It has been a while but Red Eye was my go-to when I lived in Montclair. Delicious coffee, creative food, and entertaining locale.

This place is our number one option for breakfast or brunch on the weekends! Never disappointed! They didn't have the red eye hash we came for or the avalado toast on the special so we had to order some other stuff and we were not disappointed at all, since it actually forced us to try some of their other items! Lovely staff and the owner even came over to apologize and was super sweet about everything!! read more

Just what Montclair needed. A good coffee joint and not another brick oven pizzeria, or corner nail salon, etc, etc. Since Cafe Eclectic's "hey days" are now passed us and gone, this new place was much needed. We happened to stumble upon Red Eye last Sunday morning. We peeked inside and the set up is pretty awesome. We were totally feeling the spray paint art work on the exposed brick, and also the sleek white subway tile look on other parts of the interior walls. The wait was about 20mins, this place was already packed, And they do have a good amount of tables inside. We had a choice to also sit outside, so we did. They have a few tables along the side of there building, which was nice and sorta private. Staff was very friendly, the owner came by several times to make sure we were good to go. We had the Green Eggs and Ham, and the Zucchini Frittata, both very good and different from your typical diner breakfast. I enjoyed the drip coffee quite a bit also. The cappucino was a bit weak, so I'll have them add a double espresso shot next time. All in all, this may be our go-to coffee/breakfast place in Montclair now. Raymond's is always to packed on the weekends and Blue Stone is not walking distance for me, so Red Eye will definetly do. Keep it up guys! read more

Places like Red Eye reinforce my appreciation for the restaurant/bar scene in Montclair. The friendly staff and great food is so inviting. They even had books and board games on a shelf for your entertainment in between meals or sharing a cup of coffee with friends. My brother took me here after hearing about the food from a mutual friend of ours. The sandwich menu is pretty unique boasting such meals as a blue velvet and ham & smoked gouda. My brother had the blue velvet and oh boy was that tasty. A bite of that bread, roast beef, cream cheese and blueberries was more than satisfying. As I have been trying to eat more paleo as of late, I begrudgingly ordered the farmer's fresh salad with a side of tuna. Never in my life have I ever been full from a plate of salad. The portions they offered was ridiculous! The ingredients tasted fresh and I was left feeling satisfied and healthy. My brother ordered the Red Eye coffee which is their own brew. It's on the more bitter side but it definitely has a good kick to it. I feel Red Eye is a solid place to go if you're in the Montclair area because of their awesome environment and great food. I'd say this place is hipster in a good way. read more

I've eaten here twice now and haven't been blown away either time. For the price you do get a good amount of food and not bad taste wise. The coffee wasn't anything special in my opinion as I prefer specialty coffee like stumptown or intelligentsia. They were nice enough to substitute the bread on my breakfast sandwich too. read more

Writing this review from Australia because I miss it. I wish Montclair had more cafes like this. Everything about this cafe is great. The prices are very fair, that staff is lovely and the food is fab. The chai is amaaaaazing. My top pick of all cafes in Montclair and it should be yours too! read more

So glad I found this spot! I'm just gonna say, "Vanilla Chai Latte". Ok, now for my review... what a perfect little lunch (or breakfast) spot. I love the decor. Very homey and cozy. The wait staff was friendly and welcoming. The sandwiches were great! The Turkey & Brie and the Hummus & Hot Sauce seemed healthy and were so yummy! The breakfast scramble egg/brocolli sandwich was also tastey, as was the house salad with grilled chicken. The house salad was a good size too. The prices were very reasonable; about $10 for food, $4 for drinks. The dirty chai was good too (chai with a shot of espresso), but I loved the sweet Vanilla Chai Latte, in case you didn't get that. ;-) I'll be back very soon! read more

