Christmas is a season of tradition, family, and sharing memorable meals. In Portugal, the holiday table plays a central role in the celebration, bringing loved ones together around dishes that reflect history, culture, and comfort. At SolMar, these Portuguese Christmas traditions are proudly shared with our guests in the Ironbound, Newark, on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In Portugal, Christmas Eve is traditionally centered around the table, where classic dishes are prepared with care and enjoyed slowly with family. Among the most iconic Christmas Eve dishes is Bacalhau Gomes de Sá, a timeless Portuguese favorite made with flaky codfish, potatoes, onions, eggs, and rich olive oil. Seafood takes center stage with the Seafood Rice with Lobster, a festive and generous dish filled with the flavors of the ocean, perfect for sharing on such a special night.

Another beloved classic is Polvo à Lagareiro, featuring tender octopus served with smashed potatoes, onions, and olive oil — simple, rustic, and deeply flavorful. Honoring regional Portuguese traditions, the Christmas Eve menu also includes Oven Roasted Baby Goat with Potatoes, a dish often served during festive family gatherings.

Completing the holiday table is the Roasted Suckling Pig Bairrada Style, known for its crispy skin, juicy meat, and distinctive flavor, served with a touch of orange. For guests looking for a lighter option with rich flavor, the Chicken Breast with Shrimp in Garlic Sauce offers a comforting and elegant choice.

On Christmas Day, the celebration continues with a carefully selected menu that blends Portuguese tradition with festive refinement. A highlight of the day is the Grilled Salmon Stuffed with Crab Meat, an elegant dish that combines fresh salmon with the delicate richness of crab.

Codfish returns to the holiday table with the Roasted Cod Fish with Potatoes, a classic oven-roasted preparation that reflects the heart of Portuguese home cooking. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Grilled Portuguese Sea Bass, simply prepared to highlight its fresh, clean flavors.

For meat lovers, the Sliced Filet Mignon with Mushrooms and Port Wine Sauce offers a refined and comforting holiday dish, rich in flavor and perfect for a special occasion. Rounding out the Christmas Day offerings is the Oven Roasted Veal, slow-roasted to perfection and served as a classic centerpiece dish for a festive meal.

At SolMar, every dish served on December 24th and 25th reflects the warmth, tradition, and hospitality of Portuguese cuisine. Whether you are continuing family traditions or creating new holiday memories, we invite you to celebrate Christmas with us in the heart of the Ironbound.

Join us at SolMar this holiday season and experience a true Portuguese Christmas at the table. Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a moment to gather, to savor, and to celebrate the joy of family and tradition. At Solmar Restaurant & Marisqueira, we invite you to elevate your holiday experience with a feast that blends the warmth of Portuguese culinary heritage with the timeless spirit of Thanksgiving. Whether you’re planning an intimate family gathering in our restaurant or a festive takeout celebration at home, Solmar offers a menu designed to delight every palate.

No Thanksgiving table feels complete without the iconic roasted turkey. At Solmar, we honor this tradition with our Roasted Turkey, prepared with care and accompanied by traditional sides. Juicy, tender, and infused with flavors that reflect our Portuguese roots, this dish is a centerpiece worthy of your holiday table.

For families seeking something truly special, our Roasted Suckling Pig is available for takeout orders. A beloved dish in Portuguese celebrations, this delicacy brings a touch of authenticity and grandeur to your holiday, perfect for sharing with loved ones at home.

Thanksgiving at Solmar is not limited to turkey. Our menu features a range of gourmet specialties that showcase the richness of Portuguese cuisine and the artistry of our chefs:

• Grilled Lamb Chops – tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned.
• Grilled Rib Eye Steak – a robust option for meat lovers seeking indulgence.
• Fish Fillet Chef Style – delicately prepared with a chef’s touch.
• Grilled Seafood Combination – a celebration of the ocean, ideal for sharing.
• Grilled Large Prawns with Mozambique Sauce – a vibrant dish inspired by Portugal’s global culinary connections.
• Oven Roasted Cod Fish with Roasted Potato – a timeless Portuguese classic, rich in tradition and taste.

