Had booked a reservation here days in advance for my 1 year wedding anniversary and they were closed! No call to notify us. We showed up, waited, and called with no avail until a kind local told us they were not going to open today. I was a bit wary with some of the reviews before booking and should have taken my gut feeling more seriously. So if you are set on eating here I'd say make a back up reservation somewhere else or skip all together. read more

I came here twice because it was one of the better restaurants in the city center. It was very difficult to find, especially if you don't know where to look or are walking along the wrong street. I walked right passed it because the sign was facing a different side. If you're walking north towards Rua de Sao Joao, it's on the right as you're walking passed the parking lot. Boca de Cena is a small restaurant that is very modern, with lots of mood lighting. I would even go so far as to label it a romantic place to bring dates. The restaurant has about 9-10 tables, depending on the table arrangement. It was never busy when I was there, likely because it was not high tourist season, so reservations were not necessary but I can see it getting busy during the summer months. Although there are a number of options on the menu, one or two items may not be available due to lack of ingredients. For fish options, they only make what was caught that day. For instance, I was fortunate enough to order the only ahi tuna that they had that day. Over the two visits, I ordered the grilled shrimp, the ahi tuna, and the grilled octopus. The grilled shrimp were pretty large and tasty. I thought the ahi tuna was just okay. Like at other restaurants, it seems like they unnecessarily add too much salt to an already salty protein. The grilled octopus was my favorite of all the dishes. The octopus was nicely grilled so that it had a crunch, but was still soft and tender. The suckers on the tentacles fell off in my mouth, so that added some fun texture to the mix. I also ordered a chocolate cake, but you get 2 small slices so it wasn't worth it. Dinner came out to about 40€. There is one wait staff now, so the chef no longer runs the front and the back as others have mentioned. read more

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Even under Covid restrictions, Boca de Cena was 5 stars! Due to the pandemic all restaurants close at 10pm and lines begin to form around 7pm. After trying for a table at other popular restaurants in Ponta Delgada, we made the walk up to Boca de Cena. We were a table for five without reservations and Ricardo was able to accommodate us. Like the other reviews stated, Ricardo does it all! We ordered the filet mignon, honey braised tuna, octopus salad and chocolate cake. All were amazing! Will hopefully be back. read more

Boca de Cena - Octopus salad - Portuguese Near Me - Ponta Delgada, 20

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We were so excited to get reservations here. So you can imagine our disappointment when we arrived at the front door and it looked closed. YEP! Closed, because there was an issue with the kitchen. Not even a phone call letting us know, just a piece of paper attached to the window and it was a busy weekend. My advice when making reservations to this restaurant, have a backup place just in case the "kitchen has issues." Apparently, this has happened before read more

Prepare yourself: Ricardo has invited you to his home, and it's gonna be a wild time. You have to call to make a reservation - no walk-ins. He's a one man show: he greets you at the door, seats you (and might sit with you), cooks for you, and will invite you for a post-dinner liqueur (or 2...or 3), and may partake himself. He gets the ingredients fresh to start the day and will ask what you like then pretty much decide for you what he's going to make (trust him, he knows what he'a doing). The food is gourmet, I don't know how to describe it except that he makes the true flavors of every ingredient come out - you will like it. Ricardo's an awesome guy, don't be afraid of his crazy antics, he just wants you to laugh and have fun. If you can't take a few jokes or don't have an open mind, do Ricardo a favor and go somewhere else, because as soon as you step into his place, you're family. Mando-te um abraco grande, meu amigo Ricardo!!! Vemo-nos pronto! read more

Boca de Cena - That's Ricardo with his Dad!!! - Portuguese Near Me - Ponta Delgada, 20

1 man army runs this fantastic restaurant. He times everything. The forkbeard in pastry entree was wow. The fried octopus was the best we had in town and we had octopus everyday at each restaurant. The pineapple pudding. If it is available, get it. It was something he whipped up and wasn't on the menu. Be prepared to be dining for 2 hours if you're having a starter, entree and dessert! read more