Quaint little spot, emphasis on little, with a huge emphasis on taste. Despite the space, the detail to decor was certainly not lost here. Very creative repurposing of furniture pieces:). We didn't have much of a wait at all. I ordered their Huevos Rancheros and was so happy that I did! It was a tough choice after salivating over the menu -ok, not literally!!- and looking around at all of the magnanimous dishes on neighboring tables! The black beans, tostada, cheese, eggs over easy and the salsa were all the perfect combination of flavors:) You have to like lots of flavorful seasoning to enjoy this dish - NOT to say that any of the seasonings were too much, just to say, a neighbor patron asked if I enjoyed my meal because she had not...different strokes for different folks! BUT it was certainly a dish I'd come back for:) Hubby ordered the corned beef hash of which admittedly, I have never enjoyed corned beef hash that DIDN'T come out of a can -noooo judging please, it's a guilty pleasure! lol) BUT this corned beef hash was exceptionally good! I will be ordering this on my next visit:) My son ordered the Green Eggs and Ham :) :) :) the only downside was that he devoured it in literal minutes:/ The distinct flavors came together in a refreshing melody!...Refreshing? Eggs? How so???....Light, airy, fluffy and tasty! Off street metered parking, not a big deal at all. The service is friendly and attentive. You must book mark this one:) Enjoy! read more

I like this place! Came here last night with a new "friend", it was a really nice chill, relax spot. I ordered the pesto brocolli and scrambled egg sandwich. I asked that they add bacon as I like meat. This is a good cafe for vegans or vegeterians, because there aren't many meat items. But as long as they have bacon, I'm okay. I will be frequenting this place. read more

I came in with my husband for brunch and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food friendly staff and cozy atmosphere. We ordered few things off the specials menu and regular menu...everything we ordered was excellent. Highly recommend!! They don't take reservations and might have to wait but no more than 30minutes. read more

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Great spot for breakfast/brunch!!!!! Awesome food, great ambience all at an affordable price.... Now that's a winning recipe. It's a small space but has a lot of character and a friendly staff. Try the chorizo frittata, the maple cured bacon or the banana walnut pancake all of which are out of this world. Great to have a new breakfast place in the area!!!! read more

*3.5 Stars* My wife and I stopped here for a quick dinner bite. Food - Think Panera but with a mom/pop feel. Based on reviews, best food options are during breakfast. For dinner we had the cuban sandwich, bean soup and short rib sandwich. The Cuban was very good. It wasn't too much ham which is very important. Certainly the better of the two sandwiches. The short rib needed something extra and lacked a punch...maybe add horseradish to add additional flavor. White Bean soup was good. Carrots and some other veggies were a welcomed addition. Service - Very good. Did not rush us and were always available if we needed anything. Ambiance - Cookie cutter breakfast open floor seating style. The Trivial Pursuit cards were a huge hit. Result: I need to brush up on my 90's "current affairs" and definitely return during breakfast. Seating is limited so I am sure there will be a wait during a weekend morning. ENJOY! read more

I absolutely LOVED this place when I had the pleasure of visiting it a couple of weeks ago. It is located on a side street, away from Montclair's main downtown area, but near a few other restaurants and shops. That whole street is almost its own small downtown area which is very quaint. Since I was not able to try any food when I went to the Red Eye Cafe this review is solely based on the coffee i ordered and the exceptional service I received. I was in the mood for a sweet coffee that day and the barista recommended their vanilla chai latte, which she said tasted like a graham cracker: she was absolutely correct. It was as if I bit into one. Delicious. I could tell the quality of the coffee itself was excellent as well, not just the flavoring. I am sure you cannot go wrong ordering whatever java concoction you prefer here. The service was also exceptional and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. I can't wait to go back and try more things! read more

Terrible experience! Called in my order and I was told 25 minutes. I gave them 30 minutes to be safe. When I walked my order wasn't ready but as they were busy it was understandable. I then spent the next 25 min waiting for my food to be ready all the while being told that my order was being checked on. After 25 minutes I was told that they never received my order in the first place and that they had nothing for me. I just walked out, I would give 0 stars if possible. read more

Boy is this ever a gem! Espresso from Intelligentsia, absolutely GREAT food! Have yet to try the desserts, very nice vibe and the owner is a great guy. This is the kind of small business that needs to thrive. Had a salami sand with artichoke tapanade. Totally delicious! Right near the Walnut St train station, I have to try breakfast here. I haven't been this stoked about a restaurant in a loooong time. Hope you enjoy it too. read more

