13 Best Romantic Restaurants in Princeton

By VI Staff on September 16, 2019

14 Best Romantic Restaurants in Princeton

Best known for the Ivy League Princeton University and its beautiful Collegiate Gothic–style University Chapel, Princeton is a town in New Jersey that has several great spots for romantic dining. Head to the Blue Point Grill for outstanding seafood and casual wines; enjoy creative farm-to-table fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Agricola Eatery; tuck into lobster mac and cheese and prime Delmonico and Porterhouse steaks at the Witherspoon Grill; and savor exceptional cuisine, world-class wines, and impeccable service at Mistral.

1.Agricola Eatery

Agricola Eatery is a modern community eatery with an open kitchen that serves creative farm-to-table fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Agricola, which means ‘farmer’ in Latin embodies the farm to table spirit by using organic fruit, salads, and vegetables from their organic farm just outside of the city. The seasonal menu features dishes such as spice-braised short ribs, scallops with Brussels sprouts and speck, and desserts of autumn apple crisp and pumpkin pot de crème. The food is accompanied by a range of libations, including casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. Agricola Eatery is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

11 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-921-2798

2.Elements

Elements is a fine dining restaurant on Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton that serves New American cuisine prepared with local, sustainable ingredients and served in a refined and elegant setting. The upscale eatery features a high-ceilinged dining room with well-spaced tables and comfy armchairs, and soothing neutral colors that create a serene and relaxing dining space. The open kitchen presents à la carte and tasting menus created by chef, and co-owner Scott Anderson and chef de cuisine Mike Ryan, who combine ancient and state-of-the-art cooking techniques produce sublime cuisine. The food is accompanied by a range of libations, including casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. Elements is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.

235 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08540, Phone: 609-921-2992

3.Mediterra Restaurant

Centrally located in Palmer Square, Mediterra Restaurant is a contemporary, upscale dining spot that brings the tastes and flavors of the Mediterranean to the heart of the college town. Tapping into the diverse cultural smorgasbord of the Mediterranean and drawing inspiration from the owners' Chilean and Italian heritage, the restaurant serves an inventive menu of locally sourced and organic cuisine in the form of small sharing plates, hearty entrées, and decadent desserts. The delicious food is paired with an extensive list of casual wines and craft beers, and is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

29 Hulfish St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-252-9680

4.Blue Point Grill

Blue Point Grill is a highly-acclaimed seafood restaurant on Nassau Street in Princeton that serves an extensive selection of ocean-fresh seafood in a fun, lively setting. The BYOB restaurant serves a seasonally changing menu of seafood and shellfish, such as Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, New England Clam Chowder, Point Judith Skate Wings, Whole Greek Bronzini, and up to 15 different varieties of oysters from the raw bar. The food is accompanied by a range of libations, including casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. The restaurant has an elegant dining room and an outdoor patio for alfresco-style summer dining and is open for dinner only.

258 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-921-1211

5.Despana Restaurant & Tapas Cafe

Despaña Restaurant & Tapas Café is a contemporary, multi-level BYOB eatery that serves authentic tapas and Spanish food in a pleasant and vibrant setting. Located on the corner of Nassau and Olden, the beautiful downtown restaurant is a great spot for tapas and small bites, such as fresh salads, bocadillos, empanadas, and pintxos followed by entrées of paella. The first floor is home to a boutique market that sells a variety of gourmet foods, imported items like olive oil, cheeses, and chorizo, and a rooftop terrace is a perfect place for sipping sangria and soaking up the views. Despaña Restaurant & Tapas Café is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

235 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08540, Phone: 609-921-2992

6.Eno Terra Restaurant & Enoteca

Eno Terra Restaurant & Enoteca is an eco-minded Italian eatery on King’s Highway that is steeped in history and serves farm-to-table fare and global wines in rustic-chic surrounds. The eatery focuses on regionalism and seasonality using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients sourced from local and regional artisans, farmers, and producers. The Enoteca-style menu features market-driven fare such as fresh salads and vegetarian dishes, grass-fed beef and lamb, organic chicken, and homemade desserts, and is accompanied by a selection of wines from Italy and the United States, craft beers and microbrews, and classic cocktails. Eno Terra Restaurant & Enoteca is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday and dinner only on the weekend.

