Amazing verity of classic Portuguese dishes within a comfortable casual atmosphere. None better.

Been coming here at least twice a month for over 2 years. I took a friend and was so upset. The appetizer took over 35 minutes to come out and then they brought the dinner at the same time. The place was not busy, only 3 tables with people sitting. When I said something to the owner, he told me in Spanish ( guess he didn't know I speak it), he told me I was being PICKY. Really??? the new owner doesn't care, so I will be taking my business elsewhere. Oh and if you do go, check your bill... the pitcher of sangria is on the board for $18 and the charged me $24. ( and I was there at happy hour) read more

Wonderful food and service; a hidden gem; definitely recommend especially the price point.

This place is a whole in the wall paradise found in Kearny!!! The food was AMAZING, I got the chicken Marsala and is the best I have ever had. My boyfriend got the steak and shrimp and he said it was 12/10. Quiet place but great food loved it here read more

O Imperial Bar & Restaurant - Chicken Marsala - Portuguese Near Me - Kearny, New Jersey

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Avoid at all costs - Pork Chops with garlic sauce was like eating shoe leather. OVER COOKED. Also, the place reeks like bathroom deodorizer. VERY slow service. Front door was filty dirty too. Even the rice was overcooked - really? Never again!! read more

was there last night May 25 the Clams Casino were very good. Now the rest. The menu now has peruvian food on it and probably a Peruvian chef. Before is just Portuguese Brazilian. The shrimp scampi had no lemon taste at all and was very bland. My picadinho was made with french fries instead of cubed potatoes and a canned brown gravy. They never served food like this before. Not a very good experience sorry. read more

Ate lunch here recently and the food was delicious, good old fashioned, large portions of rustic north west Iberian Peninsula seafood. The Octopus was a little tough read more

Absolutely delicious! Came here for dinner with my fiancé and left 150% satisfied. We both had the mix grill (we should have split it because it was a huge plate with 5 different proteins) and the meals were less than $30 each! We have leftovers for 2 days!! The atmosphere is amazing and so friendly! The waitstaff was above and beyond and food came out within 20-25 minutes of ordering! Will come multiple times again! read more

O Imperial Bar & Restaurant - Mix Plate (already with a bite I took out). - Portuguese Near Me - Kearny, New Jersey

Dated atmosphere but outstanding food at reasonable price. The place was empty but I received excellent service.

I typically love this place but a couple times there is a different chef and it shows. It's very local to where I live so walking there is always an option for a nice night out. I just wish there was a consistent chef. read more

O Imperial Bar & Restaurant - Yummy snapper - Portuguese Near Me - Kearny, New Jersey

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Don't let the 1 check-in fool you... during the dark ages commonly referred to as 'BY' (Before Yelp) I lived around the corner and hit O'Imperial's countless times. (And before that I used to hit the fish 'n chips place that was there with my parents when I was a tot.) You know the routine when it comes to Portuguese restaurants... the portions are epic (the hunk of bread they give with your entree is as large as a spare tire... not to mention all those delicious thin-sliced potato chip thingys... not to mention all of that yummy yellow rice... not to mention a wee bit of giardiniera - a nice way to break up all the oil and garlic), the waiters might have a chip on their shoulder but you're able to ignore it after that second glass of sangria. From the steak sandwich to the garlic chicken to the burger to the garlic shrimp - I'm always happy when I stop in for food to go. (And you can't beat watching soccer on one of the televisions with a tall cold Carlsburg while you wait at the bar.) It's been years since I made it here but I'm glad to see they've still chugging along while the rest of the town changes around them. (And Big Stash's is still in biz just a stone's throw away, of course.) read more

The paella is by far one of the best thin the area. A plethora of seafood smothered in soft yellow rice. A great portion for less than $35 gives you enough to share with your friend. It's a bar as well but I have not eaten inside. This is for just the paella!!! read more

Outdoor set up is amazing clean safe and welcoming. But the misting happening for the out door plants gives you an unexpected shower. All this while you try to enjoy your meal. Maybe tone down the rotation of plant watering as guest are sitting and dining. My friend got soaked read more

O Imperial Bar & Restaurant - Outdoor dining set up super cute & safe ... - Portuguese Near Me - Kearny, New Jersey

