By Mary Abitanto

Whether you are catching up with an old friend; entertaining clients, colleagues, or guests from out of town; or celebrating a big occasion, the Princeton bar/restaurant scene truly has something for everyone. Here are a few of my favorite bars nestled right in the heart of Princeton, along with a few outliers.

Jose, Mariano, Mirelli, Byron, and Jaimie at Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna is an expansive restaurant located at 29 Hullfish Street (mediterrarestaurant.com) that has a sophisticated ambiance with a homey and welcoming atmosphere along with plenty of al fresco dining. You are immediately greeted by the host/hostess or the managers Anthony, Rich, or Jeff, who set the warm tone for the restaurant. At that moment, you know you will have a great night and an exceptional dining experience.

Happy Hour is filled with savory tapas. Some popular ones are Papas Bravas (fried potatoes), Chickpea Hummus, and Arancini, which are rice balls stuffed with beef Bolognese — these are Mediterranean-inspired. They have an assortment of delicious wines, crisp prosecco and champagne, beer, or white or red sangria to share with a friend. The bright orange hued El Jeffe is a fan favorite with its spicy rim. Bartenders Byron and Jose, barback Mariano, and bar manager Jaime (formerly of Teresa’s Pizza and Wine Bar, another delicious place to dine) have been there for decades, clearly a reflection of great management. Owners Raoul and Carlo Momo have set the “bar” high.

Dinner at Mediterra never disappoints. One of the restaurant’s distinguishing qualities is the training of their wait staff, who are truly professional and treat you as a valued customer. Choose from an assortment of pastas, chicken, fish, and paella, which is a very popular dish — Mediterra has a strong Spanish influence. For those living a vegetarian lifestyle, they offer pastaless vegetable lasagna. They also have Sunday Brunch. For private events, a large space with high-top seating in the bar is available, as is more space for large gatherings in the restaurant.

Mediterra proudly sources their ingredients locally from Blue Moon Acres, Cherry Grove Farm, Terhune Orchards, Griggstown Farm, Salumeria Biellese, Verlasso, and the bent spoon.

Witherspoon Grill dining room. (Photo courtesy of Witherspoon Grill)

Witherspoon Grill, located at 57 Witherspoon Street (witherspoongrill.com), offers classic American cuisine with handcrafted cocktails, and boasts a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list and an assortment of craft beers in a refined and upscale setting that has a cozy, stay-a-while vibe. They have live jazz performances every Tuesday evening.

Favorites on the dinner menu include Braised Short Ribs and raw bar specialties, and they are noted for one of the best burgers in town. Executive Chef Alejandro de Casenave’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes stand out among the best in the state. Witherspoon Grill also offers a nice range of soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, and pork chops, and pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients.

It’s a great place to visit and catch up with friends, entertain colleagues and linger over lunch, or celebrate an anniversary or special occasion. You can be guaranteed impeccable service and great attention to detail. They also have amble outdoor seating when the weather permits.

Mistral (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

Mistral is located at 66 Hullfish Street (mistralprinceton.com) and offers an eclectic international menu with an interesting array of cocktails like Blue Suede Shoes — lavender infused vodka, blueberry, ginger beer, and lime — as well as a wide selection of beer and wine. They have a beautiful bar with high-top seating. The seeded spelt loaf on the bar menu made by the chefs at Elements (another fabulous food destination and culinary experience) is my personal favorite. Outdoor seating is also available. Be sure to check out their Happy Hour with food and drink specials — the Salmon Bites are incredible.

Their smaller plates are geared towards sharing and combine ingredients from the ground, the farm, and the sea. The selection of fresh contemporary ingredients ensures exceptional flavor profiles for every dish. They have a creative spin for their classic dishes: “Interpretive-American” fare. They work in collaboration with local purveyors to source the highest quality ingredients.

There is a large room adjacent to the restaurant that offers indoor-outdoor seating for private events. It is also great for corporate events, rehearsal dinners, and more, and they have brunch on weekends.

Below: Agricola dining room. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

Agricola is another sophisticated and swanky bar. Located at 11 Witherspoon Street (agicolaeatery.com), its name means farmer or cultivator. Agricola’s innovative bar menu includes a vast collection of wines, and the industrial-style bar is juxtaposed to its farm-to-table spirit. The high-top tables by the windows overlooking Witherspoon Street are hard to come by, so make a reservation. Everything on the menu is farm-to-table style so you can eat relatively healthy, which is always a bonus. They offer an assortment of starters like Hummus, Tuna Tartare, Wild Mushroom Pate, Burrata, and Bang Bang Cauliflower, which is spicy and delicious paired with some flatbread for a light meal.

