Tony da Caneca Restaurant

What can be said about a restaurant that has been open since 1965? One of the first three restaurants in all of Newark, and one of the original Ironbound restaurants, Tony da Caneca has, if nothing else, stood the test of time. For more than half of those nearly four decades, the Vieira family has made sure that this Iberian neighborhood restaurant has done much more than just that.

Chef Jose Dantas, who trained at the Lisbon Culinary School and was a chef and owner in Portugal before coming to the US, offers the Ironbound an overwhelmingly authentic taste of Portuguese cuisine. A large selection of wines and vintage ports further complements the menu. The classy dining room is highlighted by dark woods and subtle lighting and is adjoined by a bar in separated room, where many locals come to relax in more casual atmosphere.

Over the years, Tony da Caneca has been cited in countless positive reviews, including a recent mention in Wine Enthusiast, but it is the loyalty of diners to quality establishments that have made Tony da Caneca a staple of Newark’s Ironbound section.