Ponto Final

Jeremy's rating: ★★★★☆

Eating at Ponto Final just feels cool, as it's surrounded by derelict graffitied warehouses while offering a great view of Libon and its two bridges. Plus, for fans of seafood, the fish is great. The grilled whole sardines in particular were so delicious even Jen, a self-avowed sardine hater, had to admit they were good.

Jen's rating: ★★★☆☆

You can't beat the view from Ponto Final; it was early in the evening so we were able to grab the table right by the water. While I love seafood, I'm a bit picky when it comes to what I can stomach so the menu was a bit limiting. I decided to take a chance and go for the salted cod (one of the many foods Portugal is known for); while it was seasoned to perfection, I wasn't a big fan of the slightly rubbery texture. But it was saved by the large, delicious chunks of garlic and potatoes.

Right across the Tagus River from Lisbon is the equally historic, although substantially smaller, city of Almada. Easily accessibly by ferry from Lisbon's Cais do Sodré train station, a quick journey to Almada (seriously, the ferry ride only takes about ten minutes) provides beautiful views and a counterpoint to Lisbon. 

While Portugal's capital can seem romantically stylized, especially in its historic Alfama district, a walk along the Tagus in Almada feels grittier and edgier. Not because we were badasses or that the area is dangerous, but instead because it was once a site of warehouses that have now become derelict and graffitied.

However, among the former docks, restaurants have sprung up to cater to the stunning views that the river's southern bank provides.

On the recommendation of our Airbnb host, we ate at Ponto Final, a seafood restaurant (because, Portugal) situated on a former dock. Lucky enough to grab a table at the very edge, we had uncontested views of the Lisbon skyline from sunset 'till nightfall — and boy, was it stunning. 

Aside from the views, Ponto Final also offered a wide assortment of fresh seafood, Portuguese specialties, and Angolan platters in homage to Portugal's former colonial holding. Although the cod was slightly overcooked during our visit, the grilled fish available was done to perfection. 

But ultimately, a place like Ponto Final seems to exist less for the food — which while still very good, didn't stand out strongly from other restaurants in Lisbon — but more for the experience of a waterfront meal, the sound of waves lapping all around, as you gaze out on Lisbon's grandeur.