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 10+ years. Bon appetit!

Here are my personal favorite restaurants in Princeton.

African. Makedas
American–New. Blue Bottle Cafe, Peacock Inn
Bakery. Chez Alice, Witherspoon Bread Company
Bar and Pub. Triumph
Chinese. Szechuan House
Coffee and Tea. Small World
Diner.
European. Fedora Cafe
French–New. Rat's
Gourmet / Specialty Food Markets. Dutch Farmers' Market
Greek / Middle Eastern. Cedar's
Grocery / Supermarket. Wegmans
Ice Cream / Desserts. Bent Spoon
Indian. Cross Culture
Italian. Teresa Caffe
Japanese / Sushi. Ajihei
Korean. Soonja's
Mexican. Chapin
Pizza. Osteria Procaccini, Nomad, De Lorenzo's
Princeton University and IAS. Prospect House
Sandwiches and Deli. D'Angelo Italian Market
Seafood. Blue Point Grill
Steakhouse. Witherspoon Grill
Thai / Malaysian / Vietnamese. Origin
Wine and Liquor. Corkscrew

African

Makedas (338 George Street, New Brunswick; 732.545.5115)
The only Ethiopian place anywhere near Princeton. Sit at a Mesob (table made out of a basket) and don't bother with silverware. Live African music on the weekends.

American–New

Blue Bottle Cafe. (101 East Broad Street, Hopewell; 609.333.1710)
Among the best BYOs (if not the best) in the area and extremely popular among foodies. 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), any entree that comes with those amazing lobster mashed potatoes. Closed Sunday and Monday. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
The Peacock Inn Restaurant. (20 Bayard Lane, Princeton; 609.924.1707)
Chef Manuel Perez (previously at Nicholas and Le Bernardin) serves up contemporary, seasonal dishes in an 18th century colonial mansion. The five-course tasting menu was the best overall meal I've had in Princeton. The pinnacle was the pan-fried ricotta gnocchi, which were truly divine. The service is uneven for a restaurant of this stature.
Elements. (163 Bayard Lane, Princeton; 609.924.0078)
Interpretive American cuisine, focusing on locally grown, sustainable products in a sleek and modern space. Fans rave that it's fine NYC dining in Princeton, but I found the food and service inconsistent for the hefty price. The desserts, especially the cobblers, are inspired, Has a liquor license.
One 53. (153 Washington Street, Rocky Hill; 609.924.1019)
Exceptional food (usually) within 10 minutes of Princeton. Try the Griggstown chicken, Seared Diver Scallops, or pasta specials, and save room for dessert. The Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Bourbon Sauce is outstanding; the Chocolate Souffle and Hazelnut Dacquise with Mocha Chantilly are even better. They also serve up some excellent burgers. The service can be slow when they're slammed.
Ferry House (32 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.2488)
Chef Bobby Trigg's first-rate French-New American cuisine. Expensive, but a great place to celebrate a special occasion.
BT Bistro (3499 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.919.9403)
Chef Bobby Trigg's casual Ferry House outpost. Located in the Clarion Hotel Palmer Inn on US 1.
Acacia. (2637 Main Street, Lawrenceville; 609.895.9885)
Lawrenceville BYO. This used to be a foodie favorite, but after a change in ownership, the food has lost its pizazz.
Za Restaurant. (147 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington; 609.737.4000)
A foodie favorite with "cross-cultural comfort cuisine."
Chambers Walk Cafe and Catering. (2667 Main Street, Lawrenceville; 609.896.5995)
Apparently it's Lawrenceville's best keep secret BYO.
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.
Crystal Garden. (102 Carnegie Center, Princeton; 609.734.4200)
Located in the Hyatt Regency Princeton.
Bobby's Burger Palace. Bobby Flay's upscale fast food chain, to open in the Marketfair mall.

