Princeton Restaurant Reviews
Princeton Restaurants
This page describes my experiences dining at various restaurants in Princeton and the surrounding areas. Written by a food enthusiast who's lived in Princeton for 9 years. Bon appetit!
Favorites
Here are my personal favorite restaurants in Princeton.- Restaurant. Blue Point Grill, One 53
- Burger. Witherspoon Grill
- Ice cream. Bent Spoon
- Dessert. Chez Alice
- Bread. Witherspoon Bread Company
- Sushi. Ajihei
- Pizza. DeLorenzo's
- Seafood. Blue Point Grill
- Steak. Witherspoon Grill
- Chinese. Sunny Garden
- Coffee. Small World
- Brunch. Prospect House
- Newcomer. Tom Yum Goong
- Bargain. Udipi Cafe
African
- Makedas
(338 George Street, New Brunswick;
732.545.5115)
The only Ethiopian place anywhere near Princeton. I always have a good meal. Sit at a Mesob (table made out of a basket) and don't bother with silverware. Live African music on the weekends.
American - New
- One 53.
(153
Washington Street, Rocky Hill; 609.924.1019)
Exceptional food within 10 minutes of Princeton. Try the Griggstown chicken or the Seared Diver Scallops, and save room for dessert. The Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Bourbon Sauce is outstanding; the Hazelnut Dacquise with Mocha Chantilly is even better. Be sure to make reservations well in advance. - Ferry House
(32 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.924.2488)
First-rate French-New American cuisine. Zagat 25 for food. Expensive, but a great place to celebrate a special occasion. - Blue Bottle Cafe.
(101 East Broad Street, Hopewell;
609.333.1710)
Among the best BYOs in the area and extremely popular among foodies. Zagat rates it a (somewhat inflated) 27 for food. Decorated with blue glass bottles on the walls. Excellent seasonal menu and sinful desserts. Recommended: Pan Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops (with fingerling potatoes, sauteed leeks, shitakes, crispy bacon and leek emulsion), Handmade Sweet Potato Gnocchi (with caramelized brussel sprouts, duck confit, apple reduction and sage brown butter). Closed Sunday and Monday. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance. - Acacia.
(2637 Main Street, Lawrenceville;
609.895.9885)
First-rate BYO. The menu features complex ingredient combinations that usually work well together. Zagat 25 for food. - Chambers Walk Cafe and Catering.
(2667 Main Street, Lawrenceville;
609.896.5995)
Apparently it's Lawrenceville's best keep secret BYO. I haven't been there. - The Lambertville Station.
(11 Bridge Street, Lambertville;
609.397.8300)
Located in a restored 19th century train station, it's a great riverfront spot for brunch, especially when the weather is nice and you can eat outdoors. It has a fancier dinner menu, which I haven't tried.
Bakery
- Chez Alice.
(5 Palmer Square West, Princeton;
609.921.6760)
Awesome desserts and pastries. They also have outposts in Princeton's Public Library and at the Grounds for Sculpture. Sadly, they close by 7 (weekdays) or 8:30 (Fri. and Sat.) so that you can't drop by for an after-dinner dessert. - Paris Bakery and Dessert. (1164 State Highway 33, Trenton; 609.631.9133)
Reportedly the best place to get pastries and tarts in the area. In Hamilton Square. - Witherspoon
Bread Company.
(4 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.688.0188)
Best bread in town. They also have great flatbread pizza, foccacias, and sandwiches for a quick meal. - The Little Chef Pastry Shop.
(8 South Tulane Street, Princeton;
609.924.5335)
Real French croissants. - Main
Street Eatery and Gourmet Bakery
(56 Main Street, Kingston; 609.921.2778)
Bar and Pub
For a town with a high-profile university, Princeton has very few places to get a drink.- Triumph Brewing Company.
(138 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.7855)
Princeton's only micro-brewery. The beer is excellent and eclectic. The bar food can be quite good, especially the Triumph burger (with chipotle mayonaisse), fish-and-chips (served in a basket tower), and fried calamari. The fancier entrees look good on paper, but are usually disappointing. Live music in the evenings. - The Alchemist and Barrister.
