Sol-Mar Restaurant

Olivia K

a year ago

I recently visited this hidden gem to celebrate my wedding anniversary, thanks to a recommendation from a family member. I went with my parents, husband, and a couple of friends, and we were all excited to try it out. I had high expectations, and I’m happy to say the restaurant truly exceeded them. The food was absolutely fantastic. One of the standout moments was when our steak arrived, served on a roof tile, such a unique and creative touch that immediately caught my attention. For appetizers, we ordered mozzarella sticks, which turned out to be a full meal rather than just a starter, as it came with fries. It was a pleasant surprise, and we ended up enjoying it even more than we expected. For the main course, most of us went for steak—though my friend opted for chicken. I can confidently say the steak was one of the best I’ve had all year, and considering I’ve dined at many restaurants, that’s saying a lot. It was perfectly cooked, juicy, and just bursting with flavor, simply flawless. My friend really enjoyed her chicken too, which was tender and flavorful, a nice alternative to the steak. To top off our meal, my husband and I ordered a "Happy Anniversary" cheesecake slice for dessert. It was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious, the perfect sweet ending to an already incredible meal. Overall, I highly recommend checking out this restaurant. It’s a true hidden gem in the Portuguese dining scene, offering great food, impeccable service, and a memorable experience. If you're looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a fantastic meal, this is definitely the spot!

Sam Schneider

2 months ago

Family has always been huge fans of this restaurant. The decor is cute and charming, but the real reason you come is for the food. Specials are always incredible and we usually get a seafood or grill dish too. Don't skip out on the sangria either!

Lola

10 months ago

Always a good time here. Party of 5 . We overstayed our welcome. The staff was great. Sangria. There are two vegetarian options. One option is a vegetable paella, and the other option is a vegetable plate with rice beans, vegetables, and two boiled potatoes. It’s not the most fabulous looking plate, but it is delicious and a good option for myself who is the only vegetarian in the party. The veg paella is very good however it’s super large and I know that if I take it home, I probably wouldn’t eat it so I don’t wanna waste it, but the vegetable pie is a good option if you have someone to share it with. My husband ordered salmon. My friends ordered a T-bone steak, beef, short ribs, and garlic shrimp. We had an abundance of olives and bread and cheese on the table as well as we ordered a bottle of water. We were so full that we couldn’t have dessert. However, my husband took the lemon cheesecake home my friend also took that home. I wanted to take the crème brûlée home and I would’ve appreciated that I was told that they would not prepare the crème brûlée like they would in the restaurant meaning that they put the sugar and then they toasted so that you can have that hard shell on top. Basically what I was given in a plastic container was something that looked like yellow pudding and I really didn’t appreciate that. An assumption was made that that was OK to give to me. Because it was not so I handed it back to them and we did not choose to take that home. My only request is, please advise the customer that if you take something home, it may not be prepared the way that it would be prepared at the restaurant - That that’s my only request. The restrooms are downstairs, which is not convenient for someone that’s handicapped. However, perhaps in a different part of the restaurant there’s a handicap restroom. I’m just not aware of it. There’s parking across the street with an attendant, and the parking is free with a few handicap spaces. However, the gen

Raquel Pereira

10 months ago

We were happy to find a restaurant that stays open late! The waiter was able to sit us quickly, at one of the outdoor tables as we requested. The food quickly arrived & did not disappoint at all. Everything was delicious & the flavors brought me back to my country! Miguel was very attentive & made sure we enjoyed the experience. All of the employees worked hard to make sure every guests was taken care of. We will be back soon!

Jose Villaman

4 months ago

Been coming here with my father since I was a kid, this place is an Ironbound staple. Personally I was a fan of the vibe before the renovations but that doesn’t matter the food is still great and the service is still top notch as it has always been. Be ready to be greeted by the owner or his sons, the bartender/servers are all awesome people and this place is open all the time it feels like. This time I had the leitāo for New Year’s Eve dinner at the bar, everything was perfect. The kind of places you know will be around forever, because it always has been!

Monica Goncalves

6 months ago

Sol Mar catered my dad’s birthday, and everything was absolutely amazing — from the initial booking to the very last bite. The staff was professional, kind, and attentive, and the food was beyond delicious. Every guest raved about it! I honestly don’t have enough words to express how impressed and grateful we are for the entire experience. Sol Mar exceeded every expectation, and I will 100% be using them again for future events. Highly, highly recommend!

Ali Borak

4 months ago

The place felt very warm and welcoming, and the design was beautiful. We went as a large group, and the restaurant was full, yet the service never slowed down. For appetizers, we ordered calamari and shrimp — both were very fresh and delicious. We tried the fish soup and the crab soup as well. After the salad, we had the seafood paella. The portions were large and filling. Prices were reasonable overall. We were very satisfied with both the service and the food. There’s also plenty of parking available right across the street.

The Philly Food FanaticTM

4 months ago

Sol Mar Marisqueira Sol Mar Marisqueira is one of the best Portuguese seafood restaurants in Newark, New Jersey, and a true destination for anyone looking for authentic Portuguese food and fresh seafood. This is classic Portuguese cooking done right. The Portuguese seafood rice (paella-style) was outstanding — loaded with lobster, shrimp, clams, and mussels, cooked in a rich saffron broth with perfectly tender rice. Every bite delivered deep flavor and balance, exactly what you expect from a top-tier Portuguese restaurant. The shrimp Mozambique was excellent — large shrimp sautéed in garlic, spice, and sauce with bold flavor that’s perfect for dipping bread. We also had a Portuguese steak dish, which was hearty, flavorful, and cooked perfectly, and a grilled seafood entrée that highlighted the quality and freshness of the fish. To finish, the flan dessert was silky, rich, and one of the better traditional Portuguese desserts we’ve had, and the house sangria was smooth and refreshing. Sol Mar Marisqueira is not trendy or gimmicky — it’s authentic Portuguese cuisine, generous portions, and consistent execution. If you’re searching for Portuguese seafood in Newark NJ, shrimp Mozambique, seafood rice, or classic Portuguese restaurants in Ironbound, this place absolutely delivers. Highly recommended for locals and anyone visiting Newark looking for real Portuguese food. — ThePhillyFoodFanatic™ Trusted • Respected • Always Hungry #ThePhillyFoodFanatic™️

Rose Quintiliano

2 months ago

A wonderful evening in Newark’s Ironbound. Sol-Mar continues to live up to its reputation for classic Portuguese cuisine. The halibut was fresh, delicate, and beautifully prepared, letting the natural flavor of the fish shine. My son-in-law enjoyed the Portuguese steak and eggs with fries—rich, hearty, and full of traditional flavor. A truly satisfying meal in one of the best neighborhoods for Portuguese food.

Christopher Limoncelli

2 months ago

We had such an amazing dinner here! The beer was crisp and the perfect way to start the night before the bread and entrées came out. The food was authentic Portuguese and absolutely incredible. The halibut was cooked perfectly, flaky and full of flavor, and the bitoque was spot on — tender, savory, and cooked just right. Everything came out hot and delicious, and the service made the experience even better. It was the perfect dinner before heading to see Matt Rife at the Prudential Center. Definitely highly recommend, and we will absolutely be back! 🇵🇹💚