Came here after seeing a play at McCarter Theatre Center, which is conveniently right across the street. Vibes: classic tavern Tables: linen-covered Service: fast and friendly Food: great I ordered the shrimp tempura roll and the French onion dumplings. Both were delicious and I'd gladly order them again. read more

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If you're looking for a place located right on the campus of Princeton University then you should try Dinky's Bar and Kitchen. They have a wide range of wonderful Signature Cocktails using seasonal ingredients,,Mock Cocktails, Curated Wine list by the Glass or Bottle and Craft Beers on Tap and in Bottles. Dinky's Bar is located in the historic 1918 train station, featuring train station-themed, signature cocktails and locomotive themes to pay homage to the building's heritage. Dinky's has a Happy Hour: it's from 3 PM to 5 PM (Sunday - Thursday) and "Happier Hours" from 10 PM to close... Dinky's offers a Seasonal Menu of Small Plates, Burgers, Flatbreads, Limited Sushi, Pizza, Soup, and more. Everything is locally sourced. The also serve a limited Brunch. The vibe is fun and fits right in with the area.. It's located right on Princeton University and is walking distance to The Art Museum. This quaint restaurant has an outdoor patio with seating, and some tables and high tops inside with a full bar. and their menu is simple and delicious. Dinky's doesn't take reservations. They only accept walk-ins. We had a fun server named Conner. He made great suggestions, especially for cocktails and food choices. We both started with their Pear Paloma-tequila, pear, cardamom, lime, grapefruit soda. It was refreshing and good. It was the perfect drink to try. We were looking to get a quick bite just to tie us over. This place came recommended by a close friend. We ordered a few appetizers. Spicy Tuna Roll- tuna, spicy mayo, masago, scallion, sambal, eel sauce, sesame seeds add avocado + $1, add pickled mango + $1 I chose the mango for a twist. It was fresh and delicious. We also ordered a California Roll- kani, cucumber, avocado, nori, sushi rice, sesame seeds. You can add pickled mango + $1 or avocado for + $1. We added the mango for a twist. It was very good. Next time I come I want to try their Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bao Buns-sriracha slaw, house made pickled cucumber, micro cilantro, asian glaze. It looked so good. There was a couple sharing our high top and they ordered several orders of these and they told us it's a must try. I would've ordered more food, but we were going to another place and I didn't want to fill up. The staff is very nice here all very friendly and welcoming. There's no children's menu. This place is a bit small so I don't recommend it for young children and it would be difficult for handicapped unless you're able to get a table outside. We will definitely be back. read more

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Oh what a wonderful casual place to drop by before catching a show at McCarter's! All the apps I ordered were delicious and nice selection of mixed drinks. Didn't RSVP but came before the dinner rush & managed to get a table outside as the weather was nice. Very friendly waiter who was quite attentive even as the night progressed and got busy. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more

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Great place to go before a show at the McCarter theatre. It obviously gets busy before showtime and seating is limited so arrive with enough time to fully enjoy. They have an excellent array of drinks and appetizers. Aiming to get there earlier next time to enjoy dinner too. Very classy interior with outdoor seating options for when it is nice outside. read more

The Dinky is a nice spot for a lively brunch. I'd highly recommend reservations because it gets packed! My friend and I split a few menu items, including the fried chicken bao buns, the fried egg burger, and the Cobb salad. Everything was quite good, as were the seasonal cocktails. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Cute little spot on the Princeton University campus . Came here once before for a Yelp Event and came here recently for early dinner and drinks with a friend . Loved sitting at the bar. Good drinks and good read more

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Service was fine. Quality and amount for piece was horrible. Portions so small it was comical. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Starter lobster roll. Approximately an inch long and cost $20 ($10/piece). Lobster was rubbery and minuscule in amount. - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Came to meet a friend at the Dinky and was pleasantly surprised. The Dinky has a short but solid menu of food and drinks. We decided to do three different sharing plates because who doesn't love that?? Here are the rankings of the plates we ordered: 1. Get the fried chicken bao (amazing), 2. Get the brussel sprouts (perfectly crispy) and 3. Skip the French onion wontons. The French onion wontons looks sooo amazing, but for me it was more that the texture did not work. It was really mushy with all the french onion and cheese, and a bit dry. As for drinks I got a margarita and it was perfectly made. Then I also got an expresso martini, which I was not a fan of (but that was my fault). The bartender asked if I wanted bailey's in it and I had never had it that way, it totally ruined it for me. As for seating make sure to get here early or with patience! This place get packed quickly and for me the best seat is always at the bar, so you have to get a little lucky. We came during winter break, so I thought there was going to be no one in there (I was wrong) and the volume was loud and joyous, but not obnoxious at all. I will say the stars of the show are the people that work there! The two gentlemen who were hosting were always doing something and with a smile on their face. They were running to fill toilet paper, they were cleaning the fog off the door windows, they chatted up customers and just made sure it was a 5 star experience for people that were even just standing around by the bar. I am looking forward to coming back to the Dinky! read more

