Palato Introduce
## Introduction and Overview: Palato – Montclair's Authentic Italian Experience
For New Jersey residents craving a truly authentic and divine Italian meal, Palato on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair is widely regarded as a hidden gem. It is a dedicated Italian restaurant that delivers a dining experience far beyond the typical neighborhood spot, with customers declaring it a solid 10/10 and a MUST go. What sets Palato apart is its commitment to traditional, "homeland Italian food" that is so authentic it reportedly "blows away any NYC or NJ places" some long-time diners have visited.
The ambiance of Palato is an integral part of its charm. Though described as a small space, it is celebrated for being aesthetically cosy, charming and welcoming. The warm lighting and equally warm servers and owners create an intimate environment where every customer feels taken care of from the moment they arrive. This combination of stellar service and a deeply comfortable setting has made Palato the family's go-to spot for celebrating special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays in the Montclair area.
The menu is packed with traditional flavors, featuring everything from rich Comfort food to delicate Small plates and house-made specialties. Palato is particularly famous for its spectacular pasta dishes, with one customer raving about the mushroom pasta being "just so so so very good." The high quality of the food, served in very satisfying portions for great prices, ensures patrons always look forward to eating here again. The experience is topped off by their signature gelati, which customers simply describe with an enthusiastic "and the gelati 😍."
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## Location and Accessibility
Palato is conveniently situated at 377 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA. This prime address places it on one of Montclair's main thoroughfares, making it easily accessible for customers throughout Essex County and the surrounding New Jersey area.
Being located in the bustling Montclair Center means that visitors have several options for parking, making a dinner or lunch reservation stress-free:
- Paid street parking: Metered on-street parking is often available along Bloomfield Avenue and nearby side streets, utilizing meters that accept coins, credit cards, or the ParkMobile app.
- Paid parking garage: For guaranteed space and security, the Valley & Bloom Garage or the LM Montclair Parking – West Garage are nearby and provide secure, structured parking options, which are just a short walk from the restaurant.
The restaurant welcomes a broad crowd, proudly maintaining a Family-friendly environment that is also Good for kids. For customers utilizing the outdoor space, the policy of Dogs allowed outside means that furry family members can join in the al fresco dining experience.
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## Services Offered
Palato provides a comprehensive range of services designed for modern dining convenience, ensuring every customer can enjoy their authentic Italian cuisine however they choose:
- Flexible Service Options: Customers have the choice of a personalized Dine-in experience in the cosy cafe setting, quick Takeout, or convenient Delivery services, including No-contact delivery for added safety and convenience.
- All-Day Dining: The restaurant accommodates various schedules with dining options for Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert.
- Event and Group Services: Palato offers Catering services, allowing customers to bring the delicious taste of traditional Italian food to their special events and gatherings across New Jersey.
- Quick and Casual Options: For those in a hurry, Counter service is available, and the menu features Small plates and light offerings like Coffee.
- Dietary Accommodations: The menu thoughtfully includes a wide range of options, specifically listing Organic dishes, Vegan options, and Vegetarian options, ensuring that guests with various dietary preferences can find satisfying and authentic choices.
- Customer Amenities: The dining space is equipped with comfortable Seating, a clean Restroom, and complimentary Wi-Fi, making it a comfortable place for both a quick meal and a leisurely dining experience.
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## Features and Highlights
Palato’s outstanding reputation is built on a few key features that distinguish it in the North Jersey dining scene:
- Authentic Traditional Cuisine: The number one highlight is the commitment to traditional homeland Italian food. Patrons attest that the food is a true taste of Italy, consistently surpassing many other offerings in the tri-state area.
- Exceptional Customer Experience: The owners and staff are noted for being warm servers who ensure customers always feel taken care of. This focus on personal, attentive service elevates the entire dining experience, especially for special occasions.
- Divine Pasta Dishes: Customer reviews frequently call out the exceptional quality of the pasta. Dishes like the praised mushroom pasta are considered "just so so so very good," indicating a masterful approach to Italian staples.
- Signature Desserts: The in-house made gelati are a major feature and a must-try for any first-time visitor. These authentic Italian frozen treats are often highlighted with enthusiastic praise.
- Cozy and Charming Atmosphere: The restaurant’s small size fosters an intimate setting that is aesthetically cosy, charming and welcoming. The warm lighting contributes to a relaxed and inviting backdrop for dining.
