How to Eat Like a Local in Princeton, New Jersey For numerous individuals, Princeton just houses the fourth-oldest institution in the United States. Astute tourists are aware that there is much more to it than that, particularly in terms of cuisine. This tour is intended for those who have a full stomach and only have a day to spend in the city. Breakfast You’ll hear shouts from behind the counter at Small World Coffee, “Cap to go!” and “Double-iced joe to stay!” while you wait to place your order. The cappuccino is a great choice. On your first sip, the creamy froth combines with the velvety coffee; there are no fleeting light bubbles. As you enjoy your morning coffee, take a moment to observe the other customers. Everybody goes to Small World; you’ll see businesspeople on their phones, hipsters on their computers, parents with small children getting their morning espresso fix, and students chatting with friends. Fueled up and prepared, head to the intersection of Witherspoon Street and Nassau, which forms the hub of Princeton. The border that separates town from university is the heavy traffic on Nassau. Go through the FitzRandolph Gate, Princeton University’s official entrance, to get a quick look around the campus. The two columns that flank the wrought-iron doorway are crowned with stone eagles, each of which has its beaks open and its wings partially spread as it peers at the other over your head. The grass beyond is where Nassau Hall is located. This is the oldest structure on campus, having been finished in 1756. Its steps have two dignified bronze tigers, their backs worn to a matte finish from decades of tourists posing for pictures. If you’d like, take a picture before returning through these symbolic gates, leaving the institution behind, and returning to the actual world of small-town living. Small World Coffee, a popular spot for great coffee How to Eat Like a Local in Princeton, New Jersey Lunch A meal Head to Hoagie Haven on Nassau Street for some excellent people watching. This family-run restaurant, which hasn’t changed since the 1970s, is well-known for its enormous hoagies and specialties like the “Phat Lady,” a cheesesteak stuffed with fries and mozzarella sticks, and the “Big Cat,” which consists of four bacon cheeseburgers and four eggs. At Witherspoon Bread Company, you can get a sandwich if greasy hangover food isn’t your thing. A modest ham and butter sandwich or a baguette stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato are two traditional, straightforward, and fresh options. … Read more