This is my new go to Portugese food spot. Food is good service is good and the sangria is great. I came here for a X Mas party and they really took great care of us. Just when I thought the quality of Portugese food in the area was going down, Solmar came through to the rescue. read more

Delicious food, decent prices, nice atmosphere and great service..oh and sangria. What else can you ask for? Newark's hidden gem.

It's not on the main strip so people overlook this place but I don't go or recommend anywhere else in the Ironbound except here. Being Portuguese, I could just walk into my parents' kitchen, so it's pretty impressive that our family will go here and ENJOY everything. Lots of dining spaces, affordable and delicious. The staff is so friendly and I love when they have the band to play for you :) read more

I live in the area and decided to stop by instead of going to Fornos (my #1 pick). Went there to get some food for my mother's birthday celebratio and the man who assisted me was SO disrespectful. I politely asked how much it would be for 2 paellas, 5 stuffed salmons and a salad. He went to the back and came back with a price I couldn't afford at the moment so I asked if he could exclude the stuffed salmon. He got SO NASTY as if he already made the food (all he did was make a list on his notepad). The other men were nice - one even rushed over from the back to help me exit the restaurant as I was wearing high heels while carrying a large box of food. I'll be sure to get grumpy's name next time!! Food is decebt but nothing crazy. read more

Been coming here for years. As the years go on the prices get more and more expensive and the no buy backs from the bar is still in effect. You could order 10 drinks and the bartender will not buy you one back. .. My friend and I went for lunch for a grilled chicken salad..ready for price....$14.00 for a grilled chicken salad. Wasn't that good nor was it that big for the price..there drinks are overpriced a Bacardi and coke in a 8 oz glass with ice is $8.00. Rip off read more

I've been coming here since I was born - literally, there is a picture of my parents and grandparents and little me in my moms arm eating in their dining room in the back a few months after i was born. I like this restaurant mostly in the summer time. They have somewhat an outdoor section but normally I just go straight to the bar and order a few beers, some cold shrimp to peel and crabs. Awesome place to unwind after the beach and just splurge on seafood. read more

AHHHH what can I say this is one of my favorte places to eat, thanks to my lil sis.. Amazing food omg this place is in my top 10 lol... Great staff, very friendly. VIVA LA SOL MAR LOL... Came here on a Wednesday night with a friend and ate at the bar had the FILETES A PORTUGUESA omg realllllllllllllllllllllly good lol... read more

I love this place....I've come on numerous occassions. The food is also flavorful and cooked perfectly. The sangria is awesome. I'm a BIG fan!! read more

highly recommend sol-mar been going there for years best food and the servers there are the best was there last week can't wait to go back

Villa Nova is the more formal restaurant attached to Sol-Mar. The menu is slightly different and maybe just slightly better from person experience given some of the specials I have had. None the less, this place mirrors Sol-Mar as they have exceptional food at reasonable prices. Some of the best meals I have had here include the lamb, pig, mixed grill seafood platter, sea bass and salmon. read more

Very good quality portugesse food unlike the Iberian fraudulent crap spot up the block.

Had reservations last weekend for dinner. Place was nice. They had a candle and a mini heart baloon on each table since Valentines was coming up soon. I had a small round table in the back restaurant area and its exactly how it sounds, small. There wasn't much room to put plates, apps, cheese, and bread. Didn't like that the waiters were folding napkins and eating utensils on a table while I was seated nearby. Place was a bit loud that I had a hard time hearing my date. I had the Portuguese steak which was huge and quite good for the price. It came with fried potato wedge slices and rice with mixed veggies. The rice was a bit lame. Should of been yellow atleast with some more taste. They came around with fresh cheese and churizzo bread, I passed on the bread but the cheese was great and did cost $6. Dessert was presented on a cart and everything looked great. I had strawberries. All and all for the price it was worth it. My date had the Grilled Salmon which looked great. Didn't try any but it was presentable and a big portion as well. Might go back during lunch but don't know about a casual dinner for two. It was just way too loud for the type of dining I was looking for. read more

Everything was good but our plate of mariscos came with a lot of cheap, fake crab "meat." That's just wrong.

Each time I come here I leave with a gigantic smile! This time was no different. I was attending a private holiday party here this past weekend. The food was nonstop and stupendous. I love seafood and the menu that was set up the the coordinator of this party played to my Favs! Fried calamari, codfish cakes, shrimp in garlic sauce....the apps were plentiful. Sausage bread was so dense and chewy! The collard and sausage soup was flavorful and thick. Next course was seafood Paella. Two helpings later I was shocked when the brought out the Rodizio! Oy vey! I should have paced myself. The meat was so perfectly spiced and tender I just kept on eating. As I said this was a private event so I guess a lot of credit goes to whomever set it up with Sol Mar. However, I have eaten here a few times over the years and can say their portions are always generous and the food spot on! Check them out or better yet have your next party here! They do a bang up job! read more

Good lunch menu with tasty authentic dishes local to the home style cuisine of staff members. Should try the casual bar area next time, which was strange we weren't taken to that room but instead led to the more formal room off the bat. B+ service. read more

Really enjoy the atmosphere here. Food is great.... big portions lol.... decent prices... and the big boss always comes around asking if everything is good.... read more

I had the seabass. Hubby had the seafood and rice. Nice meal. Good service. Friendly clientele.

