North Jersey's Best Brunch Spots

Can't decide whether you want breakfast or lunch? Savory or sweet, or the savory-sweet combo? Brunch is the best meal for this reason: you can have both. Here are some North Jersey spots that do it best.

Twisted Elm
Brunch at this Elmwood Park gastropub comes with a complimentary cocktail and a basket of freshly baked muffins and biscuits with strawberry butter. The chicken and waffles entrée (pictured above) is an insanely huge portion and truly does the job of breakfast and lunch, as a good brunch should, right? The sausage and egg pizza is also a creative and tasty option.

435 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-791-3705

SamAM
This "daytime café" in Jersey City's Paulus Hook neighborhood serves up Stumptown coffee and a menu to make mouths water—the perfect balance of breakfast and lunch meals. Southern favorites like cheddar grits and a biscuit with sausage gravy sit alongside lighter options like salads and sandwiches.

112 Morris Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-432-2233

Talde
Brooklyn-based Asian fusion eatery, TALDE, recently opened in Jersey City and even more recently launched a Brunch menu. The Breakfast Ramen (buttered toast broth, honey-glazed bacon, six minute egg) is worth the trip, alone. Yes, the broth really does taste like buttered toast. For our interview with Chef Dale Talde, head this way.

8 Erie Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-630-0077

Toast
Gluten-free pancakes that actually taste good? Will's Firebird Pancakes (and Waffles, if you so choose) at Toast actually do. The Bananas Foster and Bella Nutella French Toasts are extremely indulgent but oh so yummy, and the Spring Roll scramble is a creative, Asian-take on eggs (egg whites with veggies rolled into a tortilla). Beware the long waits.
700 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-509-8099

Le Salbuen
This hidden gem on Walnut St. in Montclair serves up Portuguese-inspired, locally sourced fare. Order the Portuguese French Toast (Balthazar brioche topped with organic egg, caramelized figs, farinheira (Portuguese flour and pork sausage), local honey) with a side of duck bacon.

97 Walnut Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
201-622-8473 

Sweet Basil's Cafe & Grill
Located in an unassuming strip mall in residential Livingston, this artsy, laid-back café pumps out delicious skillets and pancakes and french toast with some off-the-wall flavor profiles (Poached Pear Vanilla Bean French Toast, and pancakes with whiskey soaked raisins).
498 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
973-994-3600

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