Groceries

There is no regular supermarket or grocery store in the central part of downtown Princeton. The options below are arranged based on distance from the Institute with the closest options listed first. (Note that the Institute shuttle does make regular trips daily in the evening to Trader Joe's (3rd from last on the list below) and also to the last two stores listed, so these may be the most convenient, even though they are further away.)

Stop & Shop Grocery Shopping

Mercato Online delivery from D'Angelo Italian Market (for description see below)
Delivery of groceries and pre-made dishes. Delivery can be requested for the same day and there is no delivery fee within Princeton

Instacart Online Delivery
Instacart is an American company that operates a grocery delivery and pick-up service in the United States and Canada. The company offers its services via a website and mobile app. The service allows customers to order groceries from participating retailers with the shopping being done by a personal shopper.

Wawa Convenience Store
140 University Place, Princeton (1.6 miles from the Institute)
The Wawa is a small shop that offers a small selection of some basic groceries as well as made-to-order sandwiches, coffee and snacks. It caters mostly to students. It is within walking distance from the Institute, on the corner of Alexander Street and University Place, by the Dinky (train station).

Princeton University Store (U-Store)
36 University Place, Princeton (1.5 miles from the Institute)
The Princeton University Store has two locations, one in Nassau Street and one in University Place. The University Place location has some basic groceries as well as dorm and school supplies, and technology. It is within walking distance from the Institute. Their hours of operation are all week from 8:00 am to 4:00 am when classes are in session. There is also a pharmacy inside this location but their hours of operation differ from those of the store. For additional information and directions follow this link.

D'Angelo Italian Market (1.5 miles from the Institute; website: www.dangelomarket.com) is a full service gourmet market (with some basic groceries and many gourmet items), specializing in quality custom-cut meats, prepared lunches and dinners, and special event planning, with an emphasis on quality food and superior customer service. Located at the corner of North Tulane and Spring Street it is further away from Institute housing than Wa-Wa (bove), but it is a higher-quality gourmet shop, and it is only five minutes from Firestone Library, so very convenient for those who use the library and go back by shuttle. It has been described as a combination of a corner shop and high quality Italian grocer. (Hinkson’s stationery and computer supply shop is on the opposite side of the road.)

Princeton Farmer's Market (1.5 miles from the Institute,Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through November 15th, in the square in front of Princeton Public Library, on Witherspoon Street, 1 block from Nassau St.) - Farmers from the local area bring produce, pies, and other items for sale. See the website for more detail: http://princetonfarmersmarket.com/

Whole Earth Center Natural Foods Grocery Store
360 Nassau St., Princeton (2.5 miles from the Institute)
The Whole Earth Center is a grocery store that offers organic food, baked goods, and other natural and homeopathic products. It also has a cafe that serves fresh-made sandwiches, salads and desserts. It is located just beyond the intersection of Nassau Street and Harrison Street. It is possible to get a ride most of the way to and from the Whole Earth Center by taking the "Free B" shuttle that goes from the Dinky Station on University Place to the stop on Harrison Street, which is quite near to the Whole Earth Center. Note, however, that this free transportation option only works in the evening hours because of the store's hours and the schedule of the "Free B" shuttle. For an evening trip to the store, however, this can be a convenient option. The first evening run of the Free B shuttle departss from the Dinky station starting at 5:35, and the shuttle runs a continuous circuit until after 8:00 p.m. The Whole Earth Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

McCaffrey's
301 Harrison Street, Princeton (3.1 miles from the Institute)
McCaffrey's is a full-service grocery store. It offers a wide range of groceries including many specialty and gourmet items, as well as baked goods and prepared foods. According to the website they also offer delivery for grocery orders of over $50. The store can be reached by New Jersey Transit bus route 606. Bus 606 picks up passengers at Palmer Square in downtown Princeton. (Palmer Square is about a 20 minute walk from the Institute, or you can take the Institute shuttle). The 606 bus goes from Palmer Square to the Princeton Shopping Center.

Trader Joe's
3528 Brunswick Pike - (3.43 miles from the Institute)
Trader Joe's is a relatively small grocery store that stocks mostly items that bear one of its own brand names. Trader Joe's describes itself as "your neighborhood grocery store" or "your unique grocery store". Products include gourmet foods, organic foods, vegetarian foods, unusual frozen foods, imported foods, domestic and imported wine and beer, "alternative" food items and staples like bread, cereal, eggs, dairy, coffee and produce as well as some non-food household items like paper goods and cleaning products. The Institute shuttle currently runs every weekday evening to Trader Joe's, leaving the Institute at 6:55 p.m., making one stop at Palmer Square before going directly to Trader Joe's, where the shuttle waits for 25 minutes before returning to the Institute..

Wegmans
240 Nassau Park Boulevard (Nassau Park Mall - 6.37 miles from the Institute)
Wegmans is a large grocery store located in a large mall with many other stores. The Institute shuttle goes to Wegmans on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Consult the shuttle schedule for times.

Shoprite
Route 1 South and Quakerbridge Road, Lawrenceville (Mercer Mall - 6.3 miles from the Institute)
Shoprite is a large grocery store located in a mall with many other stores. The Institute shuttle goes to Shoprite on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Consult the shuttle schedule for times.

Princeton University also has some potentially useful information about finding groceries on their web page.