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The Best Spots to Wine and Dine Near the HEROIC Campus

When rehearsal is over, it’s time to refuel. These restaurants are sure to hit the spot.

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Public speaking

The HEROIC Journey

Michael

Hudson

Compassionate Educator

minute read

Published on

November 24, 2025

The picturesque river towns of Lambertville and New Hope are creative sanctuaries home to some of my favorite restaurants.

After an inspiring day of deep work, breakthrough moments, and pushing your performance to the highest level, you’re hungry. (And not just for more insights, but for some real, filling grub.)

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In my time spent in Lambertville-New Hope over the years as a HEROIC Speaker Mentor and Alum, I’ve landed on a few favorite restaurants that I recommend to many students. Whether you’re coming for CORE | The Breakthrough Experience, GRAD | Stage Performance Mastery, or HEROIC Homecoming (or just stopping by to say hello), these are my top seven restaurants that you won’t want to miss.

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For each one, you’ll find my favorite features and recommendations for what to order. Generally, this is what I look for in a fantastic place to eat:

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Great food (duh)
Creative cocktails
Comfortable ambience
Attentive—not invasive—service

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The seven places you’ll find below meet and exceed those expectations. They’ve become my go-to spots when I’m in the area.

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Best Restaurants in New Hope, PA

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Both of these great restaurants are located right over the bridge, on the banks of the Delaware River. They’re just about a 25-minute walk from the HEROIC Campus.

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The Salt House

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I’m not sure I’d have made it through my first session of GRAD if I hadn’t discovered this great local haunt. With a casual atmosphere, great food, and good cocktails, this is my go-to spot to unwind after a long day of deep work. Go with a group of four to six HEROIC students; eat, drink, enjoy, and create long-lasting connections with like-hearted people.

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Favorite Features: The downstairs seating area is cozy and casual. Enjoying a meal with friends near the fireplace is perfect for those cold winter nights. If the weather’s nice, the outdoor seating area is great too. The staff is kind, attentive, and welcoming.

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What to Order: Fresh oysters, a few items from the “snacks” section of the menu, and a rye old-fashioned or a glass of your favorite wine.

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Martine's River House

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When the weather is right, there’s nothing better than dining beside the Delaware River at sunset. Martine’s is just the place to do that. If you’re looking for some alone time, the bar is a great place to sneak in for a quiet solo dinner. If you’re with a group, they also have options for group seating.

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Favorite Features: The outdoor seating by the river, friendly bartenders willing to experiment to create just what you want, and on-point food make this place stand out.

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What to Order: Martine’s has a variety of great bar specials, including the burger special (preferably accompanied by a boulevardier or old-fashioned with an Amarena cherry). Their daily specials and seafood are fantastic as well. The menu here changes from time to time, so what you ordered during your last visit might not be available next time.

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Best Restaurants in Lambertville, NJ

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These great eats in Lambertville are all less than twenty minutes walking distance from Campus. With fantastic food, options for group seating, and great service, you can’t go wrong with these recommendations.

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The Hawke

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This is a hidden gem of a place—one of those you might pass right by if you’re not looking for it. Part steakhouse, part bar, part outdoor oasis (on warm days), The Hawke always has good food, excellent service, and a comfortable vibe.

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Personally, it’s been my escape after study hall nights when I just want some private time. I find my favorite spot at the bar, grab a bite to eat, enjoy a cocktail or two, and reboot for the next day.

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Favorite Features: Close to the HEROIC Campus, this restaurant is connected to the Hawke Inn (if you’re lodging there, you get discount coupons). Great outdoor seating, fantastic food, an excellent bar—this place has it all. It’s even got a space that can accommodate groups of up to 24 people.

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What to Order: If you’re looking for something light, try the wedge salad and the shrimp cocktail; the shrimp are huge and the wedge is well balanced. Add a rye boulevardier and finish it off with a slice of carrot cake—it’s one of the best I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried way too many).

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El Tule

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A unique blend of Peruvian and Mexican cuisine, the food at El Tule is nothing short of excellent. If you’re looking for something different, this is the place to go. The staff always greet you with a smile and work to accommodate large groups when they can. (The only challenge is finding a place to park, especially around dinner time.)

