Audubon has more variety than a small borough usually does: a classic diner, a cheesesteak counter, Chinese takeout, a French bistro, a Latin café and a few neighborhood bars, with Merchant Street and the White Horse Pike carrying most of it. If you want a sit-down Italian dinner with handcrafted pasta, a full bar and room for a group, Duo Restaurant & Bar is a restaurant close to Audubon, just over in Haddon Township. Below you'll find how to choose by occasion, what each type of place offers, and what to know before you go.
TL;DR
- Audubon's restaurants cover diner breakfasts, cheesesteaks and hoagies, Chinese, Italian, French, Latin café fare and casual bar food.
- Merchant Street is the walkable strip for a night out, and the White Horse Pike has the quick, no-fuss options.
- For a scratch-made Italian dinner, date night or group table, Duo Restaurant & Bar is a restaurant close to Audubon in Haddon Township.
- Hours, specials and BYOB policies change, so check each restaurant's own page or call before you head out.
Table of Contents
- What the Audubon dining scene looks like
- The types of restaurants you'll find in Audubon
- Match the restaurant to the occasion
- Duo Restaurant & Bar: Italian close to Audubon
- Planning a private gathering near Audubon
- What to know before you go
- Our perspective
- Make an evening of it at Duo
- FAQ
- Sources
What the Audubon dining scene looks like
Audubon is a compact Camden County borough, and its restaurants reflect that. Most places are independent and owner-run, and most of them are easy to reach without a long drive. You don't get a big dining district with forty choices, but you do get real range for a town this size.
The Merchant Street corridor has been the center of the recent change. The Courier-Post described the revitalized strip when a Latin fusion café opened there in October 2022. It listed a mix of cafés, a burger spot, barbecue, Italian kitchens, a dessert shop and a craft beer business on the same stretch. That is the part of town where you can park once and have a few options within a short walk.
The White Horse Pike is the other spine. It is where you will find the long-running diner, the cheesesteak and hoagie shops, and takeout counters. It suits a quick lunch, a late meal or a family order on a school night.
The types of restaurants you'll find in Audubon
It helps to think in categories rather than names, because what you want on a Tuesday is different from what you want on a Saturday.
Diners and all-day breakfast
Audubon has a classic South Jersey diner that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. That is the right call for a big menu, a booth and a table where everyone can order something different. Typical diner menus run from eggs and pancakes to open-faced sandwiches, burgers, Greek salads and a long list of dinner entrées. Diners tend to keep long hours, but confirm the current ones on the restaurant's own page.
Cheesesteaks, hoagies and quick bites
This is South Jersey, so a good steak sandwich is a local expectation. Several counters around town serve cheesesteaks, hoagies and wraps, and these are usually order-at-the-counter places. They are ideal for a fast lunch or a takeout dinner. Because they run small, a group of six or more will be happier somewhere with table service.
Neighborhood Italian
Italian is the cuisine most readers in this area are really searching for. Audubon has a few Italian kitchens on and around Merchant Street, and the broader Haddon Township, Haddonfield and Collingswood area adds more. The differences matter: some lean red-sauce comfort food, others lean toward seafood or pasta made in-house. If handmade pasta is the goal, ask whether it's made on site. That is one place a scratch kitchen stands out.
French bistro and café dining
A French bistro opened on Merchant Street in April 2023. According to New Jersey Monthly, it seats 72, serves brunch and dinner Thursday through Monday, allows BYOB wine, and prices starters at $8 to $22 and entrées at $23 to $35. It's a useful benchmark for what a full-service dinner in Audubon costs. The same article notes a $35 three-course Monday tasting menu and a $10 Sunday sandwich menu, which shows how local owners build value into slower nights.
Latin café and sandwiches
The Latin fusion café that opened in 2022 puts the focus on sandwiches, and the Courier-Post reported its owner's view that the Cubano would be the star, because a sandwich is only as good as its bread. It's a good daytime stop, and a good reminder that the best small-town kitchens obsess over basics.
Bars, pubs and banquet rooms
For beer, game-day food and parties, Audubon has neighborhood bars and at least one restaurant with a banquet room. Chain dining is represented too, along the Nicholson Road area. These are dependable for big casual groups and for events where price per head matters more than atmosphere.
Match the restaurant to the occasion
| Occasion | What to look for | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Weeknight family dinner | Kid-friendly menu, no wait, easy parking | Diner, casual Italian, chain grill |
| Date night | Dim lighting, a wine list, a table you can linger at | Bistro, or an Italian kitchen with a full bar |
| Quick lunch | Counter service, fast turnaround | Cheesesteak shop, café |
| Friends' night out | Draft beer, shareable plates, easy conversation | Pub, or a restaurant with a bar and small plates |
| Small private gathering | A semi-private space and set menus | Banquet room, or a restaurant with event menus |
| Big breakfast | Early opening, a full griddle | Diner |
No single place does everything. The most common mistake is booking a counter-service spot for a celebration or a white-tablecloth spot for a casual Tuesday. Decide the occasion first, then the cuisine.
Duo Restaurant & Bar: Italian close to Audubon
We are Duo Restaurant & Bar, a restaurant close to Audubon in Haddon Township. We are a family-owned neighborhood spot from the same team behind Il Villaggio in Cherry Hill, and we opened in 2026. Our kitchen cooks from scratch, and we prepare nearly everything on the menu in-house.
