SolMar Seafood Festival Will Return To Newark For 2025: A Taste Of Portugal

NEWARK, NJ — A local foodie favorite will return to the Ironbound section of Newark this month: the SolMar Seafood Festival.

This year’s festival will take place from Friday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 28 at SolMar Restaurant, 267 Ferry Street. A parking lot is located directly opposite the restaurant, and the PATH and NJ Transit is located nearby. Reservations are strongly recommended to avoid lines, and can be made online here or by calling 973-344-3041.

The festival pays tribute to Portugal’s Atlantic cuisine, bringing together cold-water shellfish and fish with a curated selection of Portuguese wines designed to elevate the flavors of the sea. The approach rests on technical simplicity and absolute respect for top-quality ingredients, organizers say – hallmarks of the Portuguese table.

“Shellfish arrive live, by air, on the eve of the festival – fresher is impossible,” SolMar owner António Nobre said.

“Some species are so sought after that, even in Portugal, they’re not always easy to find due to demanding fishing methods and international market pressure,” Nobre said.

On the menu, the classics the public looks forward to are back: Portuguese stone crab (sapateira), langoustines, goose barnacles (percebes), razor clams, coastal shrimp, lobsters, Portuguese clams, limpets and other beloved delicacies.

For fish lovers, options will include John Dory (peixe- galo), turbot, halibut and red mullet – species known for firm texture, elegant juiciness and mineral notes that call for restrained seasoning and precise doneness.

The available wine pairings will include Rei do Minho (Vinho Verde) with clams, percebes, razor clams, and shrimp; Bridão Branco (dry, mature) to support firmer-texture fish such as John Dory, turbot, and halibut; and Plexus Frizzante—in white and rosé—for shareable dishes from the Seafood Rice and Stew. Alvarinhos and seasonal selections round out the list.

The kitchen will be showcasing specials such as Mariscada à SolMar, Açorda de Mariscos, and the house classic Arroz de Mariscos: shareable recipes that “distill the essence of Portuguese gastronomy,” organizers said.

Service is à la carte and accommodates different budgets and appetites, the restaurant said.

SolMar plans on welcoming guests from across the East Coast who seek an authentic slice of Luso-American culture in the Ironbound, organizers said.

“We want guests to feel transported to our Portuguese coast – in a generous, welcoming experience,” said Luis Nobre, SolMar’s manager.

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