(28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.924.5555)
A&B serves up excellent hamburgers - ask for the wine cheddar cheese. Nachos and other pub grub are good. Also one of Princeton's better brunch spots. Stay away from the fancier entrees. - Yankee Doodle Tap Room.
(10 Palmer Square East, Princeton;
609.921.7500)
Located in the historic Nassau Inn. I've been here for drinks and a late night snack (Yankee Doodle Burger, fries, wings are all good), but I can't comment on the dinner menu fare. - Winberie's Restaurant and Bar.
(1 Palmer Square East, Princeton;
609.921.0700)
The food is what you expect at a carve-your-name-in-the-table bar.
Chinese
- Sunny Garden.
(15 Farber Road, Princeton;
609.520.1881)
My favorite Chinese restaurant in Princeton. It's not authentic Chinese, but don't let that bother you. Instead, the flavors are more upscale and innovative. Try the Creaky Chicken or the Duck with Black Bean & Ginger Sauce. It also has sushi that's reportedly good. - P.F. Chang's China Bistro.
(3545 Route 1, Princeton;
609.799.5163)
Popular and tasty upscale American Chinese restaurant chain in the Market Fair mall. Try their twist on Kung Pao Chicken. - Shanghai Park.
(301 North Harrison Street, Princeton;
609.924.8001)
Authentic Chinese and a favorite among Chinese grad students. Recommended dishes: Diced Fried Chicken with Hot Peppers, Minced Chicken with Corn Chowder Soup, Two Flavor Chicken. - Tiger Noodles.
(260 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.252.0663)
Good Americanized Chinese food, but I enjoy it regularly. Outdoor seating when the weather is nice. See also their sister restaurant Ya Ya Noodles. - Ya Ya Noodles.
(1325 Route 206, Skillman; 609.921.8551)
Good Americanized Chinese food. Owned by the same people that own Tiger Noodles, but this one features a more extensive menu. Conveniently located next to Montgomery Cinema. - Good Friends Chinese Restaurant.
(31 Station Drive, Princeton Junction; 609.799.8228)
Authentic home-style Chinese, near the train station. It's cheap and good. The chef from the defunct restaurant Happy City now works here. - Super Star East Chinese Buffet.
(311 Nassau Park Blvd., Princeton;
609.987.9168)
Don't be scared off by the name. It's not gourmet food, but the buffet has an impressive variety of items, and they are refreshed regularly. A good spot if you're super hungry. - Ivy Garden.
(238 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.921.2388)
Mediocre Americanized Chinese food. The main reason to go is for outdoor seating, but you're much better off at Tiger Noodle a block away. - Sultan Wok and Sushi.
(354 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.683.9666)
Low quality Chinese and Japanese. It's very cheap, but not worth it. Takeout only. - Karen's Chinese Restaurant.
(36 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.683.1968)
Greasy Americanized Chinese on Restaurant Row. Tiger Noodle is much better.
Coffee
- Small World Coffee.
(14 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.924.4377)
Everyone's favorite coffee house. It has the best coffee, cappuccino, and lattes in town. It's also a popular hangout spot. As a bonus, they have good desserts, soup, and other cafe food. They recently opened up a new outpost at 254 Nassau Street that has great coffee, but less ambiance. - Starbucks.
(100 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.279.9204)
Yes, even Princeton has one.
European
- Fedora Cafe.
(2633 Main Street, Lawrenceville;
609.895,0844)
Eclectic menu. -
Main
Street Euro-American Bistro and Bar.
(301 North Harrison Street, Princeton;
609.921.2779)
Selected one of America's "Great Neighborhood Restaurants" by Bon Appetit Magazine in 2002. Solid food, but it didn't quite live up to my high expectations. Al fresco dining on the terrace. - Underground Cafe.
(4
Hulfish Street, Princeton; 609.924.0666)
Bulgarian food that's not particularly good. Warning: annoying website.
Food Shopping
Some excellent supermarkets, but missing a Trader Joes.- Wegmans.
(240 Nassau Park Blvd., Princeton;
609.919.9300)
My favorite supermarket. On the expensive side, but worth the cost. Good takeout food, including muffins, wood-burning oven breads, and kebobs for the grill. Also a liquor store, conveniently attached to the supermarket. Open 6am to midnight. - Whole Foods.