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Amazing meal! We rolled in at 7:30 on a Wednesday in mid- September and the place was only 3 tables filled. We were greeted by the Host - who's also the waiter and chef - multi-tasked and multi-talented. Cannot day enough good things about the meal and the experience. We shared the shrimp and spinach pasty puff as an app and had the crispy octopus and the filet with port wine sauce for mains. All excellent, large portions and very very tasty. The chef/waiter works so hard and doesn't skip a beat on the details. Incredibly impressed, would highly recommend while in Ponta Delgado! read more

Boca de Cena - Crispy octopus - Portuguese Near Me - Ponta Delgada, 20

We had a perfect dinner at Boca de Cena. First off, this place only has ONE FOH staff - he hosts, serves, and clears. He is a rockstar. We got there and were seated so that we could see out the window, at a beautiful sunset. The menu is limited - but truthfully, a limited menu means execution is typically much higher, so I don't have any issues with that. I knew I wanted the octopus, and my partner was really craving some beef so we ordered grilled prawns to start, the octopus, and roast beef. The server split everything into two and brought it out in courses, so we could share in each other's meal - it made for a much more unique experience. He also recommended a great bottle of wine to go with it the meal. He was just overall awesome! For dessert, you MUST get the pineapple tart. It's very delicious, and much less heavy than a typical chocolate dessert. Make reservations - we were able to make them same day, but we went in the off-season so it may be harder in peak times. read more

The octopus was amazing! I had a taste of my friends meal. I should Have ordered it! I ordered the cod with fresh veges. It was very good. I am not the biggest cod fan, but this meal had some great flavor! The chef was our waiter and helped us with our order. The cheese appetizer was delicious it was cheese with an users and it was scrumptious! Great place! read more

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In a word, stop reading this and GO. If you need convincing, this was THE best meal I had in the Azores, Portugal, and possibly my whole life. Truly special. I had never tried octopus so when the server (who is an amazingly kind and adept human, serving the whole place by himself but totally making you feel like the only one) told me to try the famous tuna (which I can easily get at home) but then mentioned the octopus- I decided to go a little rogue. I'm so glad I did. It was impeccably cooked, crispy on the outside and soft inside.. I'm afraid to eat octopus anywhere else after such an incredibly special experience. The meal began with a well prepared and delicate salad of beets and greens which was complimentary and well appreciated after so many heavy Portugese meals of meat, bread and cheese. I concluded my dinner with a fantastic pumpkin, cardamom, cinnamon pudding which was a perfectly light way to end a beautiful meal. I tried to go back twice and was too late. I'll be back to the Azores just to relive that meal. TLDR; this place is incredible and you will dream of the food weeks after leaving. read more

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Went here last night for late dinner with lady. It was...interesting. The crispy octopus was great and the forkbeard was solid, if a bit plain. The highlight was the chocolate dessert, which was not sweet at all, but pure chocolate essence. Where things got weird was the service. There was one gentleman seating, serving and doing everything in the front end. He was quirky to say the least, chatting with each of the tables, sitting to have a drink, etc. He was amazingly generous with the drinks, pouring us several sips of honey liquor and some port towards the end. However, after being there for a couple of hours we started to question whether or not he was on something, as got progressively more and more animated. And when I say animated, I mean bizarre. I kid you not, at some point he was crawling on the floor meowing like a cat. Strangest restaurant encounter I've ever had. It was certainly memorable, but not necessarily for the right reasons. read more

My husband and I ended up here after YELPing something near the waterfront in Ponta Delgada. After a week, we wanted something close by, but were sick of the usual papas fritas and steak dinner. Boca De Cena was so good, we came back the next day. First of all, the chef does all the prep and serving himself,which we respected IMMENSELY. We had delicious and affordable wine, a perfectly cooked calamari appetizer, and two delicious entrees. Hubby had a meat entree and I had the grilled octopus. It was the best octopus I have ever had - perfectly tender and full of flavor. We ended with a berry cheesecake that was so amazing we had it both times we were there: light and fluffy with a tangy berry flavor. Definitely a welcome respite from your typical Azorean meal. Best food we have had outside of our home state of Rhode Island! read more

