Jack Spencer

We sat outside because the weather was unseasonably awesome that night, oh and because we didn’t have a reservation and it was both parents weekend and the weekend of the Bill Braxton Regatta. I was happy to because it was a little loud inside (for me) but I’m old man cranky so it is probably fine for most. Food came out hot and quickly and was great. Despite being one of the only tables seated outside the server was super attentive and would check in well before we needed him. Would definitely return!

Pavan Kumar Davuluri

I recently visited Dinky Bar and Kitchen at Princeton University and had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is vibrant yet cozy, with a modern touch that makes it perfect for both casual gatherings and relaxed evenings. I tried the Brussels sprouts, and they were absolutely delicious—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the service was smooth throughout. Definitely a great spot in Princeton to unwind with quality food and a good vibe. Highly recommended!

Galuh

Nice place to eat. They have nice food and burger. Have plenty of parking spaces nearby. Also near the train station and the campus.

+3

Kristen

We sat at the bar and only got appetizers/small plates, but every bite was incredible. Some of the best bao buns I've ever had. They had a lot of great options. The inside had a great historical vibe, and they had lovely outdoor seating too. Easy parking nearby and away from the craziness of Nassau Street. Service was spot on. Every restaurant I've been to from this restaurant group has been incredible. Make sure to check out the neat zodiac head statues behind the restaurant!

P G

The Dinky Bar & Kitchen Update on 4/6/25 Since my last review I have been here so many times now. I went again today before seeing a show at McCarter. I can’t say enough about The Dinky Bar & Kitchen. The food here is always amazing and the ambiance is just amazing. What sets this restaurant above and beyond is the entire staff. Customer service here is amazing!! I will say that I have never had one employee that I felt was less than spectacular. Bravo to the great employees who work here. I will be back again and again and again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my second visit to The Dinky Bar and Grill in Princeton which offers great views of the campus. We were going to see a play at McCarter and it is so convenient being across the street. The Dinky has an intimate vibe. Being the original Train Depot the feel of the place is still a train depot which I love. The menu is limited but certainly enough to choose from. There are shareable plates as well full entrees. Very good food and drinks. Our server Kayla was amazing. She needs to be recognized because she was extraordinary. A very busy place pre theater but Kayla never stopped smiling Great experience all around. Will definitely be going again.

+1

Mery Land

Lovely ambiance, it looks like it's always packed. We sit outside next to the heaters, parking can be a little tricky. Our server Allan was a sweetheart. The chicken bao buns and chicken wings were good.

+4

Danielle

Really great bar atmosphere in the heart of Princeton University. We ordered the margarita flat bread and braised short rib tacos which both were amazing. They gave a free apple to my toddler and were overall really nice and a good staff.

Britt Around Town

The trendy menu items had me spoiled for choice, so we decided to order a variety and share it all! From innovative small plates to hearty American classics, every dish showcased culinary expertise with bold, vibrant flavors. Stepping into Dinky felt like a journey back in time, housed in a historic stone station with so much character. The rustic decor and cozy atmosphere added to the charm, and their craft beer, unique cocktails, and small production wines were exceptional. Located in the vibrant Arts and Transit neighborhood, Dinky is more than just a restaurant—it's a cultural hub where memories are made. Cheers to history meeting culinary excellence!

+3

Manoj Polasa

A vibe that takes you back in time. The ambiance, the facility, and amazingly friendly staff. Walked in on a beautiful evening. Welcomed by the servers with a big smile. Had a seat at the bar and was impressed by the variety of menu. Shane was amazing at suggesting their favorites and drinks. The food was great. The wings were hot, flavorful, and to the point. Definitely would recommend people. The place will not disappoint you at all.

+1

Gabriella

Solid 4.5 stars! A delightful location for a lunch in Princeton, a little set back from the more crowded Nassau St area. The shared plates concept is fun and eclectic. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts are absolutely delicious with a nice spicy kick! So were the Pretzel Twists and the Black Bean Hummus- really, everything we ordered was great. Many good vegetarian options.

+5

David Chastain

Fantastic place proximal to Princeton Station and performing arts area. The service was a little slow at the start, but it improved and was well worth it! The lobster roll is delicious - fresh, lobstery, veg for texture - but it is very small. 2-3 bites. The burgers is quite big for the price. Great char on the beef and good toppings. Try it out!

+1

My friends and I come to The Dinky often. We always love the service and the drinks. The food is hit or miss. Sometimes very spicy (and I like spicy, but this is another level!) the atmosphere is great for friends to gather and the service is very attentive. I’m writing this review because I want to really thank the manager, Stephen, for making my last visit exceptionally perfect and fun. He took care of a little issue with such professionalism and kindness. Thank you again, Stephen!

Steve R.