Here is what that means for a table:
- Handcrafted pastas made as part of our scratch kitchen.
- Seasonal seafood from Long Beach Island when it is available.
- Premium domestic meats and approachable entrées.
- Creative small plates for sharing.
- A full bar with signature cocktails, a curated wine list and 18 craft beers on tap.
The room is modern-rustic and welcoming without being formal. We designed it for everyday moments: dinner with friends, date night, a casual group gathering. You can see the current dishes on our full menu and get a feel for the room in our photo gallery.
If you want to understand the style before you book, our guide to modern Italian dining explains what the term means and how to choose a good one.
Drinks and happy hour
A good bar changes the whole evening. Our happy hour menu lists signature cocktails at $10 to $12, wine specials at $8 a glass and plates and bites at $12. It is an easy way to start with a drink and a shared plate before dinner, or to make a casual night out with friends. Check the page for the days and times that apply.
Planning a private gathering near Audubon
Small private gatherings are a common reason locals search for a restaurant, and the options come in three kinds: a banquet hall, a restaurant's semi-private room or a buyout. A banquet hall suits large parties and weddings. A restaurant with event menus suits birthdays, rehearsal dinners, showers and work dinners, where you want real food at a set price per person.
At Duo we offer private dining and set event menus. Published prices are per person:
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Event Menu 1 | $36 per person |
| Event Menu 2 | $51 per person |
| Event Menu 3 | $63 |
| Elegant Cocktail Reception | $51 per person |
| Chef's Menu | $98 per person |
For space, group size and dates, the private dining page is the place to start.
A few planning habits make any private event easier, wherever you hold it:
- Fix a headcount range early, because set menus are priced per guest.
- Ask what is included in the price and what is added on top.
- Share dietary needs ahead of time so the kitchen can plan.
- Choose the menu style by the mood: a seated dinner for conversation, a cocktail reception for mingling.
What to know before you go
A few practical points save a wasted trip.
Hours change. Diners tend to run long days, while small independent restaurants often close one or two days a week and keep shorter hours on some evenings. The French bistro mentioned above, for instance, serves Thursday through Monday, per New Jersey Monthly. Always check the restaurant's own page or call.
Check the BYOB situation. Some Audubon-area restaurants don't hold a full liquor license and invite you to bring your own wine. Others, like Duo, have a full bar. If you want cocktails or draft beer, confirm before you book.
Reserve for weekends. Seating is limited in a small borough. For Friday and Saturday dinners, book ahead, particularly for groups of four or more. You can make a reservation at Duo online.
Parking. Merchant Street has street parking, while places on the White Horse Pike generally have lots. On busy nights, allow a few extra minutes.
Don't confuse Audubons. There is also an Audubon in Pennsylvania, and search results mix the two. Check that the address says Audubon, NJ 08106 before you set the GPS.
Our perspective
We opened Duo because we believe a neighborhood restaurant should feel like an extension of your own table. When you search for restaurants near Audubon, you're usually not looking for the fanciest room. You want food that someone actually cared about, a drink you enjoy and a place where you can relax.
That is why we cook from scratch. Pasta made by hand, sauces built in our kitchen and seafood from Long Beach Island when the season gives it to us all taste different from anything shipped in and reheated. Our team has been cooking this way at Il Villaggio in Cherry Hill, and Duo is our heartfelt new venture closer to home for the Audubon, Haddon Township and Haddonfield communities.
We also think a good evening needs a good bar. Eighteen craft beers on tap, signature cocktails and a wine list we curated thoughtfully mean everyone at the table finds something they like, whether that is a date night or a casual group dinner. Come hungry, leave inspired.
Jay
Make an evening of it at Duo
If you're deciding where to eat tonight, we'd love to host you. Start with a plate of handmade pasta, add a cocktail or a pour from our wine list and let the evening unfold. You can browse the full menu and reserve a table in a couple of minutes.
Giving a gift? Duo gift cards are a simple way to send friends or family out for a good dinner close to home.
FAQ
What kinds of food can I find at restaurants in Audubon, NJ?
You'll find diner classics, cheesesteaks and hoagies, Chinese takeout, Italian, French bistro fare, Latin café sandwiches and bar food. Merchant Street has the widest mix within walking distance. For scratch-made Italian with a full bar, Duo Restaurant & Bar is a restaurant close to Audubon in Haddon Township.
Where should I go in Audubon for a date night?
Look for a place with a wine list, softer lighting and a table where you won't be rushed. A bistro or an Italian kitchen with a full bar fits best. At Duo, we pair handcrafted pasta and seasonal seafood with signature cocktails and a curated wine list, in a warm, modern-rustic room.
Are there restaurants near Audubon for small private gatherings?
Yes. Options include banquet rooms and restaurants with set event menus. At Duo, our event menus start at $36 per person, and you can see space and details on our private dining page. Confirm the date and headcount before you book.
Do I need a reservation?
For weeknights at small spots, you can often walk in, but Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly, especially for groups. Booking ahead is the safest choice. You can reserve at Duo through our online reservation page.
Do Audubon restaurants allow BYOB?
Some do, and policies vary by restaurant, so check before you go. One Merchant Street bistro, for example, allows BYOB wine according to New Jersey Monthly. Duo has a full bar, so you don't need to bring anything.
Sources
- New Jersey Monthly: Café le Jardin in Audubon Makes French Food Accessible
- Courier-Post: Latin fusion café opening in Audubon