Brazil vs Morocco: Match-Day Restaurant Guide
The biggest single match day of the World Cup in North Jersey. Newark's Ironbound district is closing Ferry Street for an expected 70,000 to 100,000 people. Brazilian fans have a neighborhood that was built for them. Moroccan fans have Paterson. This is the food guide for both.
Why is the Ironbound closing Ferry Street for Brazil vs Morocco?
Newark's Ironbound district has been the center of Portuguese and Brazilian culture in New Jersey for decades. Ferry Street is its main artery. For Brazil vs Morocco on June 13, the city is shutting down vehicle traffic and turning the entire corridor into a fan zone. Officials project 70,000 to 100,000 people in the neighborhood. That is larger than the stadium capacity itself.
This is not a marketing event. The Ironbound community has been preparing for this match since the draw was announced. Restaurants are planning extended hours, outdoor seating expansions, and special menus. If you only experience one thing during the World Cup outside MetLife, this is it.
Plan ahead.
Ferry Street restaurants will not take walk-ins after early afternoon. Make a reservation or arrive before noon. Parking will be nonexistent. Take NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station (10-minute walk to Ferry Street).
Where should Brazil fans eat before the game?
The best Brazilian food near MetLife Stadium is in Newark's Ironbound district, a 20-minute NJ Transit ride away. Ferry Street and the surrounding blocks have Brazilian steakhouses, bakeries, and Portuguese-Brazilian restaurants that have served this community for generations. Kearny and Harrison also have Portuguese-Brazilian spots for fans who want something closer to the stadium.
Newark Ironbound (Ferry Street)
Fornos of Spain
47 Ferry St, Newark
One of the Ironbound's original restaurants. Portuguese and Spanish dishes. Paella, seafood, grilled meats. The building is a landmark. This place will be at the center of the street closure.
Sol Mar
267 Ferry St, Newark
Portuguese-Brazilian seafood. Known for whole grilled fish, lobster, and bacalhau. The outdoor dining area will be prime real estate on match day.
Casa Vasca
141 Elm St, Newark
Basque-Spanish restaurant in the Ironbound since the 1960s. Steak, paella, and sangria. A block off Ferry Street, which might mean slightly shorter waits.
Brazilian Steakhouses (Churrascarias)
Multiple locations along Ferry St and Lafayette St
The Ironbound has multiple rodizio-style Brazilian steakhouses where servers bring skewers of grilled meat to your table. All-you-can-eat format. Perfect for a group before the match. Expect every single one to be packed.
Kearny and Harrison
Kearny and Harrison have a longstanding Portuguese-Brazilian community with bakeries, cafes, and restaurants along Kearny Avenue. These towns are closer to MetLife (Harrison is one NJ Transit stop from Secaucus Junction). If the Ironbound is too crowded, this is your backup.
Where can I find Moroccan food near MetLife Stadium?
Paterson is the home of New Jersey's largest Moroccan and North African community. Main Street in the South Paterson neighborhood has Moroccan cafes, bakeries, and restaurants serving tagine, couscous, pastilla, and fresh mint tea. Paterson is about 15 miles northwest of MetLife Stadium.
Paterson (South Paterson / Main Street)
Moroccan Cafes on Main Street
Main St between Getty Ave and Madison Ave, Paterson
This stretch of Main Street in South Paterson is the heart of the Moroccan community. Cafes serve traditional Moroccan coffee, pastries, and full meals. Expect the neighborhood to be electric on June 13.
Moroccan Bakeries
Multiple locations, South Paterson
Fresh msemen (flatbread), baghrir (semolina pancakes), and Moroccan pastries like chebakia and briwat. If you need quick food before heading to the stadium, the bakeries move faster than the sit-down spots.
South Paterson on match day.
Morocco has a massive global fanbase. South Paterson will likely have its own watch parties and street celebrations. If you are driving, parking along Main Street will fill early. Take NJ Transit Bus 171 from the Port Authority or drive and park in a nearby residential area.
What does the day look like for Brazil vs Morocco?
Saturday, June 13 will be the single most intense day in North Jersey during the entire World Cup. Here is what to expect.
Before noon
Best window for a sit-down restaurant meal in the Ironbound. Ferry Street starts getting crowded. Moroccan bakeries in Paterson serving breakfast.
Noon to 3:00 PM
Ferry Street transforms into a street party. Walk-ins become difficult. Paterson cafes fill up. Fan zones at American Dream and Harrison open.
3:00 to 5:00 PM
Stadium gates open. NJ Transit trains from Newark Penn and Secaucus fill to capacity. If you are going to the match, be on a train by 4:00 PM.
6:00 PM
Kickoff. Ferry Street watch parties peak. Every bar and restaurant with a screen will be standing room only.
After the final whistle
NJ Transit will run extra trains. The Ironbound celebration (or commiseration) will continue well into the night. Governor Murphy's extended bar hours legislation applies.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium from these restaurants?
From the Ironbound (Newark)
Walk to Newark Penn Station (10 min from Ferry Street). Take NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, transfer to the Meadowlands line. Total: 30-40 minutes. Buy tickets in advance. $98 round trip.
From Paterson
Drive south on Route 17 or Route 3 toward East Rutherford (15 miles, 25-45 min depending on traffic). No general parking at MetLife. Use the American Dream Mall lot ($225) or park at Hackensack Meridian and take the official shuttle ($80). Alternatively, take NJ Transit Bus 171 to Port Authority, then train to Secaucus and Meadowlands.
From Kearny/Harrison
Harrison PATH station connects to NJ Transit at Newark Penn or Hoboken. From Hoboken, take the Meadowlands shuttle or NJ Transit via Secaucus. Harrison is also close enough for a rideshare to MetLife (drop-off at Meadowlands Racing, not the stadium entrance).
No parking at MetLife Stadium.
This applies to every World Cup match. The stadium lot is reserved for FIFA operations, the fan village, and shuttle buses. The only nearby parking option is American Dream Mall at $225. Plan on public transit or rideshare.