(3495 US Route 1 South, Princeton;
609.799.2919)
The world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods. Open 8am to 10pm. - McCaffrey's.
(301 Harrison Street, Princeton;
609.683.1600)
Upscale, but overpriced supermarket in the Princeton Shopping Center. Open 7am to 10pm (Mon - Sat) and 8am to 9pm (Sun). - Bon Appetit.
(301
North Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.924.7755)
Excellent, but expensive, gourmet food shop located in the Princeton Shopping Center. Terrific selection of fine cheeses. Also the usual gourmet products such as Godiva chocolate, olive oils, puff pastry, fancy teas. Grab an upscale sandwiches, salad, or pastry and eat in the adjoining dining room. - Nassau Street Seafood
and Produce Company.
(56 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.921.0620)
Best place to buy fresh seafood. Also fresh produce and Terhune Orchard pies. They also serve boxed lunch fish sandwiches, which are very tasty and inexpensive. You can eat lunch outside at the Blue Point Grill, next door. - Terhune Orchards.
(320 Cold Soil Road, Princeton;
609.924.2310)
Pick your own apples, peaches, berries, pumpkins, and flowers, depending on the season. Terrific homemade pies, apple cider, and cider donuts. You can get lost in a corn maze or play with the farm animals, including Mittens. - Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer's Market.
(4437 Route 27, Kingston)
The fresh meats and dairy from Beiler's are highly recommended. And I can't resist the homemade soft pretzels and pretzel logs from Stoltzfus'. Located in the Kingston Mall. Open Thursday through Saturday. - Trenton Farmer's Market.
(960 Spruce Street, Trenton;
609.695.2998)
Best place to get fresh produce. You can also get Italian meats, cheeses, pastries, and dairy. - Olive May.
(225 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.4993)
Natural and organic health food store. Replaces Wild Oats. - Whole Earth Center.
(360 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.7421)
Organic heath food store.
French - New
If you want fine French food, go to Philly or New York.- Lahieres.
(5 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.921.2798)
One of the fanciest and oldest places in town. The food is good, but not as good as it should be for the price. Best selection of wines in town. - Le Plumet Royal.
(20 Bayard Lane, Princeton; 609.924.1707)
Average French fare located in a colonial mansion, the Peacock Inn. Save room for dessert - the molten chocolate lava cake is worth the trip. A romantic spot to bring a date and cozy up by the fireplace. Bobby Trigg (of the Ferry House) recently bought the restaurant and is renovating it, so stay tuned! - The Brothers Moon.
(7 West Broad Street, Hopewell;
609.333.1410)
Another highly-rated, upscale, destination spot in Hopewell. Seasonal menu with many organic foods and produce from local farms. Good vegetarian options alongside rack of lamb or fillet mignon. An accompanying take-out store offers fresh salads, soups, sandwiches, desserts, cheeses, and specialty meats. - Rat's.
(6
Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 609.584.7800)
Founded by J. Seward Johnson Jr. and located in the Grounds For Sculpture. Rustic fireplaces and spectacular views of Monet-esque gardens help make Rat's the most romantic restaurant in the area. Zagat 28 for Decor. Critics say it's overpriced and pretentious, but it's cheaper than going to Giverny. They offer a fancy Sunday brunch. -
Kafe Kabul.
(6
Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 609.584.7800)
Kafe Kabul is attached to Rat's and serves more casual fare, including an excellent organic burger, homemade fries, and freshly made desserts. Cozy up by the fireplace in the winter.
Greek / Middle Eastern
- Cedar's Restaurant.
(45 West Main Street, Somerville; 908.722.8666)
Fresh Middle eastern and Lebanese food. Good kebobs and vegetarian entrees. - Halal Mediterranean Grille and Cafe
(2607 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton; 609.584.0500)
Traditional Turkish restaurant, complete with a hookah to smoke. Excellent kebobs. A fine place to stop after Grounds for Sculpture or before a movie at the Hamilton multiplex. - Zorba's Grill-Takeout.
(183 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.2454)
Take-out Greek-American. I usually get the gyros or falafel. - Zorba's Brother.
