My kids and my husband love to go out to breakfast in and around town on a weekend morning. Oftentimes we trade off so we can each take turns sleeping in!
No matter what kind of breakfast you’re in the mood for -- the sweet or the savory -- you can find it here!
Plus … breakfast has chocolate chip pancakes that you pray your kid orders so you can have a few bites!
Hungry for breakfast yet?
I am! So I've rounded up my family's choices for the top breakfast spots in the Clifton-Montclair area, along with the reasons that my family loves them. I've listed them in alphabetical order:
Chit Chat Diner
410 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange; (973) 736-1989
Hours: 24 Hours, 7 days a week
What we love: The Chit Chat Diner owner wanted to make a local diner that felt like Alice and Wonderland and oh how she did that and more. For any of you familiar with the brand Mackenzie Childs, the entire restaurant has been designed with their décor, even the bathroom sinks. I love the view. Come here when your kids wake you up before the sun rises and you will catch the most beautiful sunrise. Your kids will get their own personal maple syrup (that's been warmed I might add) to use with their pancakes. You don't have to go to the 9/11 Memorial at Eagle Rock for the view, you could come here. The menu is fabulous! It has huge portions, everything seems fresh, and they are extremely accommodating. Sometimes you want to go to a large restaurant with the family and not have to worry about parking and wondering if there is enough room for a stroller and this should certainly be a go-to. Make sure you have your camera because your children will want to take photos with the statues of children outside. My family likes to go bowling after and we make a stop at the Whole Foods near by. We love to plan our meals, errands and activities all tied in together.
Le Salbuen
97 Walnut Street, Montclair; 201-622-8473
Hours: M-Sat 9-3pm (Note: only open Monday - Saturday)
What we love: This gem makes us feel like we are back in NYC without the commute. Le Salbuen is owned and operated by a Husband/Wife duo, they have added an eclectic flair to the Walnut Street area. Half of the menu is vegan (great for one of my kids with lots of allergies) and the other half of the menu has one of the rest of our family's favorite, Balthazar brioche French toast (rest of menu can be seen here. They also own Le Willow 83 (83 N. Willow Street, Montclair) and will open the boutique early upon request. If you ever need to cater a brunch, they do amazing catering! Note that the bathroom is tiny and there is no changing table. You also probably want to carry your car seat in instead of bringing a bulky stroller. In the warmer weather, it is so nice to sit outside and people watch. I'll always try to remind you, too, that most restaurants in Montclair are BYO and this is no exception. Last tip: try to make reservations ahead of time.
OHOP (The Original House of Pancakes)
817 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell; 973-575-9161
Hours: 7-3pm M-Sunday
What we love: Locals call it OHOP but not to be confused with IHOP. This place is huge and although it is a franchise, it doesn't feel like it. They have a lot of toys for your kids to use if you should have to wait, the staff is friendly, and the PANCAKES ARE SO LIGHT AND FLUFFY. They have fresh squeezed orange juice which is another attraction for the kids to watch. There are a lot of play spaces and shops for any weekend errands nearby and they even have a kid's bathroom with a mini toilet and sink.
Raymond's
28 Church Street, Montclair; (973) 744-9263
Hours: M-Saturday 8-10pm, Sunday 8-9pm
What we love: Raymond's Montclair is classic! That is how my family would describe it...consistently their menu offers something unique of some flavors I never would think toput together. It embodies Montclair in everything from the ambiance, the staff, and the menu. They make amazing coffee drinks like a turmeric almond latte, non alcoholic drinks (reminder: BYO), and amazing omelettes. My favorite is their huevos rancheros. YUM! Even picky eaters will love their eggs and pancakes, and if you need another reason to come, they make their own giant marshmallows. Plus who doesn't love walking around Montclair as a family after a filling meal. Last tip: expect a wait so bring the little kids some snacks, they do provide crayons and kids sippy cups. I recommend dropping one parent off to get your name on the wait list while the other finds parking.
Toast City Diner
700 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair; (973) 509-8099
Hours: 7:30-3pm
What we love: Toast is always lively and depending on what time you are going to breakfast, plan to wait. The food is always fresh, very family friendly, they even have gluten free pancakes and are very receptive to allergies. I promise no one will go home hungry. Parking in Montclair, as we know, isn't always fun. There is no parking lot but I have never had an issue with street parking before. We always end up at Whole Foods across the street after because isn't there always something we run out of every.day! I love this place so much, I wish they were also open for dinner! Last tip: this is not the kind of place you can call and try to get an idea of how long the wait is or if there is a wait, just want to save you the phone call! I always drop someone off to check the wait first.
Hungry yet? Me too. Time for breakfast in just a few hours...
