With summer slowly peeking its head, there’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors than riding bikes across town with your fellow neighbors, especially if it’s for a good cause. Local organization Montclair Bike Bus is planning a town-wide biking event to raise awareness about traffic violence happening in the community. “Kidical Mass” will take place on the morning of May 4th, 2025. Attendees will begin riding in Upper Montclair and finish at Essex Park at 41 Chestnut Street, where there will be a family-friendly celebration. Read on to learn more about Kidical Mass happening in Montclair, New Jersey, and the organization behind it all.
About Kidical Mass
According to New Jersey’s Department of Law + Public Safety, the state has reported 148 fatal vehicle crashes since January. Like many bustling towns in the Garden State, Montclair is not exempt from issues surrounding traffic safety. Since March 2025, there have been a total of 20 crashes that have happened in our local community, as per a crash report created by the organization Montclair Bike Bus.
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To raise awareness about traffic violence in the community, Montclair Bike Bus, whose goal is to make biking to school safe for all Montclair children, will host its biggest biking event yet on May 4th. “The idea is to get as many kids and adults riding their bikes as we can so we can send a message to our elected leaders about safe streets,” the organization told The Montclair Girl. “We deserve safer streets, including traffic calming, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements, so our kids can ride to school — or wherever they want.”
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Taking place from 10AM to 1PM, Kidical Mass, a six-mile bike ride, will start in Upper Montclair, continue through the South End neighborhood, and finish at Essex Park, located at 41 Chestnut Street. The whole ride is estimated to take around an hour. See the full map here.
Participants looking for shorter rides can join at different checkpoints, including Watchung Plaza for a 4.5-mile or 45-minute ride, Church Street Circle for a three-mile or 30-minute ride, and the northeast corner of Nishuane Park for a two-mile or 20-minute ride.
Finishing at Essex Park, riders can look forward to music, games, doughnuts, snacks, merch, and bike repair services.
Those looking to participate in Kidical Mass can RSVP at this link.
About Montclair Bike Bus
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Led by local parents and community supporters, Montclair Bike Bus is an organization on a mission to make biking for local students “joyful, fun, and safe,” as per its website.
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Every Friday morning, the organization hosts a bike bus for Montclair students. This is an adult-led, scheduled bike ride that follows a set route, taking children safely to their schools. There are roots available for Bradford Elementary School, Charles H Bullock School, Buzz Aldrin Middle School, Edgemont Elementary School, Glenfield Middle School, Hillside Elementary School, Nishuane Elementary School, Northeast Elementary School, Renaissance Middle School, and Watchung School. See the routes at this link.
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The Best Spots for Easter Brunch in Montclair + Essex County
Easter is just around the corner, and aside from tasty brunch foods, we're all looking forward to warmer weather and spending quality time with family and friends. For those looking to enjoy a nice Easter meal out, we’ve compiled a guide of eateries in the Essex County area that deliver a strong brunch game. Read on for a list of spots for Easter Sunday brunch in Montclair + Essex County, New Jersey.
Montclair
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
The French brasserie, known for its menu of seasonal French cuisine, will provide a $48 prix-fixe brunch menu and specials at both its Weehawken and Montclair locations. The menu consists of options like its Eggplant Baba Ganoush; Overnight Oats; and the Brunch Basket made with croissants, pain au chocolate, blueberry muffins, and more. See the full menu here.
Read More: Montclair + Northern NJ Restaurants Open on Easter Sunday 2025
Fresco Da Franco | 15 Church Street
Fresco Da Franco, which has been a hot spot for brunch with Real Housewives of New Jersey since season seven, will serve an Easter brunch all day starting at 11AM. Diners can look forward to classic Italian dishes like Crostini Con Sarde, made with imported sardine, stracciatella cheese, calabria first press E.V.O.O., Cornetto Nutella + Latto Caldo, a traditional classic Italian croissant served with hot milk, Spaghetti Pomodori, which comes with San Marzano tomato, garlic, and micro basil, and more. See the full brunch menu here.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street
This modern, upscale Walnut Street eatery serves a seafood-centered brunch menu every Sunday from 11:30AM to 3PM. For seafood lovers, Halcyon has a raw bar, sushi bar, and starters such as crab cakes, paella, and charred-grilled oysters. If you're not a seafood lover, Halcyon has options for everyone else, including cheeseburgers, filet mignon, and tacos. Make reservations here.
Montclair Diner | 613 Valley Road
If your family is a little more casual for the holidays, don’t overlook Montclair Diner. The brunch menu of this spot includes choices like baked souffle, scrambled eggs, meat, pancakes, French toast, chicken + waffles, shrimp and grits, among many others. For those looking for lunch food, Montclair Diner’s family-style lunch menu includes a list of sandwiches and burgers to mix and match with a choice of side and soup or salad.
