Before travelling to Porto, someone probably told you you needed to try a very special sandwich-the Francesinha.
The word “francesinha” translates to “little french woman”. A curious name for a very rich, inspired and delicious dish. While maybe both kinds of francesinhas might be spicy, the Porto one is not really inspired by any mademoiselle.
It’s rumored that it was a portuguese emigrant in France that, upon his return in the 60s, decided to create a dish inspired by the croque monsieur. To this grilled ham and cheese sandwich he added steak, smoked meats, cheese and a sauce.
Francesinha spots you must try
Santa Francesinha
Photo by: Raphael Alvim
Being in one of the primary food areas of the city, they are visited by many tourists but also by many locals.
The two most served francesinhas are the Especialíssima, that includes portuguese spicy sausage and smoked bacon with a fried egg on top, served with french fries; and the Santa Francesinha; it’s basically the Especialíssima with an added burger patty and grilled onions. Quite the monster as it can feed two!
Where: Praça dos Poveiros, 72
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12pm-12am
Prince range: 25€ / 2 pax
ALSO: Discover The True Flavors of Porto And Book A Private Tasting Tour
Lado B
Lado B has music roots. Its owner had a music shop on Cedofeita Street and decided to open a “B side” to his original business. They were one of the first to offer a vegetarian version of the francesinha as demand was high and the need to adapt without taking away from the origins of the dish was key.
Bread, cheese (adapted if requested), smoked tofu, spicy soy sausage & eggplant and veggie sausage, are the key ingredients. The sauce is vegetarian as well, but very similar in flavour, to the original.
You also have the original, with roast meat and spicy sausage, and “A Melhor Francesinha do Mundo”, that replaces the roast meat with steak. You can have it with or without egg, and fries on the side.
Where: Rua Passos Manuel, 190
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 11am-1:30am / Closed on Sundays
Price range: 25€ / 2 pax
READ ALSO: 10 Traditional Portuguese Food Restaurants You Really Need to Try
Yuko Tavern
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
Yuko Tavern owns its name to its first owner: a japanese woman who married a portuguese man and served sandwiches and lunches to the people working around that area. The Cambas family bought the place in the late 90s, and decided to keep the unique and iconic name.The francesinha arrived on Yuko’s menu due to the owner’s love for the dish.
You can try the traditional francesinha, made with fresh sausages bought at Bolhão’s Market, or the francesinha da Casa, made with smoked german sausage. You can ask for an egg on top and a generous side of fries.
Where: Rua Costa Cabral, 2331
Hours: Monday – Friday from 12:30pm-2:30pm and from 7:30pm-2am / Closed on Sundays
Price range: 30€ /2 pax
ALSO: Book A 6-Hour Wine & Gastronomy Excursion by Bike in Porto
Café Santiago
The iconic Café Santiago is a name that maybe you heard while researching for your Porto trip. If you arrive and see three places with the name Santiago, do not be alarmed: they all serve francesinhas, they all belong to the same group and they are all separated by only a few meters.
You can eat the Francesinha Santiago, with the typical meats, mortadella and a fried egg on top (the cheese all around the egg as if it were part of an outfit). For this one and the normal Francesinha you have to order french fries on the side. If you want them submerged in the sauce you can have it exactly like that. Santiago na Praça also serves them with fried linguiça, that is already part of the francesinha.
Where: Praça dos Poveiros, 82
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 12pm-12am / Closed on Sundays (Café Santiago na Praça)
Price range: 25€ / 2 pax
READ ALSO: Here are the Absolute Best Cheese and Presunto Platters in Porto
Cervejaria Brasão
Photo courtesy of: Cervejaria Brasão Coliseu
The “baby” of the group, Cervejaria Brasão appeared in 2014 close to Aliados. There is a very portuguese sense to the decoration, marked by iron, tiles, wood and stone.
You can try two kinds of Francesinha (half portion available): the normal one, and the one with an egg on top. Both have portuguese smoked ham, both are served with fries on the side and an extra serving of sauce. Best yet: they’re oven cooked!
Where: Rua Passos Manuel, 205
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 12pm – 3:00pm, 3:30pm on Sat/Sun, and from 7pm – 1:30am
Price range: 30€ / 2 pax
Will you manage to eat a whole francesinha? Let us know if you did and which restaurant was your favourite.
I know taste is a personal thing, but I never understand when people recommends the Francesinha from Café Santiago as one of the best in the city. It is definitely not.