- Attraction: Raymond’s
- Location: 28 Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://raymondsnj.com/montclair
Picture walking into a time capsule where 1930s Parisian charm meets classic American comfort food.
Raymond’s isn’t trying to be just another diner on Church Street—it’s been the heartbeat of downtown Montclair since Raymond Badach first opened this luncheonette in 1989.
What started as a cozy hole-in-the-wall where locals gathered for coffee and newspapers has transformed into one of New Jersey’s most beloved brunch destinations, drawing crowds from across the Hudson River and beyond.
The moment you step through the door, you’re greeted by gleaming white subway tiles, ruby-red leather banquettes that look deliciously worn-in, and a soapstone bar that anchors the front room.
The design team behind Manhattan hotspots like Balthazar and Pastis crafted this space, and it shows. From the hexagonal floor tiles to the vintage felt boards announcing local theater events, every detail whispers nostalgia while feeling perfectly current.
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Keep Exploring →Breakfast Favorites That Keep People Coming Back
The Legendary French Toast: This isn’t your average eggy bread situation. Made with actual French baguette, this dish has achieved near-mythical status among regulars. The exterior gets perfectly golden and slightly crisp, while the inside stays pillowy and custardy.
Topped with wild berries, whipped lemon chantilly, and powdered sugar, then finished with Berkshires maple syrup, it’s the kind of breakfast that makes you understand why people wait in line on Saturday mornings.
The restaurant has served this exact dish every single day since opening—that’s 36 years of French toast perfection.
French-Style Omelettes: These aren’t your typical folded diner omelettes. You’ll get a beautifully composed creation that’s fluffy, creamy, and almost cloud-like in texture.
Choose any two fillings from their selection, and watch as they transform simple eggs into something elegant. Each omelette arrives with perfectly seasoned home fries and seven-grain toast, making for a satisfying yet refined breakfast experience.
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Discover MoreAvocado Toast Done Right: Before avocado toast became a cliché, Raymond’s was perfecting the formula. Smashed avocado meets tangy feta cheese, pickled red onion, lemon zest, and sunflower sprouts on toasted Pugliese bread.
The bread strikes that ideal balance—crispy on the outside but still tender enough to bite through without the toppings sliding off. The feta adds a creamy, salty contrast that elevates this beyond typical millennial brunch fare.
Eggs Benedict Variations: Whether you go for the classic with Canadian bacon or opt for the Norwegian version with smoked salmon, you’ll encounter perfectly poached eggs with molten yolks.
The hollandaise sauce comes light and lemony rather than heavy, letting the other ingredients shine. The accompanying home fries are crispy-edged and well-seasoned—exactly what you want on the side.
Breakfast Burrito: Packed with six-hour roasted pork, scrambled eggs, chihuahua cheese, arroz rojo, black beans, pineapple, and charred avocado salsa wrapped in a flour tortilla, this thing is massive.
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Keep Exploring →You’re looking at a meal that requires two hands and probably a nap afterward. The slow-roasted pork is tender and flavorful, while the charred avocado salsa adds a smoky kick.
Huevos Rancheros: Crispy tortillas get topped with refried black beans, scrambled eggs, queso fresco, crema, and ranchero sauce for a dish that brings proper heat and flavor. The combination of textures—crunchy tortilla, creamy beans, silky eggs—makes every bite interesting.
Lunch and Dinner Highlights
The Raymond’s Burger: This has become the stuff of legend on Church Street. An Angus beef patty gets seared on the grill then finished under a salamander broiler, creating a burger that’s intensely juicy with a perfect char on the outside.
Melted brie and fig jam variations pop up as specials, adding a sophisticated sweet-savory element. The burger arrives with a mountain of shoestring fries served in a metal cup that keeps them hot throughout your meal.
Steak Frites: The New York strip here is a masterpiece—charred crusty exterior, pink and juicy interior, topped with a medallion of thyme-flecked butter.
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Discover MoreThe hand-cut shoestring fries come piled high and stay crispy from first bite to last. You can choose between maître d’ butter or béarnaise sauce, though honestly, the meat speaks for itself.
Calamari: Order this as an appetizer and prepare for perfectly tender rings with a crispy, delicate coating. The dish comes with lemon aioli that’s bright and creamy. Even the pickled cherry peppers get fried until crispy, adding little pops of heat throughout.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken: Juicy, well-seasoned chicken arrives with honey biscuits that have just a touch of sweetness—perfect for soaking up any extra sauce or balancing the savory elements. The coleslaw on the side provides a cool, crunchy contrast.
