This is clearly a neighborhood gem that is frequented by locals. The staff knew the name of EVERY person that came in while we were there. It is a cozy and intimate spot with a few tables and counter seating. The staff were very attentive and super friendly. And everything we ordered was very tasty. Also, I've never seen breakfast tostones on a menu before. Yum! Everything was hot and fresh when it came out. Would definitely go back when in the area! read more

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The service was friendly and the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable. The food was very good and the prices quite reasonable. I recommend Ray's Luncheonette if you're ever in the area of Montclair. And the neighborhood is pleasant to stroll in. read more

Stopped by for a quick breakfast and was very pleasantly surprised. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant and it was absolutely perfect. The croissant was warm and flaky, the bacon crispy, and the egg cooked just right. Simple, classic, and delicious. Service was super quick and the staff was really attentive without being overbearing. You can tell they care about their regulars but also make newcomers feel welcome. Also the coffee, Genuinely amazing, Strong, hot, and fresh exactly what I needed to start the day. This spot feels like a true local gem. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Ray's Luncheonette - Bacon egg and cheese on croissant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

We came here for breakfast and ordered an Iced Mocha Latte, a regular hot coffee, Huevos Rancheros and the French Toast Melt. The Iced Mocha Latte was awesome and was dripping in chocolate syrup, but was not too sweet. However, the regular coffee was very small and bitter. As for the food, I love a french toast sandwich but I felt like this one had too much bacon and cheese on it, and on top of this, it was slathered with a big chunk of butter. It felt very a bit heavy for breakfast. The Huevos Rancheros were a bit better. I really like how Ray's lets you choose between all different kinds of sausages from an array of South American countries. The entire menu is actually very cool because it feels like American/Latino breakfast fusion. The waitress was very patient while explaining all the different kinds of chorizo to my husband, and overall the service was excellent. I am knocking off one more star for the ambiance. The restaurant is very cute but the indoor seating seemed very cramped. We decided to sit outside because of this, but I ended up having water dripping on me from the roof the entire time (it wasn't raining, so I guess this was from an air conditioner?). The outdoor seating is also close to the road in a pretty busy part of Montclair, which for me was a bit hectic for breakfast. read more

Ray's Luncheonette - Huevos Rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Small place, with a HUGE HEART! Everything on their menu has amazing flavor and taste, been coming here for almost 13 years, and even today, they made me a special plate... Keeping it interesting! No special occasion, I'm just a Mickey Fan and so I got a surprise when I ordered pancakes. They serve with love and that's what makes them so different, whether it's your first time or hundredth. Once your hooked, your hooked... Try it once, love it forever! read more

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Best diner around and that's saying alot cuz it's New Jersey. Been going here since I was in elementary school and I'm in my mid 20s now.

What an amazing place for breakfast and lunch! The French toast is incredible, and the staff's friendliness is a perfect 100! A true 5-star local diner! read more

The food was delicious, the staff were warm and welcoming and the atmosphere was great: busy, but not chaotic. Clearly a popular place and with good reason. read more

Fabulous food. Super friendly service. Very reasonable prices. I can't believe that I slept on this place for so long. My new go-to breakfast spot in Montclair. read more

Excellent breakfast . Always a great go to. Fantastic service. Smoked salmon avocado toast is a must try.

Small, local luncheonette at near train station. Food is good along with the price. Hoping for breakfast and lunch.

I ate my freshly made empanadas so fast with their home made hot sauce and didn't take a pic!! They were the best empanadas around!! read more

Ray's Luncheonette - Capuccino - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Though in central Montclair, Ray's is sufficiently off the beaten track so you can find parking without difficulty. The food is VERY reasonably priced--three full lunches for $30 is my kind of bargain, though we added $10 for a tip because the food was so good and the service so friendly and attentive. I had the Mexica omelette, and it was amazing. The spices and peppers were vividly fresh. The homefries were crisp and golden, the coffee just the right strength and not a hint of bitterness. The toast was BUTTERED and my friend who got the waffles was given REAL maple syrup. The waffles by the by were Belgian Big, light and perfect.Those little details made for a really memorable and delicious meal. We arrived at 2PM on Saturday, and they were full but there were two free tables and space at the counter. You don't have to wait. I really don't like the foofy food and skyish prices of most Montclair restaurants. My general rule is that if I can make it as well at home, I'll have it there. Well, I couldn't have done better at home, and certainly not with that variety of choices, and not having to wash up after! This place is now my go-to for all meal-out with friends situations that arise in Montclair. Outstanding. And the friendliness of the staff made it feel more like a dinner party than a dinner out! read more

From outstanding customer to phenomenal food! This place is an awesome place. Come in around lunchtime and you will see how the frontline manages to keep the chaos in control! We were impressed!! Best gem in Montclair read more