Our first time in the Princeton area and we decided to try Dinky' Bar and Kitchen. The food was delicious! We had the short rib flat bread and the Asian chicken boo buns. Really enjoyed our food. The server was really nice and attentive. The restaurant has an old and modern feel. Loved the family vibes and a place to meet up and have good times. read more

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Cute little spot on the Princeton campus! I'm only here for a week for a seminar, so I was looking for a place to meet a friend to catch up without knowing much about the area, and I'm glad we picked Dinky! Big shout out to our server, Connor, for patient, friendly and attentive service as well as some great food recommendations (and always keeping my water glass full, because that's a big deal for me). A modern American spot with creative fair and enticing beverage menu (I didn't have any cocktails, but the menu looked great; I wanted to try the White Lotus). For food, we ordered French Onion Soup Dumplings, Short Rib Tacos, Garlic Wings, and Fig Prosciutto flat bread. They even had sushi and salads, with gluten free and veg options, so there's something on the menu for most people. The French Onion Soup Dumplings are NOT TO BE MISSED! So creative. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and extra topping/dipping was so yummy. The Braised Short Rib Tacos were delicious and the crema was a perfect compliment. The Fig & Proscuitto Flatbread did not disappoint. I liked the addition of pears and mustard, whereas similar items in other restaurants would not have as much complexity. The Garlic Parmesan wings were probably my least favorite, as compared to the other items, but fried well for great texture. read more

What a wonderful place to meet up with friends enjoy fail. Is very friendly and the decor and ambience make it a quaint the meet up for a good time. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Sign - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Ordered online for take out and it was ready when i got there. The short rib tacos were tender but the tortillas were a little soggy by the time we brought it home. The sushi was decent and hamburger was good but small. The fig flatbread was my favorite really flavorful. The chicken katsu salad had good flavor but a lot of the greens were yellow and not fresh read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Short rib tacos, tuna sushi roll, chicken katsu salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Pros- staff very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was lovely! Varied menu with tons of great options! Fries were tasty but I expected the order to be a little larger for the price. Cons- tap water is room temperature (not refreshing for a hot summer night). The menu doesn't list all of the ingredients which is problematic for people with allergies. The margarita flatbread was just okay. They don't sell any canned seltzers (would be a nice alternative when someone doesn't like the draft options) read more

Great food, great service, great location and great atmosphere. Can you tell i think its great;)

We love this little place and have come here often and always pleased with the drinks, food and service. Today we were a bit disappointed to find that our favorite item, the Dinky Burger, was no longer on the menu. It was just THE perfect burger to us. We were pointed to something called the Adam Burger. It was just not the same in so many ways. Tasty but a challenge to eat because it was a double burger with trimmings. For some reason, the chef put a tomato slice on that actually still had the stem attached. Yuck! Loaded fries and Short Rib Tacos as good as they ever were. BRING BACK THE DINKY BURGER!!!!! read more

The Dinky - holds the title for shortest rail commute in the country. With no immediate stops, this 5 minute ride is also referred to as the PJ&B (Princeton Junction & Back). This restaurant pays homage to The Dinky. The decor inside resembles a train station. Dishes here are more like tapas or appetizer portions, a quick eat before boarding the train. My companion and I tried 4 dishes (2 hits and 2 misses). Started with a "N/A Pineapple Ever After" mocktail for $9.95. I'm a pineapple kind of girl so I loved it. 1. French Onion Soup Dumplings - the baked dumplings drenched in onion sauce was super tasty. Love how unique this was. 2. 1865 Burger - beef patty was juicy and the bun was soft but for $8.95 it is the size of a slightly bigger slider. I could have eaten 2 more of these. 3. Spicy Tuna Roll - construction was a hot mess and served cold. Nothing special for $15.95. 4. Short Ribs Tacos - the ribs were dry and not marinated. Felt like it was just thrown into the taco as a separate ingredient if that makes any sense. I thought it was awfully pricey...2 for $15.95. This will be a one time visit for me. The fact that I still felt hungry after these pricey little dishes, it was like a modern day train heist. Service was a 10/10. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Spicy Tuna Roll - $15.95 - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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The service and the ambiance of this establishment was superb. The staff are smiling and welcoming. Sitting outside on a beautiful day while enjoying a drink and a nosh was most enjoyable. One of the people in our party was having a birthday and the staff was extra attentive. The food was good, not exceptional, but I would surely return. read more

