Here I go again--another French bistro I absolutely adore. Christine's French Bistro is everything you want in a cozy, decadent French spot: small, intimate, softly lit with sconces, and anchored by a beautiful bar you can dine at or just sip champagne and linger. Let's be honest--I come here for one reason: the soufflés. They are my kryptonite. Sweet or savory, they never disappoint. I've had the chocolate (rich, decadent, flawless), though I'm still chasing my ultimate favorite--the elusive Grand Marnier soufflé. One day... Beyond that: * Mussels + champagne = always a win * Service is warm and welcoming * Prices feel fair for the quality and experience This place has become part of my ritual when I'm in the area. I'll fly into Newark Liberty International Airport, hop on the Amtrak Acela, get off in Princeton, head straight here, and yes--plan my trip around a soufflé. No regrets. The location is perfect--right in the heart of Princeton, which is one of those charming, walkable towns with tree-lined streets and that classic, almost European feel. There's garage parking nearby, but honestly, once you're there, you won't need your car. Perfect for: * Date night * Dessert and champagne with friends * Solo bar seating (highly recommend) Bottom line: Elegant, cozy, and worth going out of your way for--especially if you love a proper soufflé. Life's too short not to eat well. Go make it happen. read more

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Great ambiance, wonderful place for brunch. Love that you can sit indoors or out, but the menu is very limited. I ordered the breakfast burger and it was very dry- asked for some additional sauce and it was $3 extra to make it edible which was a bummer. Service was good and hostess was kind. read more

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Was on track to give 4 stars but as I wrote this, realized that I'll give it 3 stars. It somewhere in between a 3 and 4. Food wise, the only real complaint is the portion size. Of course it could be related to price but I'm happy to have paid more for larger portions. Had the mussels and they taste very good. Given the price of mussels, I'm surprised it was fairly small. Get it that they are the appetizer size but, i think they could have made it a little larger. The onion soup - they've changed their recipe. I think they added a spoon of seeded Dijon mustard. I liked the older recipe better. This one made it a bit weird. It was also a little more liquidy than I remember the last time. Continuing the theme of portion size, you can see from the photo, the size of the steak is pretty small with a paltry set of fries. If anything I would offer multiple sizes so that for bigger people who want a larger steak aren't left hungry. 2 in our party had the steaks - one medium and one medium rare. They were both medium rare. Given the size of the steak, it was VERY inconsistent - medium well on the edges and almost rare in the middle. Further continuing the portion size issue, the chocolate soufflé. The remekin was maybe 2 inches in diameter? Kinda small. Also proportionally off - a glob of whipped cream on the side with a glob of vanilla ice cream. All good taste.. but just small.... Looking at some of the other photos, I think they may have made the soufflé smaller this time around. Service was very friendly. Sat in the back off to the right. Chair was up against a set of refrigerators for wine. Don't know - they don't belong there. It's not adding to the aesthetic and made us feel a little odd and wondering if someone was going to interrupt us to get a bottle. read more

Kristines - Steak frites - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Our first visit was great. Drinks were well-mixed and the food was delicious. Don't miss the mussels! Our waiter, Kevin was friendly and attentive. We'll be back for sure. read more

Arrived at Kristine's, a charming French restaurant located in the piazza of Palmer Square right next to Witherspoon Grill. Parking was easy, there's a convenient garage directly behind the Princeton Library. We had reservations for 6:30, but wouldn't you know it , we still waited about 15 minutes for our table . Honestly, what's the sense of making a reservation if you have to wait? Once seated, things didn't improve right away. We didn't see a waiter for about 10 minutes. Someone finally brought us water, but no menus. After waiting a while longer, I actually got up and went to the hostess stand myself to grab four menus for our group. At that point, my expectations weren't high. Roughly 25 minutes after sitting down, our waitress finally came over to take our order. Up until then, the only thing on our table was water. I decided to be adventurous and try escargot for the first time and I'm so glad I did. It came in a small carafe-style dish with two pastry puffs, and it was probably one of the best appetizers I've had in a long time. The garlic sauce really brought the flavors to life, and I'd definitely order it again. Our entrées arrived about 45 minutes later, and though the service was slow, the food truly delivered. I was so caught up in finally enjoying my meal that I forgot to take pictures but trust me, it looked as good as it tasted! To finish, I ordered the chocolate soufflé, which was outstanding rich, airy, and perfectly done. Overall, Kristine's has excellent food and a great atmosphere, but the service needs serious improvement. If they can work out the timing and organization, this could easily be a five-star experience. read more

