Food + Drink
There’s nothing like being able to enjoy a great meal with a favorite wine, beer, or cocktail. That’s the beauty in BYOB restaurants — the food and drink pairings can really be left to the diner’s choice. These restaurants also happen to be well-known for their great food and vibes. We’ve rounded up a list of the best spots in Montclair to enjoy the BYOB setup.
Disclaimer: This is a growing list, so if you know of one that we missed, please email [email protected].
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Elkashab
Ah’ Pizz | 7 North Willow Street
Ah’Pizz is celebrated for its traditional pizza, creative entrees, and welcoming atmosphere. This BYOB pizzeria crafts its pizzas using dough made exclusively from finely ground Italian wheat flour, natural Neapolitan yeast, sea salt, and water, as stated on the restaurant’s website.
Read More: Where to Go Out in Northern New Jersey Based on Your Preferences
Boschetto | 111 Grove Street
Boschetto is a fast-casual restaurant with an elevated twist, a concept created by long-time restaurateur Robert Spina, his partner Ryan Held, and Michelin-starred chef Joseph Sergentakis. While Boschetto’s cuisine is Italian, Chef Joseph puts his own spin on the dishes. He only uses the highest quality products, most of which are either made in-house or are imported from Italy. There are a variety of pizzas on the menu, as well as paninis, pastas, and salads. It’s BYOB, with a wine shop nearby and no corking fee.
Cafe Giotto | 42 Church Street
Walking into Cafe Giotto feels like an escape to the Italian countryside. The cozy cafe has a window banquette and a handful of tables so seating is always limited but very much worth the wait. There are so many delicious freshly-baked pastries, paninis, homemade pasta, and gelato to choose from, three meals a day might seem restrictive. If pasta is the move, technically sixteen combinations can be made by picking one of four shapes to be paired with any one of four sauces — sign us up.
Laboratorio Kitchen | 615 Bloomfield Avenue
Laboratorio Kitchen is a BYOB restaurant that keeps customers coming back for more. With its modern, minimalist interior and approachable, comforting food, it provides a delightful dining experience. MG particularly loves the Hand-Rolled Ricotta Cavatelli.
La Rocca Osteria | 23 Midland Avenue
Walking to your table at La Rocca, whether inside or outside behind the French doors, you’ll feel the romance of Italy through the wooden tables and chairs, dimmed lighting met with candlelight and decorative roses on the tables. The food can be described as “simple” Italian food with “good quality” ingredients — with an array of classic Italian dishes up for grabs.
Luigino’s Parmigiana | 173 Glenridge Avenue
Photo Credit: Cindy Blanco
Luigino’s Parmigiana is a “funky traditional” spot that is bringing a taste of the Amalfi Coast to Montclair. The menu boasts traditional, Southern Italian dishes with a modern twist. There’s a choice selection of traditional Italian dishes (including an entire section dedicated to the namesake, Parmigiana) to more explorative Roman-style pizzas + paninis. Perhaps the most exciting, though, is the “Dalla Dispensa” portion of the menu, which includes an array of specialty meat and cheese boards.
PastaRAMEN | 6 S Fullerton Avenue
Since opening last year, PastaRAMEN has rightfully earned its status as Montclair’s most elusive and hard-to-book restaurant. There’s no signage indicating the eatery from the street — only a circular, glowing light similar to the Bat Signal. Inside, is an Asian-Fusion concept like no other, with dishes like Cacio e Pepe Gyoza and Wafu Italian Caesar Salad. If you can snag a rez, be sure to pick up your favorite wine or spirit on the way, as this experience is BYOB.
Samba Montclair | 7 Park Street
There aren’t many Brazilian restaurants on the dining scene where the focus isn’t on rodizio, the all-you-can-eat meat affair, but Samba highlights an entirely new perspective on the culture. If patrons are willing to step outside of their culinary comfort zones, they will be surprised by the tropical ingredients and bold flavors in this fully gluten-free restaurant. If dining on the weekend, try the feijoada, which is Brazil’s national dish of stewed black beans and various cuts of pork. The estrogonofe de alcatra, a take on beef stroganoff, and moqueca de peixe com pirão (fish and shrimp coconut milk soup) are also fan favorites.
SLA Thai | 596 Valley Road
Simple, Love, Authentic — SLA Thai teaches diners all about authentic cuisine from Northern Thailand, where both chefs are from. The focus is on balancing salty, sweet, sour, and spice in the dishes, and based on what’s coming out of the kitchen, they must be getting it right. Try the pad thai or pad see ew, which are both made with rice noodles if Thai food is something new. The nam thok pla tod is a whole fish fried until crispy and worth the journey. If it’s in season, finish off with the sticky rice with mango for a perfectly sweet ending.
Turtle + The Wolf | 622 Valley Road
When looking for a five-star meal without breaking the bank, check out Turtle + the Wolf. The menu is eclectic and hearty, leaving guests with all the warm and fuzzies. The food highlights local and seasonal ingredients and the hospitality is grade A. The charcuterie meats are cured in-house, the pasta is handmade, and the bread is baked daily on the premises. There are also large format menus for special occasions and holidays, think New Year’s Eve and biscuits. Pay special attention to the dinner menu on the steak tartare, fresh-shucked oysters, and duck pot pie.
