Mediterraneo Restaurant

Jose the chef/​owner is excellent as is the wait staff. We didn’t want crabmeat stuffing in our mushrooms, no problem, he made a new dish up on the spot, excellent, then he sends over complimentary grilled portobello mushrooms and mushrooms in white wine and garlic sauce. also had grilled chrizo for appetizers, along with white wine sangria, which tasted more like a diluted fruit punch. Soup was disappointing, chicken noodle was salty and blah, escarole and beans, watery, overly salty and no flavor, the fourth diner had a freshly made salad, that was good.
entrees: 3 huge grilled pork chops, boneless chicken breast in garlic sauce/​potatoes, 4 or 5 pieces of grilled veal and freshly filleted and broiled red snapper, each was excellent, side dishes of rice, potato chips and FRESH broccoli, cauliflower, string beans and carrots, they could have used a little herbs or seasonings but they were fresh. As we were waiting for our dessert, the owner/​chef came to the table, very nice man, from the north of Spain, he’s there 7 days a week, he sent over complimentary chocolate mousse, silky dark chocolate, hint of citrus, also homemade flan, that was luxurious and not gummy or overly sweet, then CHAMPAGNE WHITE WINE SANGRIA, what a way to end a meal, icy cold goblets, tableside presentation of popping the cork etc., would definitely go again, he updated the dining room, restaurant is clean, staff is so accommodating

The. Service the food top notch Jose the new owner a good friend from el juitote in new York has that kitchen on point will be back soon filet mignon tips oh yeah

I used to love the Med as it was one of my favorite Spanish restaurants in the area, without having to travel to Newark. I came here recently and was a little disappointed. From what I understand, the Med is under new management which I can assume is why the menu prices have increased significantly. By significantly, I mean a basic paella was raised eight to nine dollars from the original price. The food itself, however, no (serious) complaints!
Appetizer — shrimp in garlic sauce. Hard to mess this up because it is basically a staple in Spanish cuisine. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and had plenty of garlic. My favorite part of this appetizer is always the garlicky oil that’s left over to dip bread in!
Dinner — for me, I had shrimp in wine sauce. Surprisingly not on the menu. I say surprisingly because this item is typically on menus for this cuisine. The waitress said that they could make it, however, she came out a few times during our appetizer to ask what kind of wine sauce I meant. By this point I already knew that I should have just ordered something different if the cooks weren’t familiar with my dish. When the dinner arrived I wasn’t surprised that the shrimp in wine sauce didn’t come as expected but again, this was my own mistake ordering something that wasn’t on the menu. My dinner guest ordered the seafood paella. Delicious! The only issue that we had was that the size of the seafood was a little small — specifically the lobster claws and mussels. But again, no major complaints because the food was still delicious.
No dessert, but we did split a pitcher of red sangria. They try to up-​sell you from the small pitcher to the large by saying you could take it home if you don’t finish. Worked for us! The sangria was delicious, had plenty of fruit, and was definitely strong. However, we intended on ordering a small and we should have as a $ 9 upgrade to a large really isn’t worth it for a party of 2.
The staff is very friendly and super attentive! There was never a point during my experience where there wasn’t an employee asking how we were doing or refilling our glasses without even asking.
This could have been a 4 – 5 star review, however, the recent spike in prices is what is holding me back.
Tips — don’t order anything that’s not on the menu!

New Owners, Significantly higher prices.
Been coming to this place since it opened at least 30 years ago. Made my first trip in under the new owners. Food is basically ok. Portions are good size. Ordered the usual. Dinner for 3 of us was 20% higher than what it used to be. Restaurant was pretty empty for 5pm on a Sunday. The small bar was very crowded. Looks like they have their regulars there. One of them attacks anyone who gives this place a negative review on the restaurants Facebook page.

My father is long time friends with the owner of this restaurant. He bought this place after leaving another restaurant in the city. This place has fresh seafood and great service. The décor is nautical however I wish it was a little more dim and romantic like his old establishment. Good sangria. Try this place out!