Bakery

Chez Alice. (5 Palmer Square West, Princeton; 609.921.6760)
Awesome desserts and pastries, especially their almond croissiants. They also have an output 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 Route 33, Hamilton; 609.631.9133)
Fans rave that it's the best place to get pastries and tarts in the area.
Witherspoon Bread Company. (74 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.688.0188)
Best bread in town. They also have great flatbread pizza, foccacias, and sandwiches for a quick bite.
Dispensa. (65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.5100)
Fresh bake panini kiosk at the Princeton Public Library serving pastries, panini, and foccacia, supplied by the Witherspoon Bread Company.
The Little Chef Pastry Shop. (8 South Tulane Street, Princeton; 609.924.5335)
Hole-in-the-wall French bakery with unbelievably good croissants.
Main Street Eatery and Gourmet Bakery (56 Main Street, Kingston; 609.921.2778)
Tasty hand-made pastries, pies, and tarts for takeout or dine-in. Also a selection of sandwiches and salads.
House of Cupcakes. (30 Witherspoon St., Princeton; 609.924.0085)
Hoping for a Magnolia Bakery in Princeton? Sorry, this isn't it. Teensy, overpriced, but beautifully decorated cupcakes. The cupcakes themselves are inconsistent—sometimes dry and sometimes moist. My favorite is the peanut butter icing. Winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars.
Bagel Barn. (1225 Route 206 North, Skillman; 609.497.9555)
Best bagels in the area (though not much competition).
Bagel Street Grill. (660 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro; 609.936.1755)
Bagels, breakfast, and deli sandwiches. Located in the Princeton Meadows Shopping Center.

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.
The Princeton Sports Bar & Grill. (128 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.921.7555)
Princeton's only (subterranean) sports bar.
Formerly Sotto Restauarnt.
Metro North Bar and Grill (378 Alexander Road, Princeton; 609.454.3121)
Burgers, pizza, pasta, and grilled meats. Mid-priced and family friendly.
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.
Ivy Inn. (248 Nassau St., Princeton; 609.921.8555)
Dive bar.
Tiger's Tale. (1290 Route 206 South, Montgomery; 609.924.0262)
Local sports bar.
Rocky Hill Inn. (137 Washington Street, Rocky Hill; 609.683.8930)
Eatery and tavern with over a dozen craft beers on tap.
Hillbilly Hall. (203 Hopewell-Werstville Road, Hopewell; 609.466.9856)
Old-time family tavern and restaurant.

Chinese

Szechuan House. (2022 Nottingham Way, Mercerville, NJ 08619; 609.890.7600)
My favorite Chinese restaurant in all of Central New Jersey. It's authentic hot and spicy home-style Szechuan. Definitely worth the trip. Highly recommended: hot peppers and diced chicken.
Shanghai Park. (301 North Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.924.8001)
Authentic Chinese and a favorite among Chinese grad students. Dim sum served Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Recommended dishes: Diced Fried Chicken with Dry Hot Peppers, Pork Steamed Juicy Bun (Shanghai style), Minced Chicken with Corn Chowder Soup, Two Flavor Chicken.
PF Changs China Bistro. (3545 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.799.5163)
Popular and tasty upscale American Chinese restaurant chain in the Market Fair mall. My favorite dish is their twist on Kung Pao Shrimp.
Hunan Chinese Restaurant. (157 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.921.6950)
Affordable and tasty Americanized Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian food. Hiddent away a few blocks north of the public library.
Tiger Noodles. (260 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.252.0663)
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)
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.
Closed.
Szechuan Ace. (1721 Route 27, Somerset; 732.937.9330)
Szechuan and Shanghai cuisine.
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.
Lin's Kosher Chinese Kitchen. (244 South Main Street, Manville; 908.722.8668)
Kosher-certified Chinese restaurant.
Sultan Wok and Sushi. (354 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.683.9666)
Burned down.
Karen's Chinese Restaurant. (36 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.683.1968)
Closed.

