PORTUCALE RESTAURANT, Newark - North Ironbound - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?

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About

Greetings,PortuCale Restaurant is a family owned and run restaurant serving authentic regional Portuguese food. We believe in using the highest quality products, fresh, local and seasonal. We serve great wines, and coffee. Our food is made with love, just like you would have experienced at Grandma's house. We hope that you will have an incredible dining experience. Come join our family for dinner! Thank you.

CUISINES

Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Portuguese

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Table Service

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4.5

97 reviews

Excellent

49

Very good

33

Average

10

Poor

2

Terrible

3

P.Toto

Clinton1531 contributions

Decent food, easy parking

Nov 2019 • friends

Friends and I used a Groupon deal to enjoy a meal prior to a concert close by. The food is flavorful and the portions are a lot for one person. You will most likely go home feeling very full or end up taking a doggie bag! The service is friendly but can be rather slow, especially on busy night like Friday or Saturday. We felt very pressed for time given we had a concert to attend. That said, although the service is slow, it is provided by some really nice people. With regards to food, we used a Groupon and as such, we were limited to 2 appetizers per table and entrees under $20 per person. Although the selection is limited given that constraint, we did enjoy 2 amazing appetizers: the Lulas fritas (fried calamari) and the Chistorra (sautéed Chistorra sausage with shrimp and mushrooms in beef broth). My entree was also quite good but very large portion: the Peito de frango Estoril, which is sautéed chicken breast with shrimp in white whine and garlic sauce served with Spanish potatoes and rice. Specify tap water or they will hand you a bottle water. And try to get seating away from the bar in one of their rooms as the bar area is quite noisy. Overall pricier than what I'd like, given the quality of service but adequate enough that I’d return for the menu selection and decent food. The major plus with this restaurant is their free but albeit tight parking in 2 of their lots....free parking is a rarity for most restaurants in Newark and if you are pressed for time it is nice to know you don’t have to search for parking.

Written March 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travel_the_world_melissa

New Jersey1929 contributions

Delicious Portuguese seafood here

Feb 2022 • friends

I have to honestly say this restaurant is a hidden gem because it literally is hidden in their parking lot and the food , atmosphere and service is top of the line of perfection! The food was so so delicious from the bacala fried cakes as an appetizer to the white wine sangria which I normally only drink red wine or sangria but decided to try the white sangria . We got a small pitcher but did mot finish it . It was only 2 of us at dinner .It was much cheaper to get the pitcher of sangria and it was worth it even though we could not finish it. I had the special of monkfish and claims with a red sauce with red and green peppers and onions plus potatoes. It was so good that I actually ate it this morning for breakfast. Lol I still have another serving of it leftover. My girlfriend had the cod grilled and it was equally amazing and scrumptious. We shared a flan which is made in the restaurant . The place is a very comfortable atmosphere and we ate by the back door but they had a heater there so it was a good temperature. They have a beautiful outdoor seating area which I will come back in spring to seat there and have my next supper here. The bar area is quite nice and staff was very helpful & great service . This place is a must go and is not popular when you think of the other Portuguese restaurants “Down Neck “ in Newark but it is worth going here to have a meal with good company family or friends .

Written February 13, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John H

Ponte Vedra Beach5 contributions

Excellent Portuguese meal......a locals place for sure

Feb 2020 • none

Stopped by this unassuming place on a weekday night last week while on a biz trip to NJ. Love eating in the Ironbound section of Newark and had never tried this place. Sat at the bar with all locals. Bartender, who doubled as the waitress, was really friendly and helpful. She recommended several specials of the day to me. I chose an appetizer of the Garlic Shrimp which were amazing. For my meal I had the Codfish cheeks which came with broccoli and mashed potatoes. The bread, always good in Newark, was amazing. The special also included a glass of white wine. I will be back.

Written February 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gman1wine

6 contributions

Sat down 5.15pm, left hungry at 7:00pm

Nov 2022 • none

Wow, terrible experience. Found this place after an extensive online search. Got there with my family after booking an early 5.15 reservation before a show. Left at 7:00pm hungry and pissed. I don't even want to waste more time thinking about them but people should know.... * Service was terrible. Couldn't get waiters attention, when we did all they said was yes, but never actually did anything... * Food didn't arrive when at 6:15, ONE HOUR LATER, i got up and went to find our waiter, who was near the kitchen and the manager. He said he can't do anything and to talk to the manager/owner. And when I did, the manager said they are busy but "must wait." As i was losing it another staff member helped out and said its coming. * App platter came out, but nothing else as we were promised. I had to go back, and the manager again by the kitchen made it seem like it was OUR fault, we should wait. Only after this one kind staff member again intervened and went into the kitchen did they say will have in 5 more minutes. * 10-15min later food arrived. My grilled cod was so overcooked only 1/4 could be chewed, 'medium' steak was beyond well that it couldn't be chewed, net 3 of 4 meals were lousy. (Note that the app platter was pretty good). * The waiter only took out 2 meals that i paid (the whole meal should have been comp'd). In a loud voice I complained on how bad the service was, how long we waited, the bitter mood we were all in due to the situation, and how I would not be able to leave a tip as a result (which the waiter actually understood). * After my intentionally loud feedback in the pretty patio space, other tables starting talking and thanking us, as they all had been waiting, getting bad service, and were frustrated! I'm consistently told there are alot of great Portuguese restaurants in Newark. I'll be doing a better job of getting specific names of those places and visiting them instead. This place is done.