(80 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.279.0999)
Dine-in Greek-American. The Greek food is OK. Though, I prefer it for Sunday morning breakfast (pancakes and omelettes are better than PJs).
Ice Cream / Desserts
Princeton is blessed with several excellent (and always popular) ice cream spots.- Bent Spoon.
(35 Palmer Square West, Princeton;
609.924.2368)
Artisan ice cream and sorbet that will leave you breathless! They use organic and local ingredients to produce a sinful dessert somewhere between gelato and ice cream. The best ice cream in the area, and probably better than anything in NYC. Start with the Madagascar Vanilla Bean, then move on to more exotic flavors such as black plum lavender, peach prosecco, or sour cream. If you're on a diet, you can try the frozen whipped banana. They also serve up some amazing cupcakes - Halo Fete / Halo Pub.
(9 Hulfish Street, Princeton;
609.921.1710)
Extremely fresh ice cream, made at a local dairy - the Halo farm. The Halo Fete (America's first ice cream patisserie) serves decadent ice cream desserts next door. - Thomas Sweet.
(179 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.683.8720)
Princeton's oldest ice cream parlor. Many like it for the blend-ins. It's still good and very popular (especially for kids), but Bent Spoon and Halo Pub are even better. There's also a Thomas Sweet chocolate outpost at (29 Palmer Square West. - Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos.
(140 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.430.9077)
Makes you feel like a kid in a candy store. The ice cream isn't very good, but you get unlimited toppings. The bins of candy treats are the reason to go. - Lindt Chocolatier.
(68 Palmer Square West, Princeton;
609.279.1899)
A great place to pick up a gift box of chocolates.
Indian
There is excellent Indian in surrounding towns, especially Edison.- Udipi Cafe.
(3029 Route 27, Franklin Park;
732.422.8301)
Excellent southern Indian. The Indian breads are so good you'll forget that it's vegetarian. Inexpensive and little atmosphere. The Chole Bhatura (puffy bread with chick peas curry) is amazing. Warning: annoying website with music. - Masala Grill.
(19 Chambers Street, Princeton;
609.921.0500)
My favorite Indian restaurant in town. Excellent lunch buffet. - Palace of Asia.
(540 Lawrence Square Blvd,
Lawrenceville; 609.689.1500)
Good Indian food in a palatial setting with ornate dining rooms. Great place for a big group. - Mehek.
(164 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.279.9191)
Second best place in town, behind Masala Grill. They also have a high tea on Sunday afternoons. - Passage to India.
(2495 Brunswick Pike,
Lawrenceville; 609.637.0800)
- Kalluri Corner.
(235A Nassau Street, Princeton;
924-2677)
Known as Calorie corner by some. Mediocre Indian food. Features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.
Italian
- Chick and Nello's Homestead Inn.
(800 Kuser Road, Trenton;
609.890.9851)
Old-country Italian-American in a homey setting. My favorite Italian restaurant in the area. Simples, but glorious, fresh flavors. Try the Jersey tomatoes with fresh mozzarella (in season). The pastas are also excellent. There's no menu, but the list of appetizers and entrees goes on and on. The prices are quite reasonable, if inconsistent from visit to visit. No credit cards. Closed Tuesdays. - Camillo's Cafe.
(301 North Harrison Street,
Princeton; 609.252.0608)
A new BYO "Cucina Autentica Italiana" with terrific homemade pasta. Highly recommended. -
Teresa Caffe.
(21 Palmer Square East, Princeton;
609.921.1974)
Neighborhood trattoria. Outstanding and inexpensive brick-oven pizettes, seasonal pasta dishes, and fresh breads (from Witherspoon Bakery). Personal favorite: pasta with bolognese sauce. No reservations, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. - Enzo's La Piccola Cucina
(1906 Princeton Ave, Lawrenceville; 609.396.9868)
Authentic, homemade, family-run, Italian BYO. - La Mezzaluna.
(25 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.688.8515)
Upscale, fine, classically-influenced Italian dining. Their signature dessert is a seasonable flambe over house made gelato, served tableside. -
Mediterra.
(29 Hulfish Street, Princeton;
609.252.9680)
- Eno
Terra (Kingston; 609.921.7555)
Much anticipated wine and bar restaurant to open in 2008. Brought to you by the Terra Momo group (Teresa Caffe, Mediterra, Witherspoon Bread). - Lucy's Ravioli Kitchen and Market.