We heard that it was under new management so
We thought we would give it a try
We entered the Restaurant through the bar immediately glared at by some unsavory looking bar patrons
We were walked back into the 1980s dinning room
With all the brass light fixtures from your grandmothers house
Real Tacky even though this was the same décor from the former owner
I opened the Menu nothing has changed except for the increased prices my wife ordered the steak sandwich she told me it was grizzly and tasteless
I ordered the garlic shrimp I found this to be bland and uninspiring
Got the check it was $ 46. For two for lunch
This new management needs to step it up
I don’t recommend this place for drinks or dinner
I suggest the new owner closing it down giving the place a face lift then re launching
The place is probably still somewhat busy because of the former owners regulars
That won’t last long
Put some effort in or maybe your content with your unsavory bar patrons
If you though this was good news with new ownership be prepared to be disappointed

I gave this a month: while there have been definite improvement, the prices are a bit out of step with the area. JC and Hoboken peeps will think this discount prices but the locals are going to hurt a bit
With Newark 15 minutes away, with really authentic and unique menus, it’s really hard to justify paying the vig– this is Bayonne and the bompie bar crowd totally bombs my enthusiasm.
For those conning in from Hoboken or JC. The light rail is one block away, making partying safe. The food quality has been stepped up as has the service. Say hello to Alfredo at the bar!
Newark is 20 minutes away with more authentic and unique menus. I drive so it’s hard for me not to be critical with Newarks iron bound right there.

Waiters do not speak English… Prices are shocking. I do not advise.

Literally horrible and cold food !! Owner and bartender obviously don’t like colored people inside. Bad vibe soon as you enter the door. The food was decent, but served cold. The shrimp and meats were almost non-​existent with rice poured all over the top. I’ll never walk in the door again unless it’s to toss a meal back in their face.

What a disappointment! We went for a family diner on a Saturday, the place was packed! It was 6 of us the service was a little slow but I totally get it, it was a busy night. I ordered the surf and turf and I asked for my steak to be cooked MEDUIM. I finally get my meal after my stomach has been eating itself for at least 30 minutes and my steak is completely over cooked and dry! I didn’t even touch it i really wanted to send it back but no one even attempted to ask how is everything is or make eye contact. My lobster was also bad, it was too dry for my taste. No moist whatsoever. I did enjoy my dessert which was the best thing I have had all night I got the chocolate mousse and it was absolutely delicious! Still not a reason for me to return. Sorry!

Awesome food and bar! Shrimp, chorizo, crab legs, paella, steak, octopus, sangria, I could go on and on. Always a great meal at the med

Delicious!!! Garlic shrimp appetizer is a must!

I love this place. I have been coming here for years. Never a disappointment! Great food, friendly staff!

Love the staff. Love the fish, the rice is too good. I’ve been to a few parties here as well as a few sit in dinners. Always enjoyed myself.

Very good food and service AAA.

My family has been going to Mediterraneo for special events as long as I can remember. I recently attended for my Uncle’s 60^th birthday, and we had one of the party rooms in the back. It had been a few years since I had last come, but everything inside was exactly how I remembered it.
We had a set menu, multiple different appetizers were brought out, anything from Fried calamari, to Chorizo, and stuffed mushrooms. They were just good, nothing to rave about, but acceptable.
I ordered the Paella for main entrée. That’s the one thing I always loved about this place. The Paella. Served over yellow rice, all the usual seafood. It was delicious, although the seasoning could’ve been better. Portions were just right. It wasn’t too much, but it didn’t leave you wanting anything more.
Service was friendly as always. Definitely an old Bayonne legend. Try it if you’re in the area.

Went with the family… everyone oved their dish. All i can review is my meal. the Bacalao.
IT WAS SO GOOD! DIOS MIO! not the flimsy flakes most places serve. they gave me a calderon with huge chunks of cod. and massive potatoes… peppers onions.olives. I was pleasantly surprised. i make this. my family makes it. ive eaten this in Spain. IT WAS GOOD!\(^_^)/…ok…now the Sangria. If you go… GET IT! there were 6 of us… we had 3 pitchers! AND we ordered some to take home! It is rightly balanced… they way it should be… nothing was overpowering. right mix of different wines brandy juices fruits. Few in NYC or even the rest of NJ get the proportions right! If youre in the mood for Bacalao y una buenisima sangria! GO!