Loved coming to this place until we were unwelcomed one Monday afternoon, by not only a worker, but a patron as well. If i am not mistaken, i believe kids are welcomed here, although we were treated as the opposite. I normally come here with my fiance in the evenings, but this day was different, we brought his sister and niece (2 years old), and just wanted to grab a quick coffee, it was 3:45 in the afternoon, they close at 5:00. Instantly we were welcomed by the "boy" at the register when i walked in (Monday, Jan. 18 to be specific) (i refer to him as that because that was the way he acted) with him saying we are not serving food. I then replied saying that we were just here for coffee and to sit for 10 mins. He then tells us it's going to be a 25 min. wait (on a Monday at 3:45?!?! OK!), mind you an older lady was just getting up, and there would be space for us 4. My niece was not running around or causing any disturbance, but i could tell the "boy" was annoyed that we were there. There was a spare table (clean) next to the other table, where my fiance took my niece to just sit, and the "boy" then proceeds to mutter under his breathe (to the customer mind you) that "these f*****g people are deaf and don't listen", because he supposedly needed to clean a clean table! Of course my sister in law heard every word he was telling the customer. Oh and of course the customer was laughing about it. This is any way to treat paying customers at your store?!?! This was uncalled for, and of course my sister in law told him off, and we walked out. I am very disgusted and disappointed as this was one of my favorite places for coffee, and to be treated that way, as other patrons were enjoying their meals was embarrassing! But to top it off, the "boy" engaged with the customer, making a spectacle out of nothing. We just wanted some coffee and to sit for 15 mins. He acted like we came in there at 5:00 when it was time to close. Word of advice to the owner, train your employees on customer service! read more

Four because I love the Green Eggs and Ham. Just the name is appealing. My husband loves to make his own Elvis sandwiches and often comes here for just that. The coffees are always yummy, especially the Cappuccino. I just LOVE the Trivial Pursuit cards on the table are fun to play with while you wait. They have Siracha for hot sauce which is obviously a great choice on their part. The wait can sometimes be a pain because the waiting area is tight. You can come here to sit and do work, but you feel pressure to get up because there is consistently a wait on the weekends. Points for the name too. Clever. read more

Red eye is a good, quick breakfast spot. We ordered a coffee and dirty chai latte and a waffle with salted caramel ice cream and candied bacon and the queso fresco and chorizo quesadilla. The dirty chai and quesadilla were amazing. The quesadilla tasted like an authentic meal in Mexico. The regular coffee was kind of bitter though and the waffle wasn't as good as it looked. Their menu is really creative. I'd go back. read more

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First and foremost, the Dirty Chai is a must. I wish it was closer to me so I could start every morning with one. Lots of retail space coming to the downtown Newark area, maybe it's time for a second location *hint hint*? I'd like to start with the fact that I've tried to get my BF here a few times on the weekend, but brunch is so poppington the line is usually outside and he has no patience to wait. His loss. Started my standing Thursday morning brekkie meetup with the homie here. It had been a while since I came and had a taste for that dirty chai (w/extra espresso because why not). Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded when we arrived around 930. It's not a huge space, but definitely worth the wait if you must. My eyes were pretty big so I ordered the turkey and brie with a side of spinach on the side to have in house, along with an Orchard sandwich to go. I've had the turkey and brie before and it is amazing to me how the flavor profiles of the ingredients match up with such harmony. Pear, turkey, brie and the freshest greens... Whoever thought to put pear on a sandwich, thank you. The Orchard sandwich was that work...truly a meatless wonder. The homie ordered waffles to eat in house, and an Orchard sandwich, turkey and brie, and a side of brussel sprouts to go. She ate them for lunch and I didn't stop hearing about them until the next day, so I assume she thoroughly enjoyed it all. The Red Eye definitely has a spot in my rotation. read more

