01
← TBWE
The Atlas · NJ
new brunswick
Rutgers kids, theater crowds, and a chef's-menu scene that sneaks up on you. Late-night bar food that's actually good.
2 neighborhoods · 16 ranked spots
Best pizza
See full ranking →Best bbq
See full ranking →01
Best comedy clubs
See full ranking →01
COMEDY CLUBS · Downtown, New Brunswick
The Stress Factory
Working-circuit club with nationals most weekends.
Best sandwiches
See full ranking →01
SANDWICHES · College Avenue, New Brunswick
Grease Trucks
Fat sandwich culture born in parking lots, now weeknight canon.
02
SANDWICHES · Downtown, New Brunswick
The Fireplace
Late-night grilled-to-order fat sandwiches since forever.
Best seafood
See full ranking →01
SEAFOOD · Downtown, New Brunswick
Ray's Seafood
Unfussy fried seafood counter with lobster rolls in season.
Best donuts
See full ranking →01
Best diners
See full ranking →01
Best wings
See full ranking →01
WINGS · College Avenue, New Brunswick
Wings Plus
Dozen sauces, Rutgers staple, game-night delivery empire.
Best dive bars
See full ranking →01
DIVE BARS · Downtown, New Brunswick
Old Man Rafferty's
Absurd dessert case, respect your elders in any booth.
Best bowling alleys
See full ranking →01
BOWLING ALLEYS · Downtown, New Brunswick
Carolier Lanes
24-hour on Fridays. League-team-night perfection.
Best live music
See full ranking →01
LIVE MUSIC · Downtown, New Brunswick
Starland Ballroom
Mid-size standing-room venue. Loud rooms, tight curfews.
Best record stores
See full ranking →01
RECORD STORES · Downtown, New Brunswick
Vintage Vinyl
Jersey's biggest dollar bins. A day-trip in itself.
Best cocktail bars
See full ranking →01
COCKTAIL BARS · Downtown, New Brunswick
Tavern on George
Pre-show drinks crowd. Good bar seats if you come before 7.
02
COCKTAIL BARS · Downtown, New Brunswick
Café Graft
Small, tucked-away room. The espresso martini is the move here too.
Best coffee
See full ranking →01
COFFEE · College Avenue, New Brunswick
Hidden Grounds
Rutgers kids write their theses here. Chai is the secret order.