See More: The Best Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City for Frozen Drinks
Zeugma Grill | 44 South Park Street
Named after an ancient city in Turkey, this Mediterranean fusion grill features all the beloved flavors from the area straddled between Europe and the Middle East. There are mezze to share, ‘In the Middle’ plates that can serve as appetizers or even lunch, and entrees that are big enough to eat twice more. Try the Avogannush for a trendy take on the traditional smoked eggplant dip, the miso calamari or grilled octopus, the pistachio steak burger, and, of course, the baklava. For those who couldn’t swing by the wine shop on the way, half and full bottles are sold by the restaurant. Foolproof.
It’s starting to finally feel like summer here in Northern New Jersey. With the weather warming up, there are plenty of things to do locally, including an oil-painting workshop, a fishing derby, and a yoga class in an art gallery. Below is a list of (over 105!) Montclair, Essex County, and Northern New Jersey events happening this weekend, June 5th through June 8th, 2025. Don’t forget — you can submit your community events HERE.
Disclaimer: This is a community resource. Submit events HERE and view the full calendar HERE. The Montclair Girl is not affiliated with hosting unless explicitly stated.
Montclair Flea Presents Makers Only
Montclair Flea 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
Saturday + Sunday — June 7th + 8th at 11AM-6PM
This weekend, Montclair Flea is featuring vendors showcasing their handmade goods, from artisanal jewelry to custom art, clothes, and more. Plus: food trucks, Boozie’s Wine Shoppe and Bar, Burgers Donuts Potatoes, Murals, Art, Kids Crafting.
Property of the Week: 43 Conforti Avenue #24, West Orange
This 1-bed, 1-bath condo in West Orange is available to buy for $274,999. The property features an updated living room, modern kitchen, renovated bathroom, and a dedicated parking space, among other things.
View The Local Girl’s Real Estate Directory here — which has 90+ listings just this week.
June 2025 
Thursday –
June 5, 2025
Yes Bus Acting Camp Auditions
The Yes Bus Acting Camp is a free acting camp for high school students across New Jersey, led by Mean Girls co-directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne. This will…
Thursday –
June 5, 2025
Procreate 101: Digital Art Made Easy at The Eclectic Chic Boutique
The Eclectic Chic Boutique
547 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ
This beginner workshop covers the essentials: interface walkthrough (canvas, tools, menus), essential gestures (undo/redo, zoom, etc.), and core tools: brushes, colors, eraser, layers. Learn to work with layers (add, merge,…
$75
June 2025
Saturday –
June 7, 2025
Yes Bus Acting Camp Auditions
The Yes Bus Acting Camp is a free acting camp for high school students across New Jersey, led by Mean Girls co-directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne. This will…
Saturday –
June 7, 2025
ParkFit at The Grove
The Grove (Berkeley Heights)
150 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights
ParkFit is a free 45-minute outdoor strength and cardio-based class program focusing on building muscle, burning fat, and moving your body. Participants will experience a total-body strength and movement training…
Free
Saturday –
June 7, 2025
Neighborhood Garage Sale in North Newark
Over 40 homes in the historic district of North Newark, Forest Hill, along Branch Brook Park, will be hosting a neighborhood garage sale.
Free
Saturday –
June 7, 2025
The Summit Avenue Concert Benefiting Lamp For Haiti
The Shapiro Family will host The Summit Avenue Concert to benefit the Montclair-based non-profit Lamp For Haiti at the family’s residence at 86 Summit Avenue, Montclair. There will be live…
Aging in Montclair | 13 Trinity Place, Montclair
Since its founding in 2015, Aging in Montclair (AIM) has been the proud voice of the older residents of the Montclair area. Its programs support and educate its 600+ members and provide the social connections that are so important as we age. Membership is free, and AIM invites all residents aged 55 and older to join. Contributions will help AIM shape solutions to meet the needs and concerns of our community. Learn more here.
Cultural Academic Student Exchange | 211 Bellevue Avenue Suite 204, Montclair
Become a host family for the Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE) and house a student studying abroad. The CASE program is always in need of families of all backgrounds to help immerse international students into the culture of the area and to help them navigate everyday life during their stay. Learn more here.
Montclair History Center | 108 Orange Road, Montclair
The Montclair History Center is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the preservation, study, and appreciation of local history. It was originally founded in 1965 to save the Israel Crane House, a Federal Revival-style landmark home built by a local entrepreneur in 1796. The MHC educates the community on local history and its importance through programs, advocacy, and exhibits. It shares the stories of the various persons and groups that have and continue to shape Montclair. Learn more here.
A List of Fun Outdoor Activities in New Jersey
Where to Celebrate Pride Month 2025 in Montclair + Northern New Jersey
Have an event you’d like to include? Submit it to our events calendar here. You can also email advertising@themontclairgirl.com for more info on featured events.
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Have a great weekend, xo
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