Kristines - Sorry, I forgot to take pictures. The food was so delicious. I wanted to show what was left of my plate. - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Dining at Kristine's in Princeton was truly an unforgettable experience. From the first bite of the Mushroom Tart and Seasonal Gazpacho to indulgent entrées like the Braised Lamb Shank, C.O.W. Strip Loin, Duck Leg Confit, and perfectly cooked Salmon, every dish reflected the elegance and artistry that Kristine's is known for. Of course, we couldn't resist ending on a sweet note with the Chocolate Soufflé and Crème Brûlée. The evening wouldn't have been complete without sipping on Kristine's signature Vieux Carré--a house favorite crafted with Dom B&B, Bastille whiskey, sweet vermouth, Angostura & Peychaud's bitters. Under the guidance of James, Kristine's head bartender, we were able to discover not only the best pairings for our meal but also learn about the thoughtful details that go into every drink and dish. His knowledge and passion elevated the entire dining experience. Whether you're local or visiting Princeton, Kristine's is the kind of restaurant that balances timeless French-inspired cuisine with impeccable hospitality--an experience worth savoring. The ambiance just makes you feel as if you're in France! read more

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Got to enjoy my birthday dinner dining inside. I loved the ambience and service. They have a nice glass and bottle wine selection. Of course I had to order the Chateau du pape. I also got to enjoy the steak tar tar and mussels in white wine butter sauce. Everything was delicious read more

Cute French restaurant in the main Princeton area. I came for a girl's brunch and it was a great spot - the space felt bright and open near the windows, the staff was very friendly, and the food and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were delicious. I know that managing a big party can be difficult, but everything went seamlessly. Lovely spot overall for brunch! read more

Kristines - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Dined here for New Year's Eve - our first visit. What a gem. Easily the best restaurant in Princeton in my book. Ambiance: Charming, well furnished; nice French bistro vibe. Service: Warm, attentive. Food: Outstanding. Very high quality ingredients. Homey, but elevated flavors. We ordered: - Mushroom Tart: Our first bite; unreal. Flaky, light pastry; rich sauce. This brought us straight back to restaurants from our Paris trip earlier in the year. - Mushroom Salad: Another great starter - Omelet: Did not try - Coq Au Vin: Delicious. Very flavorful sauce; great texture contrast with creamy potatoes, tender chicken, and bacon bits - Arctic Char: Perfectly cooked piece of fish. The sauce was excellent Very versatile place; great as a neighborhood spot and for celebratory occasions as well. Will definitely be back. read more

Friendly and attentive staff, delicious food, great cocktails. On the downside- very loud and the wall next to our table needed to be washed. read more

Kristine's 51 Witherspoon Street. Princeton, NJ 08542 Lamb Shank Chicken Basquaise Table Bread Both the interior and exterior of the restaurant was filled with customers and immediately knew I was going to be in for a treat. Lamb Shank: The tender, juicy lamb shank fell right off the bone. The lentils were a perfect compliment to this dish. Chicken Basquaise: The braised chicken was topped with chorizo, bell peppers, onions, crushed tomato and garlic. Table: Even the table bread was winner; it came in handy, especially for dipping in the main entrée sauces. This is a flawless experience and I will return in a heartbeat. If you decide to dine here, there is plenty of street parking and garage parking lots; however parking is not free in this area of Princeton. read more

