The Unassuming Neighborhood In New Jersey That Has The Best Portuguese Food Ever

New Jersey as a state has so many amazing dining destinations. You’ll find great restaurants all over but certain towns stand out for their culinary scenes. Montclair, Hoboken and Princeton have all been named top foodie destinations but one major city doesn’t get the credit it deserves. That city is Newark. Why aren’t people flocking here? It’s a bit misunderstood. You can’t put the city in a box, it’s home to a variety of vibrant neighborhoods with wonderful attractions, museums, galleries, entertainment venues, universities and restaurants.

In the working-class Ironbound neighborhood, you’ll find an abundance of authentic Portuguese eateries. The neighborhood is easily accessible by train and light rail and also offers a monorail to Newark Airport, making it a very easy destination for travelers. It has been described by locals as reminiscent of a small European village, very walkable, very friendly. Another major perk? It is home to over 200 restaurants, most offering Spanish, Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine. The Portuguese food is so good that New York restaurant critics often direct their readers here. Below are just a few of the many dining options worth checking out.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

PortuCale - 129 Elm Street, Newark TripAdvisor/Saves9 Facebook/PortuCale Restaurant This eatery was named one of the 10 best restaurants in Newark and offers a lovely patio and plenty of parking. A fine dining experience, they also offer lounge areas great for watching the game. Don't miss out on daily specials for under $15 - including an alcoholic beverage. What to try? Go for a sampler platter or the grilled octopus. Bringing a picky eater along? They also have a kid-friendly menu with mac n' cheese and mozzarella sticks. If you want to grab something and go, a takeout menu is available. Seabra's Marisqueira - 87 Madison Street, Newark Yelp/Jessica B. Yelp/Kelly B. A local favorite since 1989, this spot specializes in Portuguese-style seafood. The lobster is the star of the show and cannot be missed. Perhaps best of all, the dessert menu is sizable and every dish is delicious. Tiramisu, tarts, rice pudding, flan, cheesecake, cookie cake, mascarpone, custard, creme brulee and a Portuguese meringue are only just the start. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the restaurant for you. If you have trouble making decisions, maybe not so much - there are around 50 different desserts offered. Portugalia - 280 Ferry Street, Newark Yelp/Portugalia Yelp/Mark C. What makes this bar and restaurant stand out? Lots, but the fresh bread and BBQ chicken are favorites. The sangria is sublime and the portions are plentiful. A more casual spot, prices are reasonable though you may need to wait a while for service. This spot draws a sizable local crowd, especially on game nights. Which game? Futbol, of course! Campino Restaurant - 70 Jabez Street, Newark Yelp/Marie J. Yelp/Kristin N. This elegant eatery is even more welcoming than before thanks to a recent remodel. It offers a warm, refined indoor dining area and breezy patio for the summer months. There is plenty of parking nearby but that's not the only perk. You'll enjoy friendly service, live music on select nights and daily specials like Piquillo pimentos with Oxtail. Picnic Portuguese BBQ & Grill - 233 Ferry Street, Newark Facebook/Picnic Portuguese BBQ Facebook/Picnic Portuguese BBQ This eatery may not be fancy, but they've got the best BBQ chicken (churasco) around. They're definitely doing something right to have stayed in business for over 40 years. Originally a cafe, it expanded to become Newark's first open-pit barbecue in 1982. The restaurant offers dine-in, delivery and takeout, along with free WiFi. While you should definitely come hungry, half-orders are available for most dishes. Fado singers perform on alternate Saturdays, helping to keep Portuguese traditions alive and thriving in the city. Sol-Mar - 267 Ferry Street, Newark Facebook/Sol-Mar Yelp/Katie L. This charming eatery will transport you straight to Lisbon. You'll feel as if you're dining at a sidewalk cafe with the quaint interior, complete with murals and brickwork. Their bar will take you right to the beach and the seafood tastes as if it's straight from the ocean. Enjoy lunch, dinners and drinks and don't miss their delicious Portuguese Sausage Bread. Adega Grill - 130 Ferry Street, Newark Facebook/Adega Restaurant Facebook/Adega Restaurant Adega Grill offers three distinct dining experiences: a restaurant, bar and lounge. The swanky spot has an incredible atmosphere that will have you feeling worlds away from the big city. The main dining room offers romance while the bar and lounge are modern and chic. You'll enjoy a sensational seasonal menu of Portuguese and Spanish dishes along with a wine list featuring over 180 selections. After your mouthwatering meal, head to the lounge area for DJs and dancing! A mix of music styles can be heard Thursday - Saturday while Sundays are all about energetic Latin beats. What to try? The Paella Marinara is a favorite. Sabor Unido - 77 Jefferson Street, Newark Yelp/M.F. Yelp/Sabor Unido This laid-back eatery offers both traditional Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine. In addition to the daily mix of authentic dishes, you'll find Brazilian pork stew on Saturdays and Portuguese mixed meats on Sundays. Their motto is, "We don't just cook food, we cook love." That belief shines through their friendly staff; when you're here, you'll feel like family. What to try? Sides like fried yucca and banana empanadas along with the grilled octopus, if you're craving a culinary adventure. On a health kick? They serve up fresh detox juices that pair well with most any meal.

One of the great things about New Jersey is our dining diversity! The Ironbound is four square miles of culture and cuisine that cannot be missed. What is your favorite Portuguese restaurant in Newark? If Cuban food is more your style, head to this New Jersey city, also known as the Havana on the Hudson.