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    Nova Alianca

    4.4 (25 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, Bakeries, Portuguese
    Open 5:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Nova Alianca Photos

    NOVA ALIANCA ATMOSPHERE

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    Croissants and multi grain croissants
    Melodie M.

    This little Portuguese cafe and bakery is busy! I enjoy seeing most of the signage in Portuguese, indicative of the Ironbound neighborhood Nova Alianca is anchored in. The lunch buffet was busy when I came midday, and a line built up quickly during a morning visit with locals picking up coffee and breakfast sandwiches. They have wonderful multi-grain croissants with seeds all over it; so delicious! They carry bread loaves and rolls, and I tried their 75-cent multi-grain roll. Their Portuguese egg custard tarts though are to die for. I could eat one of these every day! Light but rich, flaky and crispy on the outside, creamy but firm on the inside.

    People eating and watching tv.
    Ziair R.

    Very good service.Food is ok not very flavorful but no worries they have seasonings. Filled with very nice people and and good workers. It's kind of loud and the chairs are very noisy when moved. Good place deserves a 4 but from the ups and downs I believe 3 matches just right I would recommend eating here.

    Bernadette B.

    Ever since I got back from Lisbon, Portugal, I've been craving some Pastel de Nata. Being in Newark, there is a Portuguese neighborhood with many bakeries to be had. So I am on a Pastel de Nata tour! This one is my third stop. As Pastel de Nata go, this was exactly in the middle for me. The crust is good but the custard part was just fine. It's still good, but maybe a double if we're going to stay with the baseball analogies. Again, I've only eaten one thing at each bakery, so that's what we're rating.

    Irving R.

    Cool spot full of locals, which is always a good thing. I normally come here for dessert because I really love the pasteis de nata which are amazing here. Had ones with blueberry for the first time and it kinda changed my life crunchy flaky crust, blueberry bottom with custard, yes wipe the drool off your chin. The cage con leche had a little more milk than I would have liked but the espresso is delicious.

    Salad bar
    Julio G.

    I love this place! The coffee, the baked foods, the delicious fish for lunch. This place draws you in from the moment you walk by on the street. The smell of the baked goods and sweet smell of coffee attract you like a moth to a flame! One of the best things to do is get a galao with a roll or panini and then sit down by the window and enjoy the experience. You'll see a diverse crowd of Europeans and new hipsters ordering their breakfasts. It's great. End your meal with a egg custard baked good (NATAS). So delicious you won't regret it! Enjoy your visit! *please vote below if you enjoyed the review*

    Hot food buffet
    Lin Y.

    Soaking up the local flavors is a good thing here! The buffet lunch has some tasty options and though not cheap because it is weighed by the pound, will really make you strategize what is on your plate. This is a good thing for the waist-line. You can take the food to go or eat-in. You would grab the plastic containers instead of the plate for takeout. I grabbed a chicken drum, small pork cutlet some white rice and beans. The chicken had good flavor and so did the pork chop. The pork chop was grilled, seasoned well and delicious. I tasted something vinegary in the chicken and it gave it a nice dose of acid. The beans I took from a stew and they look like navy beans but were buttery in texture and quite good. I forgot to grab a sausage but there is always a next time. I enjoyed my lunch plate and controlled my portion too. The lady didn't understand me that well at the counter but she was pleasant and hard working. At the end I topped it off with a pasteis de Nata. My meal cost $7 and the nata was $1.50. You go to the end of the counter where the scale is calibrated to take on the weight of the plate. The nata wasn't flaky and I found the custard tasting too much like sweetened condensed Lots of locals enjoying coffee and having soup and lunch. There are plenty of small tables so this is a good place for a rest or lunch stop. There are other pastry options as well, but after that nata, I found myself going to another well-known bakery nearby. My feet go willingly to where the Portuguese tarts are!

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    4 years ago

    I bought a couple Pasties de Nata. They were ok. If you're in the area, they're worth a try.

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    7 years ago

    Their buffet is out of this world. Tastes like my Brazilian mother's cooking, and is very affordable.

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    9 years ago

    Very good pastries. A nice place for after diner coffee express I and pastries. Very friendly staff.

