Downtown · Rutgers · global dining · fine dining

New Brunswick Food & Drink

New Brunswick has one of Middlesex County's deepest restaurant scenes, ranging from Rutgers-area quick meals and cafes to Ethiopian, Vietnamese, South Asian, Caribbean, Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, seafood and destination fine dining.

74 current food & drink listings.

Allergy & cross-contact caution: GF and DF badges indicate that current menus or official restaurant information show relevant options. They do not mean a restaurant is allergen-free. Shared fryers, grills, ovens, prep areas, utensils and suppliers can create cross-contact. Contact the restaurant directly before ordering for a food allergy.

Browse New Brunswick food & drink

AmericanChristopher's at The Heldrich
10 Livingston Ave · 732-214-2200

Hotel restaurant in the downtown cultural district.

AmericanOld Man Rafferty's
106 Albany St · 732-846-6153

Long-running downtown American restaurant and bar.

American / CasualScarlet 158 Restaurant
158 Louis St · 732-543-0677

Casual restaurant serving the Rutgers-area neighborhood.

American / StromboliStuff Yer Face
49 Easton Ave · 732-247-1727

Long-running Rutgers-area spot known for stromboli and casual fare.

American / TavernGlass Woods Tavern at Hyatt Regency
2 Albany St · 732-867-2300

Hotel tavern serving American fare and drinks.

American / TavernTavern on George
361 George St · 732-545-6205

Downtown tavern with American food, drinks and live entertainment.

Asian / NoodlesNIC: Noodle Is Calling
354 George St · 732-325-9880

Asian noodle dishes and casual dining.

Asian / NoodlesNoodle Gourmet
43 Easton Ave · 732-828-8188

Asian noodle dishes and student-friendly casual fare.

Bagels / DeliDiego's Bagel Nosh and Deli
357 George St · 732-246-7546

Bagels, breakfast and deli sandwiches.

Bar / AmericanBatch Bin & Barrel
98 Albany St · 732-246-8587

Downtown bar and casual dining.

Bowls / SmoothiesPlaya Bowls Rutgers
53 Mine St · 732-640-2300

Fruit bowls, smoothies and wellness-oriented snacks.

Breakfast / BrunchThe Original House of Waffles
50 Paterson St · 732-400-6510

Waffles, breakfast and brunch dishes.

Breakfast / CasualHansel 'N Griddle
130 Easton Ave · 732-846-7090

Breakfast, sandwiches, wraps and late-night casual food.

Brewpub / AmericanHarvest Moon Brewery & Cafe
392 George St · 732-249-6666

Brewpub with house beer and American fare.

Bubble TeaUtepia Bubble Tea
48 Bayard St · 732-253-7517

Bubble tea and specialty drinks.

Burgers / DessertBuns N Shakes
112 Church St · 732-317-4112

Burgers, shakes and casual comfort food.

Burgers / Pizza25 Burgers & Pizza
4 Easton Ave · 732-640-2600

Burgers, pizza and casual fare.

CafeLegal Grounds Cafe
55 Bayard St · 732-317-8338

Coffee, breakfast and lunch in the courthouse district.

Cafe / BakeryFritz's
115 Easton Ave · 732-543-0202

Scratch-made sandwiches, brunch, bread, desserts and seasonal bakery items.

GF optionsDF optionsVegan options
Cafe / BreakfastFriend's Cafe
52 Robinson St · 732-246-1241

Breakfast, lunch and cafe drinks.

Cafe / InternationalSol-Kalanits Restaurant & Cafe
5 Joyce Kilmer Ave · 732-340-8608

Neighborhood cafe and restaurant.

Cafe / SmoothiesKenny's Cafe Sub & Smoothie
100 Kirkpatrick St, 2nd Floor · 732-640-0888

Cafe food, sandwiches and smoothies.

Cafe / South AsianChai Chenak Cafe
351 George St · 732-246-2600

Cafe-format South Asian food and drinks.

CaribbeanCaribbean Cafe
85 Bayard St · 732-846-2620

Caribbean specialties in downtown New Brunswick.

