Market Roost Fine Catering, Restaurant & Gift Gallery, Flemington, NJ: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence

As enjoyable as discovering and writing about new cafes and restaurants may be, I find it even more satisfying to write about places and people that have established themselves as centers of excellence. By maintaining quality and innovation across the years, Market Roost Fine Catering, Restaurant & Gift Gallery in Flemington, NJ is just such an institution.

Co-owner and pastry chef Carol Todd displays her house-made croissants.

For thirty years, Carol and Norman Todd have produced elegant, delicious menus at their charming and eclectic storefront cafe and gift shop in Flemington, NJ.


Norman, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, blends traditional and classic cuisine with current trends to provide a menu with broad appeal. Carol uses her 25 years of experience as a pastry chef to keep the cases filled with some of the finest baked goods we've tasted: flaky croissants, dense and crumbly scones, cakes and pies of all flavors and possibly the best cupcake we've ever had. (See Note Below). 


It is not surprising that they have won accolades for their Sunday Brunch, including a 2007 listing in New Jersey Monthly as "Best Brunch in New Jersey."

Banana Rum Cupcake

The glow of the Market Roost's canopy promised an oasis of comfort on a recent rainy and chilly Friday night. We were not disappointed. A gift shop, walk-up counter with take-out entrees, salads, and baked goods as well as a seating area for dining-in, all share space to create the Market Roost. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the seating area is transformed into fine-dining table service. 

Market Roost Cookies 

The retail displays and decor actually add to the charm of the casual setting. In fact, in between courses we surveyed some of the artisan jewelry and tableware for future purchases.

Field Grown Tasting Lettuce Assortment with fruits,

 honeyed walnuts, candied ginger &n Asian Vinaigrette

Chef Norman takes advantage of local purveyors as often as possible and takes care to use the finest ingredients to assemble his dishes.

The night we dined, Norwegian Salmon on a stick with Cippolini Onions and Lemon Dill Dip was a particular favorite. Cippolinis may be the perfect onion, and their sweetness matched the salmon wonderfully without the added bite of standard onions. Perfectly cooked filet mignon and crab cakes with generous lumps of crab were also well executed. 

Filet Mignon with chardonnay demi,
 caramelized onions & blue cheese

In addition to providing an excellent spot for late morning breakfasts, lunch, brunch, afternoon teas and weekend dinners, Market Roost is also the base of a thriving, full service catering operation for corporate and social events of all sizes.  The same care and attention that Carol and Norman bring to the cafe and gift shop are sure to provide memorable, well designed events.

Flemington, which has lost some of its better dining establishments, is fortunate to have The Market Roost maintaining its standards and remaining a destination for food lovers looking for casual and fine dining options. 

As for that cupcake. We believed that the Banana Rum Cupcake was so good that it deserved its own post. Carol has been kind enough to provide the recipe and we will be trying it and posting our results very soon.

The details:

Market Roost Fine Catering, Restaurant & Gift Gallery

65 Main Street

Flemington, NJ 08822

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Wednesday, 10:30 am -5 pm

Thursday & Friday, 10:30 am - 4 pm

Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm

Sunday Brunch, 9:30am - 2pm

Sunday full menu 2pm - 3:30pm

Dinner served Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 5:30pm - 9pm

908-788-4949