Porta Montclair | 499 Bloomfield Avenue
The industrial-style vintage aesthetic with raw brick walls, wines served in water glasses, and mismatched chairs are all a part of Porta’s charm. The brunch menu here includes options like almond-crusted French toast, eggplant parm, sweet potato risotto, a variety of pizzas, and more.
Raymond's | 28 Church Street
Raymond’s bright and cheerful vibe pays homage to New Jersey’s greatest diners with a modern twist. The waitstaff is friendly, the décor is retro, and the food is on point. Locals can create custom omelets, eat every homemade potato chip on the plate, and indulge in the restaurant's specials. Raymond's will be open until 4PM on Easter Sunday.
Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue
HG readers may be familiar with the name of this Lebanese + French spot from its sister location in Jersey City. With a brunch menu that has everything from Momo’s Breakfast, two eggs served with hummus, tabouli, labneh, pita, and mixed greens, to French toast, you can’t go wrong celebrating a festive Sunday at Uncle Momo.
Sayola | 38 Valley Road
Sayola, featuring an expansive menu of traditional Spanish dishes, will host an Easter celebration at both its Montclair and Tenafly locations. The restaurant's brunch menu includes dishes like Sauteed Chorizo, Broiled Grapefruit, Duck Empanadas, Eggs, Benedict, Claims Marinara, and more. View the full brunch menu here.
Essex County
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield
The Brookdale is a trendy sports bar and restaurant fit for any occasion — and that includes Easter brunch. Some highlights from the brunch menu include challah French toast, PB+J pancakes, a taco salad, Nashville hot chicken benedict, a pastrami Reuben quesadilla, and grilled salmon, among other dishes. If you're up for it, this spot even serves a one-pound mozzarella stick that is as cheesy as it is delicious.
Cowan’s Public | 229 Centre Street, Nutley
Cowan's Public serves a brunch menu of morning and afternoon classics like deviled eggs, breakfast eggrolls, nutella French toast, avocado toast, and more. This restaurant will serve brunch from 11AM to 2:30PM on Easter Sunday.
Felina Steak House | 101 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
Felina Steak House is the spot to go for a cozy afternoon brunch. Known for its cocktails and expansive menu of Italian-inspired cuisine, this restaurant will host an Easter brunch in both its South Orange and Jersey City locations. The menu will feature antipasti, pizza, pasta, and all kinds of savory brunch + Easter specials.
The Highlawn | 1 Crest Drive, West Orange
With its grand dining room, incredible view of Manhattan, and open kitchen, The Highlawn provides an ideal balance of classic, rustic, and modern — and its dishes follow suit. Brunch will be served in a buffet-style from 11AM to 2:30PM and include dishes like crab cake eggs Benedict, French toast, egg white frittata, shrimp cocktail, avocado toast, and more.
The Hudson Rose | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
The Hudson Rose in Nutley will have two special brunch options for diners beginning at 11AM. The prix fixe three-course menu, which takes place in the main dining room, features dishes like beets + burrata, lamb ribs, chicken milanese, and herb-crusted lamb chops, as well as dessert options like tiramisu and cheesecake. The buffet brunch in The Harlow Room will include carving stations with porchetta, prime rib, lamb rack, a make-your-omelet bar, a fully loaded raw bar, fresh salads, a custom pasta bar, baked goods, bagels + lox, and more. Both the buffet and pre-fixe menu are priced at $55 per person and $30 for children under 10.
Il Vecchio Cafe | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Located inside Calandra's Italian Village, the open-concept dining room and elegant decor make Il Vecchio Cafe a great option for a holiday meal. This Easter brunch will include cold and hot stations, a children’s menu, and dessert options, featuring dishes like homemade Calandra’s bread + focaccia, Caprese salad, deviled Easter eggs, prime rib, chicken franchise, roasted potatoes, and more. Il Vecchio will also serve $8 drink specials like mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Marys, and Screwdrivers. See the full menu on Instagram.
McLoone's Boathouse | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
Located within the South Mountain Recreation Complex, McLoone’s Boathouse sits on the banks of the reservoir, which gives diners spectacular views of the water. Keeping with the tradition of owner Tim McLoone’s other locations, the menu includes tried and true American cuisine that has great choices for the entire family. Its Easter Sunday brunch buffet will be served from 10AM to 3PM, and includes complimentary mimosas, a raw bar, a hot buffet, stations from omelet to waffle, assorted desserts, and more.
See More: Where to Enjoy Easter Brunch in Hoboken + Jersey City
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
The Parkside Social, which opened to the Verona community in 2022, will host its Easter Bunny Brunch on the festive holiday. This event will include an Easter egg hunt on the restaurant's patio, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and a menu of brunch options like avocado toast, deviled eggs, cinnamon roll pancakes, and more.