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The best meal we had in all of Portugal. The place runs with one waiter and one chef. They take their time and they do it right. The beef appetizer was amazing. Octopus was said to be both crunchy and tender and it was just that. Possibly the best octopus I have ever tasted. Steak entree was also delicious. read more

We made reservation at this restaurant following recommendations of our tour guide and Yelpers. The restaurant seems to be ran by a two-person team. For the number of tables (and you are asked to make a reservation, otherwise expect to be turned down) there would typically be more waitstaff. However, one person does it all and, of course, somewhere things go wrong. One star is taken off for the service. We asked for wine recommendation but ended up not liking the wine. The gentleman serving the room made a comment that made us feel guilty for asking to try another wine. Since that was the start of our dinner the "ambiance" was ruined. We also never formally placed an order - my husband mentioned our chosen entrees while asking for whine recommendation. When we got the wine we liked and I told the gentleman we were ready to order, he didn't come back to actually take the order. He brought complimentary salads, but never again asked us anything. So we never got a chance to order an appetizer (which we wanted to do). About 25-30 minutes after we finished the salads the entrees we mentioned to him were brought out. The second star is taken off for the preparation and taste. My husband got the pheasant and I got the grilled octopus. The bird was tough and the vegetables that came with it were drenched in oil. My octopus tasted good, but vegetables too were soaked with oil. The crunchy potatoes were the only vegetables not as oily (surprising, as I think the potatoes were deep fried). Because of how oily they were vegetables didn't have any particular distinguishable taste. The chocolate cake I ordered for dessert was not memorable. The above is my honest opinion about the service and food. Many tables were unattended for long periods of time while we were there and I do not think there is ever an excuse for that. Perhaps only if the food is stellar.... read more

Hands down the most talented human. One man both waits tables and chefs. His food is absolutely amazing and the service is untouchable. He is calm and collected while both serving and cooking in an extremely timely fashion. I am F-ing blown away read more

Boca de Cena - Portuguese Near Me - Ponta Delgada, 20

Full disclosure I am a professor in Hospitality, and a multi year veteran of the business. I came to the restaurant expecting to sample authentic beef cooked in a classic fashion. The house wine recommended was local and delicious and promised to support the effort I expected from the steak. When my steak arrived it was well presented with fried potatoes in a basket and sauce in a ramekin. The steak looked promising albeit having the same coloration on all sides laying to doubt that the steak had been grilled or pan fried. As I cut into the meat it was evident by the raw lukewarm middle, yet fully cooked outer edge that the meat had likely been deep fried. read more

Had a great dinner at this restaurant with my girlfriend. It only seats about 10 tables, and there is apparently one chef and one waiter who service all the tables. That might sound like a service nightmare, but they actually do a great job. Didn't find that I had to wait much and never did we have an empty drink. Kudos for the hustle. Now the food is fantastic. We were both served a simple salad that was nice and refreshing, followed by a crusty bread filled with a cheese unique to the island with pumpkin jam. Crunchy, savory, and sweet in one bite. For our entrees, the crunchy octopus was delicious, as was the chef's steak (a medium rare filet with fried onion rings, and roasted potatoes). A good portion size on both entrees. The dessert was also wonderful, a cheese cake that uses chevre goat cheese that makes a very creamy cake, and a chocolate cake that was very moist and delicious. My only complaint was that I wanted more. :) Overall, a wonderful experience from start to finish that may have us coming back before our trip is over. read more

This was the best meal we had during our trip to the Azores (Pico, Faial & Sao Miguel). We went for NYE dinner. Amazing food, tons of wine as suggested by the one man show Ricardo the owner (he is chef, host and waiter) and does an amazing job! If we ever come back we will go back there again - he even gave us a bottle of champagne for NYE! All for60€/pp. Pricer than other places, but well worth it. read more