Dinner options include fish, chicken, pork chops, pastas, and vegetarian chili, and there is plenty of space for private events.

Alchemist & Barrister. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

Alchemist & Barrister, located at 28 Witherspoon Street (theaandb.com), has a low-key vibe and casual atmosphere. It has two very large bars and plenty of places to mingle, as well as outdoor seating. The menu offers fresh local ingredients with bold and inspiring flavors along with a large selection of cocktails, wine, and draft beer. Appetizers include empanadas, nachos, calamari, spring rolls, Disco Fries, and more. Thay offer a few salad options with protein add-ons, so eating healthy is possible in this quaint bar setting.

Dinner includes options like Shrimp Tacos, Mac ’n’ Cheese, Chicken Quesadilla, Short Rib Birria Tacos, Fish & Chips, a variety of burgers, and sandwiches. It’s an elevated and sophisticated bar menu. They have been in town since 1974!

Triumph Restaurant & Brewery. (Photos courtesy of Triumph Restaurant & Brewery)

Triumph Restaurant & Brewery at 20 Palmer Square (triumphbrewing.com), originally located on Nassau Street, has made a triumphant comeback with its new location in the historic former Princeton Post Office that was built in the 1930s. Richardson Smith Architects, the interior design architect, truly thought of everything including wheelchair accessible seating at the bar, an elevator, and a stunning barrel vault ceiling in the main dining room. The room feels spacious and bright — encasing you like a cocoon where you can dine with friends and family.

Triumph worked collaboratively alongside a team of architects and builders including historic preservation architect Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner, Gittings Associates, and Princeton Design Guild to preserve and rebuild the building and revive it to new life — historic environments anchor communal nostalgia. They even kept elements from the old post office like the mail slot, located in the main dining room, the mural on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the storied catwalk used by the postmaster.

The upstairs Mail Room Lounge is elegant and features a nice variety of wines and a vast collection of beer. They serve yummy appetizers and “shared plates” like Grilled Octopus and Vegetable Kimchi Fritters. Dinner options include chicken, fillet mignon, roasted duck, braised short rib, fish, and more. They are a 2025 Diner’s Choice recipient, and there is live jazz music Friday and Saturday.

Triumph also has a downstairs bar known as Der Keller, “the cellar” in German, that is low-key and casual with a family-friendly vibe. The bar overlooks the brewery, an impressive operation with a wide array of house-brewed beers. It features pub fare and is a great spot for chatting with friends.

Triumph was issued the very first brewpub license in the state of New Jersey when it opened on Nassau Street in 1995, an impressive feat.

The Meeting House dining room. (Photo courtesy of The Meeting House)

The Meeting House, located at 277 Witherspoon Street (themeetinghouseprinceton.com), definitely embodies its name. It’s a modern bistro with a beautiful and elegant bar that has high-top tables. This is a great Girl’s Night Out spot. The flatbread pizza is delicious, and the prosecco is crisp and effervescent and served in a chilled flute. They have many handcrafted cocktails and offer Happy Hour specials with bar bites like Short Rib Sliders, Pepperoni Flatbread, Chicken Bites, and Sweet Pea Guacamole.

Dinner offers a spring grain bowl, cavatelli, fish, fried or roasted chicken, short ribs, pasta, and burgers — simple American fare. They have a great menu, something for everybody. They use local purveyors for their meat, cheeses, and pies — LiLLiPiES provides English muffins for their famous Eggs Benedict, so definitely check out their brunch. There is ample seating in the dining area as well as plenty of al fresco dining, weather permitting, and there is a room for private dining events downstairs.

Come and Stay Awhile

Yankee Doodle Tap Room. (Photo courtesy of The Nassau Inn)

“Rest, Traveler, Rest and Banish thoughts of care. Drink to thy friends and recommend them here.”

