Four us went to dinner to celebrate a birthday...a special birthday for a special cousin at a super special place! We made our reservation directly with the restaurant and when we arrived we were greeted like old friends and seated immediately. Waiter took our drink orders and recited the specials and dropped off rolls with an amazing flavored butter. The martinis came in large glasses and were chilled to perfection and the red Sangria was worth a second round. We tried the Ripanco wine as well and enjoyed the rich full bodied flavor. We ordered apps (shrimp in garlic sauce-remember to dunk that fab roll and butter into the sauce) and a Caesar salad made flawlessly (just the right flavor and the portion was larger than expected). And then came dinner - the twin lobster special was incredible. It was served with the Spanish fries and two choices of butter to dip in. A fish special was ordered and it was grilled perfect and served with mashed and broccoli. We turned the crab cake appetizer into a dinner with a side of mashed. The crab cakes had two different sauces and were flavorful (and not overstuffed with breading). You can't go wrong with Tartufo-enough to share, in house made rice pudding and a dessert called Serradura was incredible each and every bite. It was a home made creamy almost mousse like texture/taste with ground cookies layered in and topped with a cookie. After dinner drinks were poured generously and the cappuccino was served hot and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. We were not rushed and as it became a bit busier we weren't ignored. The restaurant has a nice vibe and comfortable feeling. Looking forward to going back. read more

Fab Double pork chop. Amazing Shiskebob. Wine esp Portuguese is amazing. Love it here even on holiday

NEVER AGAIN!! LOST BUSINESS. Two things led to a disappointing evening at Mar Belo. Management needs to learn that the little things count. #1 - Shortly after arriving, I ordered a bottle of wine. After the wine was opened/poured, I asked for bread. Our server said only after the food order is placed. WHAT!!?? I asked the reason...Our server gave a lame excuse that people would come into the dining area and only drink and eat bread. Nonsense. After the bread fiasco, the main courses (Zarzuela, NY Strip Mar Belo) were nicely prepared, tasty and good value. #2 - When the bill arrived, there was a $3.50 charge for tea. I informed our server that we did not have tea. This $3.50 was for a cup of hot water and lemon. Excuse me? When I asked to see the Manager, our server said defiantly that he was the Manager. Holding back bread and charging for hot water is the classic definition of being penny-wise but pound foolish. read more

Delicious food, outstanding service! I really recommend! We had the cod fish (Bacalhau), nice portion and a cartuxa wine. As desert, we ate a perfect rice pudding! Nice place and music atmosphere. read more

First time there on a Friday night. Delicious food, great atmosphere. We sat in the bar area and it was a very relaxed. Will definitely be back! read more

Mar Belo - Paelha Valenciana - Portuguese Near Me - Long Branch, New Jersey

See all

Another hidden gem of Long Branch dining. A small Portuguese restaurant with incredible decor and ambiance. The best time to go is lunch. There is an exceptional lunch menu with very reasonable prices. My favorite item for lunch is the steak and shrimp, it is served with potatoes, vegetables, and a great sauce on top. There are some great seafood options for lunch as well. There is a small plate of olives and great bread served before your meal as well. There is also a big selection of tapas, wines, and beers. Wait staff is very professional and food is served promptly and cooked perfectly. This is a place I will keep coming back to, very deserving of the five star rating. read more

We've passed by the sign for this restaurant many times on our way to Pier Village. After we planned a trip to Portugal, we wanted to get a flavor of the culture. We arrived for happy hour and the place was empty, but it wasn't quite dinner time yet. The bartender was very friendly and explained the specials. Unfortunately, the food was not so great. The meatballs were hard and had a weird flavor. The pork belly was chewy. The shrimp was supposed to be spicy but had no flavor. There were also little flying bugs all over the food. So disappointed. We won't be going back. read more

I came here with my family for dinner. For an app we had fried calamari which was good. The bread and garlic bread was also good. I ordered seafood paella. The minute it was out in-front if my I smelled a fishy smell- and not a good one! The lobster was so dry and rubbery I couldn't eat it. I actually spit it out. I also think that was the fishy smell. The rice was dry and overcooked as was the rest of the seafood. Very disappointing considering Portuguese restaurants are known for this dish. And this restaurant usually has such great reviews. I probably should have sent it back. The rest of my family enjoyed their meals. read more