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This restaurant made me want to take back all my other 5 stars. It was amazing. One man does it all. I felt like I was at dinner and a show. The host is the cook and the waitstaff. It was a piece of art to watch him work. Yes, I waited 10 minutes for a menu, but I'd wait 10 more. The food was delicious. I had a calamari starter, wreck fish and my boyfriend had the roast beef, finished with 2 chocolate cakes. I can't even describe how delicious the food was. Meals come with a salad and do not leave you feeling disappointed. The pictures I'm adding are of half eaten plates because we forgot to grab a shot before we couldn't stop eating. All in all , there may be a short wait but it is worth it. read more

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This is an easy one. The meal, communication, and service was exceptional. We called 2 days beforehand to make a reservation. When they recognized our English, they asked if we wanted at table at 7 (when they open), which is probably the norm. Our experience was elegant but approachable, the wine was perfectly paired (i.e., all the wines on their wine list are fantastic and complementary), and the food was so special. The octopus--as every reviewer on here has said--was perfect. I've never had octopus cooked this well; it had none of that typical octopus "chew," and had the consistency of a properly cooked chicken breast. I splurged and got the filet mignon, which was cooked and prepared beautifully. One little less-than was the starter salad: I found it to be a nice palate cleanser, but my partner thought it was a little bland. It's a freebie, so I'm not sweating it. The dessert we got was the chocolate mousse which was just so good. The chef had prepared it so it had a nice, tight bubbled structure on the surface which was a great contrast to the ultra-luxe mousse. It wasn't just "pudding skin;" it was something else entirely. Lastly, this place isn't hard to find, but Google Maps doesn't know where it is. It is directly across the plaza from the Teatro Micaelense. Price was very reasonable; it's not Azores-level cheap, but in a big city, it would be steal given the top-notch meal. read more

Boca de Cena - Boca de Cena, as taken from https://goo.gl/maps/gPHmGKavA1F2 - Portuguese Near Me - Ponta Delgada, 20

This place is one of the most delicious places! Amazing find - had the salmon tartar, wreckfish and crispy octopus which was my favourite! All the desserts were equally delicious! Chocolate cake, cheesecake and lemon cake. Make sure you are not in a rush as the owner does it all and you will not be disappointed! Mmmmm!!!! read more

The best meal I have had in ponta delgada ever and I have been to the acores 5 times. There is only one man and he does it all. He is a one man army. Book a table in advance because the place is small and only serves 10 tables. I have tried both the octopus and tuna and both are to die for. So do your self a favour and try this place if you are in the neighbourhood. read more

Amazing place! Very charming decor, friendly and creative chef/owner, Ricardo, who runs this restaurant impeccably! So tasty dishes, the honey glazed tuna was the best I've ever had (and I love to cook and have travelled the world!). Thank you, Ricardo, for making our evening very special! Helen read more

My fiance and I visited Ricardo at Boca De Cena on our recent trip to the Azores and it was truly not only the best meal of our entire trip, but one of the best meals we've ever had! As a one man show, Ricardo managed the floor perfectly and gave us amazing suggestions. We had the toast with cheese, daffodil wrapped in puff pastry, the filet, and the chocolate mousse. Every single bite was out of this world and every single dish was cooked to perfection. We had an amazing experience and wish we could fly there right now to enjoy it again! Highly recommend this gem of a restaurant. read more

A must if dining in Sao Miguel/Ponta Delgada ... A tiny unassuming locale with a killer ambiance . Definitely a little pricey (compared to other spots) but still reasonable - around €14-18 an entree, €8 an appetizer. But the quality of the experience well than makes up for it. Ricardo is the one-man show - front of house, server, and master chef. The tuna and octopus are out of this world. You can cut the octopus with a fork it's so tender and the tuna just melts in your mouth. You'd be a fool not to eat there. We got in around 9:30PM without a wait but weekends definitely need a reservation. read more

This is a very special place! The chef who is also a waiter is an amazing man! It is run by the owner himself and no one else. You need to go there with time and go with the flow of things. I encourage you to be patience and go with an open mind. For me the food was extremely good. I would highly recommend it. We had the fillet mignon and tuna! Very nice! He is an extraordinary cook and has a personality that fills the place. Please give him a chance and enter this restaurant to experience something different. The owner is actually a lovely guy who really enjoys cooking and who is good at it! Give it a go and enjoy yourself! He is one of a kind! Make sure to reserve a table! read more

