Porto · Portugal
The Porto food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
A huge sandwich of steak, ham and sausage under melted cheese, drowned in a hot, spicy beer-and-tomato sauce, usually with a fried egg and fries.
Best at Café Santiago, Rua de Passos Manuel, Baixa. Get: Francesinha especial with egg and fries, and a cold Super Bock
Five places, and what to order
- Bufete Fasefor francesinha · Rua de Santa Catarina, BonfimGet: The francesinha, which is the only thing they make
- Brasãofor francesinha · Rua de Ramalho Ortigão, AliadosGet: Francesinha with egg and the house sauce
- Casa Guedes TradicionalTraditional sandwich bar · Praça dos PoveirosGet: Pernil with Serra cheese
- Majestic Cafébreakfast · Rua de Santa CatarinaGet: Breakfast set or French toast
- Confeitaria do Bolhãobreakfast · BolhãoGet: Pastries and coffee
The market
Covered / open-air. Portuguese produce, seafood, charcuterie
The line worth it
Café SantiagoBaixa
Get: A francesinha with fries
Expect: 30 to 60 min at peak times. Beat it: Go at 11:30am or late afternoon.
How it works here
Tip: Not expected; leave the change or 5-10% for a great meal. The bread and olives brought to the table are charged if you eat them.
Book: Book the famous places a week out; tascas and pastelarias are walk-in.
When locals eat: Lunch 12:30-3pm, dinner from 8pm.