Location: Pennington
Top Restaurants in Pennington
Top Things to do in Pennington
Top 10 restaurants in Pennington, United States
Pennington is a borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 2,585, reflecting a decline of 111 (-4.1%) from the 2,696 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 159 (+6.3%) from the 2,537 counted in the 1990 Census.
Things to do in Pennington
1. Vidalia Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Welcome to Vidalia, Lawrenceville premiere destination for gourmet cuisine and impeccable service. Accented by soft lighting and elegant décor, Vidalia aims to please and succeeds in doing so. The professional staff caters to its guests’ every need making sure not to cut corners and only offering the finest, highest quality ingredients. The menu is vast and eclectic showcasing an impressive selection of Authentic Italian specialties. Treat your guests to an evening that they won't soon forget. The professional and friendly staff at Vidalia looks forward to making your next dining experience truly unforgettable with pleasant dining and superb cuisine.
Reviewed By darin t - Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Booked Vidalia on Open Table the day before and we were lucky to get a table at 645pm. Reserved it bc NJ.com gave it best of Mercer County for Italian restaurants and I respect them bc they gave our favorite, Cafe 2825, it's due as best Italian in NJ.
Despite the slow greeting we were met by a nice and attentive server. We were tempted by the specials offered but stuck to what we came for. We did the avocado tower app, caesar salad, and vidalia onion soup to start. The tower was very good, think caprese salad with a twist. The onion soup was great. The caesar was good; cold/crisp lettuce, heavy on garlic flavor and could use more caesar taste to overcome the garlic. For the main course, my wife had eggplant parm with a side of penne vodka, which was a special request that was easily accomodated. I had the chicken saltimbocca. Both great. However, eggplant could have brought more flavor. Penne vodka and the saltimbocca both brought it, and the side of spinach was nice too. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake, served with vanilla ice cream and espressos. All good, but nothing great there. All in all, this has become my 3rd favorite Italian restaurant. Cafe 2825 and Chef Vola, in AC, are tops but this follows close behind. A nice ambiance, but did not feel as personable as the other 2 and the food was just not as good. However, if you don't want to make the trip to the shore, this is where you go.
2. Erini Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 973 reviews
Full service restaurant, private events, and bar serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Weekend reservations highly recommended. Drop-off catering, take-out, and children's menus available. Corporate and social events up to 130 people in 4 newly remodeled private rooms. Menu descriptions available on website.
Reviewed By 622eagle - Toms River, New Jersey
Excellent food and great ambiance. We started with the French onion soup and raspberry baked brie. If you like onions you must have the onion soup. It is loaded with onions. Both items were delicious. I had the veal parm and my wife had the lump crab cake. Both entrees were delicious. For dessert the house made cheesecake and carrot cake were exceptional. This is a restaurant you keep coming back to.
3. Cugino's Italian Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By jmedeiros89 - Pennington, New Jersey
Picked up a couple of sandwiches for lunch. I liked the broccoli rabe sandwich I ate and thought my wife enjoyed her caprese. Would go back again for lunch. Also this place has a coffee setup and also is a small market type of place. Saw some desserts I'd try for the next visit.
4. Starbucks
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By tom K - Boca Raton, Florida
If your a regular , ordering is no problem . You can pronounce the 5 syllable coffee as if it was the name of your youngest, Newbies, those that do not regular visit Starbuck's looking at their board of possible beverages, is overwelming. Especially when you know the line moves fast and you have 20 seconds to choice something without everyone around you snickering. I choice Vanilla Black coffee. I sounded good when I ordered.
I looked around and everyone seated had a laptop and coffee cup in front of them.
Ordering at Star Bucks is not for the fainted hearted but once you got your beverage and maybe a $4.00 sweet treat you are now a regular..
