The one constant in Princeton is an ever-changing lineup of restaurants, from fine dining to fast casual, occupying storefronts downtown and in Princeton Shopping Center. These are the new arrivals from 2025.
Best Grill and Fry
One of two additions to Princeton’s halal food scene, Best Grill and Fry took space in the building previously occupied by Sante Pharmacy and Ellinikon Cafe late in 2025. The fast casual establishment offers an array of rice platters, sandwich platters, wraps, and burgers, all priced under $15, with a substantial selection of French fries and other side dishes.
200 Nassau Street. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 609-212-2163. bestgrillandfries.toast.site.
Food Street
The other new entry to the halal scene, Food Street, opened within shouting distance of Best Grill and Fry in the former home of Say Cheez behind Thomas Sweet. With additional locations in Secaucus and Columbus, the restaurant is inspired by the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, and offers wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and other street food with a Southeast Asian flair. Examples include an Aalo Tikki Burger and a Paneer Tikka Paratha Roll. Most items are priced between $10 and $15.
183D Nassau Street. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. 609- 800-2786. food-street.us.
House of Ihsan
The boutique cafe, which took the place of The Pastry Room, offers tea, coffee, and smoothies, along with house-made basked goods and other halal-certified treats including cheese manakish, smoked salmon toast, and avocado toast. Wholesale baked goods and coffee beans are also available for purchase.
6 Spring Street, Princeton. Open Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 908-455-5990. www.houseofihsan.com.
Hudson Table
Hudson Table, just opened in Princeton Shopping Center is more culinary experience than restaurant. The venue, which also has locations in Brookyln, Hoboken, Philadelphia, and Stamford, Connecticut, offers hands-on cooking classes, chef competitions, off-site catering, and chef’s table-style multi-course meals. Events scheduled for early January include classes on making fresh pasta and cooking steak like a pro; head-to-head match-ups of professional chefs, and more. hudsontable.com/princeton.
Mosaic
While much of the fanfare surrounding the opening of the new Princeton University Art Museum revolved around the art and the unique building housing it, also of note was the opening of a new restaurant on the third floor of the museum building.
The restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch selections, including soups and salads, egg-based dishes and sandwiches, and a selection of desserts and baked goods. The purchase of alcohol limited to university faculty and staff and art museum members and their guests.
Elm Drive, Princeton University campus. Open Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations recommended. artmuseum.princeton.edu/visit/mosaic-restaurant.
Ooika Matcha
The purveyors of beverages made from the finely ground Japanese green tea powder first opened its doors on Main Street in Lawrenceville and expanded in 2025 with a second cafe in Princeton. The company prides itself on freshness, with drink ingredients made in-house and all matcha served within 24 hours of being milled.
300 Witherspoon Street, Suite 102B. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ooika.co.
Wonder Pho
The restaurant named for the Vietnamese noodle dish opened in Princeton Shopping Center in fall 2025. Per its website, “Wonder Pho celebrates the bold, comforting flavors of authentic Vietnamese comfort food reimagined with a modern twist.
“The menu centers around its signature pho, a slow-simmered beef noodle soup featuring Angus cuts and fresh herbs toppings, alongside Vietnamese street food favorites like bánh mì sandwiches and bánh xèo crepes.”
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with prices for a bowl of pho ranging from $16 to $20 and bánh mi from $12 to $16.
301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 609-212-2999. wonder-pho.com.
XiBei
XiBei was on the “coming soon” list in last year’s dining guide, and “soon” came in spring 2025 when the restaurant specializing in Northwestern Chinese cuisine opened in the former Sakura Express space on Witherspoon Street.
Owing to the cooler climate in the region of China highlighted by the restaurant, the focus is on heavier fare like wheat-based dumplings and noodles dishes, as noted by George Point in an April review for the Echo’s sister paper, U.S. 1. “Dishes that may not be familiar to Western palates accustomed only to American-style Cantonese dining include Chicken Feet with Pickled Peppers ($10.95), Mutton on the Bone ($26.95), and Steamed Fish Head with Diced Red Peppers ($28.99),” he wrote.
43 Witherspoon Street Princeton. Open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 732-543-9116. princetonxibei.com.
Coming Soon: The Baked Bear
A bakery swap is underway on Witherspoon Street. The Bread Boutique has moved out of 41 Witherspoon Street and will be moving up the block to 16 Witherspoon Street, the former home of Kilwin’s confectionery store.
Taking its place will be The Baked Bear, a chain offering custom-made ice cream sandwiches in 10 states, including five additional locations in New Jersey. thebakedbear.com/locations/princeton.