The Francesinha: Porto's Legendary Sandwich

The francesinha (“little Frenchie”) is Porto’s legendary sandwich, and a gloriously excessive one. Layers of bread, ham, sausage and steak are covered in melted cheese and drowned in a hot, spicy tomato and beer sauce, usually with a fried egg on top and a pile of chips. Here’s what it is and how to eat it.

Quick answer: a francesinha is a meat-stuffed sandwich covered in melted cheese and a spicy beer-tomato sauce, served with fries and often an egg. It’s a Porto speciality, so eat it there with a cold beer. It’s very filling, so make it your main meal. Every café claims to have the best sauce.

What’s in it

• Bread: two or three slices of white bread.
• Fillings: ham, linguiça or fresh sausage, and steak or roast meat.
• Cheese: slices melted over the top until it covers the whole sandwich.
• The sauce: the secret of every café, usually made with tomato, beer, a dash of port or spirits, and spices. It ranges from mild to fiery.
• Toppings: a fried egg (“com ovo”) and chips on the side, often dipped in the sauce.

Where it comes from

The francesinha is usually credited to a Portuguese emigrant who returned to Porto in the mid-20th century and adapted the French croque-monsieur for local tastes. It became a Porto institution.

How to order

• Specials: some places offer seafood, vegetarian or extra-spicy versions.
• Drink: a cold beer (a fino or imperial) is the classic pairing.
• Share: it’s huge, so consider splitting one.

Where to try it

You’ll find francesinhas on menus all over Porto, from old snack bars to modern restaurants. Ask locals for their favourite, or try it on a food tour. See Porto food tours.

More: what to eat in Porto, food tours in Portugal and what to eat in Portugal.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars). If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.