Where do you get the best francesinha in porto portugal? Porto is a truly fabulous city known for delivering the most authentic taste of traditional Portugal. However, your visit to the city isn’t complete without visiting the Douro Valley, for Porto’s famous wine, and one of the most iconic dishes, the heavy sauce-dripping Francesinha.
And of course, there are tons of cafes, restaurants and street corners selling their own variation of this tasteful dish. It can be difficult to make your choice of the very best. Following extensive experimentation, we bring to you in this article, some of the best Francesinha in Porto Portugal. Read this article on the famous pastry in Portugal.
History of the Francesinha
Francesinha is an amazing Porto dish that’s best experienced. The locals say it’s a delectable dish inspired by the French dish, Croque Monsieur. However, there’s not much known about its origin or creator. But there are theories.
One such theory speaks to Daniel David da Silva, an emigrant to both France and Belgium who returned to Porto in the 1950s and added the Croque-monsieur to Portuguese cuisine.
Legend has it that the name “Francesinha” (or little Frenchie) is a tribute to the sultry, spicy flair of French women, which is a stark contrast to the sulky reserved nature of the Portuguese.
There are many more theories but everyone agrees that the originator would have been Portuguese and that his idea is a delight.
What Makes a Great Francesinha?
The Francesinha is a sandwich made of two thick slices of bread, lightly toasted and then assembled with a beef steak, ham, sausage and a covering of cheese slices. Then this is served floating in a sauce made from flavorful tomatoes, port wine and blood beer (added at the end of preparation).
The outcome is a mouthwatering dish fit for the gods. Tons of restaurants around Porto serve the great Francesinha. However, the other ingredients that make each Francesinha unique to the restaurants serving them. You will find tons of variations ranging from those made with lobsters, mushrooms or shrimp toppings. Then there’s the matter of fried eggs to make a truly wholesome meal.
However, the true secret is the beer and wine-based sauce. Ensure that you have one flavoured with a hint of spice. That said, let’s talk about some of the most amazing places that make the best Francesinha in Porto Portugal.
Contenders for the Crown: Top Spots That Make the Best Francesinha in Porto Portugal
Café Santiago
Contact details: Rua de Passos Manuel 226, Porto 4000-382 Portugal, 351 22 205 5797
Cafe Santiago is a super famous restaurant located in front of the Coliseu do Porto. You’ll especially love their unique Francesinha variations such as variants that come with fried eggs and fried potatoes.
Cafe Santiago is very popular so there’s always a wait. It’s much better to get there early to secure a table as soon as possible.
Bufete Fase
Contact details: Rua de Santa Catarina 1147, 4000 Porto +351 222 052 118
Bufete Fase is also a great place to eat Francesinha in Porto Portugal. It’s one of the oldest. This delightful restaurant is owned by chef/owner Jose Menese Pinto FIlipa.
Plus, the dish is an exclusive meal here. Expect a tasty and spicy meal that’s remarkably satisfying. However, there are few tables and always an assembly line. So you can be sure to have hot, and delicious Francesinhas here.
Capa Negra
Contact details: Capa Negra Restaurant Rua do Campo Alegre, 191 4150-177 Porto +351 226 078 308
Capa Negra is also one of the best places to eat Francesinha in Porto Portugal. You can expect amazing and super fast service. Plus, they serve super fresh and hot sandwiches.
This restaurant has been open since 1972 when Amandio Fontes made his own secret Francesinhas sauce. However, as expected this restaurant is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. So get there early if you want a seat.
Cafe Majestic
Contact details: Rua Santa Catarina 112-4000-442 PORTO + 351 22 200 3887
The Cafe Majestic claims to be the birthplace of the Francesinha circa 1995. Not everyone believes so as there are other people with similar names. However, it did begin as the “Cafe Elite” in 1921 before being converted to “Cafe Majestic”.
However, their own version of the Francesinha is a single-grained bread, grilled ham, steak cut from the tenderloin and neutral-flavoured cheese.
The hot sauce is also a mix of red pepper, ruby Port, and beer cooked with a shrimp sauce for several hours. Furthermore, the dish is crowned by a prawn. The outcome is a delightfully tasty combo (Think super soft beef, plentiful cheese, and a spicy mildly hot sauce).
Restaurante Regaleira
Contact details: Rua do Bandardim, 87, Porto, +351 22-200-64-65
This restaurant also claims to be the original producer of Francesinha in Porto. A lot of people also believe there might be some truth to that. First, it was established in 1953 and Daniel David Silver bought Regaleira after living in France for a long time.
However, the present restaurant is a mid-sized “tipico” restaurant that looks a bit run-down but is decorated with white tablecloths sporting displays of the 1970s and 1980s.
The atmosphere is old-world authentic Porto thereby giving off a homely feel. You’ll also get mostly two versions of Francesinha here featuring roasted pork and sausage, but no beef in the sandwich.
Cafe Chuna
Contact details: R. Outeiro 8, 4050-452 Porto +351 226 181 820
Cafe Chuna makes the classic Francesinha remarkable. You’ll love how the bread is thick and freshly baked all the time. The sauce here is also a delight with that spicy finish. This unique restaurant is also off the beaten path, but a taxi ride can get you there fast. Plus, it’s a great spot to meet the locals.
Chamico
Contact details: Rua da Constituição, 1057, Porto, +351 222 508 8216
Chamico also serves a noteworthy Francesinha with a blend of fresh bread, properly cooked ham, beef and high-quality sausage. The sauce is also moderately spiced and your Francesinha might likely be drenched entirely in the sauce.