First time I came last Friday. I said to my partner "they should definitely charge more" we are going back tomorrow night

What a hidden gem! A friend highly recommended this restaurant for us to celebrate a big win & this was perfect. The service was excellent! Everyone in our party enjoyed their dishes. I ordered the quail meal, which was delicious. It seemed like everyone eating there knew each other as we all talked. Started to causally talk to a man at the bar who asked how we liked it there. It was Joe, the owner, who was engaged to make sure everyone enjoyed their time and meal. So happy to have places like this survive the pandemic and bring people together after the lockdown! Will have to revisit. Good luck Joe! read more

Husband and I went here because we had time to spare. I wish he had picked Spanish Pavilion or Iberia. The menu had some butter type substance on one of the pages but not a biggie. I ordered seafood paella and my husband got shrimp and garlic. Both tasted ok but were soupy. The lobster chewy and dry-definitely overcooked. Then for dessert I had chocolate "mousse" and he had cheesecake. Do me a favor? Don't order them. Not good. The mousse was shiny and had the consistency of melted marshmallow. I couldn't eat more than a couple of spoonfuls. The cheesecake wasn't good at all. I'm sorry to say I won't be going back or recommend to anyone especially if they live in the area. It hurt to pay $81 + tip. read more

Key takeaway: one of the best sangrias you will ever find. We went with a pitcher of the red, and it was delicious. Eating the wine soaked apples at the bottom was only icing on the cake. Here are the highlights: + Garlic shrimp is a great app choice, super garlicky. + Paella is very tasty, flavorful with great quantity of seafood. + Huge soft bread served warm. + Nice place, old fashioned decor. + Good quick service, but you have to ask for water, and they will not re-fill it up unless you ask. All in all, a quality place for a low-key meal that will fill you up and leave you satisfied. Highly recommended. read more

I've lived in the area my whole life and have visited O'Imperial many many times. The food is your traditional Portuguese cuisine and the best in the area. I will even go as far as saying that for me it beats some of the other well known places in Newark (shocking I know!) The place is on the small side so it can get packed quickly but trust me when I tell you the food is worth the wait. The yellow rice, the potatoes and of course the sangria are all the top favorites for me. Hands down their garlic shrimp is my favorite I've ever had. The paella is also another favorite of mine, it's always so flavorful and cooked perfectly. The service can be on the slow side over the weekend but I don't mind it because I want to enjoy what I'm eating and not feel like i'm being rushed out the door. If you're looking for great Portuguese food but don't feel like going to Newark I would highly suggest coming here. read more

Kearny staple. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. They have a talented cook who whips out some great dishes. The servers know you by a first name basis. Little on the pricey side but food is definitely worth it. read more

I was more than pleasantly surprised by the food here. I went on a Tuesday night with partner and ordered the clams casino and the shrimp in hot sauce. The clams were baked and topped with a fresh crabmeat concoction. I expected the standard frozen breaded clams but no. It was really fresh, different and tasty. The entree was delicious and came with yellow rice and the typical Spanish freshly fried potato chips. The place needs tlc and is a local dive bar but the food is absolutely delicious and extremely reasonably priced. I'm so glad my boyfriend brought me there. Can't wait to go back. read more

This was the worse food I've ever had, if you can't cook seafood properly then you shouldn't cook it at all, squid is not suppose to be chewy! Service was ok. Place was ok. It's a good thing I don't live in the area anymore cause I would definitely tell people not to eat there. Never going back!!!! read more

