December 14, 2025

Small Bites and Healthy Sips: Almost Home and Fresh Monkee Open Their Doors

Just in time for the holidays, two of Bergen County's bustling downtown areas are welcoming two new food shops worth visiting now and into the new year. Whether you need a double shot of espresso to survive the season or are looking for a new — and delicious — way to keep things healthy in 2026, these spots are here to serve.

Almost Home, Westwood

Centrally located on Westwood Avenue in the heart of Westwood, Almost Home is the ideal place to unwind after a busy day of holiday shopping, starting with the drinks menu. With a soft opening on December 11, it's filled with warm and cozy seasonal seasonal sips like the Snickerdoodle Latte, Pistachio Matcha, and Harvest Chai, along with other fun drinks like Brown Butter Bliss (espresso, caramel, and brown butter cold foam) and the toasty Campfire Hot Chocolate with a toasted marshmallow.

But you can also sit, stay awhile, and satisfy your hunger, too. Almost's Home's food menu is just as delicious as its drinks. And there are goodies for you and the littles. Enjoy breakfast bites like Challah French Toast, Avocado Toast, and Hash Brown, or fill up on lunches like The Drunk Caesar with vodka sauce chicken, The Shore Hoagie, and The Diesel Smash Burger. There's also a kids menu with the basics, and it's all ready to be enjoyed in the cozy atmosphere filled with inviting accents that make you feel at home.

Fresh Monkee, Ridgewood

On the other hand, Fresh Monkee's "Truly Healthy Shakes" are a smart way to slide into the new year. The brand new spot in Ridgewood, which opened on December 15, has a long list of nutrition-packed shakes to give your body a boost. It features seasonal specials like Crave's Sugar Cookie and Gingerbread, which feature all natural and good-for-you ingredients like vanilla protein, almond butter, banana, and ginger.

Its fruity shakes like the Antioxidant Berry have juices, spinach, and mixed berries, while the green shakes feature spinach, cucumber, green apple, chia, flax, ginger, and more. If coffee's what you're craving, even its caffeinated drinks include sugar-free chocolate or caramel drizzle to stick with the store's promise for high-fiber, protein-rich, and low-sugar creations for a high-energy day. You can even find vegan and gluten-free shakes.