(830 State Road, Princeton;
609.924.6881)
Homemade pastas and raviolis. - Romano's Macaroni Grill 162.
(3569 Route 1, Princeton;
609.520.9700)
A solid chain Italian restaurant. The main reason to come is the tasty garlic bread. It's also good with a big group. - Sotto 128.
(128 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.921.7555)
Japanese
Princeton has a disproportionately large number of sushi joints.- Ajihei.
(11 Chambers
Street, Princeton; 609.252.1158)
Highest quality sushi and sashimi, served in an intimate dining area. The best sushi in town by far. Zagat rates it a 26 for food. The chef/owner Koji Kitamura used to work at Nobu, under The Iron Chef, Morimoto. You'll have to go to Philly (Morimoto) or NYC (Nobu) to do much better. - Sagami.
(37 West Crescent Blvd.,
Collingswood; 856.854.9773)
Competes with Ajihei for the best sushi in the area. Fans say it's the best in the Philly area. Zagat 26 for food. Traditional Japanese decor, similar to what you'd find in Tokyo. It's a bit hard to find, but well worth the trip. - Ota-Ya.
(21 Ferry Street, Lambertville;
609.397.9228)
Great sushi, especially the Chief's Special Rolls. - Tokyo Sushi on 206.
(1378 Route 206, Skillman; 609.430.0044)
Despite the unimaginative name and drab exterior, this place features good Korean and sushi, with a warm and well-decorated interior. It's conveniently located across the street from Montgomery Cinema. - Nassau Sushi.
(179 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.497.3275)
Good sushi and OK Korean. Recently remodeled, the inside is now attractive. When it's nice out, you can eat outside on the patio. I recommend the Chicken Stir-Fry or the Seafood Chongol (on a really cold day). - Sakura Express.
(43 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.430.1180)
Fine sushi on a student budget. It's very popular among students. Very welcoming staff. - Kanoko Japanese Restaurant. (3885 Route 27, Princeton; 732.821.8822) Yet another sushi restaurant in Princeton. This one is better than average, but not really worth the trip up Route 27.
- Ichiban.
(66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.683.8323)
Another sushi restaurant in Princeton. - Tomo Sushi.
(236 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.8478)
Inexpensive sushi. A popular takeout spot, especially for lunch.
Korean
- Soonja's Cafe.
(244 Alexander Street, Princeton;
609.924.9260)
A mixture of Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Japanese entrees. I go for the Korean - the Bi Bim Bop is better than Nassau Street Sushi's. A good spot to go before an evening at McCarter Theater. I recommend the Seafood Gobdol Bi Bim Bop (seafood, scallops, and squid in a hot stone pot). - Woo Jeon Restaurant. (411 U.S. Route 1, Edison)
- Wang Ga. (Route 27, Highland Park)
- Keum Ho Jung. (Edison, NJ just off of Route 1)
Excellent Korean BBQ. Try the pancakes. Fans say it's the best Korean restaurant in the region (possibly, including NYC).
Mexican
Hard to find good Mexican in Princeton. Your best bet is to go to New Brunswick.- Tortuga's Mexican Village.
(44
Leigh Ave, Princeton; 609.924.5143)
- Taste of Mexico.
(301 North Harrison Street,
Princeton)
In the Princeton shopping center. - Calico Grill.
(180 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.0500)
A new BYO with Latino influences. I haven't been there yet. - Chevy's.
(3371 Route 1,
Princeton; 609.452.7070)
My favorite of the chainy Tex-Mex places on Route 1. Located in the Mercer Mall. - On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina.
(3567 Route 1, Princeton;
609.987.9222)
Another Tex-Mex chain. - Kaliente Mexican Grille.
(235 Nassau Street, Princeton)
A new cheap Mexican restaurant run by the owners of Kalluri Corner. Choose an entree (taco, burrito, or tostada) and match it with a meat (chicken, beef, vegetarian) and a sauce (red, green, hot). My favorite is an Indian-style burrito - garlic naan filled with Indian flavored chicken and sauce.
Pizza
- DeLorenzo's Tomato Pie.
