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    VIVO Tapas KITCHEN LOUNGE

    2.9 (253 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order VIVO Tapas KITCHEN LOUNGE Takeout or Delivery

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    VIVO TAPAS KITCHEN LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Octopus Feira "Pulpo a Feira" 8/10
    Cesar V.

    On a random Tuesday, my friend and I recently visited Vivo Tapas about a month ago with two other friends. After a long trip, it was a great place to welcome us back. We arrived around noon and tried a variety of tapas. The service was excellent, and we opted to sit outside where the outdoor seating was open. We enjoyed hookah and a bottle of Prosecco, and had a fantastic time. Can't wait to visit again!

    Cosmo & margarita
    Rachelle Rare P.

    If I knew the hookah was going to be $40 I would've made sure it was a better one. Came here for a Sunday brunch but realized it wasn't that type of place. We sat outside & enjoyed the nice weather. I ordered a cosmo, it came in a strange glass. My friend ordered a margarita twice but didn't like either of them. For starters the empanadas were great. I ordered the garlic chicken, it was yummy. The portions served are great too. My friend ordered the breaded shrimp in white sauce, it came with the head still attached . All in all cute little spot, over priced hookah. Yes gratuity is included.

    Beef or Chicken ''Empanadillas'' Sangria
    Bri H.

    This was my second time at VIVO and it's becoming my favorite tapas place in the Ironbound. The food is so good. The service was good as well, even though at times our waiter seemed a little lost. The place is beautiful, would be a lovely date night. Menu standouts are: empanadillas, mussels in spicy tomato sauce, crab stuffed shrimp and of course the sangria. I'll pass on the lamb skewers and carrot cake next time. Prices aren't too bad just don't go crazy ordering a bunch of tapas if you're also getting an entrée, we learned that the hard way. I'll be back, hopefully for half-price tapas Mondays.

    Crab stuffed mushrooms.  Not good at all
    Katya W.

    I finally visited this restaurant. I have had my eye on this place for a while. I live in the neighborhood where this establishment resides. I came on a weekday. While the service was decent and attentive, I have to say the food is just ok and the drinks are weak and overpriced. I have to add that I have had take out here before and the Sangria was strong and good as well as the Paella. Which is why I was surprised at the lack luster of the drinks and food when I sat down to dine. The oxtails are decent. They should be cooked longer so that they can be a bit more tender but they are flavorful. We ordered crab stuffed mushrooms. All I can say is they were aweful. They put some raspberry like sauce on top which was absolutely horrible. Needless to say I would not go back. My rating is more 2.5 but I would say it goes to the service during my dine in experience.

    Tess Marie R.

    Nice place in Newark... simple but very cozy. Food delicious and nice customer service.

    "Ole Ole" tapas combo
    Nez B.

    Since apparently my review was too honest for some, here's my updated review about my last poor experience here for the nightlife I arrived at Vivo on a Saturday night at about 10pm to party and, although it wasn't busy, I ordered a bottle service promo that they promoted on their business instagram. When asked, the bartender said she wasn't aware of the promotion. So she asked her manager, and he wasn't aware of the promotion either. So I went ahead and showed them their instagram page with the promotion, which was posted repeatedly. Then the bartender came back and said the manager said that promotion is wrong, even thought it's on his official instagram. She then made me a different offer, which I wasn't happy about but accepted. You would think it was resolved, but nope, the saga continues. When I asked where I would be seated, she said that according to the manager if I only buy one bottle, then I have to sit at the bar. Ha! Who buys bottle service to sit at the bar?? So I looked around, and saw people at tables who only had a couple of coronas or just hookah. So I point that out, and asked the bartender why people who don't have bottles have tables, but I can't even after buying a $200 bottle for just 2 people?? Keep in mind, it's about 11pm now, and the party is still dead. At this point the back and forth has gone on for about 45 minutes The bartender says she will handle it, and gets me a standing table. She rocks. She then charges my card for the bottle, I get a text alert about the transaction, and she holds the receipt for me. All done right? Nope, there's more! When I finally get to my table, after an hour of haggling with the manager during this slow party, I ask for my credit card back but they can't find it! So I proceed, along with my new waitress, to ask every bartender in the place if they've seen my credit card. One bartender (stationed at the left end of the bar) was particularly obnoxious when I asked, like it was my fault that they lost my card. So as a precaution, I block my credit card from any additional transactions. Finally, an hour later, they discover my card and said that the bartender clocked out and "left it somewhere she shouldn't have." Ok, mistakes happen, I'm not happy, but I'm still playing it cool. But then the waitress tries to charge my card for the bottle, a second time. When the charge bounced, I then had to explain that the first bartender already charged me and I blocked it after they said they lost it. At this point I'm done. It's about 1am, the party is still dead, and between my friend and I we spent about $300 in food, drinks, and bottle service. Which apparently, still isnt enough to have a table here. By the way, during the night I saw more than one group of people get seated at VIP sections that also only had one bottle. So where did this "rule" about having to stand at the bar go for them I wonder. So what can we take away from all of this? - The party is not as popular as it once was. There were only about 50 people in the room by 1am on a Saturday. Before it was easily 200+ - The management doesn't know about their own promotions and won't honor them - The managers give priority for table service to certain people (perhaps regulars or friends) - The waitresses are great, but some bartenders aren't - The food was good though! After this poor experience with the management here, I'll take my business elsewhere. The party was my main draw. Since that is gone I have little reason to come back. By the way, if you go, get in before 10pm so you don't pay a cover for a dead party. There are many other places with better parties, better deals, great food, and, most importantly, better management and customer service.