Loooooove it! I am here to eat least three times a week (sometimes more than once in the same day). I've never gotten anything from the menu that wasn't spot-on exactly what I wanted. The coffee is amazing - we've been getting their course ground to take home for our french press. Aside from the great food and coffee, the atmosphere is really lovely. The music they play sounds like they broke into my iTunes and ripped half of my playlist. They have a bunch of books lined up on the shelves, also looking like they came and borrowed a great deal of my personal collection. I love that they feature local art work. And the people that work there actually KNOW ME and MY NAME when I come in! It's like walking into a good friend's apartment when I walk through the door, except that this good friend also serves me some boss food when I visit. Red Eye Cafe + Ashley = 4eva read more

Back again for lunch ..very welcoming.pear, turkey , arugula and avocado sandwich plus salad..coffee,..friend had hard boiled egg in a sausage covered crust..on an English,muffin..called 'highlandee' different...she said it was good. Busy place...consistently good. E read more

With its' emerging popularity amongst the local natives, my brother and I like to call this place one of our secret spots. We've been working on our foodie careers and Red Eye is definitely on our list of places to eat. Every time we go, it has gotten better and better. 1st trip) My brother ordered the Turkey sandwich with the pear & brie. I ordered the Blue Velvet (roast beef with the pickled blueberries). Incredible. The both of us were in awe of how delicious they were. 2nd trip) We came for breakfast with our mother. The Red Eye hash, the chorizo frittata and the green eggs & ham were all consumed. Super delicious. 3rd trip) This has been my favorite so far. I ordered the same sandwich while my brother got something different that I can't remember but he said was delectable. The dessert was the winner though. Fresh mint ice cream for me and the coconut cream cake for him. Amazing. I can see how the service can be a little spotty at first just because there really isn't a designated "hostess" type area. But otherwise everyone has been super chill and helpful. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed. No yuppies or overbearing waiters, no loud customers on cell phones. Our next visit will be for dinner! read more

Really nice place: Good food, friendly staff, WiFi, great coffees, and inviting decor. The menu is a tad limited in my opinion but everything I've had has been really good. Wish they took Amex though. :-) My favorite coffees so far are the Red Eye (coffee & espresso mix) and the New Orleans Sludge Coffee (iced). The Green Eggs & Ham special (scrambled eggs with ham and kale) is tasty and the Highlander (Scotch egg banh mi) is an enjoyable break from the ordinary. Not the least, for me, is the fact that on my visits the folks there have done a good job ensuring the coffee's filled, orders arrive in a timely fashion, and the everything is generally taken care of with a friendly smile. The people running this place know good service! read more

The food is SO good. SO SO good. I love the sandwiches that feature the cranberry bread and the iced dirty chai lattes are amazing. The ambiance is wonderful and it's in the coolest little nook of Montclair, Walnut St. However, service could improve. I'm not asking for fast food- but I am asking that you acknowledge my presence and ask if I need any help. Both times I've been here it took ages before someone even said hello. read more

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Was looking for a good brunch place without having to deal with the chaos of NYC and finding parking...I will gladly drive 30mins in NJ instead of 15mins into NYC and spend 15mins finding parking or dealing with tunnel traffic....ANYways...decided to see what Montclair had to offer, this place ended up being perfect - local cafe where everything is fresh and made in house (ice cream & pastries) Wife had the Scotch Egg Banh-Mi which was creative and tasty. I had the Red Eye Hash which was also great...lets just say there were more chunks of meat than potatoes...and we shared a French Toast. Had smores cookie and the salted caramel ice cream for dessert...it was all a bit indulgent and I couldn't even finish my ice cream (not my hash for that matter)...but I wanted to try it all. I had the dirty chai to drink...chai + espresso...what a combo. Couldn't ask for anything more...service was great too and the bill came to $40 bucks. Worth spending the gas money! Plus I love driving so I'm not going to complain. read more

Went back this morning for a quick coffee to take to work. I entered around 9 am. The area inside the door was crowded and I was never greeted by the barista, or anyone for that matter. I waited patiently as other patrons opened the door and squeezed through the crowd. I waited for about ten minutes and was never greeted. I gave up, left, and went to work coffee-free. I keep wanting to give Red Eye another chance, but time and time again it has disappointed. read more

