Princeton Coffee Shops || New Jersey Travel

Princeton is a gorgeous town in central New Jersey, with the town center adjacent to the Princeton University campus.  Two main roads (Nassau Street and Washington Road) divide the university from the rest of the town, and there are tons of restaurants, cafes, and shops located along Nassau Street and nearby streets.  This post will summarize some of the best coffee shops in the Nassau St. area of Princeton.  

Sakrid Coffee Roasters

(300 Witherspoon Street)
(20 Nassau Street)

My personal favorite in the area is Sakrid, which has a modern, minimalistic feel.  They roast their own coffee and have a variety of different roasts and blends.  Their house blend and espresso blend (Relativity) are the most readily available.  There are now two locations in Princeton, as well as one in Chicago. 

The main shop is located at 300 Witherspoon Street and opened in 2023.  This location is the largest of the two in Princeton and has ample seating. It is about a 15 walk from downtown Princeton, but there is a small (free) parking lot on site. It is located in an old warehouse and gives off an industrial feel. Inside, there are two coffee pick-up bars, one for to-go orders and one for those sitting in the shop.  I love that they have glassware for customers enjoying the coffee in store. 

The second location is found at 20 Nassau Street, but it is only a quick walk away from Palmer Square.  It is located on the corner of Nassau and Chambers streets, so there is a good amount of seating indoors and outdoors.  In addition to taking your coffee to-go in a paper cup, you can also ask for a ceramic mug and enjoy the coffee there - something I highly recommend.  There is some paid street parking and a parking garage nearby. 

The baristas are super friendly and the overall vibe is very chill and welcoming.  It's my go-to for a great latte and laid-back atmosphere.  

Small World Coffee

(14 Witherspoon Street)
(254 Nassau Street) 

Arguably the most popular and well-known coffee shop in Princeton is Small World.  With two locations in the immediate area, Small World Coffee tends to dominate the conversation when people talk about coffee.  The Witherspoon location is the main location and you will find long lines in the mornings, especially on the weekends.  There is a variety of seating options indoors, but it is can be rather loud and busy so it might not be the best spot for someone looking to do work as they drink their coffee.  There are also some outdoor seating options as you leave the cafe.  

The Nassau Street location is usually less hectic, and located in a small storefront farther away from the downtown area.  There is no seating indoors, but there are a handful of tables outdoors under an awning.  These tables are shared with the other small stores in the area.  I prefer to stop by the Nassau Street location since it is typically less busy. 

Try the NOLA Iced Coffee, one of their signature drinks, made with cold brew and their homemade vanilla syrup.  

Rojo's Roastery

(33 Palmer Square W) 

This coffee shop is located right in the heart of Palmer Square so it is the perfect place to stop before a summer concert in the summer or after seeing the holiday lights in the winter.  The lattes are smooth, and their iced tea is very refreshing.  The storefront is super small, so it’s not a great place to go if you want to sit inside and enjoy your drink.  There are only two small bistro tables and an L-shaped bench for seating.  However, it’s usually pretty quiet there, so you may be able to sit at the bench (although the store is so tiny that I almost feel like I’m eavesdropping on the employees if I decide to sit inside).  

As their name suggests, they roast their own beans and sell a variety of different roasts and blends.  I’ve tried the Espresso blend, and it was great - very rich and chocolatey.  I tend to stop by Rojo’s when I’m in Palmer Square (or when Sakrid is out of bags of coffee beans). 

Maman

(14 Hullfish Street)

Maman is the newest coffee shop/ cafe in Princeton.  It is part of a large chain that has locations in NYC and Washington D.C.  The inside of the cafe is gorgeously decorated with faux flowers and greenery.  It is located in a corner storefront in the Palmer Square neighborhood and gets tons of natural light.  There are a variety of (purposefully) eclectic seating options that can accommodate small and large groups.  The cafe is Australian-style where you order and pay at the front counter and are given a numbered sign to put at your table.  The workers bring out the food and drink to your table and take the number sign once you’ve received your whole order. 

Their food and drinks are slightly more pricey than others in the area.  My latte from Maman was great, served in a cute cup and with a latte art cat on top (a surprise to me, likely inspired by the name I gave at the register).  Another time I ordered the flat white, a favorite of mine from my time in New Zealand, and was sorely disappointed.  The flat white was bland and milky without any microfoam, or foam for that matter. I’ll choose Maman when I want an instagram-worthy vibe and picture, but it is not a go-to for me. 

Chez Alice

(5 Palmer Square W)

Perhaps more well-known for their pastries and confections, Chez Alice also serves coffee and tea.  It has a lovely French vibe and the decoration is incredible.  There is seating indoors, where you can enjoy food and drinks on china and in glassware, as well as an outdoor area that is busy in the warmer months.  I find their coffee to be more of an afterthought but it pairs well with their pasties.  I haven’t had the best luck dealing with their staff or managers, so I don’t usually choose to go here. I much prefer Rojo’s if I’m in the heart of Palmer Square and looking for coffee. 

Rankings

1. Sakrid Coffee - the overall winner for taste and vibe. Go to the Witherspoon Street location if you want to sit and do work; go to the Nassau Street location for a cup of coffee to-go. Plus, you can buy their beans and make your own espresso and coffee at home. 
2. Rojo’s Roastery - less popular than Sakrid or Small World, but makes a great espresso drink and doesn't usually have a long line.  Bonus points for roasting their own beans. 
3. Small World - a Princeton classic.  They are always busy and the drinks are good.  The Witherspoon location has wifi and lots of seating for those looking to get some work done while they enjoy their coffee. 
4. Maman - The vibes are unmatched, but the coffee (and price) isn’t the best in Princeton 
5. Chez Alice - don’t go here for the coffee, but the pastries and desserts are nice. 

An honorable mention on this list is Coffee Club - a student-run coffee shop on the Princeton University campus.  There are two locations on campus, but they are geared towards students, staff, and faculty and only open during the school year.