—An inscription found at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room

Yankee Doodle Tap Room, right in the heart of Palmer Square in the Nassau Inn at 10 Palmer Square East (nassuainn.com), has an expansive bar that was redesigned in 2023. It’s a tucked-away place to hang with plenty of beers on tap, wine, and tasty snacks. Director of Food and Beverage Virginia Fry says, “We offer gastropub fare food with an updated twist.” They feature appetizers, small plates, salads, burgers, and a variety of entrees to choose from. It’s a great stop after shopping in town. They have a bustling patio with plenty of outdoor seating, and serve breakfast as well.

“It is always fun to show tourists, or even locals, the history of our establishment,” says Fry. “From the distinguished Princeton University alumni photographs hanging on our wall to Albert Einstein’s engraving in one of our booths to most recently being recognized for being on Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors, we have a little something to make everyone excited for a visit.”

Nassau Inn Vice President Lori Rabon says, “Since 1756, the Nassau Inn has long served as a gathering place for notable figures in American history. Today, it offers 188 guest rooms, 12 banquet spaces, and Princeton’s oldest tavern, the Yankee Doodle Tap Room with the iconic Norman Rockwell mural located above the newly designed bar.”

It uniquely combines historic charm with contemporary comfort — it is indeed a historic landmark that is well-preserved.

The Graduate by Hilton Princeton. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

The Graduate by Hilton Princeton is a collegiate-inspired hotel located at 10 Chambers Street (hilton.com) right off Nassau Street. Its captivating ground-floor décor includes seemingly endless stacks of books that adorn the walls from floor to ceiling like a scene right out of Harry Potter. The Ye Tavern Restaurant and Bar features a deep, rich color palette along with ornate light fixtures and elegant drapery that create an inviting and luxurious ambiance for guests.

Director of Sales and Marketing Aleksandra Truglio says, “Graduate Hotels is a lifestyle brand known for its maximalist design, blending local charm and collegiate nostalgia into bold, story-rich spaces.” And you definitely feel that the moment you walk in.

The historic building was built in 1918 and was originally used as a dorm for Princeton University students. The newly built and designed Graduate opened in August 2024 and maintained the architectural integrity of the original building. The Graduate has 180 well-appointed rooms with six suites including a presidential suite.

“Ye Tavern operated in the basement of the original building on Nassau Street in the 1930s, hence the name of the bar,” says Truglio.

Princeton University 25th year anniversary vintage jackets are encased in glass displays. The décor throughout the hotel is all curated designs telling stories about Princeton University with bright Princeton orange and black woven throughout. It’s a lovely gathering space for students, visitors, and anyone in the community.

The bar offers an assortment of handcrafted cocktails that change seasonally. If you don’t know what to order, ask the bartender to make you a drink. “The bar team is super creative,” says Amanda Puskar, director of food and beverage.

Lunch menu options include soups, salads, sandwiches, fish and chips, and more. Dinner options are varied: Beer-Battered Fish, Pan-Seared Branzino, Braised Short Rib, pasta dishes, and more. They now offer brunch on the weekends.

The Graduate is the recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award, which signifies a hotel or restaurant that offers upscale style and amenities, service, and impeccable attention to detail. It is also a pet-friendly hotel.

The Perch at The Peacock Inn. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

The Peacock Inn is a luxury boutique hotel originally built during the colonial era on Nassau Street near what is now University Place. It moved to its present location at 20 Bayard Lane (peacockinn.com) in 1875. It operated a speakeasy in the basement during Prohibition according to its manager, Grant Ross. The drawings on the walls in the speakeasy are now framed and hang in the restaurant’s main dining room — The Perch. The restaurant offers upscale dining with outdoor seating, brunch on the weekends including cocktails and mocktails, and Tea Time with both savory and sweet options. They have 16 rooms with old-world charm. They also have a lovely bar adjacent to the dining area. There are multiple rooms to host private events.

The Princeton landmark once housed Albert Einstein while his home was being built, and has received a prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for the eighth year in a row, one of only 14 AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotels in New Jersey.

It also won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Outliers

Eno Terra exterior. (Photo courtesy of Terra Momo Restaurant Group)

Eno Terra at 4484 Route 27 in Kingston (enoterra.com), also owned by brothers Raoul and Carlo Momo, is a beautiful restaurant with a large bar for gathering for cocktails, wine, or beer. It is known for its impressive wine list and has sommeliers on staff who will personally educate you and pick wine to perfectly complement your dish. The Momo philosophy is drink global and eat local — drawing from local farmers, fishermen, grass-fed beef, and poultry producers. Happy Hour is a must for drink specials and appetizers like my family’s favorite, Bacon Wrapped Dates — because when you know, you know.