    My meal after about 10 mins
    Jason R.

    I recently went to vino tapas for the first time at the recommendation of a dear friend and was blown away by the quality of the food, the diversity of the menu and the fact that they offered a brunch menu on Sundays. The fact that the chef can make paella on min and cinnamon crunch French toast with poached apples the next shows that this chef is well trained. I have read some of the negative review and have to say that while I understand people frustrations, no restaurant is perfect and people usually only write negative comments. My meal was amazing so I wa Ted to offer my support

    Soft yummy bread and dipping is delicious
    Annabelle L.

    I came here with a Groupon deal of paella meal for two and pitcher of sangria for $39. On their website, it advertises free parking down so naturally I figured why not give it a try especially I'm always seeking for good eateries in Newark (where I work). First, I made reservations online to ensure there's a table for two. Upon arrival, I found parking easily in what seems like an empty lot on 85 Jackson Street. When you enter, there's no staff at the lot but a machine that gives you a ticket. It states $2 per hour parking. I took the ticket with me for parking validation at the restaurant. I should note that this is a private parking lot for several places nearby and parking is at your own risk here. We got to the restaurant, I noticed it was empty for a Sunday evening. We got a seat no problem and placed our dinner order. We have seared scallops with potatoes for appetizer and it was delicious. The soft bread and dip with butter was good. Our sangria wasn't great tasting. I've had better and trust me I have had many dozens and flavorful sangria whether red, white or blue...although the marinara paella portion for two is a lot, it was too watery. I've had better paella and am a bit disappointed. The paella does take about 25 to 45 minutes to prepare depending how busy the kitchen is so make sure you give yourself some time and order appetizers or don't come too hungry. The service was not so great but I wasn't the worse I've ever experienced either. When pouring out the sangria, our server spilled the drink on the table and ice chips fell out. Then when another server came to clean the table he dropped the utensils on my husband's shirt. I paid for the difference of my bill (total charge minus the Groupon deal) and noticed that they have the nerve to charge me a 20% tip for their services. The best part is they took my credit card to the back area where I can't see and more than 5 minutes later, I asked for my credit card and then they gave it back to me with another charge slip so I can leave them another tip. Haha, dream on! I would tip well but not when servers are being so sneaky nickeling everything. The parking is also very deceiving. It's not quite true that it is free parking as stated on their website. The 1st hour is free only. They do give you another ticket to scan when you depart from the parking lot. Make sure you have a credit card ready to charge for the parking fee because the machine's screen blanks out quickly and then also deletes the one time credit provided by the restaurant. Trust me, I'm reviewing from my own sad experience. I wished I would have known in advance! Two stars here as I'm being generous and yes, those damn scallops and bread was good but other than that this is not a place I'd recommend. I've had better experience with food, service and parking with other Portuguese restaurants in the ironbound.

    Sama C.

    Cool bar to check out if you are in the area. It has a dance floor with lounge style seating all around. They have deals with bottle service, and food to accommodate all size parties. Bartenders were very attentive, and always around. They also have some nice hookah's with fresh fruit.

    Charged $5 litter water while they serve 335ml
    Tayla B.

    I love coming here on Monday's for the Rock Show, but every time I come, I feel they try to do something sneaky . So today I decided to not drink and order food with tap water. Not just I wasnt allowed to have tap water, as my water was $5 usd. On top of that I was charged for a Litter bottle while my bottle only had 335ml. Once I complained they removed the word "litter" out of the receipt. Again, music here is great. Which I could say the same about management and service.

    a paper bag on a table
    Michelle H.

    I stumbled upon this restaurant and I am happy I did. Betty was my server and she was amazing! The food was good, only complaint is the calamari was too greasy for me. I ordered the chicken and shrimp in garlic sauce and it was very good. The drinks were amazing, I will be back!

    tapas
    Helen P.

