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Joia Restaurant

3.7 (125 reviews)
ModeratePortuguese, Bars
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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JOIA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Joia Restaurant

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Reviews With Photos

India B.

I recently experienced an excellent happy hour at Joia! Everything was divine from the service to the food and drinks. I met up with one of my friends after work and we were shocked that the place was empty. It's a beautiful spot that really feels like upscale tapas and bar. We received stellar service from our waiter and our bartender! We had your basic appetizers from wings to shrimp and garlic but everything was cooked well and had quality ingredients. The shrimp was very much reminiscent of my Florida garlic shrimp tray order, cooked to perfection and well flavored! My friend who lives in the area could not believe she hadn't ventured over to this restaurant previously but made it known, this was her new spot! The service was very attentive, the drinks were excellent: we had spicy Palomas and strawberry Hennessys. Both full of good flavor and liquor. My only regret was not getting either servers name! Avoid all the traffic over the bridge and stop in today!

Allison J.

This is the second time we've come here. The first time, the food was great. This time, the Brussels sprouts were somehow both burned and undercooked. We waited a solid 20 minutes for the waiter to return after we got apps. Drinks were totally gone and he didn't come check. Then we ordered another round, didn't get it, and the waiter didn't come back for a solid 30 minutes to check on us. There was no crowd, no reason for this. Probably won't be back.

Jerry D.

The ambiance here is very nice. Bar area next to the kitchen. The food was great. For starters had the very good garlic shrimp with the warm table bread to suck up all them juices, hit the spot. The Cuban sandwich was very good. Packed with lots of pork, ham, pickles cheese and mustard in a baguette m. But the star of the show was the flavorful paella, full of seafood and served in a big pot. Was a hit at the table.

Kentucy Strawberry Lemonade
Annabelle L.

My girlfriend and I were in town and looking for a local spot to dine in and with COVID still going on, many local eateries only does take out. Luckily, we found a Joia Restaurant and first thing noted was available parking lot for customers. Awesome! We got seated pretty quick and the hostess was attentive. We got the seafood platter (that literally can serve for four) for both of us to share. I was quite impressed with the spread: lobsters, clams, scallops, mussels, and shrimps. It was served along with rice and some potatoes. The portion is large so of course we took the other two portions to go. I ended my meal with the chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream. Yummy! I definitely come here again. Food was delicious and service is good, parking is available.

Desiree F.

So I decided to meet one of my girlfriends for lunch for 2pm. I made reservations online. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby, they also had garage parking. When I walked in I was greeted by one of the managers and he sat me. We were served by Eiego and he was fairly new so he was getting helped as he went. He was really nice though and did his best. For drinks my friend ordered the spiked arnold palmer and I got the $3 mimosas under the brunch special. For our entrées I got the chicken masala special with shrimp and scallops. My friend got the crab eggs benedict. We both enjoyed our meals. The total came to about $80 for both of us. We had a good experience and will return because it is a really cute spot in a nice location.

Apple crisp a la mode I recommend.  Lobster bisque to die for and stuffed mushrooms
Mayra I.

Hubby and I running around Newark looking for a place to eat and passed by Harrison. Harrison is up and coming slowly. Really nice area. We stopped by Joia Portuguese restaurant. Nice ambiance. Xmas decor and staff are friendly. Cozy and inviting place. Food is tasty will return. Thank you Thais For a exceptional service.

Nicole R.

We rolled up with a group of 18. 10 being children! We had a reservation and the waitstaff and manager were very accommodating. The sangria was delicious. We had a pitcher of both red and white and normally I choose white as a favorite but Joia's red was incredible. The grilled octopus over kale appetizer was garlicy and left me wanting more! The winner of the evening was the massive- and I mean massive paella for 4! It was impressive in both size and flavor. One complaint is that the portion of rice and vegetables served on the side was not justified in the amount needed for the paella. Could I have complained or asked for more, sure! But the seafood was so satisfying that we made it work. We had three kids aged 10 devour the pincanha- a steak dish. They each ordered their own. Their eyes were staring when it came out but they ate every last bite ! The mahi mahi that two people ordered was good. Not great. It was over cooked unfortunately. If you are going to an NYCFC game (which we were) this place is in walking distance and there is a parking lot you can park in! Please check out my foodie Instagram page for more recommendations @date_night_craves.

Appetizer - grilled chorizo
David H.

Took four colleagues to lunch. Garage next to restaurant and free is great. Started drinks, then some apps to share. The chorizo and calamari were excellent. Mushroom caps were just okay. Everyone had a lunch entree and I had a salmon BLT, salmon was a bit over cooked, little tough, but bacon was good. Others enjoyed their lunch entrees. Shared three desserts - best was the orange roll cake. Ver orange tasting and great display. Finished with espressos and cappuccino. Service was good and the place was nice. Not busy, nice decor and not loud. Will come again, as hotel is nearby.

Chocolate Cake - it was cold and hard
Rosie B.

$$$ The place has a great vibe, it's close to the red bull stadium so it gets crowded. The food was ok, the veggies tasted like they were once frozen. The cake was hard and dry. The pasta was tasty. The sangria was weak.

Bar area
Michael M.

