Will be attending a Catholic theological conference in Newark in a few weeks. What are the best places to eat in Newark and vicinity?

The Ironbound district-the best Portugese food in the state.

If you are in the vicinty of Raymond Blvd. at lunchtime there's the usual deli and fast food fare...Michelle is right about the Portugese restaurants...Tony de Caneca's is one of them...it's on Elm Road...it's open for lunch and dinner...seafood, pork, and veal dishes...I's sure they still make cilantro soup...can't think of the Portugese name for it...Authentic Spanish cuisine is also available...Don Pepe's on McCarter Highway is probably one of the most popular...there's also Spanish Tavern on McWhorter Street and Spain Restaurant on Market Street.

Try Casa Vasca (corner of Elm & Prospect) outstanding paella and very outstanding sangria (especially the white) extremely affordable, friendly staff and patrons! (you need to walk through the bar to get to the dining room)

Beware! There's alot of cars stolen and dumped in Newark. Watch out and be careful. A friend had their car stolen, crashed and set on fire just last week.

The Ironbound section is a large family oriented area, lots of restaurants and people walking around day and night..not the typical "bad neighborhood" one would associate with Newark.And most of the restaurants have parking lots with attendants.

Dazzle-Thousands of people go to the NJ Performing Arts Center every week and they don't worry about their cars being crashed and burned! I do not think anyone going to the Ironbound is in much danger of having their car stolen.