Palmer Square has always been the heart of Princeton’s dining scene. It’s a place where historic charm meets thoughtful, modern eating. Cobblestone paths, leafy green spaces, and restaurants that invite you to linger make it a natural gathering place for locals, students, and visitors alike.
If you’ve ever searched for vegetarian places to eat in Princeton, you know the challenge isn’t finding something meatless. Instead, it’s finding dishes that feel intentional, satisfying, and genuinely flavorful. Not just a salad tucked into the corner of the menu.
Whether you’re shopping in Palmer Square, visiting Princeton University, or staying at Nassau Inn, the Square offers a walkable dining district where vegetarian meals are creative, comforting, and worth the trip all on their own. Below are some great restaurants in Princeton where you’ll find surprisingly delicious vegetarian food. These are the places we recommend again and again to our neighbors and friends looking to eat well without compromise.
Yankee Doodle Tap Room
As the cornerstone dining experience of The Nassau Inn, the Yankee Doodle Tap Room blends colonial history with a menu that feels current, generous, and approachable. Dating back centuries, the Tap Room has long been a gathering place and today, its vegetarian offerings reflect the same care and craftsmanship as its classic American fare.
Vegetarian Options for Lunch or Dinner
The Falafel Burger is hearty and well-balanced, featuring a crisp falafel patty layered with onions, cucumbers, shredded lettuce, tomato, tzatziki, and feta on a brioche bun. It’s satisfying without feeling heavy, a reliable lunch or dinner choice.
The Wild Mushroom Grilled Cheese elevates a comfort classic with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, aged white cheddar, and muenster on thick-cut sourdough. Rich, melty, and indulgent in the best way.
For something lighter, the Quinoa Salad combines red quinoa, chickpeas, baby kale, vegetables, feta, roasted cashews, and a honey lemon vinaigrette that ties everything together beautifully.
The Wild Mushroom Strudel rounds out the vegetarian lineup with spinach, feta, asparagus, roasted red pepper coulis, and balsamic glaze; elegant, savory, and thoughtfully composed.
Dining vegetarian at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room feels intentional, comforting, and rooted in tradition. It’s proof that plant-forward dishes belong just as much in historic dining rooms as anywhere else.
View the Yankee Doodle Tap Room full menu.
Teresa Café
A beloved neighborhood trattoria, Teresa Café brings Italian comfort food to Palmer Square with warmth and personality. Known for its handmade pastas and award-winning pizzas, it’s no surprise that vegetarian diners feel especially welcome here.
Best Vegetarian Appetizer
The Spinach Arancini stands out immediately. Unlike traditional versions, Teresa’s arancini skips the meat and leans into mascarpone, Grana Padano, spinach, and pesto. It’s crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside, and perfect for sharing.
Favorite Vegetarian Pizzas
The Wild Mushroom Pizza layers caramelized onion, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil, and Grana Padano for a deep, earthy flavor.
The Carciofi Pizza features artichoke hearts, spinach, roasted garlic, herbed ricotta, mozzarella, and pecorino– bright and balanced.
And, the Quattro Formaggio adds an unexpected twist with hazelnuts and hot honey alongside mozzarella, fontina, ricotta, and gorgonzola.
Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna
Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna brings the flavors of Italy, Spain, and the broader Mediterranean to Princeton with a strong commitment to fresh, local ingredients. Many vegetables come directly from their own Canal Farm in Kingston, NJ, and artisan breads are baked in-house daily. Mediterra is also SPE Certified, recognizing its focus on nutrition, sustainability, and well-being.
A Different Take on Vegetarian Cooking
The Fried Sicilian Cauliflower appetizer combines pickled raisins, capers, parmigiano, and roasted garlic aioli for a dish that’s bold, layered, and memorable.
Their Pastaless Lasagna replaces noodles with roasted eggplant, layered with garlic, spinach, pomodoro, basil, and fresh mozzarella.
The House-Made Pappardelle with Mushroom Bolognese uses shiitake and cremini mushrooms to create depth and texture without the meat. It’s a standout among vegetarian restaurants in Mercer County.
Princeton Soup & Sandwich Company
A local favorite known for balancing comfort and health, Princeton Soup & Sandwich Company has earned awards for Best Vegetarian Restaurant and Best Homemade Soups in Mercer County, NJ.
Delicious Vegetarian Soups
Favorites include the World’s BEST lobster bisque, Wild Mushroom Barley, Ten Vegetable, and Butternut Squash Bisque; rotating daily and always made from scratch.
Hearty Vegetarian Sandwiches
The Vegetarian Gazpacho Sub layers mozzarella, fresh vegetables, herbs, and vinaigrette for a refreshing bite. The Beet Hummus Wrap adds crispy chickpeas, arugula, hot honey, and pickled beets for texture and contrast. Even classics like Egg Salad Toast and Cheese Quesadillas can be customized with vegetables.
View the menu at Princeton Soup & Sandwich Company.
Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar
A Princeton staple, Winberie’s offers American comfort food with plenty of lighter, modern vegetarian options.
Flavorful Vegetarian Dishes for Lunch or Dinner
Highlights include Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with hummus, chimichurri, tzatziki, and warm pita, a Mediterranean Vegetable Grain Bowl, and a house-made Vegetarian Burger with brown rice, portobello, beets, oats, and walnuts. Winberie’s feels like “healthy comfort” done right.
Experience Diverse Vegetarian Food at Palmer Square
From historic dining rooms to casual cafés, Palmer Square makes it easy to explore vegetarian places to eat in Princeton without ever moving your car. After your meal, stroll the Square, browse local boutiques, or relax on the green– it’s all part of the experience. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or calling Princeton home right here at The Residences at Palmer Square, these vegetarian restaurants prove that eating well here is anything but an afterthought.
More reading for foodies:
- Gluten Free Restaurants in Princeton
- Healthy Places to Eat in Princeton
- Romantic Meals for Date Nights in NJ