An evening dinner here on a Saturday was crowed and service slow and under staff. But, the side table service (water, bread) was very attentive; the wait staff was slow and seemingly uncaring about the time from menu handling, selection, ordering, delivering and "check please." The dinner was 2-hours, 1 -hour TOO LONG. About the menu, it is limited, but the specials are an added addition, however, three of the five I noticed were off the menu with an embellishment of a carrot addition or "roast" here or a "baked" there - so what's so "special about that"? The appetizer was delicious! The calamari was lightly dusted with flour and a soft, gentle crusty taste. We thought this was "Eureka"! ...............until the main course: (1) Spanish rice and chicken (saffron rice and chicken baked in a pot); (2) steak dish with veggies; and (3) codfish and veg., and a side dish of rice. My rice and chicken dish was way better than the other two. It was tasty, and its consistency a welcomed sight for my palate. But the other two dishes were not as good, The steak was fatty and chewy. The codfish was AWFUL, it NEED SALT! it was also either boiled then broiled or seemingly only boiled. It had no taste whatsoever - one had to chew the rubber ... Over all, the staff was very attentive, the ambiance nice, the service good.......... but you can't come back for only service...... ! read more

Mar Belo - Portuguese Near Me - Long Branch, New Jersey

Called to place a curbside pickup and was told I could select a pickup time. I had to wait an additional hour in the parking lot and when I arrived home which is less than 5 minutes from Mar Belo, the food was cold and the fish overdone. Very disappointing. read more

There tonight with another couple. Couldn't understand our waiter (language barrier). In addition to a Caesar salad and Fried Calamari (appetizer), there was an order of (special) Rib-Eye w/caramelized onions, an order to lamb chops, a filet mignon and a Shrimp appetizer as an entrée. In short- Shrimp, Caesar Salad and Calamari were fine. The Rib-Eye was very fatty and cooked rare/raw (asked for medium rare); The filet mignon was tough. And the lamb chops were dry. After having a great experience the first time, this was a HUGE disappointment. read more

Been here a couple times and have always had a fantastic experience! Great food, atmosphere and an amazing staff. You will love this place. don't miss the Mar Belo Coffee! read more

arroz con pollo was flavorless (for long branch NJ this is a particularly bad) the server and host were both rude and snobby. avoid! read more

Love the atmosphere, food was amazing, my boyfriend said that his lobster was a little bit over cooked but it was still delicious. Prices were awesome for the portions you were receiving. Staff was extremely friendly. Overall a great experience and amazing food! read more

Lucky Find, Been here twice in last two weeks. First time did not have reservations, sat at bar as it was packed. Bartender was great, attentive. Food was amazing. Second time, with reservations, was seated in nicely decorated dining room. Again, great service and food. The seafood is wonderful and fresh. I will be back! read more

Great find! Excellent, well-thought our decor....service perfect: attentive, understated.

Top notch Portuguese food. Friendly staff, clean updated and comfortable atmosphere.. excellent place..

One person can really turn a good meal into a great one. Visited Mar Bello for lunch after driving around for 15 minutes and I sure am glad that I did. My bartender was attentive and engaging which made my meal that much more enjoyable. The bitoque, sirloin with egg in top, was very good and at a good price. Give this place a chance and it won't let you down read more

Mar Belo - Clean and sharp looking bar. No beer on tap- all bottles - Portuguese Near Me - Long Branch, New Jersey

See all

Came by Mar Belo due to inability to get a table in an oceanfront restaurant in Long Branch. Talk about a happy misfortune - we had a wonderful dining experience! I had eaten at Pearl of Lisbon, which is what this restaurant was called previously (not sure if same owners now), which was very good. It has been nicely renovated, with a classy, white-tablecloth interior and a fun casual outdoor dining area in the back. Not only does it look much nicer than it did under previous management, but the food has noticeably improved as well. Baby grilled octopus appetizer was delicious - tender and smoky with a simple drizzle of olive oil. Grilled chourizo appetizer was great as well For the main course, most of my party went with seafood dishes. The tiger shrimp were amazing - they tasted almost like langostines, very fresh and portion size was generous. I hate to sound like a "Murican here, but portions were in fact, all very large. Since the place is not cheap, this may make one feel justified in spending some dough. My friend ordered pork and clams as his main dish, which was so unique. Pork was tender and marinated in an almost Asain-esque sauce teeming with umami - not something I would typically associate with Portuguese food, but live and learn. The service was excellent , very attentive to our large party including several boisterous children (hint: sit outside if you can, families!) Our waiter explained how this is his family's restaurant, and it is clear that they take pride in their business and their food. Don't let the location slightly off the beaten path deter you - this is a true gem. read more

