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Portuguese Fisherman, South River, NJ

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
4.6
1282 Reviews
$30 and under
Portuguese
A photo of Portuguese Fisherman restaurant

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
$30 and under
Portuguese
East Brunswick

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
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 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.
  • Neighbourhood
    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 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
    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 1,282 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 offers a delightful dining experience with "excellent service" and "delicious food" that keeps patrons returning for decades. Known for its "great atmosphere," this restaurant is perfect for special occasions or a casual meal. Highlights include flavorful seafood dishes and "amazing sangria," ensuring an unforgettable experience.

1,282 Reviews
  1. Carolyn

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great meal as usual! Portuguese Fisherman is one of put favorite restaurants!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Angela

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food and amazing (and affordable) sangria

    Is this helpful?

  3. Erin Anne

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful local restaurant that I will visit again.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Tom

    New York City

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is as expected. Authentic, hot & flavorful. Very attentive wait staff & meals paced out. We normally dine off peak days so it's less hectic but this was a Saturday nt & had to wait a bit even w reservations. No too bad though about 15 mins. Can be noisy so if you want quieter dining ask for side dining room & not bar area. Definitely will return!

    Is this helpful?

  5. karen

    Philadelphia

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and drink! Consistently great!…………….,,,,

    Is this helpful?

  6. Scott

    New York City

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Felt very rushed. Did not appreciate the 2 hour limit

    Is this helpful?

  7. Joan

    New York City

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    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

    Is this helpful?

  8. stephanie hunger

    New York City

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    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 .

    Is this helpful?

  9. Melvin

    New York City

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    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.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kelsey

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 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.

    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 1282 OpenTable diners.

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

A photo of Portuguese Fisherman restaurant

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
$30 and under
Portuguese
East Brunswick

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
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
  • Neighbourhood
    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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