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Interior - Portuguese Fisherman, South River, NJ

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6 (1489)
$30 and under
Portuguese
11 Jackson St, South River, NJ 08882

Make a reservation

A photo of Portuguese Fisherman restaurant

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
$30 and under
Portuguese
East Brunswick

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
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.

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
  • 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 Fisherman features welcoming spaces accommodating parties ranging from dinner for 20 to a formal wedding for 180.We offers two different spaces to for private events: The wineroom room can hold a maximum of 60, while our ballroom can hold a maximum of 160 seated. 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

  • 33% OFF SANGRIA & WINE WEDNESDAY

    1 - 8 people

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
    92 point Wines for $27!! Discount applies all day Wednesday to full pitchers of Sangria and any bottle of wine regularly priced $40-$180. With an already cost effective wine list, you can't go wrong trying some phenomenal new wines. Promo not valid on cocktails to-go.

    33% OFF SANGRIA & WINE WEDNESDAY Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Portuguese Fisherman.

4.6

4.6
(1489)
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Portuguese Fisherman delights with "consistently excellent" food and service in a "casual, relaxed atmosphere." Customers rave about the "authentic Portuguese cuisine" and "great sangria." Despite occasional service hiccups, patrons are drawn to this "hidden gem in South River" for its "delicious food" and warm hospitality. Highly recommended!
1,489 Reviews
  1. Glynn Gold

    New York City43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Consistently excellent. The food is great. Service is wonderful. Very well run. Highly recommended.

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  2. Mike Gold

    New York City35 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    We routinely drive over 30 minutes to this hidden gem in South River. This time for some unknown reason our appetizer never came out. Our waiter started out great 10/10 and we had no complaints with him but we never saw him again after he took our order and brought our wine. We were taken care of by at least three other people in rotation. When our meals came out we asked what happened to our appetizer and the runner seemed confused but checked on it. Apparently a kitchen mix up. He promised that it would be removed from our bill and that we would be "taken care of" by our waiter. Honestly even though food was spot on it kind of put a damper on the evening since we waited a long time for our main meal as if the appetizer was planned into the timing. We were not really looking to be "taken care of" but it would have been nice if our waiter had at least returned to the table at some point and acknowledged the mix up. Perhaps they were understaffed. This doesn't mean we won't return we were just disappointed in the manner everything played out.

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  3. Laura Gold

    New York City49 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful restaurant. Ambiance, food quality and service were on point. Strongly recommend for any occasion.

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  4. Arnold Gold

    New York City3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was cold , ribs way overcooked one of my guests sent foiod back-real poor evening!!! One star /and that is a stretch!

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  5. Anthony Gold

    Philadelphia22 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were in the chandelier room very nice! Our waiter was excellent, two birthday parties around us so a bit loud but still ok. Had sausage for app as well as garlic shrimp both excellent my entree just ok I ordered the garlic chicken and asked for only dark meat, only received dry white meat so dry I left it, the pumpkin martini and pumpkin cheese cake were both excellent, we go a lot but thinking to stick with Apps and stay away from any chicken!!!!!!!!!

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  6. Dan

    Philadelphia11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good overall. We shared the paella valenciana for two and it was a massive portion we had lots to take home. The lobster was slightly overcooked but all the other seafood was perfect and the flavor was excellent. The sangria was also really good. Atmosphere is nice; the bar area looked loud and lively but the dining room was well laid out and quiet enough to hold a normal conversation

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  7. Angela Gold

    South Carolina18 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 16, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I had the Fishermen's platter - lobster was tough and the scallops were chewy. Husband had the garlic shrimp. Just OK. Not a lot of garlic flavor. Disappointed with both meals. Service was slow to start but very attentive after the food arrived.

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  8. Thomas Gold

    Orlando4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 14, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Waiter Kevin did a great job. We very much appreciate his service.

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  9. Len

    New York City4 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on October 4, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Ordered Garlic Chicken. Specifically y asked for dark meat/on the bone. Received a large portion 90% white met, with 2 small legs; no thighs. Remainder was mostly very dry white meat (why I order DARK meat), almost all small pieces with many small rib bones. I told the waiter, who apologized and had the kitchen prepare dark meat. Received 4 pieces, 2 small legs and 2 more pieces of dried out white meat.

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  10. Glynn Gold

    New York City43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 3, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Consistently great experience. Food is excellent. Service is very good (Andre is fantastic). Casual, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended.

    Is this helpful?

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
  • 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 Fisherman features welcoming spaces accommodating parties ranging from dinner for 20 to a formal wedding for 180.We offers two different spaces to for private events: The wineroom room can hold a maximum of 60, while our ballroom can hold a maximum of 160 seated. 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

FAQs

Portuguese Fisherman fills up for peak evening service, Thursday nights and weekend evenings in particular can be very busy, so reservations are wise; the bar area is often energetic while the back dining room/Wineroom provides a quieter option.

Portions tend to be generous, guests repeatedly describe dishes as plentiful or enormous and often take home leftovers after seafood platters and paellas.

Yes, Portuguese Fisherman is often chosen for anniversaries and special evenings, with an attractive dining room (mirrored wall and large chandelier) and reviewers praising its romantic ambience and anniversary touches.

Yes, the Fisherman runs a seasonal menu and daily specials, and guests note rotating promotions like Lenten specials (a 16 oz Brazilian lobster tail) and occasional Friday specials such as monkfish.

Fridays are a great pick, reviewers highlight Friday specials (for example, a reported monkfish Friday special) and describe enjoyable Friday evening visits.

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, not formal, and entirely appropriate for a visit to Portuguese Fisherman.

For a calmer visit, aim for lunch or an early weekday dinner, guests praise lunch service, while weekend evenings (and many Thursday/Friday nights) tend to be busier, so reservations are a good idea.

The Paelha Valenciana (paella) is a recurring favorite, it's on the menu and multiple guests praise the paella as a must-try.

Yes, families are welcome: the menu includes a 'For the Young Adults' section (Chicken Fingers; Macaroni and Cheese) and many guests celebrate family occasions here.

Yes, the Fisherman has a full bar and a robust drinks program: pitchers of sangria, Portuguese wines, local beers (Super Bock, Sagres), cocktails, Irish coffee and more.

Portuguese Fisherman pairs a glamorous chandelier dining room with a lively bar area (occasional live music or a DJ), while private/back dining spaces offer a calmer, more intimate option.

Portuguese Fisherman offers a large main dining room (the mirrored chandelier room), a lively bar and booth area, plus separate party/private rooms (the Wineroom/back party rooms) for events.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Jersey
  4. Middlesex
  5. East Brunswick

Make a reservation

A photo of Portuguese Fisherman restaurant

Portuguese Fisherman

4.6
$30 and under
Portuguese
East Brunswick

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today
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