Gave the review 2 stars because I was so hungry that I did eat all of the food… If I wasn’t so hungry because didn’t eat all day it probably wouldn’t get that… Everyone do yourself a favor and drive 15 minutes more to the Ironbound and get a read Spanish/​Portuguese dinner. For starters I had the escarole soup — at first I thought I bit a bone but it turned out to be some piece of hard meat in the shape of a piece of dog food with the same exact texture. The sangria is basically red wine on the rocks, absolutely terrible. The churrasco steak dinner was pretty tasty, and although the menu states it comes with chorizo, I was surprised to bite into an Italian sausage. I know this for a fact because the other piece of meat was definitely chorizo just like the appetizer we had, but there was an Italian sausage with the dinner… definitely a mistake on their part and it was terrible… the chicken and garlic is tuff and unflavorful… to top it all off the restaurant is old, dirty, and dated… I can definitely imagine this place on a future episode of restaurant impossible… again, do yourself the favor and take a trip to the Ironbound for much better food.

Truly disappointed, the food, service and place does not warrant the price of the food. I’m sorry folks maybe it was great years ago but our experience was awful. Diane and I both ordered the Paella and it was a great disappointment. The Lobster was extremely dry and old and the scallops were under cooked, the best part were the clams. I must admit the sangria was delicious, I guess if someone drinks enough of it you won’t care about the over priced food. I think the most exciting part of the evening was watching the waiter clean the rice off the table with a little hand vacuum. Would not recommend. I suggest going to Newark for Spanish/​Portuguese style food.

Hands down the best Spanish/​Portuguese style food you will find around here. Everything is cooked perfectly every time, and seasoned with copious amounts of the right spices.

To those who gave this Class A establishment a bad rating or said the staff was not the best, should not go out and cook at home. Great Food, Friendly attentive staff, prices reasonable and the bar crowd has as much fun and friendlier than any place I have ever been. Make sure if you are in Bayonne to stop here.

went there for a reunion (25 people), food was excellent, service great and my wallet still had money in it… everything about their food just made the reunion that much better

Solidly delicious food. I hadn’t been there in years when I decided to go last night. I gave up a lot of my favorite Spanish & Portuguese haunts when I developed an allergy to crustaceans, but last night I wanted to show a friend another of Bayonne’s good places.
We started with clams in a white wine broth, and it was out of this world. He had wine, I had sangria, and we were both satisfied.
For dinner I had filet of sole rollatini. It was a very large portion and I wound up bringing half of it home. My date had garlic shrimp — at my insistence — since I told him I used to love it myself. He was impressed. The brought us sides of rice, chips and vegetables.
Service was attentive and unhurried. We finished dinner with coffee, no dessert since we were stuffed.
I’d say the only down side is the place really needs an update. It’s not as long in the tooth as Rincon de Espana, but it could use a shot in the arm. When you walk in you walk into the bar and have to continue back to the dining area (same with Rincon) so unless you see a host there, you feel like you’re in just another Bayonne hangout bar.
Dinner with tax & tip was 100. A bit pricey for Bayonne, not for other areas. Food is solid, old-​style, and good.

Always a good time when I come here! Its me and my friends place for some dinner and a few drinks before hitting the town =) They happen to rave about the sangria red or white. I happen to prefer vodka and club which is always fantastic! The staff is great and keeps your drinks full at all times, you don’t even have to ask when at the bar. Food is A++ — garlic shrimp amazing! Nothing bad to say about this place!

Best place on Earth. Everything on their menu is excellent, the staff is attentive, friendly, and they’re not bad on the eyes :) Their homemade sangria will make you the life of the party if you guzzle it, and it’s really hard not to chug it like a champ, so consider this your warning Unilocalers! Best fried calamari I’ve ever had, I mean, it’s to the point that I use their dish as a part of my rating scale for other calamari dishes. I can’t say enough good things about this place. I would suggest the Filet of Sole stuffed with Crab Meat for my fish lovers. For my meat eaters, go for the steak medallions in a mushroom sauce. You will not regret any of your choices!

This was the WORST dinner experience I have had in years. When the salad came out with wilted lettuce, ice cold, and dripping with dressing I knew I was in trouble.
The staff was rude and indifferent and this was what upset me the most.
There are plenty of other great places to eat Spanish style food in Bayonne, including Rincon on Broadway, which I ate at recently and fell in love with.
Avoid «the attitude». These are rough times in the restaurant business. I wish these folks would learn the meaning of cordial, hospitable, and civil.