    I purchased several gift certificates from restaurant.com with the intent of trying out more Spanish restaurants in my current city of Newark, New Jersey. I'm told we're known for this stuff. Vivo Tapas Lounge was selected for having "Tapas" in its name. Me love tapas! Like Spanish versions of my dear Dim Sum! Me LOVE Dim Sum! Although this area is packed with food options, the restaurants aren't always aesthetically designed. I was actually quite surprised by how nice and un-cheesy this place is. You can tell from walking in that this place doubles as a nightclub. There's an elevated DJ booth, club lights on the ceiling (though not active during dinner hours) and duh, "lounge" is also in the name. There are brick walls and arches to provide an old world charm, colored lit walls giving us a modern club atmosphere, plush lounge seating somewhat separated from the main dining/dancing area by a low iron gate and sheer drapes lining the length of one wall, a full bar lining another wall, and ample removable dining sets on what I assume is the dance floor on certain nights and hours. Our server, (receipt says his name is) Nuno, was friendly and courteous, before and after we presented our gift certificate, and he was efficient throughout our meal. The bread came out with a couple of garlicky dipping sauces that almost made me cry. So good! We ordered exclusively from the tapas menu (this time), both hot and cold, and we either really liked, loved, or really loved what we ordered. Freshness was at its peak! Flavors and aromas were on point! Me love Vivo!

    Paella Valenciana
    Kristina N.

    Frozen (salty) seafood atop super wet paella, mandatory tax on tax and gratuity--the groupon "deal" is 100% not worth it. The cost of it ends up being about the same as if you were to buy everything at regular price. The blue sangria was pretty strong. However, the glasses were dirty when we were seated. They warn you that the paella takes 45 minutes to come out and constantly bug you to order appetizers. I wasn't keen. The bread was really dense & yummy/the highlight of the whole experience and the reason for the bump up to 2 stars.

    Salmon con Espinacas Tapas, Solomillo and Brie Tapa,  Patatas Bravas Tapa, Manchego Frito ,  Calamares Fritos Tapa

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    6 months ago

    No free parking available, do not come unless you want to drive 2 hours to find parking!!!

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    Page 1 of 7

    VIVO Tapas KITCHEN LOUNGE Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - VIVO Tapas KITCHEN LOUNGE

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    Consigliere

    Consigliere

    4.4(17 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I had a really lovely time here. Went for happy hour and had a delicious cocktail with gin, dill…read moreand muddled cucumber. Followed that up with their crisp house focaccia with herb butter and the olive mix - both also discounted on happy hour. The server was absolutely wonderful and helped me choose a lovely wine to follow. She made my cocktail with care. The record selection was eclectic (Jamiroquai was in rotation) and a live DJ was just starting a groove as I had to leave. I would have loved to spend more time there.

    I've been to this bar 3 times. Once when it just opened and twice within the last month or so. The…read morelast two times were not good experiences. Most recently was last night and that was my last straw. The music was incredibly and unnecessarily loud which they knew because they told us they'd turn it down before we got the chance to ask. Next, there was one waitress on the floor, clearly overwhelmed. Told us she would be back with water but came back almost 20 mins later. We ordered our wine when she came back because who knows how long it would take to receive it. Another 20 mins, maybe more. We watched her seat several groups and I literally had to scream across the room to get her attention and to remind her of the bottle we ordered, which she had the nerve to appear annoyed about. We asked her if we could move from our tables to a nearby couch which she said yes. Before we had a the chance to finish the bottle the GM comes over and tells us to move our seats and that he would take care of us (NEVER DID NOR DID HE CHECK IN). This is the same GM who asked me to give the place another try after the last issues we encountered where they screwed up our checks due their own carelessness. I should've raised more of an issue and questioned him more. But nevertheless we move to these two musty smelling seats. At that point we left and decided that would be the absolute last time. Go at your own risk!

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    Consigliere
    Consigliere
    Consigliere

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    Spanish Pavillion Restaurant

    Spanish Pavillion Restaurant

    3.7(246 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    The food is always great it's our go to restaurant my wife loves the broil lobster she likes it…read morespicy I like the bronzino it's always fresh the service is awesome we know Jose the waiter for years when we go to Spanish Pavilion is like visiting a family member all awesome there.