(530 Hudson Street, Trenton;
609.695-9534
The best pizza in the area. Their "tomato pie" has tomatoes on top and the cheese underneath. Not open for lunch. - Conte's.
(339 Witherspoon Street,
Princeton; 609.921.8041)
Excellent, classic neighborhood pizzeria with a thin, crispy crust. Good spot to celebrate with the team over beer and pizza. Expect a wait during peak times. - Old World Pizza.
(242 1/2 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.9321)
Brick-oven pizza with fresh mozzarella and high-quality toppings. Eat it quickly because the crust quickly loses its oomph. You can also get a good meatball parm or Italian sub. - Romeo's.
(10 Schalks Crossing Road,
Plainsboro)
Good neighborhood pizzeria and decent home-style Italian specialties. The best place in the area to get a cheese steak. - Pizza Star.
(301 North Harrison Street, Princeton;
609.921.7422)
Greasy, but good, traditional pizza joint in the Princeton Shopping Center. - Iano's Rosticceria.
(86 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.5515)
Popular student pizza. - Massimo's Pizza.
(124 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.0777)
Good place to pick up a slice.
Teresa's also serves excellent pizzetas.
Princeton University
- Prospect
House Garden Room.
The University's faculty club features a dramatic view of Prospect Garden. A great spot for Sunday brunch (offered once per month). Not open for dinner or on weekends, except for special events. Payment is via University ID only. - Rockefeller
Mathey Dining Hall.
Recently renovated all-you-can-eat undergraduate dining hall. The food and presentation is much improved. - EQuad Cafe
Located in the lobby of the Engineering Quadrangle. Prepared sandwiches, salads, soups, hot entrees, and Small World coffee. Breakfast and lunch only, Monday through Friday. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm during the academic year. Recommended: Belgian waffle station when available. - Genomics Cafe
Located in the Carl Icahn Laboratory. Prepared sandwiches, salads, soups, hot entrees, and Small World coffee. Open Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm during the academic year. - Woodrow
Wilson Cafe.
Features a la carte made-to-order salads, sandwiches, wraps, and hot entrees.
Sandwiches
- Olives.
(22 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.921.1569)
A great take-out spot for fresh salads, baked goods, hot specials, and first-rate sandwiches. My favorites include the Moussaka, Spanokopita, and freshly baked muffins. No seating. They also do alot of catering. - The Original SoupMan.
(30 Palmer Square East, Princeton,
609.497.0008)
From the famed Soup Nazi in Manhattan and popularized by Seinfeld. The soup is expensive, but well worth it. The regulars swoon over the lobster bisque; my favorite is the seafood chowder. They also serve paninis, salads, and smoothies. - Cox's Market.
(180 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.6269)
A great take-out spot for fresh salads and gourmet subs. No seating. - Moondoggie Cafe.
(33 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.252.0300)
Decent deli sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and soups. Good fruit smoothies. Popular with Princeton students. - Panera Bread.
(136 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.683.5222)
It's a big chain, so you know what to expect. Decent sandwiches. - George's Roasters and Ribs.
(244 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.252.0419)
Quick, cheap, and large-portioned subs. The food is better than Hoagie Haven, but it doesn't have the same loyal following. - Hoagie Haven.
(
242 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.921.7723)
A Princeton landmark serving up quick hoagies. Extremely popular among high-school and college students. Very inexpensive sandwiches, burgers, cheese steaks, and meatball parms. No seating, but you can eat on the benches outside. Open until 1am. - Subway.
(18 Witherspoon Street,
Princeton; 609.924.5063)
No explanation needed. - Chuck's Spring Street Cafe.
(16 Spring Street, Princeton;
609.921.0027)
Cheap and quick. They're best known for their buffalo wings. - PJs Pancake House.
(154 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.1353)
Be prepared to wait in long lines for Sunday brunch. The food is mediocre and overpriced, and the service is poor, but it's as popular as ever. - Carousel.
(182 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.924.2677)
Institutional decor meets lousy diner food. Best thing to order: tuna melt and sweet potato fries.
Seafood
- Blue Point Grill.