Chicken / BurgersSmashville Hot Chicken & Burgers
377 George St · 732-317-2200

Hot chicken, burgers and casual takeout.

Chicken / Fast FoodPopeyes
375 George St · 732-253-7315

Fried chicken and fast-food sides.

CoffeeHidden Grounds Coffee
106 Easton Ave · 732-317-4117

Independent specialty coffee shop.

Coffee / BreakfastDunkin - George Street
335 George St · 732-246-2070

Coffee, donuts and breakfast items.

Coffee / BreakfastDunkin - Railroad Place
1 Railroad Pl · 732-220-1270

Coffee, donuts and breakfast items near the station.

Coffee / TeaKhyber Coffee & Tea House
110 Church St · 732-317-1177

Coffee, tea and cafe drinks.

Comedy Club / Food & DrinkStress Factory Comedy Club
90 Church St · 732-545-4242

Comedy venue with food and beverage service.

Contemporary AmericanThe Frog and The Peach
29 Dennis St at Hiram · 732-846-3216

Contemporary fine dining with seasonal menus.

DeliCampus Deli & Food Store
82 Senior St · 732-828-4011

Deli sandwiches and convenience food.

DeliThe Elm Deli
3 Elm Row · 732-846-7073

Sandwiches, deli food and quick meals.

EthiopianDashen Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar
88 Albany St · 732-249-0494

Ethiopian specialties, injera, meat and vegetable stews.

GF optionsDF optionsVegan options
Hot Dogs / AmericanDestination Dogs
101 Paterson St · 732-993-1016

Globally inspired specialty hot dogs and casual fare.

ItalianCasa Ragazzi
378 George St · 732-317-1306

Modern Italian dining and cocktails.

ItalianCatherine Lombardi
3 Livingston Ave · 732-296-9463

Upscale Italian dining overlooking the theater district.

Italian / PastaPasta Volo
37A Easton Ave · 732-504-8444

Quick-service pasta and Italian comfort food.

Italian / PizzaMozzarella Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria
40 Jersey Ave, Unit B · 732-640-1786

Italian dishes, pizza and takeout.

Italian / PizzaVictoria's Tratta Italiano
94 Church St · 732-545-6161

Italian dining with gluten-free pasta, pizza crust and other marked alternatives.

GF options
JapaneseTeri Teri Japanese Restaurant
363 George St · 732-545-8116

Japanese teriyaki and casual dishes.

Japanese / RamenRakkii Ramen
353 George St · 848-202-9067

Ramen and Japanese casual fare.

Japanese / RamenRamen Nagomi - Bayard Street
49 Bayard St · 732-317-2623

Small-batch ramen with vegetarian, vegan-modifiable and gluten-free adaptations.

GF optionsDF optionsVegan options
Japanese / RamenRamen Nagomi - Easton Avenue
176 Easton Ave · 732-275-8004

Ramen location offering vegetarian, vegan-modifiable and gluten-free adaptations.

GF optionsDF optionsVegan options
Japanese / SushiSakana Sushi & Japanese Cuisine
338 George St · 732-867-9308

Sushi, rolls and Japanese dishes.

Korean / GastropubRoosterspin
120 Albany St · 732-545-4500

Korean-inspired fried chicken, shareables and bar fare.

Latin / CaribbeanLa Frontera Caribeña Restaurant
90 Remsen Ave · 732-470-4448

Latin and Caribbean-style dishes.

Latin AmericanEsquina Latina Restaurant & Lounge
25 Liberty St · 732-543-1630

Latin American food, cocktails and lounge atmosphere.

Mediterranean / Middle EasternSahara Restaurant
165 Easton Ave · 888-724-2728

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes with brick-oven pita.

MexicanFat Cactus Mexican Cantina
350 George St · 732-543-1153

Mexican/Tex-Mex food and cocktails.

Mexican / Fast CasualChipotle Mexican Grill
387 George St · 732-993-1601

Burritos, bowls and fast-casual Mexican fare.

Mexican / Fast CasualTacoria
56A Easton Ave

Tacos, burritos and fast-casual Mexican fare.