O Golfinho
Contact details: Rua Sá Noronha 137, 4050 Porto +351 222 081 636
O Golfinho is also one of the places where they make the best Francesinha in Porto Portugal. Here you’ll be treated to Sr. Silva’s secret sauce which has been a true delight since the opening of his restaurant in 1998.
This fabulous meal invites you on a culinary journey crowned with locally sourced simple products with the beef coming from the butcher down the street. The outcome is a fresh, tasty and authentic Francesinha that you would love to devour.
Restaurante Girassol
Contact details: Rua de Sá Da Bandeira, Nº 131 4000-433 Porto +351 222 007 393
This restaurant is a spectacular site with everything from the decor to your beer dedicated to sunflowers and celebrating the colour yellow.
However, the entire restaurant gives off a warm, upbeat and cosy feeling. Plus, the menu here, not just the Francesinha, is a true adventure.
Restaurante Barrigas
Contact details: Rua 25 de Abril, 415, VILA NOVA DE GAIA, +351 227 12 1429
This restaurant gives off a cool pub feel, especially if you consider how loud it gets there and the tons of attractive young people coming in.
However, the Restaurant Barrigas is actually a small chain of restaurants, so whether you choose the original location or others, you’ll have an amazing time.
Verso am Preda
Rua Arménia 16 – Porto, +351 22 205 8009
Verso am Preda gives the instant image of a beer sports bar with tons of screens all over. However, you can expect an eclectic mix of a group of all ages gathered, laughing and enjoying futbol.
You should also note that beer is more commonly enjoyed here with your Francesinha. Plus, you can make your pick from over 11 different exotic Francesinha sandwiches and also in varying sizes as well.
Capa Negra II
Rua Barros Lima 487, Porto 4300-062 Portugal, +351 22 245 3725
Capa Negra is an amazing restaurant that also serves some of the best Francesinhas in Porto Portugal. Here you can also expect Pork dishes aside from the Francesinhas.
If you opt for the Francesinhas, you’ll also get a side of fries alongside fried egg as the toppings. You can also expect a bubbly environment and a welcoming staff as well.
Cufra
Avenida da Boavista 2504, Porto 4100-119, Portugal, + 351 22 617 2715
Cufra is a unique cafe that also makes some of the best Francesinhas in Porto Portugal. However, there you might have your meal at the counter making for a unique experience.
Plus, the ambience is fabulous with a nice view of the sea.
Pontual
Rua do Almada 350 R/C, Porto 4050-033, Portugal, +351 22 208 8917
Pontual is also a good spot to enjoy Francesinha. Meals here are super affordable and straightforward. It’s one of the places that makes the best Francesinha in Porto Portugal. You can expect a decent number of varieties with tons of options as well.
Cafe Onital
Rua Latino Coelho 5, Porto 4000-315, Portugal +351 22 536 9301
Cafe Onital is a place to get one of the best francesinha in Porto Portugal. This lovely cafe has a pleasant homely vibe and is popular among locals.
Here you can enjoy your Francesinha among other food selections, plus beers and an assortment of drinks of choice. You’ll also love that this is off-the-beaten-track and not expensive at all.
Tips For Enjoying Your Francesinhas
You should always remember that your Francesinhas would come floating in a sauce, some people best call it a broth. So, if you don’t like sandwiches soaked in liquid, Francesinhas are not for you. However, it’s a truly amazing delight.
We also recommend experimenting. Start with the original recipe and make your way through to variations. Remember to add tons of walks to your journey because this is a truly packed cholesterol meal (almost 1500 calories!).
To be frank, Francesinha is a heavy dish. So it wasn’t like your regular sandwich. You would also have it as a meal (not a snack). Most foreigners often prefer it as lunch because of its heavy weight. You can also have it with a carbonated drink that you like such as beer or coke. However, you should not serve it with wine.
That said, most variations would contain ham, bacon and sausage with other ingredients. If you don’t eat pork, you can ask ahead if the restaurant serves a variation such as a beef combo or a vegan Francesinhas.
Ultimately, here are the most raved-about restaurants serving the best Francesinhas in Porto Portugal. Of course, there’s no all-time favourite.
Each of these restaurants serves its twist. So loving the tastes would be subjective and depend on your taste buds. As we said earlier, you should try a few different Francesinhas during your visit to Porto and let your taste buds decide the champion.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Francesinhas In Porto Portugal
What is the most popular dish in Porto?
Porto has many fascinating dishes. But perhaps the most popular is Francesinha, a hearty sandwich filled with meat and sausage, drenched in a savoury sauce.
What drink is Porto famous for?
Porto is famous for its Port wine, a fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley
What is the national dish in Porto?
Portugal doesn’t have a national dish per se, but Francesinha is definitely a signature dish of Porto.
Where can I get the best francesinha?
It’s hard to pinpoint the best place for Francesinha. But then, some highly-rated restaurants rave about variations. They include Cafe Onital., Cafe Santiago, and Cantina do Adiafa
How much is a francesinha in Porto?
Prices vary and will depend on the type of restaurant and signature additions. But mostly Francesinha costs between €8 and €15
Where did Anthony Bourdain eat Francesinha?
Anthony Bourdain is said to have enjoyed Francesinha at Manteigaria Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon, not Porto. Francesinha is a Porto speciality, though Bifana sandwiches are another popular Portuguese option.
What is the foodie capital in Portugal?
There isn’t a single foodie capital in Portugal, but Lisbon and Porto are both major contenders, each with district culinary specialities.