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One modest martini and perhaps thirty minutes at the bar prior to the Oscars at the Princeton Garden theater was enough to convince me to return. Delish Peach Martini (first cocktail of 2026 - not a drinker) but the aroma of the French fare nearly made me skip the Oscars showing. see you soon and thanks for seating me Darlene of Langhorne! read more

PRINCETON: Exquisite French-inspired cuisine awaits at Kristine's Princeton, where every dish is fresh and thoughtfully prepared for a memorable dining experience. Leashed and friendly dogs are welcome on the charming front patio, which overlooks Hinds Plaza, also home to the Princeton Farmers Market. We stopped in for dessert and drinks and loved the crème brûlée and Brittany butter cake, both perfectly paired with our cocktails. The service was attentive and welcoming throughout. read more

Kristines - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Had a company dinner earlier this week at this cute French restaurant, and glad this place was chosen. Easy to miss as signage was not obvious. Server was friendly and took our order quickly. It was a lovely evening, and pretty packed at abt 6:30pm. I ordered the dinner special, Arctic Char. Fish was perfectly cooked with crisp edges and just delicious. This was complemented nicely with black rice, which gave the meal some interesting texture. I very much enjoyed it with my pear martini! Colleagues ordered - Coq Au Vin which looked nice however, tasted just ok (he wasn't happy it didn't come out really hot) - Rack of lamb - this I got to taste and it was wonderful, meat falling off bone - French onion soup was pretty good, but filling read more

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The worst french onion soup I ever had, too salty, wrong flavors ( and I order it often). gazpacho was a bit better, but not traditional Out of 4 dishes duck was good read more

Located in a small courtyard in the historic Princeton area, this chic & quaint spot is a must visit. I just love, love French cuisine. I always get escargot if it's on the menu. Here they served it in a unique way. It's topped with a flaky pastry covering the huge snails on the bottom. So delishhh. Other items I ordered that I highly recommend: - Onion Soup (how a French Onion Soup is supposed to be) - French Toast w/caramel sauce & apples (love how eggy it was. I would get this again) - Mushroom & Cheese Omelet w/fries Service was a 10/10. I forgot our amazing waiter's name. That is what happens when you take a week to write a review. Reservations highly recommended. Metered Street Parking (good luck with that). read more

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Very disappointed. To begin, the first basket of bread was stale and cold. One small pat of butter for a table of 3. 2 of our group ordered the steak frites and the steak was tough and full of gristle which made it inedible. There were literally 8 French fries on the plate and they were cold. I understand restaurants are trying to cut costs but potatoes are still cheap. One diner had the lamb special which was supposed to be served with a sauce but was dry and flavorless. The accompanying black rice was just there. The only positive was our server who was helpful and friendly. This is Princeton for Pete's sake. Most of the patrons have been to France and know good dining. read more

The best part was Kevin who took care of our table. My mom is sensitive to salty food. Kevin went out of his way to have her fish re made to her needs. Mussels were perfect. My husband's steak was soft like butter. He loved it. Onion soup wasn't my favorite. The broth was different than we are used to. read more

One of my absolute favorites in town, I gotta put you on notice though, mussel frites requires crusty quality bread, not whatever I was served that was made in house. 100% not the same as what you have historically served, dense, flat, not fit for purpose. The steak , also a fail, diff cut than what's been your norm? Same with the French onion, all is the sudden it's super tangy now, adding mustard?! Get back at it. The new corner cutting and changes are taking you down. Consistent with other recent reviews, always wonder, how does management not read and address?? read more

I always love eating here. I've been here twice for dinner and gotten the trout both times which was delicious! today I was here for Mother's Day brunch and got the ratatouille omelette. The eggs were absolutely delicious and so fluffy and the fresh baked bread was a great delight. They even gave me a few slices to take home fresh baked in a to go box to go with my leftovers everything everyone got for brunch. Today was wonderful including Eggs Benedict a croquet Monsieur, and French toast. Our server was Jane and she really made the Mother's Day brunch, so professional and special. This is a wonderful restaurant and I cannot say enough good things. read more

Kristines - Ratatouille Omelette - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

charming restaurant...delicious onion soup...yummy salad with whole shrimp....service excellent....ambiance bistro...:)

Pick a quiet for the best ambiance & service. Good selection of French cuisine & desserts. Very close to parking garage.

