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Recommended Restaurants

All the guides at Princeton Tour Company live, work and play in Princeton so we know all the ins and outs of pairing the perfect restaurant with your customized tour.  If you’re looking for a historic pub, craft brewery, locals-only insidery vibe or James Beard/Michelin rated fine dining experience, we know these restaurants will fit the bill!

a band performing on a counter

Yankee Doodle Tap Room

Princeton’s oldest and most iconic full service pub.  The “quintessentially Ivy League” decor includes the famous Princeton Alumni Wall of Fame, open fireplace and the largest Norman Rockwell painting ever created adorning the walls.

This is excellent beginning or ending location for private group walking tours and/or scavenger hunts with group happy hour  appetizer menus of four options priced at $10 pp for groups of 25 or more.

On the tour, your guests will learn why the tavern is named the Yankee Doodle Tap Room and why the original owner’s wife demanded the commissioned Norman Rockwell painting hang directly over the bar!

 

a house that has a sign on the side of a building

Conte’s Pizza

This pizza lovers paradise is a wonderful  choice for groups who want a casual 50’s atmosphere with original decor, full bar and don’t mind the risk of a potential long wait since reservations are not accepted.

On the tour, you’ll learn Italian immigrants were largely responsible for building our beautiful University and town.  The owners of Conte’s are direct descendants of those talented artists who arrived  in 1895 and they remain loyal to their family’s recipes -red pies are the rule here.

Conte’s is a 15 minute walk from Nassau Street and parking decks downtown.

a man preparing food in a kitchen

Mistral Restaurant and Bar

Offering a stunning mix of taste, style and atmosphere, Mistral is recognized for its James Beard decorated chefs and food activists Scott Anderson and chef de cuisine Joe Mooney and the superlative emphasis they place on fresh.local ingredients and artistically plated dishes.  Groups of 50 or less especially enjoy the heated outdoor fireplace area.

elements

The sister restaurant to Mistral, elements boasts an exceptional culinary team of movers and shakers looking to revolutionize the restaurant industry time and time again.. Having spent time in kitchens around the world, both Chef Anderson and Chef de Cuisine Mike Ryan are eager to bring an openness to inventive cuisine featuring international influences that marry local ingredients with global flavors.  For customers with adventurous palates, elements has no competition in Princeton.

Tour guides will reveal why this location is perfectly situated, not only for convenience but also because it has historically attracted  rebellious and early disruptors – just like the current chefs!

a group of people standing in front of a building

Witherspoon Grill

Princeton’s neighborhood steak house features all-natural Prime Angus Beef, local-sourced poultry and fresh fish and seafood from Nassau Street Seafood Company.  Steaks are hand-selected and custom cut and include dry-aged Prime Ribeyes, Filet Mignon, wet and dry-aged Strip Steaks and 48 oz Porterhouses.

Kristine’s

Next door to Witherspoon Grill is the JM companion restaurant, Kristine’s, Princeton’s only authentic French restaurant featuring classic selections by Chef Nicholas Demerge.

Both restaurants are located on Hinds Plaza which provides opportunities for larger groups to reserve both restaurants and meander between both full service bars while enjoying live entertainment.

The names Witherspoon and Kristine’s are namesakes for some of Princeton’s most beloved residents.  You’re getting the message, our tour guides will share it all with your guests!

 

 

a close up of a brick building

Mediterra

Terra Momo owners Raoul and Carlo Momo tap into the extraordinary cuisine of the nearly 2 dozen cultures surrounding the Mediterranean with extra emphasis toward Italian and Spanish cuisine to create New Jersey’s highly sought after modern italiannate menus.

Eno Terra

Eno Terra, also within the Terra Momo family of restaurants,  is founded on the principles of regionalism and seasonality drawing from local farmers, fishermen, grass fed beef and poultry producers and three season harvests from its Eno Terra Canal farm.

On the tour, guests will see some of the finest architecture in America while learning about the italian immigrants who were responsible for such amazing feats.  Many descendants of those stonemasons still live in Princeton and have shared stories not available in any history book!  On the tours, we share it all!

a dining room table

PJ’s Pancake House

With a expansive menu well beyond breakfast, this creative, casual and budget friendly diner offers a casual and friendly vibe.  

Conveniently located on Nassau Street, tours can start or stop from this popular tourist attraction.

Guides will reveal why PJ’s is named PJ’s Pancake House and why the students were determined to carve their initials into the tables!

a group of people sitting at a table in a restaurant

Dinky Bar and Kitchen

The Dinky Bar and Kitchen is a welcoming and simple bar offering locally sourced, ingredient-driven snacks, small plates and more.

Roots Ocean Prime

A companion restaurant to Dinky Bar and Kitchen sits next door and offers an upscale and thoughtfully constructed menu geared toward groups in need of both indoor and outdoor expansive dining space.

Both restaurants boast views of sculptures by Picasso, Aei Wei Wei and Maya Lin.  When arriving at the picturesque location guides will regale stories of undergrads arriving by train to what F Scott described the “grandest country club of all”.  The site is also the last train robbery in America!  Yep, you read that right and, yes, guides will break it all down before entering either unique location.

a group of people standing in front of a crowd posing for the camera

Ivy Inn

Many corporate groups like to treat guests and clients to the locals favorite watering hole, Ivy Inn.

Located on Nassau Street down from the famous Hoagie Haven, Ivy Inn can provide karaoke, trivia nights, bingo, dart board competitions, pool tables and incredibly well selected juke box options.

Upon arrival to Ivy Inn guests will learn what beautiful mind loved to study here as well as why the Ivy is named Ivy Inn even though there are no rooms at the location!

#1 Tour in Princeton on TripAdvisor

Informative and entertaining trolley tour!

This was a fun way to spend an hour. The tour guide was sooooo entertaining, enthusiastic and knowledgeable...the neighborhoods were beautiful...we live locally and knew NONE of the stories or facts learned during the tour. Very easy to book and boarding was prompt and organized. Would consider other tours after enjoying this one so much.

– Terry B.
Loved the Shameless Name Dropping Walking Tour

This tour is a must for first time Princeton visitors. Easily walk through highlights of university and then local neighborhoods. Tim’s story telling around the history, architecture and famous students and/or residents was captivating and fun! Even if you’ve visited Princeton before, don’t miss this tour!!!

– Pat C.
Great Tour!

We had a great time learning about Princeton, the city we just moved to. Tim, our tour guide, did a very good job telling us stories about influential people in Princeton, including his favorite person of all: Albert Einstein. Thank you!

– Sandra L.
Fabulous way to name-drop in Princeton!

Jen was terrific! From the minute we started til the end of the tour, she really knew her stuff. My husband (who attended Princeton) was really impressed with her knowledge of history and how to relate if to the present day. Best name-dropping tour ever! Highly recommend this walk for anyone interested in this area.

– Lonna B.

#1 Recommended Walking Tour by New York Times, Washington Post, Travel & Leisure, AAA, United Airlines, Japan Airlines, CBS Sunday Morning