Mexican / LatinTequila House NJ
284 Remsen Ave · 732-520-9595

Mexican/Latin dining and drinks.

Middle Eastern / MediterraneanEvelyn's Restaurant & Bar
45 Easton Ave · 732-246-8792

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dining with a popular patio.

Natural Foods / GroceryGeorge Street Co-op
89 Morris St · 732-247-8280

Natural foods, grocery and prepared-food options.

Noodles / Stir-Fryhoneygrow
36 College Ave · 732-214-9182

Fast-casual noodles, stir-fry and salads.

Pakistani / South AsianChai Chenak
349A George St · 732-246-2600

South Asian dining and chai-focused specialties.

Pakistani / South AsianJinsoy
335 George St · 732-317-3784

Pakistani and South Asian cuisine.

PizzaFilippo's Famous Pizza
336 George St · 732-846-9060

Pizza and Italian-American casual food.

PizzaPizza City
297 Somerset St · 732-214-1991

Neighborhood pizza and Italian-American takeout.

PizzaTa-Ta's Pizza
208 Hamilton St · 732-846-6232

Neighborhood pizza and takeout.

Pizza / GrillDouglass Pizza & Grill
298 George St · 732-858-0981

Pizza and casual grill fare.

Pizza / GrillP.J.'s Grill & Pizza
166 Easton Ave · 732-249-2919

Pizza, grill items and casual food.

SeafoodCuzin's Seafood & Clam Bar
78 Albany St · 732-979-2141

Seafood, raw-bar dishes and cocktails.

SeafoodSalt Seafood & Oyster Bar
103 Church St · 732-745-7258

Seafood, raw bar and oyster-focused dining.

Smoothies / CafeTropical Smoothie Cafe
88 Easton Ave · 908-364-8340

Smoothies, wraps, bowls and cafe items.

Smoothies / NutritionKnight 9 Nutrition
1 Spring St · 732-317-1194

Smoothies and nutrition-focused drinks.

Snacks / DessertChamoyz Snack Bar
276 George St · 848-209-9136

Sweet, savory and chamoy-inspired snacks.

Southern / Soul FoodDelta's Restaurant
19 Dennis St · 732-249-1551

Southern and soul-food dining.

SteakhouseStage Left Steak
5 Livingston Ave · 732-828-4444

Steakhouse and wine-focused fine dining in the theater district.

SteakhouseSteakhouse 85
85 Church St · 732-247-8585

Classic steakhouse dining downtown.

Vegan / Plant-BasedVeganized Restaurant
1 Elm Row · 732-342-7412

100% vegan restaurant with organic, plant-based dishes and gluten-free choices.

GF optionsDF optionsVegan options
VietnameseIndochine Vietnamese Restaurant
371 George St · 732-745-2928

Vietnamese noodle dishes and traditional favorites.

Dietary-support notes

Fritz's

Its current City Market profile links a dedicated Vegan/Gluten Free menu and describes vegetarian and vegan options.

Dashen Ethiopian

Current restaurant information identifies vegan-friendly dishes and notes that teff injera is naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Veganized

The restaurant describes itself as 100% vegan; current menu information also includes gluten-free choices.

Ramen Nagomi

Current FAQ identifies gluten-free broths/appetizers and vegetarian ramen that can be made vegan; both New Brunswick locations are listed.

Victoria's Tratta Italiano

Current menu lists gluten-free penne, pizza crust and multiple gluten-free adaptations.

Dining districts

George Street

Fast casual, Asian dining, pizza, bars, coffee, dessert and several newer concepts.

Easton Avenue

Rutgers-area classics, cafes, Mediterranean food, pizza, breakfast and late-night options.

Church / Albany / Livingston

Seafood, steakhouses, Italian fine dining, taverns and theater-district restaurants.

Bayard / Paterson / Elm Row

Cafes, ramen, vegan dining, breakfast and smaller independent restaurants.

Restaurant correction or addition?

Send the current name, city address and official menu or website when possible.

Contact NJTGO

Food research reviewed September 16, 2026. Menus, ownership and hours can change; confirm directly before visiting.