Coffee and Tea

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 the same coffee, but less ambiance.
Infini-T Cafe Spice Souk. (4 Hulfish Street, Princeton; 609.454-3959)
Tea cafe and spice market to open later this year.
Holsome Teas and Herbs. (27 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.279-1592)
Wide selection of teas and Chinese herbal products.
Starbucks. (100 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.279.9204)
Yes, even Princeton has one. In addition to coffee, they sell the Sunday New York Times.
Rojo's Roastery. (243 North Union Street, Suite 150, Lambertville; 609.397.0040)
Small-batch, artisan coffee roaster that uses a vintage gas-fired Probat UG-15 roaster. I don't know what that is, but it looks like they take their coffee very seriously.

You can also grab a cup of coffee at Chez Alice, The Little Chef, Panera, or Witherspoon's in the Frist campus center.

Diner

Princetonian Diner (3509 US Highway 1 South, Princeton; 609.452.2272)
Standard diner grub; open until 2pm.
Americana Diner (359 Route 130 N, East Windsor; 609.448.4477)
Carousel. (182 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.2677)
Institutional decor meets lousy diner food. Best thing to order: tuna melt and sweet potato fries.

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 and Restaurant. (4 Hulfish Street, Princeton; 609.924.0666)
Bulgarian food that's not particularly good.
.Closed.
Hopewell Valley Bistro. (15 East Broad Street, Hopewell; 609.466.9889)
Homestyle cooking, featuring Hungarian dishes.

French–New

If you want fine French food, go to Philly or New York.

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. Critics say it's overpriced and pretentious, but it's cheaper than going to Giverny. They offer a fancy Sunday brunch. Executive chef, Kevin Sbraga, was the winner of Top Chef, Season 7.
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.
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.
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.
Closed after 91 years.

Gourmet / Specialty Food Markets

Princeton has Some outstanding specialty food markets.

Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers' 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 from Stoltzfus'. And don't miss out on the chicken pot pies. Located in the Kingston Mall. Open Thursday through Saturday.
D'Angelo Italian Market. (35 Spring Street, Princeton; 609.924.7755)
Excellent gourmet Italian market, salumeria, panineria, and espresso bar. Also serves up artisan pizza, stromboli, and calzones. My favorites include the prosciutto bread, chicken parmisan, lasagna, and chicken pot pies. Also an excellent option for catering.
Princeton Farmers' Market. (55 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.8431)
Fresh picked summer produce and locally-produced food. Now located next to the Princeton Public Library every Thursday from 11 am to 4pm, May 26 through November 19, 2011.
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, and fancy teas. Grab an upscale sandwiches, salad, or pastry and eat in the adjoining dining room. I highly recommend the baguettes, especially when they're fresh from the oven.
Olsson's Fine Foods. (53 Palmer Square West, Princeton; 609.924.2210)
Fromagerie and gourmet food shop, with over 200 cheeses, local meats, olives, and much more.
Carter and Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company. (27 Palmer Square West, Princeton; 609.356.0215)
Fancy olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Bread provided for dipping and sampling.
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 and pet the farm animals.
Trenton Farmers' Market. (960 Spruce Street, Trenton; 609.695.2998)
Best place to get fresh produce. You can also get Italian meats, cheeses, pastries, and dairy.

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.
Sahara Restaurant. (1325 Route 206, Skillman; 609.921.8336)
Authentic Lebanese cuisine with many vegetarian and vegan options. In the Montgomery Shopping Center, near the Montgomery Cinema.
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).

Grocery / Supermarket

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.
Trader Joe's. (3258 Route 1 North, Princeton; 609.897.05816)
Princeton finally has a Trader Joe's.
Whole Foods. (3495 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.799.2919)
The world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods.
McCaffrey's. (301 Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.683.1600)
Upscale, but overpriced supermarket in the Princeton Shopping Center.
ShopRite. (1325 Route 206 North, Skillman; 609.279.9800)
Inexpensive supermarket.
Great Wall Supermarket. (3151 Route 27 South, Franklin Park; 732.940.0685)
Enormous Asian (mostly Chinese) supermarket with aisles of sauces, fresh fish (some are swimming in tanks), frozen dumplings, fresh produce, and everything else you might imagine.
Asian Food Markets of Plainsboro. (660 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro; 609.799.1828)
Massive Asian supermarket and bakery anchoring the Princeton Meadows strip mall.
Olive May. (225 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.4993)
Closed.
Whole Earth Center. (360 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.7421)
Organic heath food store.
La Mexicana. (150 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.279.9404)
Specializes in Mexican and Guatemalan groceries. Next to Chapin Restaurant.
Lupita Groceries. (50 Leigh Avenue, Princeton; 609.279.1905)
Specializes in Mexican groceries.
WaWa. (140 University Place, Princeton; 609.921.3677)
Deli and convenience store, located near the Dinky. Open 24 hours a day, the Wa is a popular late night destination for hungry students.
Speedy Mart. (55 State Road, Princeton; 609.924.3006)
Open 24 hours a day.