Well.........I had an interesting night. Me and the wife had a date night....meaning no kids. I suggested Tina Louise, one of our favorites in the area. The wife wants to try something different. I suggest Portugese but did not want to deal with traffic going to the Newark's Ironbound. I come up with Kearny's O Imperial. As we drive there we witness a woman hit by a car, thankfully not seriously, so we pull over to help and are there for about 45 minutes. Sooooo, we finally resume our travel to Kearny. First off, parking sucks in Kearny. We finally get in to the bar/restaurant and are seated and we notice the tablecloth is a bit dirty......not a biggie, but it was just something we noticed. The food took a long time to come out. Now I understand this is a bar also, but there was a table of 4 senior citizens near us and apparently one guy was drunk. He constantly kept saying out loud, "OHHHH BOYYY". Why the people he was with did not take him out of there was beyond me. So we finally get our food, and the wife is half way through her picandho (chicken and shrimp dish that was pretty tasty) and we notice a long gray hair in the food. Kind of gross. Its definitely not ours. My wife tells the waiter and he did apologize and I believe he told his boss. They were nice about it, and when received the check, her meal was taken off, which I thought was quite professional. I would have been happy if they took half her meal off. I had the grilled tuna. It was ok. It came with three broccoli spears and boiled potatoes. My tuna looked a little lonely on the plate, almost like it need a better side dish. The server we had annoyed me a bit. When I asked him for a refill and later on for the check, he just had a blank stare on his face. I had no idea if he heard me or not because he never acknowledged me.....not even a nod. He obviously did hear me , because he brought my drink and later he came with the check. All in all, the food was just ok....other than the hair, service was meh, and the atmosphere was loud and annoying. I think I would have enjoyed myself better at Tina and Louise. read more

O Imperial can best be described as a dive bar with a 5 star restaurant in it. It serves traditional Portuguese style food along with some other bar specialties. It is an eclectic menu that will leave you hooked once you try it. They also have a nice selection of beer on tap and good wine.. Food: 5 Stars Everything that I have ever had here is made to order and top-notch. I have been to this restaurant a dozen times. Here are some highlights. * The portions at O Imperial are enormous. You will definitely have leftover for a couple of days. * They have an amazing set of appetizers that enhance any meal.. They serve Portuguese style sausage which are fried crispy and serve a la carte. Very addictive and is really salty which brings out the flavor of the meat. They also serve "garlic" soup which is creamy and flavorful. The broth is rich and creamy with a ton of garlic. * They have without questions the best skirt steak I have ever had anywhere. I have attempted to make it the way they do and failed miserably. It is mouth wateringly tender and quite literally weighs about 2 pounds. Most of their entrees come with a plate of Spanish style potatoes which have the consistency of a potato chip but thicker. It's a nice side dish that goes well with the meat. The vegetables that accompany the meal while bland are freshly prepared. A little more seasoning would help a lot. * They serve the best Chilean Sea Bass you will ever have. They grill it to perfection and put a garlic compound butter on it that melts and turn it into a sauce. Amazing! * They also serve certain Spanish delicacies that the locals say is authentic. Staff: 4 stars: The staff is very efficient and thorough. They will accommodate requests and get your food to you quickly. They aren't very chatty but they do their job well. Atmosphere: 4 stars: The atmosphere on its own looks rather dumpy but they have nice booths and will leave you alone. The place is always packed on Friday and Saturday and gets very very loud. It's best to go on a weeknight where it is reasonably quiet. The place has a blue-collar feel to it and is v very unpretentious. People don't go for the atmosphere, they go for the food and all the locals know it. Conclusion: This is an outstanding place that is a true gem. The food is A+ and you will leave satisfied. Highly recommend it. read more

This was my first visit. The food was good, the service was as well. I had red sangria and it was good, with fresh fruit. My dish was seafood padhinha, which was scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp and chopped lobster. The seafood was over cubed potatoes in a ssuce. Delicious. My wife had the mixed grill snd had a little bit everything. My wife enjoyed the flan dessert. I would go back again. This, for me, is the best compliment because if I had an issue I would not go back. read more

friendly, casual Portuguese bar-restaurant with Affordable prices, a pretty good food selection on the menu, and many Portuguese wines , beers, and liqueurs to choose from. The place has a very Portuguese feel. friendly staff. Try some great Portuguese brandy! an easy place to hang out for a long time at the bar , they have TVs with sports, there are some outdoor tables on the sidewalk, a casual neighborhood bar feeling. The food is very tasty!!! read more

Love this place! Excellent food: chicken, beef, pork, seafood...They have something for everyone. The portions are very large and delicious. I always leave with leftovers. Their sangria is great too, both the white and the red. Some of our favorite dishes are: chicken or shrimp in garlic (bring gum!), picadinho, or shrimp scampi. Yum! read more

This is not our first target , but I feel it is good to be here. Good volume of food , medium quality , medium service. Worth the money we spend , but not high quality food. Beef is hard to chew , others are fine read more

