Reservations · Takeout · Outdoor seating
Lively modern European gastropub with sushi bar; excellent pastas and seafood, energetic service, tight seating, and occasional pacing issues; good but not cheap.
De Novo European Pub delivers solid A-grade performance through exceptional food quality anchored in confident pasta and seafood execution, paired with attentive, personable service that regulars clearly value. The stylish train-station setting creates genuine neighborhood appeal, though tight seating and occasional kitchen pacing issues prevent the consistency needed for grade A territory. A reliable, well-executed gastropub that competes strongly with the area's better neighborhood restaurants.
Set beside the Upper Montclair train stop, this spot buzzes with a stylish, lively energy and a bar that draws locals for cocktails and conversation. Servers are often praised by name, and one diner said their server "made us feel like regulars from minute one." Seating can be tight, but the room feels polished and warm. In the kitchen they lean modern European with a pasta-and-seafood backbone, plus a visible sushi station at the entrance. Think octopus with chorizo, comforting bolognese, and a decadent pappardelle alongside solid steaks and branzino. Most nights run smoothly, though some guests report lags between courses or a sense of being rushed during peak hours. Families do fine here thanks to kid-friendly standbys like flatbreads, burgers, and simple pastas. For more selective eaters, stick to classics (margherita-style flatbread, rigatoni, fries) rather than sushi or spicier mains. Patio seating works in a pinch, though it is cozier and nicer inside.
Area: Upper Montclair commuter hub next to train station; mix of families and professionals; lively evenings.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit, steady foot traffic around station and Bellevue Ave.
Nearby: Adjacent to NJ Transit Upper Montclair Station; boutiques and cafes nearby; small shared parking lot.
Available: Reservations, Takeout, Outdoor seating
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