Sol-Mar
“Just don't go expecting excess fanciness, just a very comfortable dining room (Vila Nova) and a lively 'seafood bar' next door.”
“if the food in portugal is anything like this, i can't wait to hop on the next nonstop continental flight at EWR.”
“This is my favorite Portuguese restaurant beside 28 BBQ in Bound Brook.”
Sol-Mar
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Sol-Mar is really a solid 3 1/2 star restaurant, so I'm giving it four. I've eaten there twice… Once with a friend about a year ago (used Groupon), and again last night. We sat at the same table with the same waiter (Manuel) on both occasions. Manuel gave us great service both times. Last night, we walked in late for dinner (just before 9pm), after hanging out at the Portuguese street fair that was in full gear, around the corner on Wilson St. My GF was not too hungry, so this is what we ordered: 1/2 pitcher red sangria, one bowl vegetable soup, garlic shrimp appetizer, and (per Manuel's recommendation), we got the open butterflied whole fish w/ shrimp sauce, off the "specials" menu, and shared everything. I thought there might be an issue getting only one entree, but Manuel was totally cool about it. The soup was fair, but the garlic shrimp (nice sized order for an appetizer) and the special whole fish were both great. The "shrimp sauce" on the special fish was really pretty much a second order of whole garlic shrimp on top. The whole fish entree came w/ potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, and it was a huge portion. The sangria was good and not watered down too much, so the 2 of us caught a buzz w/ the 1/2 pitcher. We were pretty full and enjoyed the meal. The desserts looked good, but we didn't get any. The tab came out to $49 (plus tip)…. not bad for what we got, although it would have been more if we got a 2'nd entree. We paid w/ credit card (no tip on the credit card) and gave Manuel a $10 cash tip, which he instantly pocketed and seemed happy about. With good service, I prefer to do that. If you put the tip on the c.c., who knows how much the manager gives back to the waiter at the end of the night. As an aside, there are definitely 5 star Portuguese restaurants in the North Ironbound. Although Sol Mar isn't one of them, it's definitely a solid choice w/ good food.
Solid Portuguese food with good sangria. Of course the portions were large as with most Portuguese places. I went to SM with a friend and a Groupon. To start we had the garlic shrimp. I got a fish special that was also topped with shrimp in a cream sauce. The reason I give three stars is because nothing made me want to come back. It was all good but nothing GREAT. I read the Alex C review before I wrote this and that sounded like something that would make me want to come back. I will definitely return if another Groupon comes up otherwise I do not frequent the area and have several Portuguese places by me.
Came here for dinner, we were seated quickly and the service was great.
Started with calamari – they were good but nothing outstanding. Ordered the Portuguese steak – pretty damn yummy.
My fireman ordered the steak with Spanish chips – definitely one of the best Spanish chips I've ever had. They were perfectly fried and crispy!
Overall, service was excellent and the place looks cute! Sangria is decent so it's worth a try if you're a big sangria drinker like me.
I'd say this place is worth a try if you're in the area!
Returned Memorial Day weekend.
Frankly not like I don't come often but this was a great time!
Starter shrimp in garlic sauce. Was ok tasty.
Flaming sausage was delish.
Hubs and I split the seafood Parilhada which was all grilled mussels, clams, a full lobster and side of rice and fries.
Our friends had the garlic chicken which was a solid 4.5 experience with the diner declaring not enough garlic. I think I smelled it heading over but ok. Another one of our friends had the house style cod. I've had this before and it's like a grilled version of cod then stewed in a rich combo of potatoe peppers onions. It's a very rich dish. Doesn't look like it coming out but it's very filling and succulent.
Deserts were Chocoloate mousse, creme brûlée with the appropriate amount of sugar crack!
Yeah I would say the steaks were really good. They topped them off with egg and pickled veggies. Cool stuff. That's something different from the norm and quite fine with me. My favorite dish was the calamari. Look at my attached pic and you'll see how it's made different at this place. Extremely good calamari!
My family and I have been coming here for years. I had my sweet 16 here, my sister had her bridal shower, and we have had many family events here. The owner and service is great to work with- very friendly. I've never eaten bad food here. Of course, the sangria is great. The Portuguese steak, seafood, calamari, clams, paella- everything is good down to the coffee…. we usually park in the lot right across from it, and we're fine… Try it out!
Soooo… it's just ok. Portions are huge. It's your generic Portuguese restaurant. In truth, I think I might have ordered the wrong things. We had the fire-grilled sausage and the shrimp in garlic apps. I ordered the "side salad", which didn't have that much to it, but was huge. I had the chicken and shrimp in garlic sauce special for dinner. Everything seemed a bit oily, especially the shrimp app. The sausage was pretty good, probably the best thing I ate all night.
Everything was fine, but I just wasn't blown away honestly. I had expected more the way everyone touts the wonders of Ferry Street.
Service was a bit daunting. Sangria was ok, and wine was ok too. Overall a decent meal, but wouldn't be somewhere that I'd race to return.
I really enjoyed the food at Sol-Mar. Came here on a Saturday night had about a twenty-five minute wait which was not bad. Sol-Mar has two options of seating, One is the main dining room upon entrance by the bar which is very casual and brightly lit. The second room was dimly lit and more on the intimate side which I prefer. I ordered the Clams which were Sautéed in garlic sauce, white wine and celantro. They were delicious. For the main course we ordered the Salmon and the Flounder. Both were stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp which were excellent choices. Each dish is served with broccoli and baked potato. Portions are very large. Sangria is very good but heavy in the alcohol department. Service is really great and attentive.