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    Fornos of Spain Restaurant

    Fornos of Spain Restaurant

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We made a reservation for brunch for a party of six, and this was my first time visiting Fonos of…read moreSpain. From the moment we arrived, the experience was great. We used the valet service, and upon walking inside, I noticed an older gentleman playing the piano in the foyer, which gave the place a really nice atmosphere. Even though the restaurant was busy, our wait was only about 5-10 minutes. While waiting, I couldn't help but notice how large the restaurant is. There are two bars and several separate dining areas that looked perfect for larger parties and special occasions. Once seated, we were served fresh bread while looking over the menu. I ordered the 32-ounce prime rib with A1 sauce, red peppers, and roasted potatoes. I also had the chance to try some of the sea bass. Both dishes were excellent. The prime rib was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly, while the sea bass was fresh and well-prepared. A special shoutout to our waiter, Milan, who was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was taken care of throughout our meal. Overall, it was a fantastic brunch experience, and I will absolutely be back in the near future.

    The ambiance is amazing it brings you back to Spain and the staff is extremely friendly. It's…read moreupscale but not snobby, you will get an amazing meal and drinks and leave happy. Our group ordered the Seafood Paella and had plenty for leftovers, stuffed sole, branzino, grilled octopus, salad and numerous drinks including their sangria. The Paella was full of flavor and a very large portion, two people ordered one to share and even sharing it with the other three in the group there was a ton left. The stuffed Sole was well sized and filled properly with shrimp, scallops and more. Highly recommend and it was cooked perfectly. The mash potatoes were a miss that came with it not seasoned and bland. The branzino was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. The grilled octopus was a little chewy which was disappointing but it was packed with flavor and would try again. If you're in Newark and want an amazing meal, highly recommend this place just note it's not cheap but it's worth every penny.

    Photos
    Entrance decor
    Entrance decor
    NUESKE'S BACON AL FORNOS
    NUESKE'S BACON AL FORNOS
    Lychee Martini

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    Lychee Martini
    Seabra Marisqueira

    Seabra Marisqueira

    3.6
    (671 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Celebrating Gus' 70th birthday at Seabra's Marisqueira in the Ironbound section of Newark…read more Seabra's Marisqueira, a popular Portuguese seafood restaurant in Newark, NJ, known for its fresh catches, large portions, and lively atmosphere, is certainly the place to go if you're looking for authentic, traditional Portuguese seafood. IYKYK The food was spectacular and the service could not be beat. Marisqueira is a Portuguese term that translates to a seafood restaurant or shellfish bar, and this place certainly lives up to its name. If you can't make it to Portugal but are craving some traditional seafood in a relaxed, casual, authentic setting, this is your place. Plus, they have a free parking lot across the street from the restaurant.

    I want to give this place fewer than four stars, but the majority of the food was so damn good, I…read morejust can't. The issue is the servers' attitude, as another reviewer mentioned. We were a party of eight and ordered a ton of food and drinks. My in-laws both ordered mariscada-type dishes. One had lobster, which they loved. One had different types of fish and shellfish; the majority of shellfish didn't open properly (barely a crack), and the fish had an odd taste. The server said it was skate and it had a "special" taste. Anyway, my in-laws didn't care for the whole dish, and it cost about $50. They've lived in the Ironbound 60ish years and know good mariscada from bad. Bacalhau, salmon, steak, octopus, and cockles all were delicious. Then we ordered dessert - one of which was espresso crème brûlée. When we asked the server why it didn't have the traditional burnt sugar top, he said they don't do it that way. (Then don't call it crème brûlée! Call it pudding or something else.) Such attitude. And beware - they add the tip *after* adding in NJ sales tax. We can get good food at many other Newark restaurants. Even though most of the food was great, we left with a bad taste in our mouths (pun intended) and probably won't return.

    Photos
    The bar view - we went early to miss the crowds -
    The bar view - we went early to miss the crowds -
    Seabra Marisqueira
    Seabra Marisqueira

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    Sabor Unido

    Sabor Unido

    4.5
    (567 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    In the heart of Newark, SABOR UNIDO is truly a hidden gem. We love the warm ambiance, the attentive…read moreservice, and, of course, every meal we've enjoyed has been consistently delicious. The codfish croquettes are absolutely divine--a must-try! Be sure to call ahead to make sure they're available. We always have a wonderful dining experience and look forward to returning again soon!