Ray's Luncheonette - a sandwich and onion rings - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Food was finger licking AMAZING!! Each bite was full of flavor!!! The service was phenomenal!! I had my 11months old with me & she was part of the family!! We were treated like family!! Thank you Team!! read more

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Great food, service and history! Love the Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, salt pepper and ketchup! And the disco fries! Excellent fries with gravy and melted mozzarella cheese. So nice to see the pictures of my Uncle Ray up on the wall. Rays still delivers the full experience. Friends, food and family! read more

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I love this place. Super tiny and not a lot of tables but the food is delicious and the staff is super nice. I love the menu choices and their prices are amazing compared to the surrounding restaurants. read more

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Ray's is my go-to for breakfast and coffee. So many options. Lunch is also excellent. The staff are friendly and attentive. They clearly care about making it a good experience for the customers. read more

Had breakfast today. Food was good. Prices to much and there where mosquitoes flying around making it hard to enjoy breakfast! Maybe the doors and windows should be closed and try running the a/c ???? Thinking of calling health dept. Very annoying . We asked waitress if they could close doors and windows. She said no because the owner wants them open. I am very disappointed with management. You just lost two customers. Please look into this issues. Mosquitoes and eggs donot go good together!!!! read more

Just got back from here. I had a nice Waffle Deluxe breakfast with eggs and taylor ham and everything was great........except right at the end when the waitress charged me for an extra cup of regular coffee. Now, normally, if this had been my 3rd or 4th cup of coffee, I would've been like, "ok, I already had two cups, I can understand why they would want to charge me again for another". However, I only had one cup. For them to charge me extra for a 2nd cup of coffee like that is just grimy. It's not like I ordered a latte or a cappuccino! It was just regular coffee. So, yeah, I don't think I will be coming here regularly like I used to, and when I do, I'll be more conscious with what they charge me. It really put a sour note while starting my day. They really shouldn't charge extra for coffee like that. read more

The food was very tasty. The service was very good even though I went just before closing.

Good food. Good Service. Small but good place to go for breakfast. Ordered an omelet and a skillet dish. Happy bellies! read more

The food here is amazing. Not sure I'll go anywhere else for breakfast now. Don't be fooled by the diner feel of this place, amazing food and creative menu options and specials. Service is always great as well. Today I had the Avocado toast special with marinated flank steak which was perfect. Diner feel with top notch food options...highly recommend. read more

Ray's Luncheonette - Avocado toast with churrasco. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Omg yes! I'm not sure how I didn't know about this place but I'm so glad I stumbled upon it during a stroll through Montclair with the hubby! Ray's Luncheonette offers so much variety on their menu and although I only had a BLT, I promise that was the BEST BLT of my life (thus far at least....)! Also, the service was so friendly and attentive. read more

Ray's Luncheonette - Cappuccino - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Solid food. Friendly service. Reasonable prices. Generous portions. An excellent place for a satisfying meal. I had to take a short nap before writing this review. Whoo! Although the name "Ray's Luncheonette" contains the word "lunch", the breakfast items are the stars of the menu. There were so many delicious choices, including some interesting Latin-inspired breakfast specials. I had to summon up all of my willpower to ignore the Tres Leches French Toast, because bikini season is here! Let's see how long that lasts... My breakfast arepa (a Venezuelan/Colombian griddled corn cake) with home fries was out of this world! Every component was fresh and well-seasoned. The coffee was quite good as well! The restaurant itself is a tiny, corner-side establishment with a retro diner interior...super cute! Counter seating is available, along with a few booths, but when the weather is nice, an outside table is the way to go. Parking is metered along the streets. If you're looking for a casual spot to meet someone for your morning or afternoon meal, look no further than Ray's Luncheonette! read more

Ray's Luncheonette - The most divine of breakfasts: the Breakfast Arepa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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LOVED this place. I was going to brunch with a friend to a different place, it ended up being closed and we ended up here. I got something from their specials menu and it was SO DEEELLLIIICIOUSSS! I think it was the sausage huevos rancheros. I've been craving to come back to this place. They also have tables where you can sit outside and they accommodated two babies in high chairs and we're patient with my friend and I. I will def be coming back! read more

Great delicious food and great customers services. The staff is very and friendly. Clean place and I like that the food is cooked right in front of you. The prices are very reasonable. I love EVERYTHING on the menu the best taste so far.I definitely rate them at 5. Keep up the good work you guys. I'm definitely a regular customer. read more

oh no! the ladies at Ray's made it way too pleasant to miss the early train--i may be missing it on purpose now and sitting down instead for Avocado Toast on rye and a coffee, all perfect read more