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Favorite Features: This restaurant is great for exploring new Peruvian flavors or classic Mexican dishes. They also have great takeout options if you’d prefer something grab-and-go.

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What to Order: The ceviche here is out of this world. If you’re not a ceviche fan, consider the “Piqueos to Share” section of the menu to start—along with your margarita of choice.

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T54 Restaurant & Bar

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If you’re hungry for Italian food, this is for you. From the moment you walk in, you’re delightfully overwhelmed by a rich, authentic Italian charm. T54 Restaurant & Bar has good food, a warm atmosphere, and a lovely staff. It’s a great place for dinner with a few friends (keep in mind that T54 is also closed on Mondays).

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Favorite Features: A refreshing, open, and airy space that provides a great contrast from the more homey, small-town feel of many of the other places in the area.

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What to Order: The all-time best dish I’ve had here was a perfectly cooked, absolutely delicious veal chop. It might not be on the menu every night, but if I was heading here for dinner, that’s what I’d look for.

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Broadmoor Restaurant

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The Broadmoor has been a staple for HEROIC students for as long as I can remember. Right on Union Street, this gem is a great place to enjoy a meal with friends and be treated like family. (Keep in mind that The Broadmoor is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)

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Favorite Features: Comfortable and welcoming, at this place, you never feel like you’re being rushed to leave. Their BYOB policy helps keep costs down and lets you bring your own favorite beverage.

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What to Order: The Broadmoor has a variety of great seafood and pasta options. Courtney Forsberg, HEROIC’s Senior Enrollment Manager, says: “My go-to appetizer is the beet and orange salad with feta; it’s light, fresh, and always delicious. They also have a few menu staples you can never go wrong with. I often order half chicken parm, half eggplant parm with vodka sauce—it’s the perfect combo in the winter! That said, I usually can’t resist trying their fish or seafood special; it’s consistently outstanding.”

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Lambertville Station

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On Monday nights, a lot of restaurants are closed—but not this one! The Lambertville Station is the perfect place to get together and share some appetizers over a glass of wine. They have an extensive menu with regular specials, great appetizers, and both smaller and more complete meals.

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Favorite Features: Large parking lot. Plenty of seating options for small- to medium-sized groups. A solid wine list.

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What to Order: The black cod, crab and lobster bisque, and brussels sprouts are a few of my favorite dishes (they’ve fed my soul many a night). They also have great daily specials and fantastic seafood options.

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“Table for eight, please.”

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I’ll be honest, when I find a place I like, I’m rather loyal. I’ve been to most of the restaurants I’ve mentioned more times than I can count. I come back again and again, and more often than not, bring new friends and HEROIC students along with me.

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You see, coming to HEROIC—being a part of the HEROIC community—is much more than just achieving mastery and perfecting your message. It’s about relationships. It’s about real connection. It’s about people.

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Connecting with a few fellow students at the end of the day and building relationships that will continue throughout our shared journeys towards purpose, impact, and change is invigorating—and maybe even more filling than your favorite meal.

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The insights we’ve explored over hearty meals at these restaurants didn’t just help us bond as a cohort, it gave us an extra space to discuss the issues we were wrestling with as we searched for the message that mattered most to us.

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So whether you’re in the Lambertville-New Hope area for the first time or the 15th, give one of these stellar restaurants a try. And bring a few fellow speakers, leaders, or Alumni along with you—because the best meals are the ones that are shared.

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Best Restaurants in Lambertville, NJ

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The Hawke

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El Tule

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Favorite Features: This restaurant is great for exploring new Peruvian flavors or classic Mexican dishes. They also have great takeout options if you’d prefer something grab-and-go.

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What to Order: The ceviche here is out of this world. If you’re not a ceviche fan, consider the “Piqueos to Share” section of the menu to start—along with your margarita of choice.

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T54 Restaurant & Bar

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Favorite Features: A refreshing, open, and airy space that provides a great contrast from the more homey, small-town feel of many of the other places in the area.

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