Mac and Cheese: This isn’t health food. The portions are generous enough to share, with creamy, well-seasoned sauce coating every noodle. Some diners swear by adding the bacon lardons on the side, which are apparently addictive.
Fish Tacos: Three corn tortillas come filled with crispy cod, huitlacoche, avocado crema, and cabbage slaw. Results vary here—some diners rave about them, while others find them inconsistent. When they’re good, they’re flavorful and satisfying. When they miss, the fish can be overcooked.
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Keep Exploring →Tuna Niçoise Salad: Featuring seared ahi tuna cooked rare, marble potatoes, haricots verts, heirloom cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, and Kalamata olives over baby gem lettuce with mustard-shallot vinaigrette. The seared tuna with its perfectly seasoned crust makes this salad a standout.
Sweet Endings and Signature Beverages
Belgian Hot Chocolate: This drink has developed its own fan club. Rich, thick, intensely chocolatey hot cocoa arrives topped with a gigantic homemade marshmallow. The marshmallow alone is worth the trip—fluffy, sweet, and melting slowly into the hot chocolate below.
Warm Ricotta Donuts: Six homemade donuts arrive dusted with cinnamon sugar, served alongside wild berry jam and chocolate sauce for dipping. Light, fluffy, and not too heavy, these make an excellent finale to any meal.
Sticky Toffee Carrot Cake: Raymond’s takes dessert seriously, transforming standard offerings into something more interesting. This cake delivers on both flavor and texture.
Warm Apple Pie with Ice Cream: Classic apple pie gets served warm with a crumbly cinnamon crust and tart apple filling that strikes the right balance between sweet and acidic. Add chocolate ice cream for an unexpectedly perfect pairing.
Chocolate Pudding: Thick and mousse-like with chocolate chunks on top, this dessert draws strong reactions. Some call it the best thing they’ve ever eaten.
The Vibe and Setting
1930s Diner Aesthetic: The design evokes old Hollywood glamour mixed with French brasserie charm. Distressed wood, antique mirrors, pressed tin ceilings, and that famous wall of colorful vintage seltzer bottles create an atmosphere that feels authentically aged without being stuffy.
Nothing looks pristine—the cracks and wear remind you this is a working restaurant with history.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating: The space divides into two dining areas—a front room with retro diner furniture and a counter with stools, plus a back dining room that feels more tranquil and sensual. Outdoor seating on Church Street lets you people-watch while you eat, perfect for warm weather dining.
Lively Atmosphere: Expect noise, especially during weekend brunch rushes. The hex-tiled floors and hard surfaces create an energetic buzz that some find invigorating and others find overwhelming.
This isn’t the place for an intimate, quiet conversation—it’s more about vibrant energy and the feeling of being part of something happening.
Family-Friendly Environment: Kids are welcome, and the restaurant handles families well with a solid kids’ menu. The casual vibe means you don’t need to worry about little ones being too loud.
Practical Considerations
Pricing Strategy: Expect to spend around $30 per person, which sits in the mid-range for Montclair’s Church Street dining scene.
Breakfast items run $15-22, lunch and dinner entrees range from $17-35, with most items hovering in the $20-25 sweet spot. For the quality and generous portions, most diners find the pricing reasonable and the value solid.
BYOB Policy: Raymond’s doesn’t have a liquor license, but you can bring your own wine or beer with no corkage fee.
The Montclair Wine Cellar is just a two-minute walk away, making it easy to grab a bottle before your meal. This BYOB setup helps keep costs down while letting you enjoy exactly what you want to drink.
Wait Times: Weekend brunch is wildly popular, and you can’t make reservations. Arriving at 12:10 on a Saturday might mean waiting until after 1:00 for a table, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunches and early weekend mornings (before 9 AM) see shorter waits. If you’re planning to visit during peak hours, build in extra time or consider off-peak dining.
Parking Situation: Church Street parking requires patience. You can find metered street parking or use the parking garage right behind the restaurant, which charges about $2 per hour. The location is also an easy walk from the Wellmont Theater, making it a convenient pre-show dining option.
Service Style: Service ranges from attentive to stretched thin depending on how busy they are. During rushes, you might wait longer for water or initial orders.
The restaurant has operated successfully for over three decades, so they know how to handle high volume, though weekend brunch crowds can occasionally overwhelm the system.
Best Times to Visit: Hit Raymond’s for weekday breakfast or lunch to avoid the weekend brunch crush. If you’re dead set on weekend brunch, arrive right when they open at 8 AM or after 2 PM when things calm down. Early evenings during the week also offer a more relaxed experience.
Raymond’s
📍 28 Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042
