Celebrate mom at these unique Mother's Day food spots in North Jersey
Celebrate mom at these unique Mother's Day food spots in North Jersey
Matt Cortina, NorthJersey.comTue, May 5, 2026 at 8:24 AM UTC
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Are you looking for a way to celebrate your mom that isn’t the same old Mother’s Day brunch? You’ve come to the right place: there are several unique dining and beverage experiences in North Jersey that offer great food with a twist.
While there’s nothing wrong with a classic brunch on Mother’s day — May 10 this year — it’s nice every once in a while to step outside tradition. This year, you and mom can take a drive to a gorgeous New Jersey winery for a tasting experience and prix-fixe meal, dive into Filipino fare close to home or learn how to cook Italian food or mix drinks (and then eat and drink your creations).
There is no shortage of ideas for Mother’s Day (though if nothing piques your interest here, check out some more unique ideas like the seven-course chakra flight). Here are eight dining experiences outside the norm to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2026.
Farm Dining at Alstede Farms, Chester
Chester, NJ September 21, 2023 — Apple picking season and the wonders of Fall are full in stride at Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ on September 21, 2023.
North Jersey’s Astede Farms has become one of the best spots for almost any holiday, as it transforms its idyllic grounds to match festivities throughout the year.
This Mother’s Day weekend, Alstede is hosting an interactive farm-to-table brunch from Friday to Sunday. Enjoy a wagon ride around the farm or take the kids to see animals, and then settle in for farm-fresh brunch dishes like French toast with strawberry compote, roast pork loin with berry chutney, pasta with fresh asparagus and mozzarella, a mashed potato bar and more. Meal options start at $64.99 per person.
Go: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.
Filipino Kamayan Brunch at Walnut Street Kitchen, Montclair
How about a traditional Filipino Kamayan brunch on Mother’s Day? Executive chef-owner Bev Lacsina is offering this $55 family-style brunch, meant to be eaten by hand (Kamayan translates to “hands” in Tagalog.)
Banana leaves serve as the canvas for this dining experience, which includes white rice, pork lumpia, chicken and pork adobo, garlic shrimp, barbecue chicken, crispy pork belly, turon (a deep-fried banana and jackfruit dessert) and more. It’s $55 per adult, $29 for kids.
Go: 98 Walnut St, Montclair; 973-746-0789, walnutstreetkitchennj.com.
Wine-Tasting and Brunch at Alba Vineyard, Milford
The grape fields at Alba Vineyard.
There are fewer prettier scenes in New Jersey than the rolling hills of Alba Vineyard in Milford. It’s worth the trip for the scenery alone, but on Mother’s Day, the winery is hosting a prix-fixe brunch, wine tastings and more.
On May 9 and 10, there will be live music and self-guided wine flights all day, plus a three-course menu ($68 per person) that includes strawberry burrata, parmesan zeppole with prosciutto and Calabrian chili honey, lobster roll, braised short rib, flourless chocolate cake with rhubarb compote and more.
Go: 269 County Rd 627, Milford; 908-995-7800, albavineyard.com.
Mixology Class at Franklin Steakhouse & Tavern, Fairfield
Got a mom who’s crafty behind the bar? After the hubbub of the weekend is over, head to Franklin Steakhouse & Tavern on Tuesday, May 12, for its “Post-Mother’s Day Mixology Night.”
For $60 a person, you’ll create (and consume) three craft cocktails in a hands-on, guided experience. While you shake and stir, dine on elevated pub grub and, when you’re done, hang around for trivia, raffles and giveaways to round out the night.
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Go: 318 Passaic Ave., Fairfield; 973-808-9400, franklinsteakhousefairfield.com.
Books, Beer and Flowers at Fort Nonsense Brewing, Randolph
Or maybe mom is more the beer-drinking type. If so, Fort Nonsense has a mash-up event with someone for everybody.
On May 10, Fort Nonsense will pour 16 beers, hard seltzers and cold brew coffees, and from 12:30-3:30 p.m., there will be a make-your-own bouquet bar by Black Cat Flower Farm and books from the Next Chapter Mobile Bookstore. It’s a casual afternoon with plenty of room for creativity, discovery and conversation. Attendance is free and seating is first-come, first-served.
Go: 220 Franklin Road, Randolph; 862-397-4777, fortnonsensebrewing.com/events.
Cooking Class and Brunch at Eataly, Short Hills
This buzzy Italian market, trattoria and restaurant in the Mall at Short Hills has several unique ways to celebrate your mom this year.
On Mother’s Day, Eataly Ristorante will offer a three-course brunch ($45 per person) including choices like insalata di carciofi, carbonara with asparagus, lobster eggs Benedict and mini tiramisu. It’ll also have a la carte specials like its special Spritz in Fiore cocktail (prosecco, Ramazotti Rosato, club soda and edible flowers).
And on May 8 from 6-9 p.m., Eataly will host a “Mom and Me” Italian cooking class where you’ll learn to compose a charcuterie board and make an espresso martini. Throughout the class, you’ll enjoy a wine-paired two-course meal and sip on spritzes.
Go: 1200 Morris Turnpike, #112, Short Hills; 862-424-9100, eataly.com/us_en/stores/short-hills.
Views and Events at Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
A verdant drive out to Crystal Springs on Mother’s Day weekend is a treat in its own right, but the resort also has several unique dining experiences worthy of celebration.
In the Canyon Ballroom, there will be a buffet with seafood and carving stations, plus build-your-own bouquet tables and a family photo booth ($80 per adult, $35 for kids). The Emerald Ballroom, meanwhile, will host the Grand Buffet ($100 per adult, $40 per child) with shrimp cocktail, local cheeses and veggies, salads, seafood and carving stations and decadent desserts.
Go: 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 973-862-4351, crystalgolfresort.com.
Ramp Dinner and Farm Fun at Ironbound Farm, Asbury
Yet another destination in which the journey is part of the fun, Ironbound Farm (known for its excellent cider and farmhouse fare) will host Mother’s Day brunch on May 9-10 in its bucolic setting.
Enjoy seasonal eats like wild ramp gratin, a spring frittata, red velvet waffles and more, plus there’ll be a petting zoo and fresh-cut flowers. Reservations required for indoor dining, outdoor dining is walk-up
If your mom’s a foodie, check out Ironboud’s ramp dinner on May 8, in which you’ll eat a four-course prix-fixe menu that honors the spring foraging season, plus a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, cider and wine pairings ($180 per ticket).
Go: 360 County Road 579, Asbury; 908-940-4115, ironboundhardcider.com.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Unique Mother's Day 2026 food events and brunch restaurants
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