Skip to Content

This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

What It’s Like To Eat At Ponto Final In Lisbon

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.

Sunset at Ponto Final in Lisbon
Image: ©2foodtrippers

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. The restaurant 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

Street Art on the Way to Ponto Final in Lisbon
The short walk to Ponto Final features gritty street art on land and great views of Lisbon across the Rio Tejo. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

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. The ferry fare is less than 2€ (price subject to change).

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

Outdoor Dining at Ponto Final in Lisbon
Dining at Ponto Final is a memorable experience both for the restaurant’s views of Lisbon and its rustic Portuguese food. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

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

Cataplana de Marisco at Ponto Final in Portugal
Ponto Final’s Arroz Tamboril is more than big enough to share. The flavorful seafood dish is loaded with rice, monkfish and pepper swimming in a thick, super flavorful seafood broth. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

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 was 45.70€ at the time of our most recent meal and could increase yet again due to inflation. While the Ponto Final menu lists the dish for two people, the restaurant’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.

Braised Veal Cheeks at Ponto Final
This braised veal cheek dish provided a meaty element to our meal when we dined at Ponto Final with a friend visiting from London. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

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

View of April 25 Bridge from Ponto Final in Lisbon
The sunset views at Ponto Final are best defined as epic. This July sunset was no exception. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

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 but preferably 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.

Pro Tip
While you can take your chances without a reservation, we don’t recommend that approach unless your okay with potential dining disappointment. Instead, consider eating next door at Atira-te ao Rio. Unlike Ponto Final, Atira-te ao Rio accepts online reservations and its view is almost as epic as Ponto Final’s view.

Ponto Final is located at Rua do Ginjal 72, 2800-285 Almada, Portugal.

Night Time at Ponto Final in Lisbon
While the sunset at Ponto Final is bucket list worthy, darkness brings its own charms. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to secure a reservation 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 pontofinalrest@gmail.com 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.

Is tipping mandatory at Ponto Final?

No. Tipping is optional in Portugal.

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.

Lisbon Planning Checklist

Check out our guide to eating in Portugal as well as our picks for the best Portuguese foods and the best Portuguese desserts before your trip.

Hungry For More In Lisbon?

Cafe de Sao Bento - Social IMG
Clubbiest Steak House
Daryl with Server and Rock Lobster at Ramiro in Lisbon
Most Popular Seafood Restaurant
Bread Service at Belcanto at Lisbon Restaurants
Top Michelin Starred Restaurant
About The Authors

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. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Learn European Portuguese

Are you thinking about visiting or moving to Portugal?

We strongly suggest that you start learning European Portuguese now. Not only is it a challenging language to learn, but most apps teach Brazilian Portuguese.

We were thrilled to discover Practice Portuguese, an inexpensive system that makes learning European Portuguese fun.

Disclosures

Article Updates
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.

Funding
We self-funded our multiple meals at Ponto Final.

Original Publication Date: July 15, 2022

Janice

Tuesday 7th of March 2023

Hi there, This article was super informative. Slowly making my way through the rest of your Lisbon articles for our upcoming trip. I was wondering if it would be ok to take young children (ages 3 & 6) to eat at Ponto Final? Would any of the outdoor seats be appropriate? Have been trying to google the answer, but can't seem to find it. Thanks.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Friday 10th of March 2023

You could mention the kids when you email the reservation since there are a few tables away from the dock with good sightlines. Sitting on the dock may be a bit dicey for a three year old (or even a more energetic six year old) since there are no guardrails.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get a free guide to eating like a local when you travel.

Don't Miss a Bite!

Subscribe to our newsletter and get a free guide to eating like a local when you travel.