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.
Thomas Sweet Cafe. (1330 Route 206, Skillman; 609.430.2828)
Located across the street from Montgomery Cinemas.
Thomas Sweet Chocolates. (29 Palmer Square West, Princeton; 609.924.7222)
Hand-crafted chocolates.
Uncle Louie G's. (124 Nassau Street, Princeton; 732.930.1803)
Italian ices and homemade ice cream. The latest addition to Princeton's frozen dessert scene. I find the ices too sweet (high fructose corn syrup) and the sugar-free (SF) ones leave an artificial sweetener aftertaste.
Twist Yogurt. (84 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.454.3057)
Self-serve frozen yogurt lounge. Popular hangout spot for students.
Fruity Yogurt. (166 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.454.3057)
Non-fat frozen yogurt, smoothies, shaved ice, and bubble tea.
Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos. (140 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.430.9077)
Closed.
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 food in surrounding towns, especially Edison.

Cross Culture. (301 North Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.688.9400)
Everyone's new favorite Indian restaurant in Princeton. Located in the Princeton shopping center.
Udipi Cafe. (3029 Route 27, Franklin Park; 732.422.8301)
Excellent southern Indian (On Route 27 just north of the Great Wall supermarket). 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.
Myilai Masala. (3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton; 609.921.0500)
Authentic Indian vegetarian. Fans proclaim they serve the best dosas in New Jersey.
Masala Grill. (19 Chambers Street, Princeton; 609.921.0500)
The best naan 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)
Good lunch buffet. They have a high tea on Sunday afternoons.
Passage to India. (2495 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville; 609.637.0800)
Indian Hut Curry and Cakes. ( 10 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro; 609.936.8484)
Indian restaurant and bakery.
Paratha Junction. (3201 Route 27, Franklin Park; 732.940.1005)
Decent breads and tandoori in mall just south of Great Wall supermarket.
India Hut. (10 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro; 609.750.0196)
North Indian, South Indian and Indian-style Chinese cuisine.
Tandoori Bite Indian Cuisine. (36 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.279.9700)
Cheap lunch buffet.
Palace of India. (235A Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.688.8923)
The food is bland and heavy. Features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.
Formerly Kalluri Corner.

Italian

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.
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.
Avanti Ristorante Italiano (23 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington; 609.737.7174)
A cozy neighborhood Italian BYO. Simple, but well-prepared Sicilian cooking. Try the Jersey tomato salad (in season), Braciole over spaghetti, or Veal Francaise.
Eno Terra (4484 Route 27, Kingston; 609.497.1777)
A new wine and bar restaurant featuring modern Italian cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients. The salumi and formaggi was exceptional and reminded me of Italy. The hand-cut tagliatelle with grilled garlic sausage, fava beans, grilled onions and sorrel was also wonderful. I also enjoyed the Terhune pear and cranberry crumble with cinnamon ice cream. Unfortunately, the hand-rolled potato gnocchi was an inedible mushy mess.
Camillo's Cafe. (301 North Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.252.0608)
A new BYO "Cucina Autentica Italiana" with terrific homemade pasta. Highly recommended.
Gennaro's (47 State Road #B, Princeton; 609.497.2774)
Authentic, Italian classics.
Enzo's La Piccola Cucina (1906 Princeton Avenue, Lawrenceville; 609.396.9868)
Authentic, homemade, family-run, Italian BYO. Neighborhood atmosphere with Sicilian-sized entrees. Recommended dishes: Chicken Alla Enzo and Chicken Marsala.
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)
Upscale Mediterranean restaurant in the Terra Momo group with a liquor license. Excellent bread (from Witherspoon Bread Company), but I find the entrees to be overpriced for what you get.
Vidalia. (21 Phillips Avenue, Lawrenceville; 609.896.4444)
Cozy Italian BYO with wonderful and authentic Italian food.
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 South, 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.
Olive Garden. (3345 Route 1 South, Lawrenceville; 609.987.9207)
Unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks don't make up for the bland, institutional food. Hidden away in the Mercer Mall.

