You unpacked the boxes — now here is where students at Rutgers University New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ) actually eat, shop, bank, and hang out. Bookmark this for your first month.
RU Hungry fat sandwiches
Legendary grease-truck heir on Hamilton St — get a Fat Darrell
Hansel 'n Griddle grill / wraps
Easton Ave staple for cheap wraps and all-day breakfast
Old Man Rafferty's American
Albany St classic for family visits and huge desserts
Efes Mediterranean Turkish
Longtime Easton Ave spot for gyros and kebabs
Thomas Sweet ice cream
Beloved blend-in ice cream near College Ave
Destination Dogs hot dogs
Creative dogs and late-night eats on Paterson St
Target (North Brunswick) big-box
Route 1, about 3 miles from campus
Walmart Supercenter big-box / grocery
Route 1, roughly 4 miles — cheapest dorm basics
Stop & Shop (Somerset) grocery
Easton Ave, about 2.5 miles from College Ave
Walgreens pharmacy
Jersey Ave, about a mile from College Ave dorms
Rutgers campus buses transit
Free buses link all five campuses — track in the app
New Brunswick Station train
NJ Transit Northeast Corridor steps from College Ave
Hurtado Health Center student health
On-campus clinic for College Ave students
Barnes & Noble Rutgers bookstore
Official campus store next to the train station
NYC day trip
NJ Transit to Penn Station in about an hour
State Theatre
Big-name concerts and Broadway tours on Livingston Ave
Stress Factory
National comedians minutes from campus
Zimmerli Art Museum
Free Rutgers art museum on College Ave
Football at SHI Stadium
Big Ten game days with student tickets and tailgates
Hand-checked August 2026. Hours and locations change — give places a quick look before you head out. Some links on this site earn us a commission at no cost to you.