Came across this spot after a campus tour. As described on their website, this bar and kitchen is welcoming and simple. The menu is not extravagant or overly complicated. We ordered the spicy gochujang chicken wings, chicken Bao Buns, 1865 burger, and meat lovers flatbread. Everything was amazing, did not lack flavor and the presentation was great. The only thing is the 1865 burger is not a traditional burger size, more like a larger sized slider style burger. The flatbread had a good portion of meats on it with a smoky taste to it. Don’t pass up the Bao buns.

JD b

Pretty much what you'd expect for the location and price. Staff was very professional and handled an undercooked item, which was comped. Not impressive but better than average.

+1

anshul agarwal

Do you guys know it used be train station for Princeton train (called dinki)? Anyways we were at this place for the third time. Their bao buns and chicken wings were good. Lobster rolls are becoming smaller by the day and fig/prosciutto flatbread was bad. Prosciutto was cut thick, bread was thick. The drinks were flavorful and potent. Overall 4 star for food. Service was great. Little expensive for the food quality and ambiance offered

+1

Sagar Patel

I dropped by there after work to catch up with one of my colleagues. The spot is situated in a lovely area with plenty of parking available, albeit paid, but it's convenient to locate. They serve delicious chicken wings, brussels sprouts, and fries, along with a fantastic selection of drinks and cocktails, all expertly crafted and potent. The server was exceptionally friendly and chatty. They even offer complimentary apples. They made sure our glasses were never empty, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a long day at work. It's a delightful spot for a cheerful happy hour or a cozy dinner date with its charming ambiance, not to mention the bonus of complimentary apples.

+3

M P

Second attempt dining here. I walked into a half empty restaurant at 5pm and was told a table for 2 wouldn't be available until 8pm. Went to my car to search for nearby restaurants with reservation availability, and low and behold.......I booked a table at Dinkys for 545. Magic! When seated, the hostess stated that our table wasn't ready, but they could sit us at another table that would need to be available by 7 for another reservation. I don't get...either way, we were sat at a table in the middle of the dining room about 8inches from the tables on either side of us. Wait staff was friendly and prompt. Ordered the sushi- great, boa buns- good flavors, burger slider- flavorless and more like tartar on the inside. The Onion Soup Dumplings- too mushy in the inside. Steak taco- meh. Overall, I am glad we were able to get a reasonable seating. Most of our selections I would not order again. However, I would order the sushi roll and try a Flatbread. I love apps and small plates, but I expect an impressive bite.

+3

kinsey Alfaro

We came in as a party of five for diner and all felt we needed a snack when we got home. We did not leave full and for over $300 that’s disappointing. The menu is small and basically is all “shared plates”, we couldn’t really order mains at all. The food was actually pretty good but the highlight was the bar menu. Maybe that’s what they’re going for. It wasn’t bad but menu needs to be expanded to have actual dinner. My grandmother ordered a burger that turned out to be a slider… I’m not sure how it was even supposed to be “shared” because there was only one. I got tacos and there were only two. So they kind of miss the mark on shared food as well as full dinner. Pretty confusing place. But has potential.

I made a reservation online for 2 in the Dining Room. When we arrived, we were told our only options were a high-top table crammed shoulder to shoulder between two couples or seats at the bar. I explained that my confirmation clearly says Dining Room, but the host insisted that people often do not realize they are booking bar or high-top seating. That did not apply here as my reservation states “Dining Room”. We were ultimately seated at the bar right by the front door, which was not what we reserved. The food was okay at best. Our bartender was friendly and attentive, which was appreciated. The host seemed like he was trying to be nice, but he was incorrect about the reservation and dismissive about the issue. Overall, disappointing and not the experience we booked.

Good atmosphere, and had good meals here in the past but quality has definitely gone down… pretty mid-bad food…the sushi rice was mushy, the Cobb salad had zero flavor and tasted like it was made 30 minutes before, and the chicken cigars were honestly glorified tacquitos from 7-11. It tasted like they took the chicken katsu on the menu, grinded it up and put it into a tortilla. Disappointed

Angelia Gaskin

Had reservations & had to wait a moment but the service was very good and polite. The drinks were a bit watery so we only got one each because it didn’t seem worth it to get two, we usually try two each. The food was mid, I genuinely thought the burger was the frozen Tennessee pride slider from my childhood. Still unsure since it was so reminiscent, plus wasn’t asked for doneness. The short rib flatbread was good overall. The architecture is beautiful and probably best for small groups.

Frank Wang

Would not recommend for dinner. The place does not have a legit dinner menu. Their entire menu is basically an appetizer menu from most restaurants. Their portions are extremely small and very pricey for what you get. The service was also very bad, our server did not return to take our order for 10 min. He was not professional as well. The place is a one star imo because the food and service was just not on par. The burgers on their menu are basically sliders, under seasoned and overcooked. Their lobster roll had no visible chunks of lobster. Their wings were super small and very very very overcooked! Their flatbread is terrible. You'd get better flatbread/pizza at Papa John's. Overall, do not recommend. My experience here was very bad.

+4