Best food in the whole area. Had them cater my events. Large portion for good price. Friendly environment clean. Fast excellent service. Every dish ive had ia A+. NY Style steakhouse steaks without breaking the bank.my favorite Steak with the spanish potatoes in that brown sauce . The chicken in garlic sauce. Surf and turf. Great seafood dishes. Real sangria not the junk other places serve. i can go on and on . Check it out a must read more

Trust me if you decide to become a regular for a couple weeks and then stop going, the owner will start to spread horrible rumors about you around town. He met me once and began to try to destroy my life. Most people tell me I am not the first nor will I'm sure will be the last. Stay away if you want your reputation to remain intact read more

I ordered 3 appetizers mussels in hot sauce, stuff clams and shrimp with garlic. When I got the clams it was stuffed clams with crabmeat which I am highly allergic to. I informed the waiter he was nice about it. But then the owner came to me questioning me if I asked the waiter. I said excuse me I have been to many Portuguese rest and everyone makes it different!!!! He didn't want to give me refund. The food was disgusting and it was my first time at this restaurant and will be my last. Don't Waste your time you're better off going to Seabra in Newark or casa vaca... read more

BEST FOOD IN TOWN!!! BEST SERVICE IN TOWN TOO!!! The food is BANGING esp my favorite the Filet Mignon Picadinho with a side of yellow rice!!! LOVE their White Sangria too!!! You haven't eaten until you come by O's!!! Can't go wrong!!! read more

For a dive bar I was pretty surprised how good the food was. I ordered the chicken picadinho. A huge portion and it was pretty tasty. Ambiance is a little gloomy but I guess that's what you would expect from a dive. Service was equally good. Overall a good location for a casual bite to eat if you're in the neighborhood. read more

First time here! Sangria is wonderful, so was the bread, service and our meals! Clean and friendly atmosphere! Only thing bad was my husband never got his water refilled! Which in my opinion is pretty bad! We were the only table when we got there, when we left there were 5, so no excuses in refills. But we will return! read more

Sangria pitchers!! So awesome! I remember the food being good. Can't remember what I've ordered though. Every time I go here I don't remember much... Probably because of the sangria! read more

Hey I've been coming to this spot for a couple of years now and it never disappoints. They have really good Portuguese food, and the sangaria is really good! Ask for a slippery nipple...get your mind out of the gutter it's a shot!! Haha but on a serious note the waiters are always pleasant and there is never a wait for a table which is a plus! Have fun and remember nom nom chug chug lmao read more

Staff is amazing, authentic Portuguese food is great and the Sangria is worth the visit in itself. I'm a regular and would recommend this place to anyone. read more

After living in Kearny for 5 years I just recently went to this place 3 times since March. I love it, it's a great bar with great food and a friendly feeling, a great neighborhood place. My first visit was on St. Patty's day, my friend and I had a couple of drinks and some of the complimentary corned beef and cabbage they had put out in steam tables. We arrived there at the end of the day and the free food was at the end of it's availability and they were putting it away but the bartender had a couple of plates made for us, the staff is super nice. On my second visit, my friend and I sat at the bar and shared a order of paella, it was very good and comes with a nice salad and that delicious Portuguese bread. We had a great time and the food was delicious. On my most recent visit, I had a lunch date on a Sunday afternoon. We ordered sandwiches, pork and chicken with peppers and onions. When they came out they didn't have the peppers & onions, so the waiter took them back and fixed them with no fuss. Like I said, really nice people. The sandwiches were really tasty, and came with crispy fries. We also had the stuffed portabella mushrooms, wow! they were super delicious! they came with a great red wine sauce. This is a great place for a casual meal or a quick bite and a beer or cocktail. read more

Wouldn't consider this a dive bar, Amazing spot, affordable prices and friendly staff. the food is great and the sangria is AMAZING. Small Parking lot on the side but there is always enough parking on the street. read more

My go to Portuguese restaurant. Food is always cooked to perfection. Drinks are great ( sangria a must) but best of all is the staff. Extremely friendly and attentive. It's my personal Cheers, where everybody knows your name. read more

Best Portuguese restaurant in area! It's an old dive bar but that makes it unique. Definitely try it out! I had garlic shrimp that came with potatoes, rice and vegetables. The sangria is also really good. read more