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Portuguese Fisherman, South River, NJ

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
4.6
1302 Reviews
$30 and under
Portuguese

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
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 pm–8:00 pm
  • 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.
  • Neighborhood
    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, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • Wine Wednesday

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
    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 1,302 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Middlesex

    Best Value

  • Middlesex

    Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Portuguese Fisherman offers a delightful culinary experience with "phenomenal" dishes such as seafood paella and "delicious" sangria. Guests rave about the "excellent" service and "huge" portions. Highlights include the garlic shrimp and tender octopus. Despite occasional service delays, the "wonderful" atmosphere and "authentic" Portuguese flavors ensure a memorable dining experience.

1,302 Reviews
  1. Krystal

    New Jersey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and large portions of delicious food.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Mat

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We’ve frequently gone to The Fisherman for special occasions! Tonight was amazing! The stuffed shrimp was perfect not to mention the Garlic Shrimp!!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ernesto

    New Jersey

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I ordered the pork chops very dry and overcooked. Will not order it again.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ed

    New Jersey

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent, as always! The chicken in garlic sauce is always the go-to for the misses. Our daughter-in-law also had the same. My son opted for the clams appetizer, which was so good that he couldn't stop dipping the bread in the broth! That could have been a meal in itself. He had the paella valencia, and I went different and ordered the skirt steak medium rare. Throw in a couple of pitchers of sangria, and we had a meal! Finished it off with a tartufo, Irish coffee, and an espresso martini. We don't go often, but when we do, it's a great experience.

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  5. Frank

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Always good! Can count on Portugesse Fisherman for a great meal

    Is this helpful?

  6. Christine

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent seafood and sangria! We celebrated a friend’s birthday here, and it’s a great “special occasion” restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Maria

    New York City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Staff was excellent, food was excellent. Our first time there, we will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Debra

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fresh, delicious and couldn’t be any better!! We have been there several times and can’t wait to come back again!! We celebrated my husband’s birthday as this is one of his favorite restaurants!!

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  9. Joseph

    New York City

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Disappointing. Been here before and was much better. Servers rushed us through our meal and the meals weren’t that good. Lobster tails were fine but appetizers were not. Won’t be back….

    Is this helpful?

  10. Azita

    New York City

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had seafood and steak. The seafood was fresh but lacked a little extra flavor and kick. The steak was cooked well but it tasted a bit salty. The service was very good!

    Is this helpful?

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 1302 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 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
  • Neighborhood
    East Brunswick
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • 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, Takeout, 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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