Starbucks is expensive but most people know that going in and now with Tevana Tea you need 10 minutes more to review all the choices.The experience was worth going in, but a daily stop will put you back bit in the cash department,
5. Viva Gelato Cafe
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By serenitywriter - Lawrenceville, New Jersey
While eating a quick dinner at the sidewalk tables at Vito's Pizza on a warm evening, we checked for nearby ice cream or gelato places and found this location just 300 or so feet down Main Street. Very convenient and an interesting design outside -- good presence on this quintessential American main street. We went inside and then got confused. Is this a gelato place? Yes. Is this a coffee and breakfast pastry/bagel place? Yes. Is this a candy store? Yes, somewhat. Is this a quick lunch place? Yes.
They may be trying to do too much. The gelato was rather good, but not the best we've ever eaten. Good enough for a return trip, probably. The rest of the shop just didn't impress us. As another reviewer said, this is probably a good date place for young people and undoubtedly good for families with kids, although the gelato is kind of expensive if you have several kids with you.
The staff seemed tired -- someone else said apathetic -- maybe there is more energy earlier in the day. It was hard to find a trash can -- the only one we could find was almost behind the counter under some coffee pots.
We often eat in Pennington and we would go back for gelato at least once more -- the servings were generous -- but we would go to a bagel or coffee shop for breakfast and a sandwich place or cafe for lunch -- there are at least two a short distance away on Main Street.
6. Pennington Bagel Experience
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By TeamMan - Princeton, NJ
Yes, they have great bagels (& I'm from New York & I know bagels) but they also have great salads and spreads --- tuna, chicken & egg salad, a variety of cream cheeses (scallion, veggie, cinnamon/walnut, etc.)--- all prepared fresh in-house
I have probably eaten here close to 100 times and they always get the order right! A group of very nice young people prepare and serve the food supervised by Kim and Dawn.
We recently had them prepare a party tray for us and Dawn did a beautiful job. I'm sorry I didn't get take a photo because it was very, very attractive. All our guests loved it.
7. Osteria Procaccini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By Bebop12345 - Bebop12345
We really enjoyed our meal here. We started with the Greco Salad, which included feta, kalamata olives, plum tomato, and cucumber. (We asked them to hold the red onion.) Everything about it was fresh and delicious, and we appreciated that it was not overly dressed. We also shared a pizza. We ordered the Tino's Margherita and added mushrooms and kalamata olives. It was marvelous- perfectly cooked thin crust, very good quality mozzarella, and a nice sauce. Again, all ingredients were very fresh. Our waiter and the hostess were friendly and helpful. The restaurant is very clean and you can watch your food being prepared. We can't wait to return!
8. Carvel Ice Cream and Bakery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By tom K - Boca Raton, Florida
Looking for just a ice cream or custard cone, Carvel' s is sure to pass your mine. If it is an ice cream cake, ice cream sandwiches, or anything ice cream, especially with sprinkles your more than likely to think of Carvel's.We stop in to pick up a birthday cake for our grandson's party that day. Carvel's has been consistently good in their ice cream selections. Custom Ice cream sheet cakes especially and they can be custom made too.
Service at the Denow Rd location is excellent in helping you pick something for your special occasion, This Carvel's has a special every day with different items featured in a buy one get one . Wed is buy a sundae , get a sundae free. Prices are reasonable and the specials make it even better.
9. Sourland Coffee
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By chocoholic2 - Pennington, New Jersey
It's fairly new, and it's great. Really good coffee and tea, pretty inside and welcoming. Good place to hang out. We even had a meeting for a charitable organization I belong to there and they couldn't have been nicer. Highly recommend.
10. Nomad Pizza Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Hand crafted wood fired pizzas. We source many local and organic toppings. Our dough takes 4 days to make and then just 90 seconds in the oven.
Reviewed By kristofferb
When in Hopewell Nomad pizza is a must! If you don't stop to eat here you'd best be moving on your way because you clearly don't know what you are doing. The food is excellent. The environment is cozy. The staff are friendly. Summer is awesome, kick-back and a real treat. Oh, remember, they only take cash, some come with some Benjamins in your pocket.