- Value for Quality: Diners consistently note the great prices relative to the very satisfying portions and the exceptionally high quality of the ingredients and preparation.
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## What is Worth Choosing: The True Taste of Italy in Montclair
For New Jersey residents, Palato is an undeniable choice when the craving for truly authentic Italian cuisine strikes. What makes it unequivocally worth choosing is the restaurant’s perfect blend of traditional Italian cooking excellence and an intimate, genuinely welcoming environment. This is a place where dining is not just eating—it’s an occasion.
The food is the star: Palato offers a rare taste of "homeland Italian food," guaranteeing that dishes like their renowned pasta and flavorful Small plates are executed with precision and passion. For the local foodie, finding such traditional quality without traveling to Italy or navigating NYC is a massive advantage. Coupled with generous, satisfying portions and excellent value, Palato presents a compelling reason to make it your new go-to spot for Italian dining.
Furthermore, the personalized experience provided by the warm servers and owners ensures that every visit, whether for a quick Lunch or a celebratory Dinner, feels special. It's a place where families feel comfortable and appreciated. From the first bite of a classic dish to the final scoop of their fantastic gelati, Palato offers an all-around fantastic, 10/10 dining experience that Montclair locals will want to return to again and again.
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## Contact Information
To make a reservation for Dine-in, place a Takeout or Delivery order, or inquire about Catering services, please contact Palato using the details below:
- Address: 377 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA
- Phone: (973) 509-0416
- Mobile Phone (Direct): +1 973-509-0416
Palato Details
Service options
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Organic dishes
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Palato Photos










Palato Location
Palato Reviews
gelatolasagnaspacegemchefappetizerpanzerottimushroomBYOBveal meatballs
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We love visiting Palato whenever we have an anniversary or a birthday to celebrate. Whether just as a couple or with my in laws too, it has become our families go to spot for divine Italian food.The cafe is small but aesthetically cosy, charming and welcoming. I love its warm lighting and the just as warm servers and owners. We always feel taken care of and that’s even before the amazing food has arrived.We’ve tried many dishes here and would recommend any of them but recently, as pictured below, I tried the mushroom pasta… and it was just so so so very good. Everything is fantastic!I’m always looking forward to eating here again.
November 20 · Angelina SchmidtDon’t listen to the lower very few bad reviews people left. This place is a solid 10/10 and a MUST go. Great prices for very satisfying portions. This is actual traditional homeland Italian food that blows away any NYC or NJ places that I have been to (and I have been to a lot) and the gelati 😍…From the owners to the staff to the food all around fantastic, we will be back!
August 06 · Anthony Difrancesco5 star all the way. We stopped in on a whim looking for a new spot to try on Bloomfield Ave. We were accommodated at the bar - the last 2 seats in the tiny space - and enjoyed a fantastic meal. Excellent appetizer, fresh pasta dishes and tiramisu to complement our BYO wine. Wonderful casual and rustic setting. Friendly greeting and service. Tiny spot so call ahead or grab a seat when available. Highly recommend!!
February 28 · Tres WilliamsThis is our second time at Palato and it was just as delightful as the first time! We had the burrata as a shared appetiser. The roasted pepper bruschetta was flavorful and a delightful change from tomato bruschetta. The burrata was creamy and dressed with an arugula salad with balsamic vinegar and speck made an excellent balance of salty, bitter, sour, and sweet.I ordered the special of tagliolini with shrimp and calamari with garlic, tomatoes and olive oil. The pasta was perfect. The shrimp and calamari were sweet and soft. I wish the sauce was less tomato sauce-y and more garlic and oil with some tomatoes, but it was still tasty and generous serving. My partner got the caserecce with a white veal ragu, mushroom, and pecorino. The mushroom flavour was strong in the sauce and went well paired with veal. Plate-licking good!Dessert was dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and salted caramel gelato scoops with fruit. We had a latte and a hot chocolate and it was a great ender for a satisfying meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and we never felt rushed. We are looking forward to returning soon!
June 26 · Ai LakeThe food was fresh, authentic, and delicious. Portions were a perfect size and the atmosphere amazing. Our food came out quickly and the servers were so attentive and warm. We split a mixed greens salad, lasagna, and extra dark gelato.
October 23 · Danielle
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