Lisbon Sardines in Somebody Feed Phil
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See what it's like to eat at Ponto Final. The al fresco eatery, just across the river from Lisbon, offers great food that matches its great views.
You've probably seen Phil Rosenthal, star of the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, enjoy lunch on a railless concrete boat landing where he appears to be mere inches from plunging into the Rio Tejo (Tagus River). It's a highlight of his Lisbon episode that caught our eyes too.
If you're wondering where he ate that lunch, the answer is Ponto Final – just a ferry ride across the river from Lisbon. Ponto Final is no hidden gem and the international Netflix exposure has made it one of the most difficult Lisbon reservations to score.
Fun Fact
While Ponto Final is in the Lisbon metropolitan area, it's technically located in Almada on the very northern end of the Setubal peninsula.
Getting to Ponto Final is as simple as taking an inexpensive 10 minute ferry ride from Cais Sodre to Cacilhas followed by a short walk (approximately 15 minutes) to Ponto Final in Almada's Cais do Gingal neighborhood. Expect to spend 2€ if you don't have a Viva Viagem card.
Since both the ferry ride and walk are scenic, neither is a hardship. We especially enjoy checking out the eclectic street art and impromptu craft shops every time we make the short journey to Ponto Final from our Lisbon apartment.
Our History with Ponto Final
We didn't rush to eat at Ponto Final after we moved to Lisbon despite how easy it is to do. However, once we did, our rewards included legendary views of the Cristo Rei statue and the 25 de Abril bridge as well as views of Lisbon stretching from Alcantara to Alfama.
Despite our initial skepticism, we found Ponto Final's food to be surprisingly good during that first visit. We've since returned multiple times and often recommend the riverside restaurant to visiting friends and readers. Sometimes we even join them if the timing works.
Discover more great restaurants in Lisbon.
Food at Ponto Final
Ponto Final's signature dish, Arroz Tamboril (monkfish rice), is fantastic – a creamy tomato fish stew with a rusticity that matches the epic, unadulterated view of the the sprawling city skyline. For us, this traditional Portuguese dish is a must-order every time we venture across the water for dinner with a view.
Discover more traditional Portuguese dishes worth eating.
Don't be dissuaded by this fish stew's seemingly high price which is currently 45.70€ and could increase yet again due to inflation. While the menu lists the dish for two people, Ponto Final's 'poor man's lobster' served swimming in a thick seafood broth with rice is a dish that's big enough to share (along with another dish or two) with a larger group.
Other dishes are equally good. We especially like Ponto Final's summer version of sardines as well as the restaurant's wine braised veal cheek dish called Vitela à Ponto Final. This slow cooked, melt-in-your-mouth dish is a great option if you're not a seafood eater or if you're dining with a group of friends and want to mix things up.
Pro Tip
Enjoy wine but don't overdo it. Otherwise, you could end up swimming with the next night's catch. Kidding. Not kidding. However, feel free to order as many Portuguese desserts as you fancy. Options include Mousse de Chocolate (chocolate mousse), Arroz Doce (rice pudding) and Fruta (fresh fruit).
Best Time to Eat at Ponto Final
You can eat at Ponto Final, which translates to end point or last stop, at midday with the sun blazing on your table like Phil did. However, we recommend reserving a table closer to sunset, when the cool breezes arrive from the Atlantic and the sun retreats, coloring the sky from blue to pink
To score a sunset reservation, you'll want to email the restaurant at least a month in advance of your visit if not longer. Doing so is worth the effort considering Ponto Final's surprisingly affordable menu and million euro view. This is a one-of-a-kind Lisbon experience that you don't want to miss.
Ponto Final is located at Rua do Ginjal 72, 2800-285 Almada, Portugal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dining at Ponto Final
How can I secure a reservation for a meal at Ponto Final?
Although Ponto Final takes walk-ins, reservations are an absolute must for food travelers who don't want to risk dining disappointment. We recommend emailing the restaurant at [email protected] to request a table at least one month before the preferred date.
How much does a meal at Ponto Final cost?
Ponto Final's a la carte menu is moderately priced. At the time of our most recent dinner, the bill totaled 115€ which included a bottle of white wine and enough food to satisfy four hungry diners.
What's the dress code at Ponto Final?
Ponto Final doesn't have a dress code. However, you'll want to bring a sweater or jacket unless Lisbon is in the midst of a heat wave.
What's the best way to get to Ponto Final?
Not only is taking the Cacilhas ferry the most cost effective and fun transportation option, but it's also part of the Ponto Final dining experience. However, you could alternatively take a taxi or car service from Lisbon if you have accessibility issues or are afraid of boats.
What's the best time to dine at Ponto Final?
We recommend making a reservation 30 minutes before sunset so that you can enjoy your meal while watching a (hopefully) gorgeous sunset from beginning to end.
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About the Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine's BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.
Disclosure
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.
Original Publication Date: July 15, 2022
Source: https://www.2foodtrippers.com/ponto-final-lisbon/
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