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Located in northern New Jersey’s Hunterdon County, Lambertville contrasts its quaint Americana roots with a fresh roster of international flavors. Here are the 10 best restaurants in this town.

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Anton’s at the Swan

Fostering a delightful combination of sophistication and ease, Anton’s at the Swan exudes an old-world elegance paired with the inventive flair of contemporary American cuisine. Located in the 19th-century Swan Hotel, the decor is left in keeping with the era. It features dark wood panelling, leather armchairs, oil paintings and a scattering of antiques. In contrast with the surroundings, the menu changes seasonally to keep diners engaged and introduce a new range of flavors. Indulge in the roasted asparagus risotto, grilled monkfish or butternut squash soup with spiced apples in the candle-lit dining room. Or, choose from a selection of artisanal burgers and pizzas at the bar. Top off your meal with a pear tarte or the pumpkin cheesecake. Finish the night sipping scotch by the fire. For an effortlessly romantic evening, Anton’s at the Swan offers a fresh take on classic American dining.

Brian’s

One of the most talked-about restaurants in the Lambertville area, Brian’s features French and Northern Italian fare in a rustic yet trendy bistro-style setting. The ambiance is comforting with a semi-exposed kitchen containing a wood-fired oven that warms diners in the adjacent room. Brian’s offers prix fixe and regular dinner menus as well as Sunday breakfast. Each plate possesses a simple yet artful combination of flavors. Try the highly acclaimed sweetbreads Milanese or the black sea bass grenobloise for Saturday night dinner. Then, choose from an extensive range of omelets the next morning. Chef Brian Held regularly cultivates new dishes for the menu and a BYOB policy keeps the bill reasonable. More than just a restaurant, Brian’s is a concept; simple, delicious ingredients in a pleasant setting make for a wonderful dining experience.

Cross Culture


Surpassing its primary function as a restaurant, Cross Culture is about more than quality food inspired by the gastronomic traditions of Northern India – it provides diners with a holistic cultural experience. The décor is a combination of old-fashioned refinement and contemporary design elements that showcase a definitive Indian aesthetic. One of four restaurants otherwise located in Princeton, Haddonfield and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Cross Culture puts great care into creating an authentic and stylish atmosphere in which to dine. An expansive selection of curries, kormas and tandoori specialities – made in the traditional manner, using a clay oven – constitute only a fraction of the restaurant’s lengthy and accommodating menu. Presenting the best of Indian cuisine, music and design, Cross Culture has found great success within the Lambertville community.

D’Floret

Awarded the title of ‘Best New Restaurant’ in the 2013 Jersey Choice Awards, D’Floret is a proven Lambertville treasure. The open-kitchen restaurant features chef Dennis Foy’s two greatest passions: works of art and excellent food. Thus the walls are adorned with several pieces of Foy’s own artwork. Colorful and abstract, his paintings bring a vivacious quality to the otherwise sleek decor. A large and unusual light fixture by Israeli artist Ayala Serfaty adorns the ceiling and guests have the pleasure of sitting in comfortable yet classically stylish Arne Jacobsen chairs. Using high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients, Chef Foy’s dishes are clean and inventive at excellent prices. This is fitting for the restaurant’s modest yet thoughtful atmosphere.

El Tule

In affectionate reference to the family tree of owners Fausto and Carmen Egoavil, El Tule is named after a giant Montezuma cypress tree located in Santa María del Tule in Oaxaca, southern Mexico. Having relocated from Lima, Peru in 1992, the Egoavils opened El Tule in 2011. Here, they offer a vibrant fusion of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. The menu features Americanized favorites like quesadillas, enchiladas and burritos. There is also traditional and wholesome Peruvian fare such as ceviche (fish cured in citrus juices), yucca fries and an assortment of quinoa dishes. A small and intimate restaurant decorated with Hispanic folk art, El Tule provides the sophisticated tastes of Latin and South America in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Lambertville Trading Company

A neighborhood mainstay since 1982, the Lambertville Trading Company (LTC) is a family-owned cafe that specializes in more than a terrific cup of coffee. Not to worry, coffee is on the menu – and lots of it. But if it isn’t the French press or five daily filtered brews that sway you, choose between an extensive selection of herbal teas and specialty drinks. There is everything from pumpkin spice and chai tea lattes to LTC’s signature hot chocolate. In addition to a variety of hot and cold beverages, the shop offers an assortment of freshly baked cakes and pastries. LTC possesses a charming allure with the rustic atmosphere of a general store. The staff is welcoming, the patrons are friendly and the shelves are stocked with an eclectic range of gourmet goods, coffee mugs and espresso sets for sale. Bring cash, as credit and debit cards are not accepted.

About the author

After four years studying in Scotland, Rachel traded Edinburgh's gothic splendors for the modern grandeur of her hometown. Based in New York City as Culture Trip's Art and Design Editor, she's traveled on assignment from Art Basel Miami Beach to the Venice Biennale, jumping on cutting-edge industry news and immersing herself in feature stories. Her anthropological background continues to support a keen fascination with the social, cultural, and political significance of art.

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