(258
Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.921.1211)
The best seafood in the area and one of my favorite restaurants. Zagat 25. Impeccably fresh seafood, cooked to perfection. The grilled fish is simply prepared (usually with capers, lemon, and butter) to highlight the fish. Sides of garlic smashed potatoes and creamed spinach are the perfect accompaniment. Also features a raw oyster bar. My favorites are the Australian Baramundi and George's Banks Lemon Sole. The Day Boat Maine Sea Scallops are also recommended. The menu offers little for non-seafood lovers. Not open for lunch. No reservations, so be prepared to wait on the weekends. But you can call ahead for seating during the week. - Big Fish Seafood Bistro.
(3535 Route 1 South, Princeton;
609.919.1179)
Not in the same league as Blue Point, but it's conveniently located in the Market Fair Mall, near the movie theater. Also a popular spot for drinks.
Steakhouse
- Witherspoon Grill.
(57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton;
609.924.6011)
Classic American steakhouse. Hand-selected steaks and dry-aged beef. Same owners as Blue Point Grill. The bar is rather yuppie, but there is nice outdoor seating when the weather is nice. - Salt Creek Grille.
(1 Rockingham Row, Princeton;
609.419.4200)
Located in the Princeton Forrestal Village.
Thai / Malaysian / Vietnamese
The recent opening of Tom Yum Goong was a blessing for Princeton Thai-lovers.- Origin.
(25 Division Street, Somerville;
908.685.1344)
Excellent, upscale (yet modestly priced) French-Thai BYO. Zagat 26 for food. Well worth the 30-minute trip to Somerville. Warning: website plays annoying music. - Tom Yum Goong.
(354 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.921.2003)
The best place to get Thai food in Princeton and one of my favorite restaurants. The food is authentic and very tasty. My favorite dishes include the Tom Yum Seafood Soup (it's heavenly), Seafood Firehouse, and the Crab Fried Rice. If you go with a group, try the Thai Sticks. I go there about a week, usually for takeout and always come away happy. The service is spotty at times, and the prices are on the expensive side for Thai food, but I highly recommend it. - Pad Thai.
(217 Route 27, Highland Park; 732.247.9636)
Authentic and very flavorful Thai food at bargain prices. - Chao Phaya Thai Cuisine.
(9 Davenport Street, Somerville; 908.231.0655)
Spicy and good Thai food. Large menu, good BYO for a group. - Aroma Royal Thai
Cuisine.
(3175-3
Route 27 South, Franklin Park; 732.422.9300)
Good, authentic, inexpensive Thai food. Despite being located in a strip mall, the interior of the restaurant is lavishly decorated and many of the dishes arrive with beautiful presentations. - Penang.
(635 Nassau Park Blvd., Princeton;
609.897.9088)
A limited chain serving up tasty Malayasian / Thai food. Located in the shopping mall next to Home Depot. A good BYO for a large group. Recommended dishes: Roti Canai, Peanut Pancake, and Mango Chicken. - Pho Anh Dao.
(1483
Franklin Mall, Route 27 South, Somerset; 732.246.1788)
Has the ambiance of a strip mall, but the food is good and cheap. Try the Vietnamese pancake. - Thai Village.
(235 Nassau Street, Princeton;
609.683.3896)
It's not authentic, and it's not particularly good. You're much better off at Tom Yum Goong.
Vegetarian
- Zen Pallate.
(301 North Harrison Street, Princeton;
609.279.9888)
Asian vegetarian cuisine in the Princeton Shopping Center. Their flagship restaurant in NYC was voted best vegetarian restaurant by Zagat. I haven't been to either.
Wine
- Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop.
(49 Hulfish Street, Princeton;
609.430.1200)
The only place I go to buy wine. Wine snobs are impressed by the selection of boutique wines. But don't worry, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and they'll help you pick out the perfect wine on any budget.
Restaurant Review Links
- The Artful Diner.
A freelance food writer in New Jersey. - Chowhound.
A blog for foodies. - Chef Moz.
Dining guide that is part of the Open Directory Project. - Zagat Survey.
Trusted restaurant ratings and reviews. Requires a membership. - Point
Restaurant Reviews.
Lots of student reviews. Requires a Princeton netid. - The
Student Guide to Princeton.
Student restaurant guide. - Yelp.
Real people, real reviews.