Was there today on Father's Day at 2pm for dinner. Crazy busy day but staff was up to challenge. Service great and food good. Owner kept checking on us. Enjoyed the calamari appetizer and shrimp cakes. Mojito we're cold and tasty. Everyone enjoyed three entrees and desserts. Nice warm casual atmosphere.

Steak Sandwich Steak Sandwich
lee r.

Great place to pre-game before soccer matches at Red Bull Stadium if your tailgating . Easy walking distance . The menu was limited given it was a match day when i went so i wasn't able to sample much . It seems like a good place to view any sport. Like most hospitality businesses post Covid they can use more staff . I will go back again to try the more Iberian favors .

Paelha and wine
Jennifer A S.

First of all- Ive been in the wine bizz for 25 years- I've eaten lobster for about 50 years. I know food & I know restaurants and eat out several times a week and travel the country doing that for work. Rarely am I this negative about an experience. I ordered the Paelha with moderate hopes. $36- it should be OK. The dish was fine, the lobster on top was BAD. Inedible. It had gone off. Sitting at the bar around 4pm- the place almost empty, the bartender didnt check in with me until I was ready to leave. I ate around the lobster. She offered to replace it- but at that point- no. whats the point. I was done. I was traveling- wont drive with it in the car for hours. They offered no other options & charged me full price. wtf?!? Its not about the cost- its just indecent to serve bad seafood and not aplogize. Just overall a complete fail. DO BETTER PEOPLE!! date of the fail:7.13.22 left at 5:35 'table 7' order: 6193

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We have ordered takeout twice from Joia. Food was terrific and the staff is delightful. Next time, we'll be dining in.

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Burke’s Tavern - Bronzino

Burke’s Tavern

(125 reviews)

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Girls' night rule #1: pick a place with a vibe. Girls' night…read morerule #2: the food better back it up. Burke's Tavern understood the assignment. None of us had been before, so we walked in blind, except not really, because the second we stepped inside the vibe hit us. Dimmed lights (but not "can't read the menu" dim), candles glowing, plants everywhere, music just loud enough to feel cool but not loud enough to ruin the gossip. Cozy. Chill. Cute. The holy trinity. It wasn't packed, so we had seating options and landed at a round table in the middle: elite positioning, honestly. Door and front windows on one side, bar view on the other. Prime people-watching real estate. Now let's discuss the important part: the food. We ordered strategically (read: everything we wanted). Lamb meatballs - 10/10. Holy crap. I don't know who is back there doing what, but please continue. Burrata pizza - absolutely delicious. Gone in record time. Gochu-Crispy-Chikin - no notes. Million Dollar Chicken - appropriately named. Fish 'N' Chips - zero complaints across the table. And that's the thing: not a single person in the group had an issue. No side-eye. No "it's good, but..." Just clean plates and happy energy. Now. Parking? Disrespectful. It's on a corner (love that), but finding parking took effort (do not love that). Would I let that stop me? Absolutely not. Parking be damned. I will circle. I will walk. I will manifest a spot. Because this place is such a vibe that it's already secured a return visit -- brunch is calling, and I need to see what this place feels like when the weather warms up. Girls' night/date night/ANY night approved.

We were in Newark a late afternoon on a Sunday and looking for a burger. Went to another famous…read morelocal place and it was closed so decided to try Burke's Tavern. The atmosphere and restaurant look great. It has a good vibe and the service was great. Let me tell you about the burger, not the best, they give you a slider size patty, overcooked and served on a bun that comes apart when you grab it. I'm not sure about the rest of the menu, but not a burger place. Now the chocolate cake with the raspberry ice cream--wow! This was the best part of the meal. I'm giving this place 4 stars even though I didn't like the burger because that's all I tried. I'll come back and revise this rating up/down if I come back and try other menu items. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

QXT's Night Club

QXT's Night Club

(63 reviews)

$

I was pleasantly surprised!…read more What a cool spot! Located not far from Prudential Center.. came here for Wednesday night karaoke. Found street parking with no meter which was great. Smaller spot, but you don't feel like you're on top of each other. It reminded me of a Village kinda spot.. very dark interior... but a whole vibe. Bathrooms were really clean.. nice bar in the back of the space. The only reason I will give it 4 is because even though the drinks were reasonably priced, the bartender wasn't making the best drinks... you could barely tell that there was any alcohol in them.. I had to order an extra shot just to make it taste good. I think she needed some help because she seemed sorta flustered in taking care of everyone. I would definitely return!! Especially for karaoke!

i don't think they actually serve alcohol here. i went with a group of people on November 1st, was…read moremy first time there. i personally got around 5-6 drinks within the first 45 minutes and didn't taste of feel the alcohol at all. at least three other people in my group had the same complaints. additionally the security seemed quite relaxed. i saw a few people with bags walked in and did not get searched. i also had a bag but didnt get searched. i don't know if they just decide on bag size to search or not but either way, it didn't feel that safe. aside from this, the service was nice and the bartenders were doing their best to serve everyone as fast as they could. i like how everything was themed and such. i was not a fan of the music playing in any of the rooms but thats subjective so i cant take off points for that. i didn't order food so i can't comment on that. in conclusion though, i wont be returning for the first two points listed above. i cant say it was the same for everyone but it felt like this for myself and three others so i wanted to share my thoughts

Joia Restaurant - portuguese - Updated May 2026

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