This place doesn't deserve any stars. but in order to post I have to at least use 1 I ordered 3 breakfast sandwhiches ( bacon eggs and cheese, Taylor ham egg and cheese and the French toast deluxe....and they only used one egg on each sandwich and the sandwhiches were dry....When I spoke to the gentleman who took the order he told me due to the price increase of food that they only serve sandwhiches with one egg now. He asked me to hold and put the owner on the phone. She then told me If I wanted another egg I should have asked. My opinion is , if there are any changes to how you do things in your business, let the customers know!!! There is no sign in the establishment stating that because food prices have increased, they will only be using one egg for sandwhiches now!!! She proceeded to tell me she is the owner and I'm just a customer!! SO RUDE...Such a rip off, CHEAP AND DECEPTIVE!!!! The old owner needs to come back!!! read more

Ray's Luncheonette - One egg bacon egg and cheeses sandwhich!! Terrible - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Always an amazing experience. Service is excellent. Food is excellent. Never a wait. Homely feel. Try the avacado toast with churrasco you will not be disappointed! read more

So disappointing ordering a cheesesteak with only onions and peppers and getting mayonnaise. Plus not having enough time on my lunch break to be able to do anything about it! At least the fries were good! Oh well, too many places around to order again... read more

I have tried a lot of breakfast places in Montclair. Food wise this is the best. If you want a home style breakfast with a Mexican flair the is the place. The price and quality can't be beat. I have gone for three strait weeks dancing around the menu. I have left so happy all three times. My favorite is the mexicombo. The staff is extremity kind and attentive. The location is small and simple and you can't do reservation. But the staff is quick to get you seated. Love this establishment will be back. read more

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casual place with high-quality food and a unique menu. everything is made to order. service was great and place was clean.bathroom clean. street parking cash only will return read more

Great food and friendly amazing staff. Worth popping in for breakfast or lunch. It has the old school diner vibe. read more

I've been eating at Rays since i was a kid and have seen many changes and many owners come and go. Angie has transformed this ordinary luncheonette in to a truly extraordinary culinary experience. read more

The food and service was awesome!! I had the scrambled eggs with potatoes and whole wheat toast! My food was prepared quickly and properly. I'm definitely coming back! read more

I have been going to Ray's for thirty years and during that time there have been four owners. Never in all those years has the food been better. Everything is fresh and cooked the way you ask for it. This is a family run business and all the staff are related. So, they not only work for tips but for the good of the family. Saturdays can be a little crazy because the kitchen is small and it has a hard time keeping up with the crowds. The crowds are created by the great food and service Ray's is known for. Regulars usually avoid Saturdays because of the crowds. All in all I would say the quality and overall value are among the best breakfast and lunch places in Montclair. read more

This review is for service.. food is always good, but we just had the worst service experience here.... Had to write this review. First off, it's Willy Nilly.. there are like 4 people serving outdoors and none have any drive, they all seem to be in outer space, and not helpful. We sat ourselves after one of them told us to sit anywhere.. someone took our drink order.. a coffee and a iced non fat latte. Then 2 other people asked to take our drink order.. (eye roll). The coffee came out and I was told "she made a reg fat latte so she's remaking it". No biggie.. 16 mins later I received my iced non fat latte. When I ordered it, i asked for Splenda. The coffee was delivered without any sweetener.. 10 mins later and 4 servers walking past us and no one gave us any attention.. I had to get up and get my own sugar.. meanwhile through all of the sugar ordeal, my husband finished his coffee and the same 4 servers, with pots of coffee on their hands, ignored him. We had ordered. Oatmeal and a Chilaquiles special. 1 hour wait at the table and no more coffee and NO food.. I noticed the servers were bringing one dish to a neighboring table when there were 2 diners.. the other had to wait.. and still, the same 4 zombie waiters were keeping busy doing I don't know what.. def not paying attention to us. I tried in vain to get some silverware, some water (we asked 3 times since the original coffee order) and some more coffee but nothing.. so we put cash down on the table for the 2 coffees we got an hour ago, and left.. food never came.. In Montclair brunch scene, service matters as much as the food. Your food is delicious. Your service is like no one cares and there isn't any sort of management running the joint, so this is a horrific place today, and we would never return.. ps, there was another table that left next to us, and 3 tables around us waiting as long as we were. Sad... read more

The food is absolutely delicious. It's the perfect family owned gem that has a mellow atmosphere with spectacular food. The staff are all super nice and the service is perfect. The place is small enough you can get anyone's attention quickly. read more

I came here several times during last winter. Between covid and the thigh-high snow, you might think I was mad to traipse on foot all the way to Walnut street from Bay street NJT just for a breakfast fix. But then, you haven't enjoyed the brekkies at Ray's, or felt the warmth of the gas-fired braziers on the pavement outside. The breakfasts are diner-staples done next-level: huevos rancheros, french toast, pancakes - with avo toast and even arepas on the menu. Delicious, hearty stuff. Good service, decent coffee, and a great place to fuel up on an icy morning. read more