    I did not expect to enjoy this restaurant that much! It's unfortunate that it's located far into…read moreNewark, but I'm so happy I was able to try it. They had a wide variety of food, all ranging from beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and some vegetarian options. They had an extensive wine menu, and my boyfriend joyfully enjoyed a glass of wine. I got the brazilian fried chicken, which was extremely flavorful, and i was surprised there wasn't any breading on the chicken as typical fried chicken does. I much preferred the no-breading style, which I think is the Brazilian way. I would have preferred a boneless dish, as there were quite a few pieces with bones, and it was pretty oily at the bottom of the dish. It came with two very large sides, and totaled around $25. 100% would recommend this dish, but I do think at a lower price point, this could make do with just one side, instead of two, as the main dish was quite large enough to fill me up. My favorite part of this meal was the garlic butter bread that they provide for free. It comes out extremely fresh with lots of chopped up garlic, which is my favorite part of garlic bread. It was a great way to start the dinner off. The service was great and the waiters were extremely attentive. They regularly checked up on how we felt about the food and filled up our drinks. The restaurant was pretty empty while we were dining, but the space was laid out very nicely and the decor was beautiful. Would come again if it wasn't so far!

    Photos
    Skirt Steak
    Skirt Steak
    Shrimp
    Shrimp
    Fried Chicken

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    Fried Chicken
    Casa d'Paco

    Casa d'Paco

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Private events

    Every time i come here its such a hit!!! It's definitely one of my favorite hole in the wall places…read morethat I've been coming to for about 8 years. The food is probably the closest you can get to actual Spanish tapas but what i love most about this place is that everythings got flavorrrrr For our table of 4 we got CROQUETAS with their house cured chorizo- very good POLLO FIORENTINA- chicken was so tender and packeddd with flavor! BARRIGUITA- plentiful serving for a tapa, we loved the potatoes it came with too CHICHARRON DE POLLO- flavorful chicken and easier to eat than you think TARTAR- delish but small Chipirones- sooo delicately breaded you can barely tell, was great COSTILLA A LA PLANCHA- plentiful for a tapa, we recommend cooking for longer since its traditionally a tough cut of beef SAUTED VEGETABLES- tastey and not mushy thankfully! MILLIONAIRE CAIPIRINHA for my drink. was soooo good, not too sweet and not quite as sour as a margarita, was perfect for me!

    Casa d'Paco is a great spot with a really cool setup. When you first walk in, it feels like a…read moresmaller, quiet place with a nice bar but then you realize they have an additional space on the side which completely changes the vibe in a good way. When I was there, they had a DJ playing, and it added energy without being too loud or overwhelming. The Service was very good, the waiter answered and helped with all our questions. The food was absolutely amazing really flavorful and well done. Just be a little prepared that most dishes come in smaller portions. But the quality definitely makes up for it. I ordered the paella, and it's easily enough for two or even three people and it was well worth it. Really delicious. The drinks were also definitely worth trying while you're there. The only thing I wasn't big on was the desserts they didn't quite live up to the rest of the meal. But overall, great atmosphere, excellent food, and a fun experience. I'd definitely come back.

    Photos
    Private party room. Or private business meeting room. Great for networking too.
    Private party room. Or private business meeting room. Great for networking too.
    Bombas de Barcelona
    Bombas de Barcelona
    Bar with TV for sporting events.

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    Bar with TV for sporting events.
    Fernandes steakhouse

    Fernandes steakhouse

    3.9
    (805 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    A few members of my team and I had lunch here to welcome someone new who was joining the team…read more This was my first time. All four of us had the Barbecue - 3 Mixed Meat and 1 Picanha. The Mixed Meat option had several different preparations of beef and a sausage served with a salad, french fries, and white rice. It was a generous portion of meat in a large plate. For dessert we all had the Serradura (Portuguese Sawdust Pudding) which was made with a meringued cream, whipped cream, and crushed cookies mixed together. Very delicious, not too sweet and not too filling. All around there was brick, stone and solid wood. I felt like I was in what I imagined a restaurant in Portugal would be like back in the day. The servers were friendly. I gives me the sense that it is a good place to have a range of events - from a business lunch to a celebratory party. There is lots of space in the restaurant with different rooms. One room seemed specifically set up for large parties whereas another room was set up like a typical restaurant. Our party was able to relax and enjoy ourselves without ever feeling any time pressures from the staff. It was quite an enjoyable experience.