Came for brunch... was somewhat disappointed because after reading the Yelp reviews.., was expecting more. Ordered: - Red Eye corned beef hash with Red Eye gravy- comes with fried eggs and I was so looking forward to eating this... This was one of my last hurrahs prior to eating "healthy" as the New Year approached. I love love love corned beef hash, especially when it is homemade. Unfortunately, I was truly sad when it came to the table as I could tell that it was going to be disappointing. The corned beef and potatoes are BIG chunks, the size of big dice and it just was too big to be considered your typical hash... tried to take a bite of one chunk corned beef, one chunk potato with some fried egg and it did not translate. Very disappointing. Not a fan of the gravy either. - Hong Kong style waffles- tastes just like a typical waffle but a bit sweeter... I guess I don't have the distinguished palate to detect a difference. I would come back to try the other unique menu items that I was considering trying... read more

Hands down the best breakfast place in Montclair. We have been there multiple times and they have all been excellent dining experiences. The interior is pretty quaint and interesting, with multiple bookshelves (and books) lined up. I generally get the breakfast food irrespective of time of day, just because why on earth anyone would want to eat anything but breakfast food all day is beyond me. But fear not, they also have a pretty delicious and well-priced lunch and dinner menu, in case you want more than just breakfast. The service is always really good, and the coffee is amazing. So amazing that I have been getting a bag of ground coffee from them for the last few weeks, for my private hell-brew. All in all, pretty amazing. read more

Really yummy pancakes, espresso is awesome, drip coffee is ordinary, omelets rock. The decor is a very nice touch, staff is very accommodating and not rushy&everyone is interested in your experience. Will return, though I am two towns over in South Orange...no breakfast places over here. read more

The place is a cozy, laid back neighborhood spot you might easily walk past and not notice when walking down the street because it doesn't scream "restaurant!" I had the French toast topped with strawberries and whipped cream that I liked a lot. The staff was friendly and each contributed to the experience. Our particular waiter wasn't the only one assisting us. Since the place is small, if the staff isn't helping anyone at the moment they're all kind of hanging around near the front which seems a little crowded. Also, this is the type of place where you eat and run, meaning you feel obligated to give up your table once you're done eating if you see people waiting to get seated. You don't feel like you can sit around, conversing and enjoying the company. It wasn't to any fault of the staff, but maybe because I'm not a jerk all the time and there is not exactly a designated waiting area. However, you aren't made to feel rushed and one waiter encouraged a couple at the table next to us to stay when they verbally expressed what I just wrote. Nonetheless they left so others could sit and so did we a few minutes later. I say the earlier you go (especially on Sunday), the better. We went for breakfast on a Sunday at the perfect time (9:30) and got seated right away. At about 10 a crowd started to trickle in and had a wait. However, it was a great experience and I will definitely go back. read more

Great coffee cute little space with tons of personality. They have a little alley to eat outside which is perfect on a nice day. Havent tried their food in a while since my buddy was chef but they always seem to be adding new things. Parking is non existent like many places in montclair. read more

Came here with 2 friends for brunch on a Saturday. It was tiny but adorable. We had to wait about 20 minutes for our table (would've been longer if the previous group actually showed up). Most of the tables are set up for parties of 2 so I would recommend not coming with more than 4 people. The line went out the door for the wait but we didn't mind. There is one wall that is lined with shelves of books (so cute!) and the whole place has a cozy atmosphere. The waiters were excellent! Except that ours actually forgot to give is a menu.... I ordered the Double Happiness Waffle. The candied bacon was amazing but after a while everything was too sweet, perhaps the salted caramel ice cream with the candied strips was too much. My friends ordered an omelet and the chorizo frittata sandwich and they both enjoyed their meals. I took a bite of the frittata sandwich, it was delicious! Overall I would recommend this brunch spot. Nice service, good portions, but if the wait is over 30 mins I'd find a new spot. read more

