The francesinha is undoubtedly Porto’s most emblematic dish. A huge, tasty sandwich, it seems inconceivable to spend a few days in the city without tasting this delicious dish at least once.
In this article, we’ve decided to put francesinha in the spotlight by revealing the best restaurants for eating it. Enjoy your meal!
What is francesinha?
First of all, if you’re hungry, we advise you to stop reading now, you might get even hungrier!
Some say the Francesinha is an “Energy Tower”, others a “Belly-Buster”. It’s certainly a heavy dish.
Between two slices of toast, it consists of :
- – Cured ham
- – Portuguese sausage
- – Chipolata sausage
- – Mortadella
- – Steak or roast meat
This “tower” of food is topped with melted cheese, a fried egg (optional) and a spicy sauce made from beer, tomatoes and spices. Like many other Portuguese recipes, the original Francesinha recipe also includes a secret ingredient.
Yes, you read that right, all in one dish! Ah … we forgot … the French fries! But they’re optional!
TOP 5 places to eat a francesinha in Porto
To save you time during your stay in Porto, we’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of restaurants serving excellent francesinhas. Of course, there are many others, and even among Portuguese, we may not all agree on the best addresses. However, we’re fairly certain that your discerning palate will be able to find what it’s looking for in one of the tables below.
Francesinha O Golfinho
The friendly atmosphere of this downtown restaurant, with its authentic, local charm, is sure to please visitors in search of the real thing. Perfect for enjoying francesinha with friends.
📌 Address: Rua Sá Noronha, 137, Porto
Alfandega d'Ouro
The restaurant is located at the top of the “World of Discoveries” museum, and the atmosphere inside is warm and welcoming.
After being baked in a normal oven, Francesinha finishes cooking for a few minutes in a wood-fired oven. The latter adds an incredible smoky taste to all the flavours of all the ingredients.
📌 Address: Rua de Miragaia 106, Porto
Francesinha Café
Run to this restaurant if, and only if, you absolutely want to eat a francesinha, because you won’t have any other choice on the menu – that’s how much they know what they’re talking about!
Chef Fernando uses the finest ingredients, making this one of the city’s must-visit spots.
📌 Address: Rua da Alegria, 946, Porto
Aquele Tasco
This is an excellent alternative to Alfandega D’Ouro if you want a miniature version. Yes, we love this place for that and for its quality!
Their mini version makes the ideal snack after a shopping spree in Rua Santa Catarina, as it’s just a few minutes away.
📌 Address: Rua de Fernandes Tomás 478, Porto
Yuko Tavern
The ultimate reference, recognized by critics and culinary magazines alike.
You’ll discover a rather incredible place, a sort of old-fashioned tavern with exposed stonework.
Available in five varieties, the famous francesinha is served with a delicious homemade sauce and crispy French fries. A must-have.
📌 Address: Rua de Costa Cabral, 2331, Porto
Would you like to sample Porto's gastronomy?
There’s more to Porto than the Francesinha! Many other specialties will blow you away, such as caldo verde, sardinhas assadas and the famous bolinhos de bacalhau.
At Portours, we can help you discover all the authentic and tasty local gastronomy. All you have to do is get your feet under the table and enjoy delicious food from the best restaurants in the area!