4484 NJ-27, Kingston, NJ 08528, Phone: 609-497-1777

7.La Mezzaluna

Located in the heart of downtown Princeton, La Mezzaluna brings the authentic taste of Italy to New Jersey. Helmed by Italian Chef Michael Moriello, a graduate of the Sorrento Cooking School, the restaurant has earned its reputation for mouth-watering regional Italian cuisine which is prepared using seasonal local ingredients and regional produce. The menu features gourmet dishes of handmade pasta and from-scratch sauces, fresh seafood, locally-sourced chicken, prime beef and veal, wood-fired pizzas with various toppings, and organic salads, herbs, and vegetables and the food is accompanied by a range of libations, including casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. La Mezzaluna is open for lunch and dinner daily.

25 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-688-8515

8.Metro-North

Metro-North is a casual, contemporary restaurant on Alexander Street that features a comfortable dining room and a charming outdoor patio for summer dining. The restaurant serves hearty fare such as fresh seafood, grass-fed meats like beef, lamb and chicken, gourmet burgers and sandwiches, wood-fired pizza with various toppings, fresh salads, and vegetarian options. The food is accompanied by a range of libations, including casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. Metro-North is open for lunch and dinner daily.

378 Alexander St, Princeton, NJ 08540, Phone: 609-454-3121

9.Mistral

Located in the heart of downtown Princeton, Mistral brings a stylish blend of exceptional cuisine, world-class wines, and impeccable service to the Princeton-area dining scene. Helmed by James Beard-decorated chefs and food activists Scott Anderson and chef de cuisine Joe Mooney, the award-winning restaurant serves classic farm-to-table dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as seared scallops with green-leek cylinders and garlic-anchovy sauce and dry-aged brisket with bacon jam and garlic aioli. A welcoming outdoor patio is equipped for year-round alfresco dining, and a full-service bar serves casual wines from around the world, craft beers and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. Mistral is open for lunch and dinner, daily and a popular Sunday brunch.

66 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-688-8808

10.Seasons 52

Located in MarketFair, Seasons 52 Restaurant is an elegant dining destination that is renowned for its rotating menu of seasonal American dishes and an extensive list of globally-inspired wines and classic cocktails. The menu features made-from-scratch farm-to-table fare prepared using fresh locally sourced ingredients and regional produce and grilled on an open oak-fire or in a brick roast oven. Signature dishes include Florida Stone Crabs, Wild Alaskan Salmon, California Golden Beets, and freshly baked flatbreads, and the cuisine is accompanied by a hand-curated wine list of casual wines and a spirited cocktail menu featuring classic and modern libations, as well as craft beers by the bottle and on tap. Seasons 52 Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday.

3535 US-1, Princeton, NJ 08540, Phone: 609-799-2152

11.Teresa Caffe

Located in Palmer Square, Teresa Caffe is a boisterous, family-friendly trattoria that serves traditional Italian fare prepared with locally sourced ingredients from its farm. The cozy neighborhood trattoria exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere and serves an inventive menu of authentic Italian cuisine featuring fresh seafood, grass-fed meats like beef, lamb and chicken, gourmet burgers and sandwiches, wood-fired pizza with various toppings, fresh salads, and vegetarian options. The food is accompanied by a range of libations, including predominantly regional Italian wines, craft beers, and brews on tap and by the bottle, top-shelf spirits, and classic cocktails. Teresa Caffe is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday.

23 Palmer Square E, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-921-1974

12.The Peacock Inn Restaurant

Based at the iconic boutique Peacock Inn, the Peacock Inn Restaurant is a landmark dining destination and the go-to spot for fine-dining experiences in the heart of Princeton. Located within walking distance to Princeton University, the elegant restaurant serves a contemporary menu of award-winning cuisine made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally-farmed produce. The globally-inspired menu is accompanied by an extensive, well-curated wine list and a sparkling champagne bar where bubbles can be enjoyed by the glass and bottle. The Peacock Inn Restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves a traditional daily Afternoon Tea.

20 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540, Phone: 609-924-1707

13.Witherspoon Grill

Witherspoon Grill is a lively grill with a bustling bar that combines exceptional food, drinks and impeccable service in a refined, casual setting. Located in the heart of downtown Princeton, the restaurant serves a menu of traditional New American cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Using all-natural prime Angus beef, fresh fish and seafood from Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company, and local-sourced poultry, signature dishes include dry-aged Delmonico and Porterhouse steak, lobster mac and cheese, braised short ribs, and gourmet burgers. A sophisticated, vibrant bar serves an award-winning wine list and a curated craft beer selection, along with a Sunday brunch and live jazz. Witherspoon Grill is open for lunch and dinner daily.

57 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, Phone: 609-924-6011