Japanese / Sushi

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. The chef/owner Koji Kitamura used to work at Nobu. 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. Traditional Japanese decor, similar to what you'd find in Tokyo. It's a bit hard to find, but well worth the trip.
Shumi Restaurant. (30 South Doughty Avenue, Somervile; 609.397.9228)
Fans rave that this hidden sushi gem serves up some of the best and freshest sushi in the Northeast. Sit at the sushi bar and ask for the Chef's special.
Ota-Ya. (21 Ferry Street, Lambertville; 609.397.9228)
Great sushi, especially the Chief's Special Rolls.
Masa 8 Sushi. (160 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road, Lawrenceville; 609.896.3338)
Lawrenceville sushi. On my list of places to try.
Hanami. (15 Farber Road, Princeton; 609.520.1881)
Formerly Sunny Garden. Upscale Japanese and sushi cuisine. It also has a traditional Chinese menu.
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, NJ 08542; 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)
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.
Closed.
Zen Modern Asian. (66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.683.8323)
Asian fusion in a peaceful setting.
Tomo Sushi. (236 Nassau Street; Princeton; 609.924.8478)
Inexpensive sushi. A popular takeout spot, especially for lunch.
Moc Moc Japanese Cuisine. (14 South Tulane Street; Princeton; 609.688-8788)
Japanese cuisine and sushi. Pronounced Moe-Shee Moe-Shee, the Japanese word for hello. Opened in March, 2010.
Sushi Palace. (4437 Route 27, Princeton; 609.924.2882)
Sushi in the Kingston Mall Shopping Center. Featuring an all-you-can-eat sushi bar.

You can also find sushi at Soonja's Cafe, Shanghai Park, Wegmans, and Nassau Street Seafood.

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).
Kimchi Hana. (South Plainfield, in the Middlesex Mall)

Nassau Sushi and Tokyo Japanese Restaurant also serve up a number of Korean specialties.

Mexican

Hard to find good Mexican in Princeton. Your best bet is to go to New Brunswick.

Chapin Restaurant. (146 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.5772)
Hole-in-the-wall Guatemalan and Mexican takeout joint serving up superior tacos and guacamole.
Tortuga's Mexican Village. (44 Leigh Avenue, Princeton; 609.924.5143)
Taste of Mexico. (301 North Harrison Street, Princeton; 609.252.1575)
In the Princeton shopping center. They have a new outpost at 180 Nassau Street.
Chevy's. (3371 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.452.7070)
My favorite of the Tex-Mex chains on Route 1. Located in the Mercer Mall.
Qdoba Mexican Grill. (140 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.921.2031)
Another Tex-Mex chain.
On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina. (3567 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.987.9222)
Another Tex-Mex chain.
Chili's Grill and Bar. (3465 Route 1 South, Princeton; 609.987.8020)
Another Tex-Mex chain.
Kaliente Mexican Grille. (235 Nassau Street, Princeton)
A cheap Mexican restaurant run by the owners of Palace of India.

Pizza

Pizza aficionados are blessed with three heavyweight options: Osteria Procaccini, Nomad, and De Lorenzo's.

