Welcome to Primabel Bar & Restaurant
At Primabel Bar & Restaurant, we celebrate the rich fusion of Portuguese and New American cuisines in the heart of Newark, NJ. Nestled at 18 Hensler St, this vibrant eatery offers a casual yet inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying hearty dishes like our beloved paella marinara and flavorful picadinho. With an emphasis on quality, our menu features crowd-pleasers such as garlic shrimp and succulent beef ribs. Our attentive staff and friendly owner create a welcoming environment that enhances the experience. Whether you’re savoring delectable desserts like our flan or sharing a pitcher of sangria, Primabel is a true gem for food lovers!
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18 Hensler St, Newark, NJ 07105 Hotline: (973) 344-2278
Welcome to Primabel Bar & Restaurant, a hidden gem located at 18 Hensler St, Newark, NJ. This eatery is a delightful fusion of Portuguese and New American cuisines, offering a vibrant atmosphere that appeals to both locals and visitors alike. Known for its extensive menu, Primabel successfully marries traditional flavors with a modern twist, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
As you step into Primabel, you’re greeted by a friendly staff that prides itself on providing top-notch service. The owner himself is a familiar face in the restaurant, ensuring that every guest feels welcome. The ambiance is casual yet inviting, perfect for a gathering with friends or a cozy family meal.
The menu is a feast for the senses, featuring crowd favorites like:
- Chilli Fries: Savory beef chili served over crispy french fries for just $15.00.
- Picadinho Medium: A hearty platter of grilled pork cubes, shrimp, and sausage served with fries and two fried eggs, designed to feed two people for $29.00.
- Grilled Salmon: An exquisite catch served with boiled potatoes and vegetables for $36.00. Customers rave about its quality, making it perhaps one of the best salmon dishes you’ll ever try.
- Shrimp in Garlic Sauce: Succulent shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic sauce, accompanied by rice and fries for $24.00—perfect for seafood lovers.
For larger gatherings, you can't go wrong with the Picadinho XXL, designed for five to six people and brimming with flavorful grilled pork, shrimp, and sausage, perfect for those seeking a shareable experience at $56.00.
Dessert lovers will also find joy in Primabel’s sweet offerings, with a slice of chocolate cake available for just $5.00, capping off a fulfilling meal without breaking the bank.
While some guests have noted the restaurant's casual atmosphere may lean towards simplicity, the culinary experience certainly overshadows any ambiance drawbacks. Reviewers consistently praise dishes like the paella, seafood pasta, and Caldo Verde, stating the food is genuinely the star of the show. A highlight from a recent review mentioned “the garlic shrimp was on point, and the paella marinara was a symphony of flavors with a perfectly cooked lobster.”
In addition to its delicious food, Primabel provides a fantastic spot for soccer enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor seating and watch matches while indulging in a pitcher of their refreshing red sangria. Whether you’re in the mood for a warm bowl of beef chili or an unforgettable seafood dish, Primabel Bar & Restaurant is where quality and taste reign supreme.
Visit them today or call (973) 344-2278 to make a reservation. Your taste buds will thank you!
Low on atmosphere, high on food! I'd say 3.5 , really. If you're looking for a romantic ambiance, this isn't the place. If you're looking for good food, filling portions, it is definitely a good place. One in our party was brought up in Newark, and one works there. They both know the city pretty well, especially the Portuguese area. They chose the restaurant. We all shared a pitcher of red sangria. It wasn't the best I've ever had, and it didn't seem particularly alcoholic to me (I'm a lightweight in the drinking department and I was barely woozy after almost 2 glasses; really unusual!) but there was plenty of fruit to go around and it was refreshing enough, plus plenty of ice water, on this very hot evening. We also shared a plate of really delicious garlic shrimp. One of us had the "green soup," kale (spinach?) and potato. She liked it. My husband and I each ordered the paella marinara and this was really good! Each plate came with half a lobster, perfectly cooked, plus plump clams, and shrimp and scallops, on a huge amount of yellow rice with peas, the standard paella base. I relished that seafood! The rice was very good, way too much to finish. Our companions had one paella valenciana and the other had a shrimp dish that was enough for her to take home half of it! Service was very attentive and again, it was hot indoors even with the AC going, so we appreciated the water refills (maybe why I didn't get plowed by the sangria, come to think about it! ). The small room we were in was separated by a door from what appeared to be the bar area. Men's room is in there; ladies room in our part of the restaurant, large and clean. One of the other couple had been there with several friends a while back and had really liked the steak. So, again, worth coming for the food, for sure!
By far the best salmon I have ever had!!! Me and my sister just so happened to stop by and I'm so glad we did!!! You will not regret this place
A gem of a place. I really like the design of this place. Everything I've tried so far has been fantastic! They looked after us with world class service. It's a good place to hang out with friends and have a nice time eating good food.
I would recommend people to eat or take out here at this restaurant. I have spoken to the owner of the business by phone and he was very nice to me and gave me a good deal to come to his restaurant to eat and talk.
Best "fino" (draft) and picadinho in town! Trust me! Very good local Portuguese Spot!
Ate here with a group co-workers (total of 8 people) after work on a Tuesday evening. It had a casual atmosphere. The food was excellent starting from the appetizers all the way down to the dessert! The calamari and the shrimp during the appetizer was on point. The sauce on the shrimp was great dipping for the bread. For the Entree the seafood pasta was fresh and a generous serving portion for 5-6 people alone in 1 serving. We also had the picadinho, which was my favorite- excellent... not too greasy! And had a good portion of salad with steak. Then we each had a serving of different desserts that we shared- flan, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, cheesecake, and some pudding. All were delicious but my favorite were the flan and chocolate mousse. As for the drinks, we had a 2 pitchers of the red sangria and my friends had their beer from tap from their little waterfall grotto... it was so cool! We were all seated in the patio at the back of the restaurant which had a great breeze from outside on a nice summer temperature... our day happened to be rainy which was relaxing to see and hear from where we were seated. All in all the service was prompt and excellent from our waitress Rose. The owner happen to be in there during our visit and was very friendly and accomodating. And if you're in doubt just for the parking alone, there's a private parking lot in the back of the restaurant. Would reccomend this place and would come back again with family and friends!
Been to this place thousands of time Great staff very friendly. Owner is very nice and always goes around greeting people. Having an outdoor patio is great to watch soccer there. If your a soccer fan this is the place to visit. Food is great and love the Caldo Verde soup they make on the weekends. My kids love this place soooo much that they can't wait for the dessert. And the suckling pig is tremendous as well. Usually sells out fast for the holidays so get your orders in early.