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Portuguese Fisherman, South River, NJ

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
4.6
1276 Reviews
$30 and under
Portuguese

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 16 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
Established in 1976, We are one of the oldest Portuguese and Spanish restaurants on the east coast. Attentive service, delicious authentic food, generous portions and refreshing sangria—these are the hallmarks of the Fisherman. Since our opening in 1976 we have consistently upheld the traditions of fine Portuguese and Spanish dining in central New Jersey.

A variety of fresh seafood and fish, as well as organic meats, all made with the finest ingredients available, await you at our tables. Our seasonal menu and daily specials include delectable dishes prepared to satisfy many tastes.

We invite you to visit us in the historic town of South River, New Jersey.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Portuguese, European, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Phone number
    (732) 238-5188
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Manuel Alves
  • Catering
    Off-site catering is available. Please visit our website for inquires.
  • Private party facilities
    The Restaurant features welcoming spaces accommodating parties ranging from dinner for 20 to a formal wedding for 180.The Restaurant offers two different spaces to hold private events: One banquet room can hold a maximum of 60, while our ballroom can hold a maximum of 180.Visit our website for inquiries.
  • Area
    East Brunswick
  • Cross Street
    Water Street and Ferry Street
  • Parking details
    Two private lots and street parking available.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • Wine Wednesday

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 11:30 - 21:00
    33% OFF BOTTLES OF WINE AND FULL PITCHERS OF SANGRIA. With an already cost effective wine list, you can't go wrong trying some phenomenal new wines. Some bottles under $15!

What 1,276 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Middlesex

    Best Value

  • Middlesex

    Child-friendly

  • Middlesex

    Neighbourhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Portuguese Fisherman is a beloved dining spot known for its "absolutely fantastic" ambiance and "excellent" service. Frequent patrons praise its "delicious" food, especially the "incredibly delicious" steak and seafood dishes. With "generous portions" and delightful sangria, it's perfect for celebrations and memorable meals with friends or family.

1,276 Reviews
  1. Joan

    New York City

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was amazing. Service was not so good. Never refilled our water glasses or gave us carafes of water as was done at other tables. Server was not attentive

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  2. stephanie hunger

    New York City

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We were out with friends and had a delicious meal with sangria. We will definitely be back again another time to try other entrees .

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  3. Melvin

    New York City

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    I ordinarily like The Portuguese Fisherman and my wife liked her lobster but my steak, ordered medium, came out rare, was difficult to chew with way too much grizzle.Also, the waiter seemed to be a nice guy but must have been new and had trouble understanding what we said. From now on, when we come, I’ll order the paella Vallenciana that I usually order.

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  4. Kelsey

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 18 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was great and the portions were big! Drinks were a little too sweet.

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  5. Bill

    New Jersey

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Seafood paella was a bit thin on seafood and heavy on rice for the money. The chicken dish was good. Sangria was middle of the road for the price. The best dish by far is the garlic shrimp app. Service was adequate but not highly attentive for this price point.

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  6. Samuel

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food as always. Servers are very attentive. Crowd a bit wild but that's not the restaurants fault

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  7. Tim

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I've lived out west and haven't eaten here in a few decades, and The Fisherman didn't disappoint! It is still a gem, the staff was great!

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  8. Dianne

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We arrive and the hostess could not have been more pleasant! We met our lifelong friends, this was the 1/2 way point for both of us. (1 hour each way) My friends husband was born in Portugal and said the dinner was the BEST he has had in a restaurant! The white sangria was delish! We had the garlic shrimp and grilled octopus, amazing! The octopus melted in our mouths, not tough at all! My husband got Picadinho Misto, and said it was fabulous, I had the salmon and it was so moist with a seared crust yum! (I am horribly Celiac and did not get sick AT ALL!) My friend got Carne Alentejana, again she loved her dish. Her husband got Bacalhau A Lagareiro and said it tasted like he was back home in Portugal..... The dishes are huge, so bring your appetite !! We will definitely go back!!!

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  9. victor

    New York City

    22 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Not a big fan. appetizers were OK. We had to sausage and dish garlic shrimp. The specials stuffed Cooper not so good the steak it was cooked like I liked it. It had no taste and quite chilly. Open to many Portuguese in Spanish restaurants have been absolutely delicious. This was not one of them.

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  10. Fred

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Been dining at the Portuguese Fisherman for years we even throw parties there and it’s a great restaurant. It’s a five out of five or 10 out of 10. They serve excellent food from steaks to seafood to pork chops. Everything is great. Nothing is bad. Fred L

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FAQs

Portuguese Fisherman offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (732) 238-5188.

Portuguese Fisherman is rated 4.6 stars by 1276 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Portuguese Fisherman

11 Jackson St, South River, NJ 08882

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Water Street and Ferry Street
  • Area
    East Brunswick
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Portuguese, European, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Two private lots and street parking available.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Manuel Alves
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (732) 238-5188
  • Catering
    Off-site catering is available. Please visit our website for inquires.
  • Private party facilities
    The Restaurant features welcoming spaces accommodating parties ranging from dinner for 20 to a formal wedding for 180.The Restaurant offers two different spaces to hold private events: One banquet room can hold a maximum of 60, while our ballroom can hold a maximum of 180.Visit our website for inquiries.
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