Osteria Procaccini. (4428 Route 27 North, Kingston; 609.688.0007)
Open-fire terra cotta brick oven pizza, made from sustainable, organic, and local ingredients. Their crispy thin-crust pies are so extraordinary that you won't be willing to share. The menu also features insalada, panini, and antipasto. It's a tiny place with only a few indoor and outdoor tables, so come early or be prepared to wait. My new favorite pizzeria in the area.
Nomad Pizza. (10 East Broad Street, Hopewell; 609.466.6623)
Pizzaiolo Tom Grim serves up Neapolitan-style artisan pizza that is so phenomenal you won't mind the erratic service and long waits. The toppings are made with only the finest organic and locally-sourced ingredients; the result is pizza nirvana. On nice evenings, dine outside on the patio, overlooking their delectable herb garden. For parties, book their pizza truck—a 1949 REO Speedwagon truck equipped with a wood-fired brick-oven and kitchen.
De Lorenzo's (Hudson) Tomato Pies. (2350 US Highway 33, Robbinsville 609.341.8480)
Rabid fans rave that it's the best pizza in the area (and every bit as good as the ones they served at their original Hudson location). Their "tomato pie" has tomatoes on top and the cheese underneath. Run by Chick De Lorenzo's son-in-law, Gary Amico. The new location has bathrooms and takes credit cards. Arrive 45 minutes prior to opening or be prepared to wait.
De Lorenzo's (Hamilton) Pizza. (1007 Hamilton Ave, Trenton; 609.393.2952)
Other rabid fans rave that it's the best pizza in the area. Run by Rick De Lorenzo's son, Rick De Lorenzo Jr. Don't be deceived by their 3100 Quakerbridge Road outpost—this one serves generic strip-mall pizza, tarnishing the reputation of the original.
Massimo's Cafe. (124 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.0777)
Good place to pick up a slice or order for delivery. I'm a big fan of their Brooklyn-style pie.
Conte's. (339 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.921.8041)
Neighborhood pizzeria with a thin, crispy crust. Good spot to celebrate with the team over beer and pizza. Expect long waits 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 calzone.
Naked Pizza. (180 Nassau Street, Princeton)
Coming soon.
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.
Amalfi's Pizzeria and Restaurant. (146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road, Lawrenceville; 609.912.1599)
Family-owned and operated Lawrenceville pizzeria with full bar.
Valentino's Pizzeria and Trattoria. (110 Rockingham Row, Princeton; 561.293.3405)
Pizza, pasta, and sandwiches in Forrestal Village.
Papa John's. (175 Washington Road, Princeton; 609.419.0900)
Cheap pizza, delivered to your dorm.
Domino's Pizza. (41 Princeton-Hightstown Road, Princeton Junction; 609.688.6870)
Chain pizzeria.

Teresa's and D'Angelo Italian Market also serves excellent pizzetas.

Princeton University and IAS

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.
Food Gallery at Frist.
Located on the A level of the Frist Campus Center.
Witherspoon's.
Featuring coffee from Small World, ice cream from Bent Spoon, and fresh pastries. Located on the 100 level of the Frist Campus Center.
Cafe Vivian.
Organic, sustainable, and local food. Located on the 100 level of the Frist Campus Center.
The C-Store.
Mini convenience store. Located on the 100 level of the Frist Campus Center.
Institute for Advanced Studies Dining Hall.
The Institute provides excellent lunches during the week and afternoon tea and cookies.

Sandwiches and Deli

Olives Deli and Bakery. (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.
Cox's Market. (180 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.6269)
A great take-out spot for fresh salads and gourmet subs. No seating.
Red Onion. (20 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.6667)
Gourmet deliatessen.
Princeton Soup and Sandwich Company. (30 Palmer Square East, Princeton, 609.497.0008)
Formerly the Original Soup Man from the famed Seinfeld soup nazi, but seems to have gone downhill with the new management. They also serve paninis, salads, and smoothies.
Tico's Eatery and Juice Bar. (33 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.252.0300)
Decent deli sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and soups. Good fruit smoothies. Popular with Princeton students.
Formerly the Moondoggie Cafe.
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.
Molisana Deli. (266 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.9555)
Deli directly across from the University Medical Center.
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.
The Orchard Cafe (59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton; 609.269.8762)
This hole-in-the-wall-inside-the-YMCA/YWCA offers soups and sandwiches.

