Explore Guides
Local food map
Porto (Portugal)
Hotels in area
Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
800kcal
40gProtein
50gCarbs
50gFat
4gFibre
500 gServing
* Per serving · 500 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
🥛 Dairy
🥚 Eggs
Francesinha
How to order / say it
Say it
Francesinha — [fran-seh-ZEE-nya]
Order
I'd like the francesinha, please.
Locally
Quero uma francesinha, por favor.
Say locally
A Porto-style sandwich made with layers of meat covered in cheese and a spicy sauce.
Why try it?
Francesinha is a symbol of Porto's hearty cuisine, representing the city's love for rich flavors and hearty meals that bring warmth and comfort.
How it tastes
Expect a fusion of savory meats enveloped in melted cheese, with a spicy tomato and beer sauce, making for a satisfying, gooey meal.
Origin & History — first documented: 1960
The dish was created in the 1960s, inspired by the French croque-monsieur, and it quickly became a Porto staple due to its fulfilling nature.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 4 slices white bread
- 🥩 100 g cured ham
- 🥩 100 g linguiça sausage
- 🥩 150 g steak
- 🥛 200 g cheese
- 🍷 100 ml beer
- 🥣 50 g tomato paste
Method
- 1 Cook the meats (ham, sausage, and steak) until fully done.
- 2 Layer the meats between slices of bread, adding cheese on top.
- 3 Prepare the sauce by simmering beer and tomato paste with spices.
- 4 Pour the sauce over the sandwich, add more cheese, and bake until melted.
More from Porto
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá
bah-kahl-YOW ah GO-mesh deh SAH
A casserole made with salt cod, potatoes, onions, and olives.
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegetarian
Pastel de Nata
pahs-TELL deh NAH-tah
Sweet custard tart in a flaky pastry shell.
© Wikimedia Commons
Bread
Vegan
Broa de Avintes
BROH-ah deh ah-VEEN-tzesh
A dense cornbread with rye flour, staple of Portuguese bakeries.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Rojões
roh-ZHOON-sh
Pork chunks fried with garlic and spices.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Papas de Sarrabulho
Pah-pahs deh Sah-rah-bohl-yoo
A rustic porridge cooked with meats, blood, and spices, typically served in the Minho region.
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegetarian
Rabanadas
rah-bah-NAH-dahs
A Portuguese version of French toast, fried and covered in sugar and cinnamon.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Tripas à Moda do Porto
TREE-pahs ah MAW-duh doo POR-too
A traditional tripe stew with beans and various kinds of meats.
© Wikimedia Commons
Soup
Meat
Caldo Verde
KAL-doh VEHR-day
A traditional green soup made with kale, potatoes, and chouriço.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Beef Stew
Cozido à Portuguesa
Co-ZEE-doo ah Poor-too-GEH-za
A hearty stew with beef, pork, sausages, and vegetables simmered slowly.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Tripas à Moda de Aveiro
Tree-pash ah Moh-dah day Ah-vey-roo
Stewed tripe in a flavor-packed broth.