Choosing your francesinha at a glance
| Situation | Place | Area |
|---|---|---|
| First time, the classic | Café Santiago | Rua Passos Manuel, near Santa Catarina |
| Roomy dining hall, house beer | Cervejaria Brasão | Baixa, near the Aliados |
| Weekday lunch, quick | Bufete Fase | Rua de Santa Catarina |
| Strict recipe, short menu | Francesinha Café | Rua da Alegria |
| Brasserie atmosphere | Lado B | Rua Passos Manuel |
| Tiny counter | O Golfinho | Rua de Sá de Noronha |
| In a covered market | Casa Inês | Time Out Market, São Bento station |
| Neighbourhood address | O Afonso | Rua da Torrinha |
Opening hours noted in October 2026; check prices on the day's menu.
What is a francesinha
The francesinha is Porto's signature dish: two slices of sandwich bread filled with meat (ham, sausage, steak or roast pork), covered with melted cheese and topped with a hot sauce made from tomato and beer. It comes with chips and often a fried egg. It is a heavy meal, to share or to eat in the middle of the day. The sauce sets the places apart: mild or spicy, thicker or thinner. Try two places before choosing your side. For other meal ideas, see the Bolhão market and the guide to food tours in Porto.
Café Santiago: the reference
Rua Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto. Open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 22:45, closed on Sunday. The house is known for its sauce, and the queues led to a second room, Santiago da Praça. Arrive at opening time or in the middle of the afternoon to avoid the crowd. The café is a few minutes from Rua Santa Catarina.
Cervejaria Brasão: more seats, house beer
Rua Ramalho Ortigão 28, 4000-035 Porto (Baixa). Open Monday to Thursday from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:30 to 23:30; Friday to Sunday from 12:00 to 16:30 and 18:30 to midnight. The brasserie had a beer brewed to go with the francesinha. It is a good address for a group, a short walk from Avenida dos Aliados.
Bufete Fase: the weekday lunch
Rua de Santa Catarina 1147, 4000-457 Porto. Open Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00, closed at weekends. There is often a queue at the door; the sausage sits on top, with a roast under the cheese. Plan to go on a weekday.
Francesinha Café, Lado B and O Golfinho
- Francesinha Café: Rua da Alegria 946, 4000-048. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:00, closed Sunday and Monday. Strict recipe, with Italian mortadella and chorizo; the prego no pão starter is popular.
- Lado B: Rua Passos Manuel 190/192, 4000-382. Open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 16:00 and 19:00 to 23:45, closed on Sunday. Brasserie with beers, chips and hot dogs on the menu.
- O Golfinho: Rua de Sá de Noronha 137, 4050-526. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 15:30 and 19:30 to 22:30, Tuesday from 19:30 to 22:30, closed Monday. Small room with a counter: arrive early, seats are limited.
Casa Inês at Time Out Market and O Afonso
Casa Inês has a stall at Time Out Market, in the south wing of São Bento station (4000-069 Porto), open 10:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday. It is handy if you want to compare with other stalls. O Afonso (Rua da Torrinha 219, 4050-610) opens Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:00, closed Monday: it is a neighbourhood address, further from the centre.
Tips for eating a francesinha
- Book or arrive early: at peak times, especially at weekends, expect a wait in the best-known places.
- Share: the portion is generous; ask whether the house offers a half portion.
- Drink: local beer, Super Bock or Sagres, is the usual companion.
- Vegetarian: few places offer one; ask before you sit down.
- Payment: see money, payment and tipping in Porto.
- Budget: to compare meal prices, see Porto on a budget.
Going further
To fit a francesinha lunch into your stay, see Porto in one day, the guide to food tours in Porto and the Bolhão market.