Food is very good and fresh and service is fine. The back room is nicer than the bar area, where the TV is going. If you order paella for two it appears as if there isn't much seafood but the truth is that there's just an immense amount of rice that makes it look that way. We actually had the seafood left over. Cod and broiled salmon were delicious. The floor is a bit slippery and the restrooms are downstairs, so there's no accessibility. It cost about $90 a couple with sangria. The noise level was fine on a Sunday, early. read more

Tonight Sol Mar gets only 2 stars. Usually the food is awesome but tonight the chef was on vacation. We had to send the steak back twice to be cooked the way we ordered, and the Mariscada wasn't very good. Some of the fish tasted like ammonia. They didn't get the dessert right either. And the entire restaurant smelled like disinfectant. We've been coming for years and never had a bad experience... Tonight wasn't their best showing. read more

I've been eating Portugese food in Newark my whole life and each restaurant my family has gone to has slowly declined in quality over the years. A friend suggested Sol-Mar and we went on a whim for my birthday. This place is awesome. Has fine food in a comfortable atmosphere. The portions are very generous and cooked to perfection. I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu. There is plenty of parking available across the street in the strip mall lot. I got the crab stuffed shrimp and was very satisfied. I'm thinking of trying the portugese steak next time which is a beautiful steak top with ham and a fried egg WHAT!! read more

The place has great atmosphere. One side was a bright diner-like area and the other side had a cozy dark dining room. We received a warm welcome and were happy to be there. The bread basket was very enjoyable. The caldo gallego was average but the kicker was the paella. The portion was very, very generous and looked great. That did not help the flavor though. It was way too salty and inedible. Too bad. The restaurant has so many great features but when the food is no good, what is the point? read more

Wonderful! Service is exceptional! Always a delight. When your in Newark check it out lunch or dinner...

Great atmosphere! Food was good! Usually you get good size portions but don't order leitao! Over priced and almost unseen on your plate! Service was fast and friendly! Always nice for a and simple quick bite... read more

This review is for the Vila Nova section. I don't know if the cooks are the same as the Sol Mar bar across the hall. The dining room is very attractive. That's the best part of the restaurant. Also, the service wasn't bad either. We got cold bread, butter, olives, and fresh cheese as an appetizer. Less than ok, have had better elsewhere, like Fornos and Seabra Marisquiera. My friend and I both ordered fish entrees. They took forever to come. Also, we hardly got any sides. Two bland boiled potatoes, some broccoli, and the fish. Both of our entrees were overcooked. Only half of my flounder was edible. There was no flavor to any of our dishes, though we kept adding salt like crazy. I think the fish was old. I couldn't finish my food though I was still hungry. There are better portuguese restaurants. Try Seabra Marisquiera, or maybe the Sol Mar marisquiera across the hall. Only if the cooks are different and their seafood is different. read more

This is my first review, but my birthday dinner was so good I just couldn't resist! Especially because I looked at yelp reviews to pick out this restaurant. I have been disappointed before by many of the tourist traps on ferry in the past, and didn't want to be disappointed again. I found Sol-Mar on yelp and decided to trust the reviews. Yelpers, you haven't let me down! Like someone said before, this place is the real deal. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the food was unbelievable. We ordered a variety of dishes, and ate family style. For dessert, we couldn't resist ordering a variety to share again, and although I wasn't too thrilled when my brother in law ordered the flan for one of the picks, I have to say I was again blown away by how freakin good it was. I don't even like flan, but this one was on AMAZING. I couldn't get over how good it was, esp because I usually don't like it. And to to off the experience, they now offer a free shuttle service to and from the arena, njpac, anywhere in town! I had family visiting from outside state, and I felt like a visitor to my own city being shuttled to the game. This place rocks! So glad we decided to try some place new :) read more

Did the restaurant change owners? I've been going to this restaurant for many many years and the last 2 times the food just didn't taste the same..it was good but not at the same level ... very disappointed ! read more

Very disappointing. Service was good. Food was not. The veal chops were over priced, fatty, and over cooked. They were very thin and tasteless. The sangria was also watered down and over iced. There are plenty of better places to eat in the newark area. Do yourself a favor and try else ware. read more

Live in the neighborhood and have been going here for a while, I've never been disappointed to the point of actual disgust as I was a few days ago. I grew up eating Portuguese food so I always know more or less what I want. I had the Cabrito (goat) special a few days ago. It was served with cold potatoes, and much to my dismay with numerous small hairs found throughout my plate. So disappointed, I most likely will never return since there are so many other places in the neighborhood. My parents from Connecticut will be coming to visit for the holidays and as they are Portuguese, I was initially thinking about bringing them here but that looks like a no-go now. Maybe Adega down the street or Taste of Portugal. smh.... read more