D'Angelo Italian Market also serves up some excellent hoagies.

Seafood

Blue Point Grill. (258 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.921.1211)
The best seafood in the area and one of my favorite restaurants. 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.
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 serve boxed-lunch fish sandwiches, which are very tasty and inexpensive. You can eat lunch outside at the Blue Point Grill, next door.
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.
Calico Grill. (180 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.0500)
A BYO with Asian-Pacific influences, specializing in fresh fish.
Closed.

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.
Ruth's Chris Steak House. (2 Village Blvd., Princeton; 609.452.0041)
Upscale steakhouse chain whose signature is serving prime steaks that are seared at 1800° Fahrenheit.
On the Bone. (4355 Route 1, Princeton; 609.514.2663)
Steakhouse attached to the Doubletree hotel.
Charlie Brown's Steakhouse. (4491 Route 27, Kingston; 609.924.7400)
New Jersey's largest steakhouse chain.
Closed.

Thai / Malaysian / Vietnamese

Origin. (25 Division Street, Somerville; 908.685.1344)
Excellent, upscale (yet modestly priced) French-Thai BYO. 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 once 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.
Sadly, a fire destroyed the restaurant on July 31, 2009. I will be among the first in line when it re-opens.
Tom Yum Goong II. (72 Princeton Hightstown Road, East Windsor; 609.443.1088)
Brought to you by the owner of Tom Yum Goong.
Rhong Tiam. (660 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro; 609.799.1888)
Authentic (and spicy) Bangkok cuisine. Highly recommended for Thai foodies. Nice decor, but spotty service. The food at dinner seems much better than at lunch. Located next to the Asian Food Center in the Princeton Meadows strip mall. Its sister restaurant in Greenwich Village earned a Michelin star in 2009.
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 (just south of Great Wall supermarket), the interior of the restaurant is lavishly decorated and many of the dishes arrive with beautiful presentations.
Da's Thai American Cafe (59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton; 609.356.8913)
This hole-in-the-wall-inside-the-YMCA/YWCA serves up some surprising good Thai food. I'm not a big fan of their curries, but I've enjoyed the noodle dishes.
Closed. Reopening at 21 E. Broad St. in Hopewell in Fall, 2011.
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 99. (3151 Route 27 South, Franklin Park; 732.821.1828)
A tasty Vietnamese pho joint in the same mall as the Great Wall Supermarket. I especially enjoyed the rice vermicelli soup Hue style, fried egg rolls, and seafood crepes.
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. Favorite dish: pad see ew.

Hunan Chinese also serves Vietnamese and Malaysian dishes.

Wine and Liquor

Local liquor licenses are scarce, so most Princeton restaurants are BYO.

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 hand-crafted and family-owned wines and also by the refrigerated shop. But don't worry, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and they'll help you pick out the perfect wine on any budget.
CoolVines. (21 Spring Street, Princeton; 609.924.0038)
Wines arranged by style instead of region. Also features hand-crafter beers and spirits. Hosts wine tastings every Saturday 2-5pm.
Formerly at 344 Nassau Street.
Community Liquors. (23 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609.924.0750)
Conveniently located on Witherspoon Street, across from many BYOs.
Varsity Liquor. (234 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.0836)
Small store, but relatively good selection of craft beers.
Princeton Wine and Liquor. (174 Nassau Street, Princeton; 609.924.0279)
One of the few places in town to get ice for parties.
Claridge Wine and Liquor. (301 North Harrison Street #16, Princeton; 609.924.5700)
Located in the Princeton shopping center.
Wegman's Wine and Spirits. (240 Nassau Park Blvd, Princeton; 609.919.9370)
Adjacent to the Wegman's supermarket.
Joe Canal's Discount Liquor Outlet. (3375 Route 1 South, Lawrenceville; 609.520.0008)
Located in the Mercer Mall.

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.
OpenTable.
Restaurant reservations.
Princeton Menus.
Menus from several Princeton restaurants (but some are out of date).