    Spanish Pavillion wasn't simply a restaurant to me. For many years, it was the restaurant…read more I was first introduced to it by Josetxo, my childhood and teenage friend. Back then, Benito, Estrella, and Jalisco were at the helm. Everything ran beautifully, and over the years Spanish Pavillion became one of my favorite places. I can still remember those camarones al ajillo--the best, as far as I was concerned--the camarones al vino, and that extraordinary lobster stuffed with crab meat. These were dishes worth coming back for, time and again. Later came even more cherished memories. When my two boys were barely three and four years old, they too fell in love with the camarones al ajillo and the octopus. There was something amusing about watching two little kids sitting at a restaurant table and matter-of-factly asking for octopus. Spanish Pavillion was no longer just part of the memories of my younger years; it had become part of our family history as well. As the years passed, and understandably because of their advancing age, the original owners eventually stepped away. That was only natural. Even then, for several more years the restaurant managed to preserve much of what had made it special. But something changed. The last time I returned, I was there with my wife, and that visit finally shattered the image I had carried with me for so many years. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by an unpleasant sewer-like odor. The waitstaff was a disaster. Our appetizers had barely sat their asses down on the table when the main courses arrived. There was no time to enjoy the appetizers, have a conversation, or savor one course before moving on to the next. It felt as though they simply wanted to get us fed and out the door. I had specifically ordered a particular cut of meat. What arrived was a different, lower-quality cut--and tough as a Calabrian's head. And to add salt to the wound, while we were still trying to enjoy our dinner, the waiters kept circling our table like vultures, making it quite obvious that they wanted to finish their shift and wanted us gone. The food itself didn't live up to my expectations either. Perhaps that was the greatest disappointment of all: I knew exactly how good Spanish Pavillion had once been. I had known it when Benito, Estrella, and Jalisco took care of the place, when its food kept bringing me back, and when, years later, even my little boys looked forward to sitting at those tables and ordering octopus. The restaurant still carried the same name. But the Spanish Pavillion I knew was no longer there. I walked out, took a few steps, turned around, and from a distance made the sign of the Cross toward the place. I never went back.

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    Spanish Pavillion Restaurant
    Spanish Pavillion Restaurant
    Spanish Pavillion Restaurant

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    7 Doors Down - Kitchen Dining Room

    7 Doors Down

    4.3(211 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    I had no idea I would ever need a pizza and Asian dining food combo until now, and honestly that…read moresums up North Jersey's culturally diversity in a nutshell.  7 Doors Down is a great stop right by the NJTransit line and a gateway into Bloomfield at large. The service was great and made some killer suggestions for savory options with a kick, the views by the window were great for people watching and commentary as well

    Came here on a Friday night to get some food after stopping at Micro Center. It looks like that…read morethis place and Blue Steel pizza have merged into one location. The town it self was having some pavement work being done and it was difficult to find parking. I was driving away when I eventually found a spot and walked about 6 minutes to the location. As I got there I could see that the restaurant was full and lively. The hostess was friendly and communicated our wait well. It did look like that they were struggling a bit with tables staying longer than they expected which caused a few reservations to be backed up while we were the walkins. I do recommend getting reservations here. I/we ordered a ramen, the cola wings, and the detroit style pizza. They were nice enough to separate the single serving of ramen into two bowls which was really nice of them. The Ramen was good but a bit salty. The cola wings were alright I wouldn't say they were the best I ever had. As for the pizza it was good, however when comparing with similar offerings in the area, Buckys in Chatam, NJ is superior for Detroit style. While, the this particular place did not meet MY standards I would still recommend as a nice date spot!

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    7 Doors Down
    7 Doors Down
    7 Doors Down

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    The Westfield by Casa del Rey - Queso fundido taquito

    The Westfield by Casa del Rey

    3.9(62 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    Came here on a friday evening. Sat inside. They had an option to sit outside as well. We got two…read moremocktails. A pineapple one and a lychee one. Both were good but very sweet. I got the tuscan salmon and my sister got the chicken sandwich. The food took a while to come out and the place was not busy. My sister didnt like the chicken sandwich and the fries were undercooked. The salmon was ok with the mash. The spinach was way too salty. We got two desserts to try to salvage the meal. Creme brulee and churros. Both were just ok. Service was subpar as well with it not being busy.

    1 star -- Great food, but an unacceptable experience that ruined my wife's birthday dinner. We came…read morewith our 3-year-old and newborn and were never told a private event was taking place. Our child's meal was forgotten, and when it finally arrived, the appetizers and entrées were all brought at once. We were then moved to a freezing room with AC blowing toward our newborn. We left without eating most of the food. The manager offered 50% off, but my card was charged the full amount and we were not given a receipt. What made the situation worse was that, as we were leaving, a staff member offered me cash from his own wallet rather than properly correcting the bill. I refused because this was never about the money--it was about the poor service, the way my family was treated, and how embarrassed and uncomfortable the entire situation made me feel in front of my wife and children. A good restaurant should handle mistakes professionally, communicate clearly, and treat families with basic respect. We will not return.

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    The Westfield by Casa del Rey
    The Westfield by Casa del Rey - Wine flights and Bruschetta what could be betta?

    Wine flights and Bruschetta what could be betta?

    The Westfield by Casa del Rey - Creative cocktails on the patio.

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    Creative cocktails on the patio.

    VIVO Tapas KITCHEN LOUNGE - spanish - Updated September 2026

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