI: Whole Spectrum is hosting its annual Autism Acceptance Gala on June 20th, 2025, at Liberty House in Jersey City — more information can be found here.
AANE is geared toward families and provides a blend of virtual and in-person services to support adults with autism as well as their family members.
The Autism Science Foundation supports autism by funding scientists and organizations that conduct research.
The Art of Autism focuses on spotlighting talents in the visual arts of children and adults with autism.
If you care to do something more hands-on to support these organizations, consider volunteering for events such as fundraising walks in your neighborhood. Many community centers (such as the YMCA) or smaller local organizations are also looking for mentors or ‘buddies’ to participate in events and activities with children or adults with autism.
Resources to Support Autism Spectrum Disorder at Home
When a lack of structure or routine occurs, children and adults with autism tend to experience behavioral challenges. For parents and caregivers who are looking for effective resources to use at home with a child or adult living with autism, consider these online behavioral resources:
Autism Parenting Magazine is an award-winning publication aimed at improving the quality of life for families affected by autism. Established in 2012, the magazine publishes autism-related topics, events, developments, treatments, and news stories, as well as a variety of inspiring real-life success stories.
Supporting Your Autism Journey + Autistics on Autism
Supporting Your Autism Journey and Autistics on Autism are written by Hoboken resident Dr. Kerry Magro — a professional speaker, best-selling author, and autism entertainment consultant who is on the autism spectrum. You can read more about Kerry here.
See More: First-Ever Foodie Fest for Autism Awareness Happening in Hoboken on 4/5
Apps to Use With Your Child at Home:
Touch and Learn - Emotions is a paid app that assists children in identifying emotions and recognizing body language.
Skill Champ is an iPad app that provides children with practice in foundational skills such as letter matching, identifying emotions, and more.
ChoiceWorks Calendar is another paid app that provides visually appealing options to create a schedule and alleviate transition anxiety.