I'm really fond of the Dinky as it has always delivered on quality and service across a very inspired array of sushi and bar favorites including their signature flatbread pizzas. But... their $14 ginger donut dessert remains a major disappointment and a borderline rip-off. Imagine a few stale mini-donuts stuck into a plate of peppermint icing that could have come from the kitchens of Betty Crocker. Not good but the holidays are over soon and for that bit of humbug the Dinky should be thankful. Three charitable stars. read more

The Dinky in Princeton is a local bar serving small plates and drinks at the former dinky station. We came for dinner and drinks and enjoyed the lobster rolls, braised short ribs tacos, buttermilk fried chicken baos, pretzel twists, and fig and prosciutto flatbread. The food and drinks at the Dinky are both solid and makes for a great casual meal with a date or friends read more

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Great little dive slightly off the main strip in Princeton. Place is great for groups so people can try different items, portions are small on purpose so it can be a little pricier but overall good and worth it. Bar area is really cool, not a place you'd go for a game though with a more retro vibe and smaller tv's. Outdoor seating available too. read more

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What a cute little place! I stopped in here with my mom while we were waiting for a show to start at the nearby theatre. Staff were all friendly. We sat at the bar high top seats which were extremely comfortable. We ordered appetizers and some non-alcoholic beverages. Everything was delicious. The salad I got with apple slices and pecans was yummy. The soft pretzels and cheese were great and you got a good amount. I recommend coming here for a quick bite. read more

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Stopped in the Dinky bar while in the area of Princeton University. Its a small bar great for meeting up for a few small plates and some drinks. They had a pretty good cocktail menu but I opted for wine. As far as food is concerned the menu consisted of small plates/apps. It was a small menu. I noticed that a-lot of people in the restaurant got the flat bread to share which looked really good. I got wings and also got the burger. The wings were a little on the small side but had a good flavor profile. The burger however was pretty pricey for one slider though it was very good. The burger was slightly larger than your average slider and the flavor was great. The service here was good. Everyone was nice and accommodating. The overall ambiance is casual and inviting. It's definitely a place to stop with a few friends for a drink or two and an app. I was really hungry so I forgot my photos. Til Next time! read more

Went there for the very first time. It was mid afternoon and the place was pretty busy. We ordered the food and sat on the outside since I did have my two little fur friends with me. It was nice eating on the outside, but it was a little chilly since it was still winter time can't wait to go during the summer and sit outside. Overall the experience was good and the food was very peaceful and seasoned quite well. read more

Really deserves a 3.5. Place is cute. In Princeton but more the college area. We ordered some cocktails and some food. The French onion soup dumplings were good. Chicken wings were fine. Wanted more food but honestly the portions were so small we would have had to order a lot. Our waiter was very nice. For what you get the costs aren't worth the drinks or food. But still. A cute nice place. read more

Everyone needs to try Dinky and I need to get back here to try even more on the menu. Very easy location to get to. Plenty of parking. Pretty sure I read this used to be a train station back in the day. Lots of fun cocktails and heads up, they were strong. I started with the Mango Set to Stun French onion soup Dumplings- Good. Lots of tasty cheese. More of soup that soaked into the dumpling rather than soup being present when bitten into. Buttermilk fried chicken bao buns- One of the best things I've eaten this year. The size, the flavors, the crunch, the fluffy bao bun. Absolutely get these. Dinky dogs- Good, not spectacular. Mexican street corn hummus- Tasty, fun twist on a simple dish. Dinky Maine lobster roll (for one)- I liked this but thought it needed a little bit more flavor. Fig & prosciutto Flatbread- Delicious. Come, enjoy, eat your heart out. read more