Hard to get good portugeuse food in the area. This place is a great place for a date. It has a great atmosphere. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They area also very attentive making sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. The red sangria is recommended. I have had the Fraldinha No Churrasco which cant be reproduced. the meat is so tender and the sauce that it comes with makes it even better. The Paelha Valenciana comes with alot of seafood which is all cooked to perfection. I will be coming back for dinner soon. read more

Not your typical Portuguese/Spanish restaurant. Much better. The decor and ambiance are lovely, the staff and service are excellent, and the food is at a higher level. Everything is top quality and well prepared. Delicious steaks, seafood, and ethnic dishes. We've been here a number of times and have never been disappointed. read more

Excellent staff, all were friendly and more than willing to help. Menu was fantastic. Being gluten free and dairy free I had no problem finding something to eat. I actually can't wait to go back to get a few other options! Atmosphere was really contemporary and romantic. My only wish was that they played Spanish music to fit the theme of the restaurant (they had a 90's station playing in the lounge). The portions were very generous and everything tasted delicious. What I loved the most was the quality of the foods they offered. They offer grass fed, pastured animals and their seafood is fresh. Their olive oil, yummy! Can't wait to visit again. read more

My wife and I and two friends went here on New Years eve 2014. My wife had the Sangria and it was excellent. She had the Filet Mignon and she loved it. I had the Paella Valencia and it was as good as from downtown Newark. We had the spicy shrimp and sausage for appetizers and we weren't disappointed. The seating was quick and efficient. The only complaint might be that the tables for four were a bit close to each other and with all of the traffic coming and going we had a lot of folks and waitstaff bumping our chairs. read more

Could not have been better. It's great to be served cuisine that an effort was put into. Very relaxing, excellent service in a a great surrounding. Going back in two weeks. read more

Went here to celebrate birthdays for two great people. The staff was very friendly and helpful with our choices for dinner. We had two appetizers that were great. The staff came to our table and sang happy birthday to our very surprised guests. If you want really good Portuguese food this is the place to go. The sangria was fantastic. read more

They know what they are doing here. Inviting bar with a few regulars, perfectly dressed white linen tables in the main dining room. Upscale and modern decor. Something that I wish more Spanish restaurants would embrace and let go of the old world traditional decor. The Garlic Shrimp appetizer, a Portuguese must, is on point, served with warm bread for dipping. Clams in garlic white wine, olive oil are large and perfectly tender. Carefully not over cooked. The staff, well groomed and sophisticated yet hospitable and warm. Stiring up excitement as they expressed their favorites on the menu. Demi, mentioned the Lobster special on Thursday's. Andre, working the bar helped us navigate through the wines. The Steak Portuguesa is the perfectly tender skirt steak with an over easy egg and just the right salty slice of ham on top. Finished with a beef garlic gravy like sauce. A Spanish coffee is a divine way to finish off dinner or lunch. Beautifully layered in a snifter. Something that Andre has mastered at preparing but the other staff, not as of yet. We hesitate getting one if Andre isnt there.....We are officially regulars..... read more

I have had several decent dinners at Mar Belo in the past. Tonight was an exception. I dined at the bar, as the restaurant was quite busy. Other than a quick chat with a friendly waiter (Diego) the evening was a disaster. My pitcher of San Gria was cloyingly sweet. Prior to my entree I ordered a green salad. Tomatoes were not nearly ripe. A sign of less than good attention in the kitchen. Not so bad. The salad didn't arrive for close to 30 minutes. After my salad was finished, I waited over 40 minutes for my (ordered medium rare) rib eye steak to arrive. It was medium and it's temperature was warm at best. However, the worst part was the cut of meat. It may have been a rib steak, but it was the very end of the rib, best used for other purposes. It was gristly, fatty and grainy. A rib steak is supposed to be the best cut for a steak. I couldn't eat it. The bartender didn't even inquire why I left almost my entire steak. Sadly disappointed. read more

