Montclair Neighborhood Among ‘Best Outdoor Dining’ In The USA, New List Says

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A local neighborhood in Montclair “blends suburban calm with serious city taste,” a new national list of the “Best Outdoor Dining” says – earning it a spot on the charts.

Advance Funds Network recently surveyed 3,007 foodies in an attempt to find the best neighborhoods in the U.S. for outdoor dining. The campaign spotlighted the top areas where patios, rooftops, and sidewalk seating aren't just an option – they’re a “lifestyle.”

Downtown Montclair ranked at #102 on the national list. Here’s what researchers had to say about the local hotspot:

“Montclair blends suburban calm with serious city taste, and its downtown stretch shows it. Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street are lined with patios tucked under awnings and strung with lights. Faubourg, a modern French brasserie, offers an inviting outdoor patio where guests linger over seasonal dishes and wine beneath soft lighting. It’s stylish but approachable: the kind of spot where evenings unfold naturally.”

Two other neighborhoods in New Jersey landed on the list: the Cape May Historic District (#12) and Downtown Princeton (#68).

The top spot on the list went to Santa Fe Plaza in New Mexico, followed by Downtown Santa Barbara in California and the Savannah Historic District in Georgia.

See the full list here.

“Outdoor dining isn’t just a trend – it’s woven into the fabric of summer life,” said Irving Betesh, CRO of Advance Funds Network.

“These neighborhoods didn’t top the list just because of great food: it’s the businesses themselves that create spaces people want to return to,” Betesh said. “When restaurants, cafés, and bars invest in atmosphere and experience, they don’t just serve meals – they build community. And that’s what keeps people lingering longer and coming back again.”

• See Related: Tavern In Montclair Is Among ‘Bars Of The Year’ For 2024, USA Today Says

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