Red Eye is a great addition to what is now a micro food and drink paradise blossoming on Walnut Street. Farm Market + Le Salbuen + Montclair Bread + Gina's + Halcyon! The coffee is Intelligentsia and the owner came from the old mainstay Cafe Eclectic. Try the Highlander Banh Mi, it rocks so hard. The Chorizo Frittata is also delicious. A few times the food and service were under par, but it's a rarity. With plentiful WiFi and a great vibe, it's always worth a visit. read more

I recently moved to NJ from Queens and have been looking for some good brunch near our house in Bloomfield. I picked Red Eye based on the stellar reviews, and was willing to wait the 30 minutes for our table to check it out. The place was very cute and the service was great. My dirty chai latte was also very good. The food LOOKED delicious and I was super excited as I saw the pretty plates coming out of the kitchen. Once I received my waffle sandwich I was disappointed as soon as I picked it up. The crispy waffles I envisioned were soft and a little cold. They clearly had been made ahead of time and left sitting, which steamed them into sogginess. Their flavor was good, but it wasn't enough to save it. The corned beef in my fiance's red eye hash tasted like it had been marinated in A-1 sauce and was oddly sweet. The hash also lacked the onion-ey, crispy, salty deliciousness he expected, and he actually had to add his own salt and pepper. His mocha coffee drink tasted very little of either coffee or chocolate and was a bit watery. The bright spot- we picked up a chocolate chip-walnut-toffee cookie on the way out, and it was very chewy and delicious. read more

Shaved Brussel salad was nice start. Avocado Toast was not typical of Montclair... it was stellar because of the toasted country bread. Decor very welcoming. Smell of the freshly roasted coffee keeps you coming back. read more

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Nice atmosphere and very yummy food! I had the pumpkin pancakes and must say they were the best I've ever had! The service was quick and friendly too. read more

Red Eye Cafe - Waffle sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Best coffee around! Great, tasty & creatively prepared food. I love the staff who are attentive, cool & very hip. It is a small space so be prepared to wait. Ingredients are fresh & local adding to the progressive, healthy vibe. Save room for dessert- home made ice cream, cakes & treats. read more

Red Eye Cafe - Outdoor dining. - Cafes Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

So homey and cozy. They have books for you to read in a nook, as well as any type of coffee inspired drink. Lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, you name it. Also very nice wait staff. Very attentive and organized. My only gripe is the wait time, and the lack of seating for the people waiting by the door. But believe me, the food is WELL worth the wait! I had the green eggs and ham yesterday, and the sunrise quesadilla today. I'll probably be a regular at the Red Eye Cafe, you won't see the last of me! read more

Red Eye Cafe - Byob, make your own mimosas! - Cafes Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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I've only been here once, but the experience left an impression that I couldn't shake. I placed an order over the phone on a Saturday morning. Was told that it'll take 40 minutes. I arrived about 45 minutes later. There were three people behind the counter having their own conversation. Definitely just hanging out. I stood in front of them for like two minutes waiting to be acknowledged. Then another customer walked in, apparently a regular. The girl behind the counter spun around, greeted her like an old friend and proceeded to ask what she wanted. She then caught sight of me, and had an awkward look on her face. She asked me what I wanted. Told her I was there to pick up my order. She said she'd check, and then went back to talking to the other customer. When she was done, she spoke to one of the servers, who went into the kitchen to check. He came out and said they're working on my order... (Placed 50 minutes ago). I waited there for another 30 minutes until the server brought a bag out of the kitchen. I had to go up and ask the girl behind the counter if that was my food. She handed it over to me. No apology for the wait. Nothing. After all that, the food was sub-par. Compared to the other restaurants in this neighborhood, this is by far the worst. The service here blows donkeys. Will not be back. read more

My sister and I decided to try today after reading such great reviews. It was excellent! Best brunch I've been to in the area. I had the French toast and scrambled eggs - it was divine! The food tasted fresh and so decadent. Even the home fries were awesome, my sister ordered the migas and pancakes, and was speechless. She said they were the best buttermilk pancakes she ever had. Decor was super cute, our wait was just 30 minutes (I assume because of Mother's Day), and we were able to walk around and shop a bit during the wait. They have a nice area for outdoor seating, so this is the perfect time of year to visit. Will definitely go again. read more