This was our first visit to Mar Belo, and we will surely be back. From the friendly hostess to the attentive service, excellent wine recommendation (we were unfamiliar with the Portuguese wines on the list) delicious food and nice atmosphere, we were delighted to discover Mar Belo. A great find! read more

Coming from NYC we are always a bit skeptical of restaurants down the shore...BUT this place left us beyond content! Everything from the appetizers to our entrees to the desserts were perfect! The grilled octopus was probably the best we ever had (and we've had it A LOT)! We each got a different entree and they were all amazing! Recommend the dark side of the moon dessert!!!! Atmosphere was very nice...this is now our "go-to" spot down the shore!! read more

Very satisfied! I made a reservation about 2 weeks in advanced for a party of 12 coming in on a Saturday night and requested outdoor seating after reading they offered it off a Yelp review. They were most than pleasant and accommodating. When we arrived we see a beautifully-set table, secluded outside just for us. The hostess told us that was indeed our table, but had we changed our minds they could set us up inside, as well. It was a beautiful night so we opted for our outdoor seating. Service was great. Our water glasses were never close to even half empty. We ordered pitchers of Sangria for the table, I suggest getting the red. We got shrimp in garlic, fried calamari, and another spicy shrimp appetizer. All was delicious - the fried calamari was so light and crispy, I don't remember the last time I enjoyed fried calamari like this. Everyone ordered their entrees. I got the Paella and it was perfect. The seafood was so fresh and the rice had a great flavor in some type of light sauce, not dry at all. The portion was great also, I could not finish it all, but I don't think it was too big by any means. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their meals as well. The shishkabob is really cool because it comes on this hanging plate, different and cool. I'm rating it 4 stars only because I wish it had a few more options on the menu, maybe some more chicken or seafood choices. If I am in the area again soon I would definitely come back! Would recommend to all my friends, too! read more

Food was average but overpriced. Almost $30 for a pot of over cooked chicken/dry bland chicken and rice was not the experience I expected based on other reviews read more

Had a wonderful experience here. Really delicious food. Even the fries were good which at most Portuguese places the fries are usually a throw away. The service was what put it over the top though, talk about being pampered. So friendly, attentive. Our meals were really a delight tho I had skirt steak and my husband had a seafood hot pot and both were really well done. Will definitely go back. read more

The food is special. The hospitality is unique. Reasonable prices for such great taste. Good atmosphere with classics on the air. Whether you are a new couple or a big family, I highly recommend not to miss this place when around for lovely time. read more

Great food!!! From the seafood dishes, to the pork, steak and veal dishes to all the homemade desserts! Finally a place to eat FRESH homemade entrees and desserts! You will find NO frozen, canned or boxed foods or desserts here. All are homemade on the premises by a great Chef and his team. The dining experience is set in a friendly, casual yet elegant atmosphere that gives you the impression of a fine dining room in Manhattan. If this was not enough, Mar Belos now has Ed from Tuzzios Italian Cuisine, to manage and make your dining experience more enjoyable. Ed has been with Tuzzios for more then 30 years and now has moved his talents and great hospitality to Mar Belos! Great move and congratulations to Mar Belos for making this great establishment even greater. I tried to describe this restaurant in 1 word but could not do it in less then 12 words; Delicious homemade entrees and desserts, elegant atmosphere, service with class, affordable prices! read more

We had dinner there last night. The food was excellent, service was great. I highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks Ed, who is the new manager, for recommending Mar Belo. We will be back. Jim and Carol M. read more

Wow, we finally found a really good Portugese/Spanish restaurant south of Newark. We were immediately impressed with the friendly hostess, the lovely ambiance, the excellent service, and the well-prepared, fresh & delicious food. We were a party of eight and everyone loved their dinners. Looking forward to returning for another delicious meal. read more

Awesome sangria. Great Paella. Friendly service. Can't ask for much more on date night

Fantastic Portuguese restaurant in the heart of Long Branch! Fresh seafood, great wine selection and AMAZING service! The decor was beautiful and inviting. Our server made our dining experience so memorable. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel so welcome! Besides the food, he is the reason we will be back. Great service is just as important as the food itself! read more

Great Paella and Shish kabob entrées. Grilled octopus, best I've ever tasted. Solid Portuguese spot nestled away on Broadway in Long Branch. Also saw a lobster night advertised which looked great! Would recommend. read more

Most amazing dinner! The paelha is outstanding and can definitely be shared! Service is top notch! Wonderful date night!