Thousands of years before European settlement, the area known today as Montclair, New Jersey, was home to the Lenape Indians, who hunted, trapped and passed over the mountains to gather shellfish at the shore. Today, Montclair is a family-centered town with its pride in education enhanced by its public and private school programs and Montclair State University. Because of its location, there is still an abundance of seafood restaurants in Montclair. But you won't have to pass over the mountains to gather your meal.
Crockett's Fish Fry is a small Southern-style fish fry establishment that opened its doors in 1995. With a usually crowded, standing-room-only, casual atmosphere, the family-based staff is friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is simple and cozy with a clean eating area. Because of the usual crowds and long lines at Crockett's Fish Fry and the time it takes to prepare each order, the staff recommends you call ahead for take-out orders. The menu features the popular catfish sandwich and a wide array of fresh seafood such as scallops, shrimp, whiting and flounder. Sides such as the potato salad and greens are also worth trying.
Crockett's Fish Fry
162 Bloomfield Ave,
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-746-2114
Five brothers of the Homsi family who emigrated from Aleppo, Syria in 1987 opened Mediterranea in 2007. The restaurant offers a wide variety of specialty dishes from Syria, Lebanon, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Morocco and Spain. Mediterranea is Halal Assured and a BYOB establishment, so guests are welcome to bring and enjoy their own wine or beer at the restaurant. There is also a hookah bar on site. One seafood dish worth trying is the mariscada, which is an assortment of clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari and lobster tail served in either red or white sauce. The restaurant offers a fun, festive, family-friendly yet elegant atmosphere that sometimes features live music. Mediterranea accepts reservations and has street parking.
Mediterranea
578 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-1300
mediterraneanj.com
Taj Palace specializes in northern Indian, southern Indian and vegetarian dishes. It offers affordable cuisine and is the first Indian restaurant in history to open in New Jersey. Its seafood menu features fish moley and fish masala, which are pieces of fish tikka cooked in mild sauce with fresh tomato and oriental spices. There are also shrimp specialties or samunder-ki-dunya, such as south Indian special shrimp dansik, which is shrimp marinated in honey, vinegar and spices and cooked with lentils, resulting in a unique sweet, sour and spicy blend of flavors. A smoke-free establishment, the ambiance at Taj Palace is casual and romantic. There are also facilities for the disabled. Taj Palace accepts reservations.
Taj Palace
702 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-1909
tajpalacerestaurant.com
