Cafe Santiago
When in Porto, locals insist you try their signature dish, the francesinha, a sandwich of literal epic proportions. The first slice into the white bread and thick melted cheese reveals the stacked layers of steak, ham, fresh and cured sausage. The runny egg and beer-tomato sauce also contributes to this larger than life sandwich. Opened in 1959, the Pereira family's restaurant continues to be relevant and current, awarded the best francesinha in Porto multiple years in a row.
Pictured: francesinha
Notable Mentions
Time Out: “Prepare to wait (and wait, and wait) in the queue for a seat at Santiago – above all at peak times, that is, lunch and dinner. Is it worth it? Yes, when it’s a matter of eating Porto’s best francesinha, with a balanced sauce with a touch of acidity and slightly spicy.”
Culture Trip: “Few restaurants and cafés in Porto have a following like Café Santiago, serving Porto since it became an official restaurant in 1959. What makes their francesinhas so good? The secret may be in the aromatic sauce, a family recipe that is kept behind lock and key (or sealed lips).”
CN Traveler: “You absolutely can’t leave Porto without trying this classic Portuguese sandwich, and we think Café Santiago has the best one in the city.”
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