Went to Sol Mar last September and it was a great Here is my ratings Service: B My server was from Brazil and she was very friendly. However, another table order some food, and almost gave it to me. Something she need to pay attention too considering that it was not that business, and it was Thursday. Atmosphere: B- Majority of the people frequent Sol Mar was probably from the neighborhood. However, I did get some funny looks from the guests maybe because I was the only black guy in the restaurant, but who knows. Also got looks from two guys when I took pictures of the restaurant. but I did not careless. Food and drinks: B+ I had Steak Sirloin and French Fries which was outstanding. Also the bread was delicious nice and warm. The Portuguese beer which I had two was great as well. Ironbound is my favorite place to go to in Newark. Have diversity and variety that someone who is originally from New York City would like. Overall Sol Mar is a wonderful restaurant, and if I am in Newark, I will definitely go back. read more

Me and my babe ate there last week, damn the food was awesome and the service was so so good awesome, and the owner actually bought us drinks. Made up my mind to go there every month. Recommend to every one. read more

The delicious red sangria is a major part of why we frequent this place. Best sangria in the Ironbound and we have sampled around. Hands down. Food is delightful. Excellent service all around. read more

Garlic Shrimp!! Fabulous. Large order with sensational sauce. Delish. So is the fish soup.

I have to echo the positive remarks of previous writers. I am amazed that this restaurant is shown as "$$$" since a six dollar sandwich accompanied by a giant plate of circular fries is more than enough for even a hardy appetite, and the entrees in the $15 range are sufficient to feed two or three. Especially because they either come with sides like black beans, rice and sauteed kale, or a huge honkin' plate of potatoes. Plus the bread is excellent (Portuguese bread and rolls are delightfully chewy and tasty. Who knew?) Go with a big group and eat family style. One fun item is the steak, sliced off of a roasting spit in the Brazilian style. It's sirloin and tasty. A great bargain; super attentive service; totally considerate. Just don't go expecting excess fanciness, just a very comfortable dining room (Vila Nova) and a lively 'seafood bar' next door. This was dominated by an active, hard-working crowd at lunch, mostly men, all of whom seemed very content with their servings. I thought it was going to be hard to park until we spotted the reserved parking spaces in the shopping center directly across the street. read more

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. read more

Went on a recommendation. Saturday night about 6 was able to be seated right away, party of 3. When we were seated a waiter placed bread on our table and he also had olives, cheese and chorizo bread. I thought it was part of the bread and butter which is normally served and I thought it was a nice touch. Told the water that if it was included ok. We would never order something like this anyway. Bread was ok, cheese was ok. Ordered seafood paella for 2 and a special roast suckling pig. Paella was ok, suckling pig was ok but they gave me a piece of the snout which was not edible. Shared a flan for dessert and had i glass of sangria. Bill 90.00 and they charged for the cheese and the chorizo bread a total of 7.00. Bottom line food is nothing special, service ordinary and cheese and chorizo bread a ripoff. We said something to the maitre d on the way out but he had no answer. Will never go back and I don't recommend at all. read more

Do not sit near the bathroom or else you will smell the sewer all night. I would give this restaurant a 3 star, however, the smell turned me off. Will never return. Food was OK, however, there are so many better restaurants in Newark. read more

I went here for an early Sunday dinner at 5 o'clock with my boyfriend and his family. A total of 6 people. They were frequent dinners here, so they knew the menu very well. To start we got the clams casino, large house salad to share, garlic shrimp, caldo verde (green kale soup) which was excellent, melon with prosciutto wrapped around it and a baked delicious sausage bread. Appetizers were fantastic. Everything was very tasty. Now for the main attraction. I ordered something that wasn't on the menu. I was in the mood for some delicious shrimp, I asked the waiter which one was the best cause they had a couple of options. He said, our best isn't on the menu! It's called large prawns, simply grilled to perfection with a side dipping sauce. They were in fact Langoustine's! Absolutely delicious. If your heading here and you love seafood, order the Langoustine! It's out of this world. It came with 3 Langoustine's, butterflied down the back in half, so 6 pieces of Long delicious shrimp tails. The dipping sauce was fantastic as well, a light, flavorful, Garlicky, salty, sweet sauce. I would order this dish again every time! Go expand ur palette and try that hidden gem. For dessert we ordered the pear, marinated in a liquor, sugary, sweet sauce. Absolutely phenomenal. All in all a beautiful fantastic meal. The sangria was yummy too. Go try for yourself. read more

Gone here a few times and the service is always good! Food is fresh and delicious no matter what you get!

Our go to place in the Ironbound. Never disappoints. All of your favorites, and if there is something off menu you want, they will try to accommodate. The clientele tend to be Portuguese Americans looking for a taste of home. read more

I went to Sol Mar a couple of times...I want to like it more than I actually do. The food was fine...the service was fine...but eh. There are SO many great Portuguese food options in this area, you have to better than fine right? Ok, but not great in my opinion. read more