    I recently went to Fernandes Steakhouse for the first time to celebrate my girlfriend's 60th…read morebirthday, and now I completely understand why she loves this place so much. We did the rodizio, and everything was absolutely perfect. The meats kept coming and were all cooked beautifully. I'm a big fan of lamb, and theirs was outstanding. One of the things I really appreciated was that they were happy to bring specific cuts again if you asked -- great service and very accommodating. The meal also came with rice, beans, plantains, and pico de gallo, which were all delicious and complemented the meats really well. We also ordered mashed potatoes on the side, which were fantastic. We brought our own birthday cake, and the staff couldn't have been nicer. They cut it for us, came over to sing, and really helped make the celebration feel special. We had such a lovely time. Overall, it was a first-class experience with amazing food and warm hospitality.

    Photos
    Waiting area
    Waiting area
    Fernandes steakhouse
    Waiting area

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    Waiting area
    Segovia Restaurant

    Segovia Restaurant

    3.8
    (642 reviews)
    9.6 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Casual dining

    My server was a friendly and thoughtful gent from Ukraine. Slava Ukraini! My best to your family…read more The food highlights: - bread: hearty sized individual breads with a nice crispy outside / tops - chorizo sausage is well flavored without being oily or dry, tastes great mixed with... - the vodka rigatoni. Served al dente with a nice cream / cheese overlay - shrimp in garlic. Very nice flavor with a light garlic and olive oil taste that did not overwhelm the shrimp - rib eye : simply seasoned that really let the meat flavor rise. Rum: they had Zacapa 23 year. A good recommendation to sip along with a tremendous meal. One note: the medium rare was closer to black and blue, and the medium was closer to medium rare. It may depend on the chef, but if you are between temp levels, take the over. I could have come here for dinner every night and been very happy. Plenty of amazing looking items on the menu.

    I loved the vibe of the restaurant, and the service was great. Jose was a kind and helpful waiter…read morewho made the experience even better. The bread came out first, nice and warm, which was a great start to the meal. We ordered the empanadas, and the meat was delicious, though they definitely could have used a sauce on the side. I also got the soup, which was very tasty. Unfortunately, my main dish lacked flavor. The portion size was good about six pieces but it just didn't have much seasoning. Oddly enough, the onions were the best part of the plate. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere and service, and I'd come back to try the seafood next time.

    Photos
    Segovia Restaurant
    Segovia Restaurant
    Segovia Restaurant

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    Sol-Mar

    Sol-Mar

    3.7
    (264 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    A birthday celebration took us to Sol Y Mar, where we had a fantastic time. By arriving early, we…read moreavoided the dinner rush and enjoyed a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. The sangria was a standout, and the food was superb. Our selections - the seafood platter and lobster - were both expertly prepared and utterly delicious.

    This review is based on my husband's experience and not my own. LOL. He's a man of few words…read more The service was excellent. The three servers were friendly and attentive. The ambiance was quiet, but it was a Wednesday night. But for the food. Both were disappointed in the main entrees. The soups they ordered were lobster bisque and the soup de jour. The lobster bisque was delicious, but it had very few pieces of lobster. My husband's friend said, "I had the soup of the day. It was vegetables with some pasta." His only opinion was Main entrees. My husband had Crab Stuffed Flounder (Filetes Recheados), basically stuffed fish with crab, but my husband had to ask what kind of fish because the menu simply stated stuffed fish fillets w/ crab meat. It wasn't lump crab meat but a pasty mixture of crab. For the price, he expected to have all crab meat. $33.00 His friend got the Arroz de Camarão, aka shrimp with yellow rice. There was a lot of rice and barely any shrimp. $30.00. Overall, the food was disappointing, especially given the prices, but the service and atmosphere were nice.

    Photos
    Sol-Mar
    Grilled sardines with peppers, onions and potatoes.
    Grilled sardines with peppers, onions and potatoes.
    Delicious

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    Delicious

    Nova Alianca - cafes - Updated July 2026

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