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Really interesting vibe here at "The Dinky Bar & Kitchen" which sits on the premises of the Princeton University campus. Has amble parking which is a huge bonus as you can park closer to where all the shoppes are which is slightly more annoying as the cars go at a snails pace as many people come to this area for the shopping (think of the shoppes at New Hope type of vibe compared to the main street near Witherspoon and Nassau Street where the shoppes sit). I ordered the French Onion Dumplings which sounded unique AF. Very good value as they come with five to an order and they are loaded with Gruyere cheese, onions, and mushy goodness inside. My only complaint is I prefer dumplings that are not crunchy (fried) and more the type of dumplings you find in your soup. I wanted to order a peach bellini as the vibe here was wealthy parents dining as they visited their children that attended here however they did not offer this options, I ended up getting a mango flavor accompanied by a majority pour of champagne (kudos to the bartender). My girlfriend went with there 1865 burger subbed on a lettuce wrap instead of a bun and I had the tiniest bit and wow, seriously yelpers this burger was delish. It was odd however as I told my gf wanted it medium well and he basically sighed and said we only do one temperature (I have heard places that only do one temperature do this because the amount of meat they use is so small it doesn't work to cook the burger above a certain degree). I know super weird, however it was freaking delish and a great price point. I would be excited to come here for another visit and try some of their other food. Highly recommend you check them out if you are in the Princeton area. And as always people SYOY!!!! read more

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Loved the cozy & boisterous vibe in an old train depot! Make reservations - it's small. Great service, good beer, wine & cocktail options. Small plates & flatbreads great for happy hour or late night dining - fig & goat cheese flatbread was great. Would definitely recommend & return if in Princeton again! read more

I took a trip down to Princeton on Monday. I found this place as a nearby snack stop. Well, I wound up getting a little more than a snack lol. I sat at the bar, and was attended to by a very kind bartender. He even asked if I wanted an egg in my whiskey sour (I said no, but I had never had they asked before, so that was cool). The whiskey sour was delicious. I would definitely go there again for one. For my snack I had Loaded Fries. They were made with an amazing pub cheese, bacon, and some great spices. They were deliciously crunchy. My only true complaint was that the whiskey sour was $14. Most expensive whiskey sour I've ever had. Other than that, I enjoyed my experience there. If I'm in the area again, I'll come back to try more of their food! read more

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The restaurant is beautiful from the stone exterior that fits perfectly with Princeton University to the interior, the nods to the Dinky train, a beautiful, nicely decorated space. The servers were all great and friendly, the food was delicious. Prices were on par for Princeton. It was my first time there on a friend's recommendation and I'll definitely be back. read more

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The Dinky Bar & Kitchen has inventive snack dishes; lamb meatballs and miso Brussels sprouts are some of the best ever. Tables are maybe too close to one another for ideal privacy, which is required for a date. Wine list is limited but craft cocktails are delectable. The attentive service might slow down when crowded. Give this quirky and intense-flavor place a try. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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This spot is an old railroad station converted into a restaurant so the concept is cool and nice aesthetic instead. For food we shared few plates for the table. We ordered the following. -Buttermilk fried chicken bao buns: which we asked for an extra with charge and only ended up getting 3 instead of 4. -French Onion Soup Dumplings: these are not soupy like normal soup dumplings. It was sub par in my opinion. -Chicken wings with gochujang sauce: were hot so came out freshly made but it was spicy as expected and more sauce was needed as it felt tad dry! -French fries: were hot, crunchy, and aioli sauce with it give it a nice touch. -Heirloom tomato and burrata flatbread: it was creamy nut pesto was light. They didn't bring the crush red pepper ordered with it on time. -Margherita flatbread: was okay nothing special -Vegetable rolls: were pretty standard. Overall the food was mediocre. I can't remember the exact name of the drink I ordered it was a berry something. I do not recommend it as it taste like robitussin to me. The spicy watermelon margarita was pretty good. read more

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I'm a regular at The Dinky, and appreciate the fun ambiance, but do find the prices and bit high for the quantity of food. Drinks are always perfect! A special nod to the manager, Stephen, who is always perfectly attentive and friendly! read more

Literally dinky (small) size meals that can accompany tasty drinks! It was a date night out and we came across this spot in Princeton. Lobster rolls were good but probably too small for my liking. Fries are fries and I'm not super picky. Salad to share was enough. And I was also happy with my cocktail. The vibe/ambiance is very date night with the cute lights and signage. But just beware if you're starving because the portion sizes are not as large as you might like. Nonetheless, still fun. And near the other bars in town (walking distance is about 10 minutes to the Main Street area). read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Here's the deal : love the place ! The food was "ok". Bao Buns best item (waiter recommended) we had ! Nice spot to sit outside and inside has nice vibe. Just wish food was better read more