Each dish is crafted to honor the flavors of Portugal while offering a festive dining experience that feels both familiar and extraordinary. Reservations are highly encouraged, as Thanksgiving is one of our most cherished celebrations. Whether you join us in person or bring Solmar’s flavors home with our takeout options, we promise a feast that embodies the spirit of gratitude and the joy of Portuguese hospitality.

This Thanksgiving, let Solmar be your destination for a holiday filled with flavor, tradition, and family. Celebrate with style, savor with joy, and make this season truly unforgettable.

Get ready for a celebration of flavor and tradition. On November 7, 8, and 9, SolMar Restaurant, located in the heart of Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, will host the Festival do Bacalhau — a three-day culinary event honoring Portugal’s most iconic ingredient: codfish.

More than twenty different codfish dishes will be featured, each prepared with the same care, creativity, and authenticity that has made Portuguese cuisine world-famous. From creamy, oven-baked recipes to crispy fried favorites, every dish tells a story of the sea, of heritage, and of comfort shared around the table.

The Codfish Legacy

In Portugal, codfish — or bacalhau — is affectionately known as the “faithful friend.” It’s said there are more than a thousand ways to prepare it, and every family guards its own version. Historically, salted codfish was essential to Portuguese sailors who spent months at sea, and over time, it became a national symbol of resilience and flavor.

Among the best-known recipes, Bacalhau à Brás blends shredded codfish with crisp potato sticks and scrambled eggs — a Lisbon classic that’s as simple as it is comforting. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, a dish from Porto, layers cod with potatoes, onions, and boiled eggs, finished with olive oil and fresh parsley. Then there’s Bacalhau com Natas, baked in cream until golden and bubbling, and the rustic Açorda de Bacalhau, a dish from Alentejo where bread, garlic, cilantro, and a poached egg come together in pure harmony.

Festival Highlights

The centerpiece of the event is the Codfish Combo for Two, an indulgent tasting experience that features four traditional dishes: Bacalhau com Natas, Bacalhau à Brás, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, and Pataniscas de Bacalhau— small cod fritters that are perfectly crisp on the outside and tender within. This combo captures the essence of Portugal in a single shared meal, ideal for couples or friends eager to explore the variety of flavors that bacalhau offers.

The menu extends far beyond the combo. Guests can savor Bacalhau Assado, a beautifully baked codfish dish, or Bacalhau Sol Mar, the restaurant’s signature style, fried and baked with Spanish potatoes. Bacalhau à Braga offers a vibrant mix of peppers, tomatoes, and onions, while Bacalhau na Broa pairs cod with cornbread crust — a rustic favorite full of texture and warmth.

For those seeking something unique, Bacalhau com Castanhas, codfish with chestnuts, is a seasonal highlight, while Arroz de Bacalhau com Grelos, codfish rice with turnip greens, evokes the spirit of home cooking. Don’t miss Açorda de Bacalhau, a rich and soulful bread-based dish, or the indulgent Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo, gratinéed with mashed potatoes and mayonnaise, a northern Portuguese delicacy.

More Than a Food Festival

The Festival do Bacalhau at SolMar is more than just a dining event — it’s a cultural celebration. Expect lively Portuguese music, warm hospitality, and a festive atmosphere that captures the heart of Portugal’s culinary tradition. Families, food lovers, and anyone curious about Portuguese cuisine will find themselves transported, one bite at a time, to the kitchens and coastal towns of Portugal.

Join the Celebration

The Festival runs November 7–9 at SolMar Restaurant, located in Newark’s Ironbound district — a neighborhood known for its authentic Portuguese roots and vibrant dining scene. With generous portions, a curated wine list, and an ambiance that feels like home, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate tradition, friendship, and the enduring magic of bacalhau.

To reserve your table, contact us at (973) 344-3041.

