The 7 Best Francesinhas in Porto

Portugal has a lengthy selection of satisfying sandwiches, but none have the prestigious reputation of the epic francesinha. Packed to the brim with succulent meat and covered with a sumptuous and spicy cheese sauce, these sandwiches always go down a treat on my Porto food tours.

A take on some of France’s favorite sandwiches, namely the croque-monsieur, francesinhas are native to northern Portugal, and no one makes them quite like the Porto locals. If you’re searching for the best francesinha in Porto, I’ve got you covered with these outstanding eateries!

Café Santiago

Photo credit: Café Santiago

I’d be stunned if at least one person didn’t suggest Café Santiago in Ribeira if you asked some locals about where to find the best francesinha in Porto.

This spot feels like a mix of a cafe and a restaurant, as it’s sleek and polished inside, yet it has a casual, easygoing atmosphere. I grabbed a seat by the bar area, where I was instantly greeted by the staff who made serving an endless turnaround of customers look easy.

They’ve got a hefty list of components that go into every francesinha sandwich, including savory mortadella, various types of sausage meat, juicy steak, and salty ham. That’s all before mentioning the non-meat ingredients!

The meat certainly stole the show for me, but the layers of melted cheese, fiery sauce, and perfectly runny egg yolk enriched every bite. It came with a helping of crispy French fries, which, despite how filling the sandwich was, I still somehow finished.

Café Santiago (€€) – R. de Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:45 pm, closed every Sunday.

Lado B Café – Coliseu

Photo credit: Lado B Café – Coliseu

Ribeira has quite a few establishments specializing in francesinha, but Lado B Café, across the street from the Ageas Porto Coliseum, is often one of the first places to spring to mind.

I’ve rarely passed this place and not noticed a queue forming outside, and my curiosity eventually got the better of me the last time I was in Porto. Luckily, the line moved pretty quickly and I got a table inside the modern, lively dining area in around ten minutes.

These guys claim to have the finest francesinha on the planet, and after I took my first bite of their take on this classic, I found it hard to argue this statement. They also have a half portion of francesinha, which I appreciated as I wasn’t yet hungry enough for a whole serving.

Though I’m not entirely sure what went into their punchy tomato and beer sauce, I could make out hints of warm garlic and sweet port wine. Here, they used veal instead of steak, which gave the dish a softer flavor than usual. However, the heat from the sausage meat ensured it still had a touch of spice.

Lado B Café – Coliseu (€€) – ao Coliseu, R. de Passos Manuel 190 Frente, 4000-382 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed every Sunday.

Kardoso Restaurante e Garrafeira

Photo credit: Kardoso Restaurante e Garrafeira

Kardoso Restaurante e Garrafeira is close to the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina in Bolhão. Although they’ve got a great menu, their francesinha sandwiches are easily their most beloved dish.

The dining area is so cozy and inviting, with rustic, old-school decor that creates a homely ambiance even in the heart of the city. It was even more charming after dark, thanks to the sparkling fairy lights and dark interiors.

I’d heard all about their tasty croquettes, but seeing as it was my first visit, I couldn’t leave without trying their francesinha. While I waited, I sipped on a Douro Valley red packed with notes of aromatic stone fruits and floral elements.

Soon after, my fried egg-topped sandwich arrived. Sometimes, the bread can get overlooked with all the other robust flavors, but here, it was fluffy and springy. In the center was thinly sliced peppery beef and sweet ham, while the outside was slathered in a silky, tangy sauce.

Kardoso Restaurante e Garrafeira (€€) – R. do Bonjardim 662, 4000-118 Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Brasão Aliados

Photo credit: Brasão Aliados

Brasão Aliados is right around the corner from Porto City Hall in the Baixa area, making it a convenient place to grab a bite to eat after doing some sightseeing.

Admiring the settings here is all part of the experience. The old-fashioned tiling and dark wooden furnishings gave it a vintage vibe, contrasting the slick, soaring wine displays and classy outdoor area. 

My friend and I decided to order the share-sized francesinha, which was something I’d never seen on a menu before. It was easily among the larger versions of this sandwich I’ve seen, but nonetheless, we finished every last bite!

We decided to forgo the egg topping, but it was still as rich and hearty as ever. The sauce was mild but zesty, letting the grassy beef, umami ham, and nutty cheese shine through.

Brasão Aliados (€€€) – R. de Ramalho Ortigão 28, 4000-407 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 12:00 am.

Tappas Caffé Regional

Photo credit: Tappas Caffé Regional

The neighborhoods on the northern side of the city tend to get all the glory, but Tappas Caffé Regional proves that Vila Nova de Gaia also has some delectable francesinhas.

It’s worth making the journey here just to check out their decor, which consists of a cave-like dining area with antique furniture and moody lighting. However, the centerpiece has to be their brick-clad firewood oven, where the chefs cook up their francesinhas.

After spotting the chicken francesinha on the menu, I couldn’t help but be intrigued to see how this sandwich would taste without beef. As such, it made the ordering process quick and easy for me.

You might assume using chicken instead of beef would result in less flavor, but it turned out to be the opposite. The chicken’s delicate taste softened the herby sausage and buttery cheese. Better yet, mild and spicy versions of the sauce came on the side, meaning I could adjust the heat level as I pleased.

Tappas Caffé Regional (€€) – R. Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 204, 4400-175 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Café Restaurante O Afonso

Photo credit: Café Restaurante O Afonso

Café Restaurante O Afonso lies in the center of the Cedofeita area, and the jam-packed tables inside quickly piqued my interest as I was walking by.

After a short wait, I snagged a table alongside the bright yellow, tiled-clad walls and spotted the photos of Anthony Bourdain on the wall, who I learned had previously visited. There were also pictures of race-car driver Ayrton Senna, which was fitting considering the Formula 1 collectibles everywhere!

I opted for the francesinha with pork loin, as I’m always eager to try alternative versions of the traditional recipe.

The smokiness of the ham and sausage tends to be my favorite part of any francesinha, and the tender pork loin only added to these intense flavors. Each mouthful of cheese had the most velvet-like texture, mellowing the sharpness of the tomatoes and the bitter beer in the sauce.

Café Restaurante O Afonso (€€) – 4050 610, Rua da Torrinha 219, Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every day Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Santa Francesinha

Photo credit: Santa Francesinha

Santa Francesinha in Ribeira has really taken off in recent years, especially for their vegan francesinhas, so I had to give them a go.

On the day I visited, the weather was impeccable, so I chose to sit on the buzzing patio out front to do a little people watching while sampling the plant-based francesinha.

If you’re looking for the meat-filled option, they have plenty of those, too, making it a perfect spot for groups with varying dietary requirements. After seeing that the vegan version came with portobello mushrooms, soy chorizo, and seitan steak, I was even more excited to see how it would taste.

These were just some of the ingredients stuffed in the thick, moist slices of bread. The chewy seitan took on the flavor of the zingy tomatoes and caramelized onions, with the mushroom adding earthiness and the chorizo giving it some pungency. On top was gooey vegan cheese and luxurious sauce.

Santa Francesinha (€€) – Praça dos Poveiros 72, 4000-032 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Tuesday.

Conclusion

Francesinhas are at the top of most foodie’s must-try lists, but you’ve got to be a little selective with your choices to discover the best ones! With this guide to the best francesinha in Porto, you won’t need to worry about encountering mediocre takes on these delicious ‘Little Frenchies.’