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Yes, the food is great. It had better be! It's the only affordable sit-down joint hugging the campus, and if the chow wasn't eminently edible, there would be open revolt. I really want to talk about Sam. I was just about to call he a hostess, but that's such a catch-all term, as well as sounding very 1950-ish and sexist. I want to talk about how effortlessly she manages a frequently chaotic dining room, how far out of way to make sure the customers are accommodated and comfortable, how she's the reason I keep coming again and again. What brought all this on? I made a reservation one night before a show at the McCarter, but it turned out that some computer popped its plug and the reservation service was doling out reservations for seats that didn't actually exist. Because of this, there were customers piling up at the door, and tension was rising. Outside dining wasn't a particularly attractive option because it was FREEZING The dining room was packed, the noise level was considerable, and I was marveling at how cool, calm and competent Sam was. In the end, every customer got what they wanted and you'd never know there'd been a problem. (I know because I asked. I told Sam she was extraordinary.) I'm a prof at Princeton, and I often Dinky. I've gone from a drop-in to a loyal customer because I watched Sam work a miracle. And I've seen her again and again, and I'm convinced that place is what it is because of her. Dinky is lucky to have her. read more

Decent bar food. We visited The Dinky Bar and Kitchen on a Saturday afternoon, and it was packed. This restaurant occupies a former train station, and those flourishes are apparent throughout. We tried the everything avocado flatbread and loaded fries to eat, and I tried the touch grass to drink. The touch grass was refreshing with a strong cucumber flavor. The loaded fries were thin, well-seasoned, and had a lovely cheese sauce. The flatbread was served cold and was fairly plain but not completely unappetizing. Overall, I had a decent experience at The Dinky Bar and Kitchen and would guess that there are worse options in Princeton. read more

The Dinky is not only so convenient for parking and going to theater at the McCarter Center, you should be excited about it even if those pluses weren't there. Amidst it's, attractive, up-to-date, decor and ambience you can dine on a variety of small plates delicious, novel, and beautiful. I'm inclined to go back for more Dinky and theater even though it's 90mins away and I live in NYC. read more

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Lobster roll, brussels sprouts, French onion soup dumplings, and fried chicken bao buns. - Wine Bars Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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My friends and I had a reservation at The Dinky Bar on Sunday 9/29/24. We decided to eat there before a show at the McCarter Theatre. None of us had ever been to The Dinky Bar before. I was immediately struck by how gorgeous the restaurant is, both inside and out. I didn't realize it was an old train station! The black and white decor is strikingly beautiful, and modern against the bones of the old structure. The bar is lovely. We were served by Ben, an utterly charming and friendly young man, whose service was absolutely impeccable - such a rare treat these days. Ben knew the menu very well. I always like to know what the staff likes at a restaurant - it tells me two things: what's *really* good, and whether the restaurant feeds their staff. Ben didn't disappoint. Our cocktails were delicious. We had the hummus appetizer and it was very spicy but very tasty. I had the tuna roll and added the mango and avocado. It was the best sushi I've had in a very long time. My friends got flatbreads, one fig and one avocado, and they really enjoyed them. What a great place. Can't wait to go back. read more

Humble yet lively hangs in a renovated train station which keeps true to its original form. Friendly staff. Decent drinks as nothing is too sweet, but extremely overpriced and did not really give a buzz. Nice beer selection. Small bites that are great for sharing. French onion soup dumplings were very crispy and interesting--flavorful, broth-y onions inside and topped with cheese. Yummy. Flatbread was large with ample topping. The pears should have been spread out, and they were very spiced (e.g. nutmeg). Overall, a fairly sweet dish with the glaze. Donuts were ball shaped and very fresh and crispy. Slightly undercooked/doughy inside though and served in a greasy, lackluster paper bag. A caramel dipping sauce would have been a nice touch. Decent spot for a date, after work drink, or catching up with an old friend, but expect the bill to hurt. read more

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We only had a soft pretzel and walnut salad, both were delicious. Our server (also bar tender) was very nice and attentive. The restaurant had tables inside and outside. It is a nice spot to go while waiting for a show at the Mccarter theater. We would definitely return. read more

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