This place was amazing. You need to eat here. They only seat about 8 tables per night so best to make a reservation, but the food is absolutely wonderful. I can go on, but there's nothing else to be said. read more

This restaurant is amazing. We got there right when it opened for dinner, no reservation, and didn't have a problem. We ate everything on the menu! It was delicious. Our waiter is also the owner, chef and hostess. He does such an amazing job and makes such good food. I recommend this restaurant for anyone traveling to this island. read more

Would have loved to leave a better review, however...after confirming our reservation 2 full days in advance, we showed up to the restaurant after a 30 min drive to find it closed. We stuck around for awhile but seeing as our reservation was for 8 and the restaurant hours are 7-10 and no lights were on, we left. We returned the next evening for dinner nearby and when we checked, this restaurant still had no lights on during 'open' hours. We really wanted to try this experience as it came highly recommended to us by friends. We hope everything is ok with the owner, we were just very disappointed with not being notified after we had a confirmed reso. We did end up going to Big 21 nearby and really enjoyed it! read more

Kitchen had an issue so closed and no prior notice was given. Found out via sign on the door on a busy weekend night. Unprofessional!

Delicious food! Glad we read the Yelp comments and ordered their fried Octopus and roast beef, food is amazing! The owner Ricardo is great! Enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here. read more

What a great find! Ricardo was delightful and the food (the forkbread was worth us going back a second night!) was amazing. Make a reservation! read more

We arrived at 1930 and were seated promptly. There are 10 tables and there is one person working the entire restaurant - seating, cooking, and sommelier. He also owns the restaurant. Despite being the only person, it was probably the most well timed and certainly the best tasting of all of our dinners. This is a must go to destination in Sao Miguel. The dinner started with a bottle of amazing Portuguese white wine that was recommended by the chef and very flavorful and refreshing. We were also provided a complimentary salad of honeydew, carrots & beets which was a very good starter. We shared the cheese and jam starter which was really a grilled Panini cut into bite sized pieces. Each bite was perfect. He was out of salmon tartar which I would assume would also be amazing. For dinner we had the grilled octopus and the grilled prime rib. Both were served on a bed of lightly cooked vegetables and most amazingly crisp potatoes. The octopus and the roast beef with garlic sauce were cooked perfectly and were amazing. Everything was flavored perfectly and we ate every single piece on the plate. The octopus was so crispy yet so tender. My wife doesn't like octopus as much as me but she admitted she never had octopus that was this flavorful. For dessert we had another bottle of wine and the chocolate mouse and chocolate cake. Both desserts were perfect and wonderful. I took a picture with the chef as this guy is a genius. This was the best meal I've had in the Azores and if I had my choice I would have eaten here every night. It was very reasonably priced and simply amazing. A must eat. read more

While this restaurant specializes in fish dishes, our party had wonderful beef and pork entrees. Even better than the amazing food was our waiter, Ricardo. Though he was in constant motion waiting on tables, he answered all of our questions, made great food and wine recommendations, and made the night special! read more

Great Restaurant! Wonderful, interesting, passionate Portuguese chef who will wow you with his creations ! The swordfish was to die for! And the calamari and the desserts! read more

go to bar cc instead. best burgers in portugal hands down. ask for bruno. would rate 10/10 if possible

Bomb.com... amazeballs. Get the crispy octopus and the pastry wrapped fish and shrimp. It was seriously incredible. Would go back in a heartbeat. read more

It is really classic restaurant. I came for the tuna dish. The chef was out if it. He offered a free cake :) ..thank you ...happy customer :) read more

Absolutely amazing! You have to come here for dinner when in the Azores! The chef is also the waiter and is truly outstanding. The dinner & desserts were exceptional. Great atmosphere too. Can't recommend it highly enough! read more

This was an incredible dining experience! The owner/host/server/chef/busboy creates a relaxed atmosphere despite how hard he is working throughout. He is kind, takes time to make recommendations, and creates beautiful plates of delicious food. This is a "must do" of Ponta Delgada! read more