Came to Kristine's for Princeton restaurant week & man, did they pull out all the stops! I was mesmerized the second I walked in -- it was like a cute French bistro with a sophisticated bar as the central view. Staff was very polite and we had a good experience! Of course, I had to get an espresso martini after we discovered that Kristine's espresso martini was voted the best in New Jersey. It was a good drink but I can't say it's the best in the state. But I'm willing to try again!! :) jokes aside, the restaurant week menu was a delight! I was happy there was an option for vegetarians, and especially excited when they were mushroom-focused dishes. For the first course, the mushroom tart was spectacular. The mushroom flavor was perfectly there and made the perfect companion for the flaky pastry dough. I could have ordered a few more and just called it a night. The main pappardelle pasta had a flavorful, creamy mushroom sauce that hit the spot. The pasta was good but there was nothing particularly amazing about the noodle itself -- however that didn't take away from the dish or its flavors. Great pasta and extra points for being vegetarian! For our delicious dessert, I had to try the opera cake. It was scrumptious and a great way to end the delicious meal! Those three courses did a number on me... in a good way!! Oh and we can't forget about the classic bread basket. The bread was so soft and tasty, I love a good carb with some butter. Kristine's did everything right with their bread basket!! I can't wait to come again! read more

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Bon Appétit! After watching Julia, I was elated that my friend suggested a French restaurant. This place did remind me of dining back in Europe with the smaller tables with just enough room for everything and all the silverware. I loved that the bar area was right front and center. Next time I'll be sitting there. We went for restaurant week so we were served a three course meal. Everything I ate was delicious. The Coq au vin was the dish I came her for and it was a show stopper! You could really taste the wine the chicken was cooked in and when you got a bite of the bacon lardons with it it was even better. All the desserts were delicious - can't go wrong with any of them. read more

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I keep coming back to Kristine's because the food here is so delicious and I love eating mussels Ambiance - outdoor seating is perfect on a nice warm day -inside the space is cozy and has soft lighting at night - the interior dining area can get a bit stuffy when the restaurant is full Service - friendly staff - food came relatively quickly - our server kept the bread coming! Food - escargot: so buttery and herby. The escargot was huge and pleasantly chewy - steak tartare- seasoned well, I just wish it came with more bread pieces - mussels frites- I've gotten this twice now and I love how large the mussels are! The light creamy broth is delicious as well. Fries were huge, hot and crispy! - French Brittany butter cake- had a slight cornbread texture and was wonderfully butterfly and not too sweet read more

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French food at Princeton, NJ We had our dinner Monday 5:15pm with a reservation. The restaurant was not busy and the service was very attentive and the staff were very friendly. Since we were hungry, we started off with 1lb mussels with creamy white wine which was divine. We dipped in sliced bread to finish off left over sauces. The French onion soup was very creamy and not too salty. The escargot tasted good with parsley garlic butter sauce. My hot wine was sweet and the cognac paired well. As a main course, pan seared salmon went well with creamy risotto, trout, rainbow trout tasted nice with crunchy string beans with sliced almond and Coq au Vin, chicken in red wine sauce was very French. Our chocolate souffle was warm and heavenly with vanilla gelato and fresh cream. I loved my expresso with vanilla gelato. It was a very pleasant and fantastic dinner! read more

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Been here twice and both times, my experience was top notch! Waitstaff is great, vibe of the restaurant is perfect for a quaint French restaurant and all the dishes are delicious. I always get the escargot (and dip the bread in the melted butter which is leftover after the snails are eaten!) and beef tartare. Also, I enjoy the duck leg confit and someone I'm with has always ordered the steak frites and loved it. I will undoubtedly return for another amazing meal soon! read more