SolMar Restaurant is delighted to announce the Festival do Bacalhau, a three-day celebration of Portugal’s most cherished culinary treasure — bacalhau, or codfish. Taking place November 7, 8 & 9, this special event invites guests to experience more than twenty unique dishes that showcase the incredible versatility and history of Portugal’s national favorite.

A Taste of Portugal in the Heart of Newark’s Ironbound

Set in the vibrant Ironbound district of Newark, SolMar continues its legacy as a destination for authentic Portuguese dining. The Ironbound has long been known as a cultural crossroads — where the aromas of garlic, olive oil, and seafood drift through narrow streets lined with bakeries, cafés, and restaurants that have kept Portuguese traditions alive for generations. It’s the perfect setting for a festival that celebrates a dish so deeply woven into Portugal’s identity.

The Story Behind Bacalhau

In Portugal, bacalhau is far more than food — it’s a symbol of heritage, resourcefulness, and celebration. The Portuguese have been enamored with this humble fish since the 16th century, when sailors discovered that salting and drying cod preserved it for long sea voyages. Over centuries, bacalhau became known as “O Fiel Amigo” — the “Faithful Friend” — appearing on tables for holidays, family gatherings, and Sunday dinners alike.

It’s said there are more than a thousand ways to prepare bacalhau, each recipe reflecting the creativity and regional character of Portugal’s diverse landscapes. From the northern city of Porto to the coastal towns of the Algarve, every family has its own cherished version — often passed down like an heirloom.

The Festival Menu: A Feast of Flavor and Tradition

At SolMar’s Festival do Bacalhau, guests can savor these time-honored recipes reimagined with care and authenticity. The menu features signature creations like Bacalhau à SolMar — fried and baked with caramelized onions and Spanish potatoes — and Bacalhau à Moda do Porto, served with migas, a rustic mix of bread, garlic, and herbs. Don’t miss Bacalhau na Broa, a comforting dish of cod baked inside traditional cornbread.

Other highlights include Bacalhau à Lagareiro, Bacalhau com Natas, Bacalhau à Braga, Açorda de Bacalhau, Arroz de Bacalhau com Grelos, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Pataniscas, and the ever-popular Bolinhos de Bacalhau (codfish cakes). Each dish tells a story — of fishermen, family kitchens, and centuries of Portuguese ingenuity.

A Celebration of Heritage and Community

“Ironbound has always been a destination for authentic Portuguese flavors, and our Codfish Festival celebrates this culinary heritage,” says Tony Nobre, owner of SolMar. “Bacalhau is woven into the heart of Portuguese culture, and we are excited to share these traditional dishes with our community.”

Join SolMar Restaurant November 7, 8 & 9 to experience the true taste of Portuguese bacalhau tradition — right here in Newark’s Ironbound.

Reservations are highly recommended due to limited seating and high demand. 👉Call (973) 344-3041 to reserve your table.

As the days grow cooler, Solmar celebrates the arrival of autumn with the rich comfort of Portuguese cuisine. This is the season of slow-cooked dishes, deep flavors, and wines that embrace every bite.

At our table, tradition takes center stage. The iconic cozido à portuguesa brings together tender meats, sausages, and vegetables simmered to perfection. The smoky alheira, served with fried egg and fries, captures the essence of rustic Portuguese flavors. Other classics — feijoada, cabrito assado, arroz de pato — fill the season with warmth and nostalgia.

To complete the experience, our selection of Portuguese red wines — from the Douro to the Alentejo — adds depth and balance to every meal. And for the perfect ending, a glass of Port wine, rich and velvety, to toast the season.

At Solmar, autumn is more than a season — it’s a feeling. The sea outside, the warmth of the kitchen, and the taste of tradition on every plate.

The wait is over—the SolMar Seafood Festival is back Sep 26,27 & 28

Join us in Newark’s Ironbound district for a weekend filled with music, joy, and the irresistible taste of the sea. After several hugely successful editions, this festival has become a beloved tradition, bringing together families, friends, and seafood lovers from near and far. Each year crowd grows, the energy gets brighter, and the flavors even better.