Written November 6, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frank S

Flagler Beach607 contributions

C-19

Jul 2020 • none

Had enough of being home. Go Down Neck and this is the escape place. Easy parking, Constantine is as great food guide. Try the BACALHAU NA TELHA COM GRELOS--Grilled Codfish on a Clay Tile Topped with Peppers, Onions & Homemade Mayonnaise. My favorite! Portucale Restaurant.

Written August 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Islandjoe56

Camden32 contributions

A Seafood Gem

Feb 2020 • none

A little gem tucked away in the Ironbound, with fare beyond expectations. Keep in mind the Fish dishes are better than meats, in my opinion, but worthy of the visit in any event. Expect service to be a little harried during peak times, with some slight disorganization, but everyone is friendly and eager to please. Very nice people! Several dishes came out to wrong tables, exemplifying the service issues, but were rapidly fixed. Two parking lots for convenience make the visit here practical and easy. I would heartily recommend Portucale for a seafood feast!

Written February 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RUTexan

Fort Worth245 contributions

Great food and great staff

Oct 2020 • couples

I’m from Newark and have eaten at lots of Iberian restaurants in town. The food here stands up to the best of them. It’s also reasonably priced. What really distinguishes this place is the cordial and professional staff. Each person who served us was very customer oriented, which is not always the case in Ironbound restaurants. I will definitely return and highly recommend.

Written October 10, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

janis e

Edison161 contributions

2:00 reservation we got our food at 4:10

May 2022 • none

This was the worst mothers day ever. The lamb stew I got was awful. The meat was chewy I threw it away when I got home. My friends mash potatoes were cold. We had a 2:00 reservation and we did not get out food util 4:10. Never once were we offer anything while we waited. We ate bread and more bread because we were so hungry. I wonder if I had a 2:00 reservation and came at 4:10 would they have served me. I hope they do better for fathers day. Because of the delay my friend missed his next engagement. Be more considerate of people.

Written May 9, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

restrapo

Montevideo426 contributions

Delicious and served hot - Paella Marinheira

Oct 2023 • solo

Warm greeting, very attentive and kind server, good food served hot. I enjoyed my visit to Portucale restaurant. I ordered and enjoyed the Paella Marinheira. The dish was delicious. Seafood medley of shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, scallops. Only area for improvement is to thoroughly clean the shrimp. I don't understand how some restaurants (more than some) do not clean the shrimp of the accumulations in the "spine". Meal and experience would had been Excellent if that had been done. Regardless, good experience.

Written October 26, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

crawford g

Aberdeen1805 contributions

Real Portugal in the USA

Oct 2023 • couples

This is an amazing place. We felt totally transported to Portugal and the food, atmosphere ambiance and wines were completely genuine. This is an exceptional authentic piece of Portugal. Go and see...

Written October 6, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NJ_tourists

42 contributions

Hidden jam of Newark

Mar 2023 • couples

Our favorite restaurant in Newark. Nice cuisine, tasteful entries, reasonable prices, big portions, good selection of wines

Written April 21, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amine A

Hillsborough10 contributions

Father and Daughter dinner

Mar 2022 • family

Took my daughter for dinner before show at Prudential Center, the sampler appetizer, scallop and shrimp dinner and seafood paella was excellent! Sangria was good but not great, looking forward to bringing the whole family!

Written March 24, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

13360man

Inlet70 contributions

PLENTIFUL PORTIONS OF PERFECT FOOD

Oct 2021 • none

I have been twice in the past month. Both times--different servers--the experience was terrific. The food--hot. Well, not the salad which was cold. I had stuffed salmon which had real crabmeat in it, not the crap the supermarket sells as crab. The large plate was well arranged and full with tasty sides (vegetables and potatoes) and my main dish. The salads were big--not dinner size, but big for a "side" salad. The food tastes great, is authentic, and arrived at the table at the right pace. They serve a bread basket with pre-packaged butter. The bread is not warmed. However, on request, they will heat it up. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. Outdoor heaters keep the patio warmed. Most of the staff seems bilingual There is a small parking lot, and street parking. Note--like so many restaurants of this style in Newark, the neighborhood is NOT gentrified. This neighborhood has a gritty feel to it, but I have never heard sirens or seen police cars racing down the street (either with or without flashing lights). Therefore, I felt safe in a neighborhood I was visiting.

Written October 6, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

A. of Wpb

15 contributions

Not disappointed

Sep 2021 • family

Been wanting to go to this place for the longest and finally did. We were very pleased with the overall experience. The food, service and ambiance were superb.

Written September 24, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bruce

North Brunswick141 contributions

Great food

Nov 2019 • none

Great restaurant in the ironboun district, went there for a birthday celebration. Th food and the service is excellent with onsite parking

Written February 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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