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Portuguese Fisherman, South River, NJ

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
4.6
1305 Reviews
$30 and under
Portuguese

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 22 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
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

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 1,305 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
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Middlesex

    Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Portuguese Fisherman delights patrons with "excellent food" and "great service," making it a favorite for "special occasions." Guests rave about the "amazing" garlic shrimp and "delicious" sangria. Large portions and consistent quality ensure a "great value for the money," and the warm atmosphere welcomes both families and friends.

1,305 Reviews
  1. Vince

    New York City

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    skirt steak was extremely tough. seafood was just ok there are better places to go

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  2. Rae

    VIP

    New York City

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always have a great experience at the Portuguese Fisherman. The food and the service are always wonderful. We will be back!

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  3. Fred

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I’ve been going to Portuguese Fisherman for at least 20 years almost on a weekly basis and my wife and I love the food love the people and a great value for the money. We even host a few parties there and they do a great job.

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  4. Krystal

    New Jersey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 19, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  5. Mat

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    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!!!

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  6. Ernesto

    New Jersey

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    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?

  7. 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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  8. 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.

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  9. 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

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  10. Maria

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 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?

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 1305 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 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Portuguese Fisherman

11 Jackson St, South River, NJ 08882

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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