This is your chance to savor delicious Portuguese seafood — from deep waters to your plate, bursting with freshness and flavor. Every bite is like tasting the sea itself, a celebration of tradition and culinary passion that makes this event truly one of a kind.

✨ Save the Date: September 26,27 & 28
📍 Location: SolMar Restaurant, Ironbound, Newark

Tables are limited, and the excitement is already building—so make sure to reserve your spot early. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a festival that keeps growing in success, year after year!

#SolMarSeafoodFestival #SeafoodFestival2025 #IronboundEats #NewarkEvents #TasteTheSea

For decades, Sol Mar has been part of our guests’ most meaningful moments—weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, and family milestones—bringing authentic Portuguese and Mediterranean flavors beyond our restaurant walls. Our catering is more than a service; it’s a family tradition passed down through generations.

Party Packages to Match Every Occasion

Our curated Party Packages make it easy to host with style and flavor:

• Party Choice Package – A flexible, elegant spread perfect for any celebration.

• Wedding Packages I & II – Sophisticated menus designed to elevate your special day, featuring the Mesa de Aperitivos (Table of Appetizers) and the Mesa Portuguesa, a stunning display of heritage flavors.

Each menu is customizable to fit your style, guest list, and event vision—whether it’s an intimate brunch or a grand celebration.

Why Families Choose Us Again and Again

• Generations of Trust – A legacy of catering life’s most important events with consistency and care.

• Versatile Excellence – From elegant Portuguese tables to cocktail receptions, we adapt to every occasion.

• Personalized Service – Menus and presentations tailored to reflect your traditions and tastes.

With Sol Mar, every celebration is infused with tradition, flavor, and the personal touches that make memories last. Whether you’re planning a wedding, baptism, anniversary, or family milestone, Sol Mar’s off-site catering brings together the culinary traditions and heartfelt service that span generations. Want to explore menu combos, dietary options, or personalized details? Just let us know—and we’ll help you create a celebration that’s as memorable as it is delicious.

If you’re searching for the best seafood restaurant in New Jersey, SolMar Restaurant in Newark consistently delivers an exceptional dining experience steeped in Portuguese tradition. Located in the vibrant Ironbound neighborhood, SolMar has become a beloved culinary destination for lovers of seafood and authentic Portuguese fare.

At SolMar, every preparation honors Portuguese culinary methods—think charcoal-grilled fish, olive oil and garlic infusions, slow-cooked with white wine and fresh herbs—to bring out the sea’s purest flavors. The restaurant sources premium delicacies directly from Portugal, including salted cod (bacalhau), artisanal canned fish and seafood, olive oils, and more.

Signature dishes feature stuffed lobster, octopus à lagareiro, seafood rice with lobster, Portuguese-style fish fillets, and classic bacalhau dishes like Bacalhau à Brás and Vila Nova style cod. Each plate is a vibrant celebration of Portuguese coastal gastronomy.

SolMar also hosts the SolMar Seafood Festival twice a year, showcasing a deep dive into Portuguese seafood traditions with specialty dishes, music, and cultural experiences, solidifying its place on Newark’s event calendar.

The restaurant has earned multiple OpenTable Diner’s Choice Awards dinners in 2022, 2024, and 2025—a testament to consistent excellence in food, service, and guest satisfaction through the years. In 2022, SolMar was recognized by 24/7 Tempo media group as the best seafood restaurant in New Jersey, highlighting its dedication to quality, tradition, and hospitality.

Conveniently located just minutes from New York City, Newark Penn Station, and Newark Airport, SolMar offers an inviting atmosphere ideal for a romantic dinner, family gathering, or a cultural culinary experience. Whether you crave the richness of Portuguese seafood or simply want to explore authentic coastal flavors, SolMar stands ready to impress.

Book your table today and discover why SolMar has been a symbol of flavor, tradition, and excellence since 1969.