Kristines - Duck Leg Confit - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Fair 3/5 bistro cuisine for our Francophile family Drinks 4/5 menu is well done and perhaps the highlight Great start to finish to finish service by staff 4/5 read more

We went there for my birthday last year. Amazing. Great food, service, drinks. Such a cute place. Definitely make a reservation

I had a lovely lunch outside at Christine's this afternoon. A wonderful Arnold Palmer delicious homemade bread and a superb lamb shank on lentils with a light orange sauce and my waitress. June couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful and everybody was nice to my dog Teddy. read more

We've been here a few times over the years most recently this summer. We sat outside and enjoyed a lovely quiet dinner. I had a steak. It was delicious. Great ambience, great service, great food! read more

So thankful this restaurant was recommended to us! The service is warm, friendly, knowledgeable and fun. The food is spectacular - really enjoyed the onion soup (MUST GET and completely surprised that the soup itself is vegan! You can ask for vegan cheese if you want), the beef tartare, the steak frites, moules and the lemon tart. They also have a great wine list :) can't wait to go back!! read more

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We have been to Kristines a few times now. This time we were very disappointed. We have reservations for 4 and the host could not seem to get it right. The reservation was for inside and he wanted us outside. His attention to us was limited, distracted by others walking in with no reservations, and then he pointed out a table inside that was wedged in the corner. He proceed then to throw the menu on the table at us. The owner or wine steward made their rounds to many tables, but totally ignored our table each time he did. The waitress was accommodating but lacking at times. For a $200 plus dinner, the dedication to the service to our party none existent. The host even brought more bread to a table next to us when he noticed that their bread was empty. He did notice us when he thought our check needed to be paid. What a lousy experience! Will not going back here! read more

Loved this restaurant ! Very authentic french food and customers - great service. The best espresso martini in NJ (but seriously was voted ). We started our night at the bar and had a couple delicious cocktails / I got the French blonde and my friend got the espresso martini. We also enjoyed happy hour drinks! They had a great blanc de blanc that I enjoyed with apps! We shared the steak tartare and country terrine , both delicious. I'm also weirdly obsessed with the cornichons here- idk why they are different but they are good! Dinner we had coq au vin, which is a traditional dish that they are well known for- and it was phenomenal ! They had a raspberry dessert on the specials that was phenomenal as well! Can't wait to come back to Kristine's for another espresso martini ! Highly recommend coming and checking it out! read more

Kristines - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Very good food. Really cute french bistro. Potato, leek and fennel soup was great. They have a nice wine list with friendly service. Have to take off one point for the hostess that was obnoxiously chewing her gum as we entered to confirm our current reservation. Maybe at Mcdonalds this is acceptable read more

I loved my meal. I started with sharing the mousse de foie gras with the table. It's very rich and it would have been too much just for me. It came with a very intense ginger brown bread and pickled apples. Next I got the coq au vin which was cooked sous vide. It was delicious! They have a nice wine selection by the glass and I got a light bodied French pinot noir to go with it. Service was good but slightly slow. One pet peeve I have is that the server wanted to take away plates even though someone was still eating. Ambiance is very French Bistro. read more

Kristines - Coq au vin and glass of pinot noir - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

We sat outside with our pup and had a wonder meal! Staff was friendly. Would come back! Mushroom soup, tartar, and mousse were our favorites. Cocktails and wines were great too read more

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We reserved a seat at the bar (2 of us) and it was ready when we arrived. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, and the food was excellent. They had a nice selection of wines and cocktails were good. Steak tartare was prepared well, and entrees were Chicken Basquaise and duck leg confit. Both were tender and well-seasoned. Chocolate mouse for dessert had a nice bit of dark chocolate to give some bitter to offset the sweetness. Great place. We'll be back for sure. read more

The food is delicious and the service wonderful. The Coq au Vin, Rainbow Trout Meunière as well as the omelets are amazing. The Tarte Tatin so good. Very warm and inviting atmosphere. Love Kristine's! read more

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Good food, delicious cocktails and great selection of wines, warm n friendly ambience