Plan to stay for dinner and start with antipasto including Marinated Olives, Pan-Seared Octopus, and Calamari Fritti – just to name a few. Eno Terra has an Italian influence, so you’ll see things on the menu like Ricotta Gnocchi which they make in house, as well as Squid Spaghetti, Cresto De Gallo, and Pappardelle Bolognese along with chicken, steak, and fish options. They too have pastaless vegetable lasagna on their menu like Mediterra — great for the vegetarians in the family.

You are treated as a guest and feel that warmth as soon as you are greeted at the door. If you are planning a party, check out their private room upstairs — it’s perfect for that surprise party or holiday gathering.

Outdoor tiki bar at Erini. (Photo courtesy of Erini)

Chef Nick Fifis is the mastermind behind Erini Restaurant, Bar, and Private Events, located at 1140 River Road in Ewing Township (erinirestaurant.com). It is a multi-seasonal food destination. In early spring through fall you’ll enjoy al fresco dining including a relaxed island-style vibe with tall palms and a tiki bar made and designed by Fifis. He handpicks plants (including canna lillies and ornamental grass, creating living privacy walls) to create a lush landscape that is truly something for the eyes to behold. Erini, which means “peace” in Greek, is a fitting name for the restaurant. They also have cozy indoor seating.

“My vision for the restaurant when I opened was to create a place where you could escape the chaos of everyday life and transport yourself to the perfect getaway,” says Fifis.

He transformed a simple space into a living masterpiece so guests can have a multi-sensory experience — it’s an extension of his artistic palette on full display. He is exemplary in his desire to create an interactive experience with a vibrant ambiance, including during the holidays when he has illuminating Christmas displays. Chef Nick truly does it all. They even have a waterfall — a great place to sit near for an extra special night out.

Fifis was inspired growing up by his grandmother (“Yia Yia” in Greek), Erini, who lived in the Philadelphia area and had large dinners nearly every night. He uses recipes from his family and his experience as an executive chef in Philly-area restaurants to inspire his menu at Erini. Although he is Greek, his menu is influenced by classic American fare and Mediterranean cuisine like grilled octopus, seafood, steaks, chops, veal, and chicken. And don’t forget to order Yia’s Yia’s meatballs! Be sure to try their homemade cheesecakes too. Fifis regularly frequents the Trenton Farmers Market and Kerrs Farm to keep things fresh and sourced locally. They have plenty of space for private dining events if you are planning a party or family gathering.

Erini is a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award. People come from all over to dine at this culinary destination, and they also have a very local customer base. You can be assured of impeccable and friendly service, as the staff reflects their management.

Photo of food at ONE53. (Photo by Mary Abitanto)

ONE53, located at 153 Washington Street in Rocky Hill (one53nj.com), has a lovely spacious bar offering handcrafted cocktails like Lavender Mar-Tea-ni made with Brooke37 Lavender Earl Grey Tea (a woman-owned business), gin, ginger liqueur, lime, and sage. They have an impressive list of over 200 wines carefully curated from around the world. Appetizers are on the lighter side like grilled Caesar Salad, Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad, and Escargot En Croute — a unique and tasty classic French dish featuring snails encased in pastry dough. Also, Grilled Calamari and Muscles in Tomato-White Wine Broth. Any would be a great start to a wonderful meal.

For dinner they offer burgers, fish, steak, and pork chops cooked to perfection on the grill. They have a nice selection of entrees with a strong Italian influence like Chicken Milanese; Seafood Risotto with saffron; grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp or flounder; bucatini and ravioli — all sure to please. Everything is made daily in-house using locally sourced ingredients, and they are happy to accommodate all eating styles.

Planning a holiday party this season? You must check out the wine cellar with space for up to 30 people. It’s a lovely spot to dine, lift everyone’s spirits, and say cheers to the holidays!

Each one of these gems has something special and unique, but the one thing that they all have in common is they bring our family, friends, or colleagues together to share a beverage and delicious meal and conversation. They may even serve to inspire your own dinner menus.

Follow me on Instagram @marioochcooks where I give cooking and baking tips daily. My cookbooks are available on Amazon.

Please note menu items may change seasonally. Always contact the restaurants directly or check their websites. Most will accommodate food allergies.

As always, appoint a designated driver and drink responsibly to keep everyone safe.