I have to admit that neither Jamie W nor I were all that excited about trying the Francesinha,…read morePorto's signature sandwich, because it's a "heart attack on a plate" as Anthony Bourdain described it. Its nearest cousin is the Croque Madame only more gluttonous with multiple kinds of meat and an excess of melted cheese. Bourdain went to O Afonso to try his first Francesinha when he visited Porto. However, current consensus motivated us to come here after we watched more recent YouTube travel videos from Jamie Oliver and others. This looked like a more classic, retro-style diner like Mel's Drive-In, but there was no mistaking what everyone was ordering here whether they were tourists or locals. Tables were pretty snug, but we managed to squeeze ourselves in against the wall. We knew we had to get the 13,2€ Francesinha Santiago because it was the classic rendition (Photo 8). Fortunately they allowed us to share an order because our tablemates let us know other places around town don't allow you to do that. It was quite a sight with the fried egg on top of a monstrous sandwich covered by multiple, overlapping slices of a Portuguese cheese called queijo flamengo. The sandwich itself consisted of two thick slices of white bread toasted to golden brown. Inside was Portuguese wet-cured ham, bologna, grilled sirloin steak, fresh sausage, linguiça, and mortadella. It was all doused with their house francesinha sauce made of beef gravy, tomato paste, onion, garlic, piri piri chiles, beer, brandy, and port wine. A pile of fries surrounded the sandwich (Photo 10). Wow, I just spent two paragraphs describing the francesinha and didn't mention whether I liked it or not. I did - but I also realized it was one-and-done for me. We managed to have a couple of the 2,7€ bowls of soup. Jamie had the Caldo Verde (Spinach Soup) (Photo 9), and I had the Canja de Galinha (Chicken Soup) (Photo 7). Both were satisfying, and mine had orzo. Yes, that was enough food. FOOD - 4 stars...that was quite a mountain of a sandwich AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...very popular spot with seating squeezed together SERVICE - 4.5 stars...a veteran server treated us very well TOTAL - 4 stars...come hungry and enjoy RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/7s1tZV5h5M

Partner and I wanted to try some authentic Portuguese items and we were recommended to try the…read morefrancesinha. Got my expectations up too maybe it's not really up my alley. Definitely a lot of protein but I also didn't really taste the protein much. We ordered one sandwich to split and they asked us if we wanted it cut in half and we said sure. Saw the bill and saw that we were charged 2.5 EUR. We could've just honestly just shared the plate. We also enjoyed sitting at the counter, but unfortunately we noticed that the staff were handling food while touching other surfaces (like rags or parts of their body) with the same gloves. At that point, the gloves don't really serve their purpose. It might be something worth paying attention to, especially since guests at the counter can clearly see the food preparation.

Don't let the entrance intimidate you, get inside and transport yourself into another time…read moresurrounded by delicate French inspired decoration. I had a delicious scone and a coffee (which was made using a coffee capsule) that wasn't bad. Absolutely charming, just get in!

Wow wow wow ... we stumbled on this little gem, though it should've been a destination in its own…read moreright. The facade is a bit daunting, opulent and grand, curved colorful arches, peek through the glass or doorway and behold: tiny white scroll chairs, Victorian tablecloths and gilded gold frame artwork on the walls, a gorgeous patina everywhere, it was a time warp of stepping in the past. The pastries encased behind a massive glass--rows and rows of every imaginable little cakes, eclairs, slices of buttercream, chocolates, and coffees. We were in shorts and tee shirts, wondering if this was the place for us ... but the people behind the register were so warm and welcoming, any doubts I'd had about being appropriately dressed vanished. It was a beautiful balmy day at dusk, a slight breeze and warm, the sun setting; we sat outside where they have tables set up. It's located in an alley of cobblestones, of course, if I tried to make this any more charming, I could not--it was perfect. We each ordered a "mini chocolate cream puff" (they have smaller version of several of their pastries) and this in itself clues you in to their thoughtfulness and unusual empathy for customers. We also got an espresso each, and sat there people-watching. It felt luxurious and glorious, a respite from walking and being out all day. This is the quintessential charming little European cafe, as if belonging to Porto from the beginning of time, I wanted to paste it onto a postcard. So blissed out were we at this place, we ordered another espresso each, being in that moment was everything. Three days later, as we're walking around in the city, quite far from this cafe, a man who we don't recognize, runs up to us and strikes up a conversation, asks us "how we're doing?" "Are we enjoying the city" And so forth ... we're perplexed and abashed, chagrined to admit that we're also a bit suspicious of this strange man getting in our space. We must've looked confused, because he says "You don't remember me--I served you mini eclairs and coffee." Boom, we recognized his face instantly, and hugged him, apologizing for not recognizing him without his uniform! He told us he was tired from working his ten hour shift, he'd just gotten off, was about to go home on the bus, take a shower, and sleep. His vulnerability I found oddly moving, he was completely without guile and openly trusting. We were beyond shocked and touched that he likely has over a 100 customers a day ... how did he remember us, and exactly what he served us, three days later, no less. A humble Wow is all I can say. From this man's raw humanity and love, my heart got full and literally spilled over on the pavement that day. This cafe--something rare and special in the air.

Fantastic location and view. Delicious tuna tartar, sourdough and tempura broccolini. Prices are…read morevery good. Quality of food top notch and friendliness of staff terrific! Highly recommend

Great little place way up on a hill. Drinks and food are very good. Pleasant atmosphere. Very…read morecasual. Fantastic views of the river!

Came to Portugal with family and came across this hidden local gem! The monkfish and seafood with…read morerice came in a big portion size (2-3 people) and there was a good amount of seafood. The seafood itself was delicious and very fresh. The sauce used was also very tasty and healthy. The beef with mushroom was very good as well. We heard them pounding on the beef to make it tender and boy, was it just right! It came with such a big amount of rice and fries. Also, there was an abundant of French fries which is the typical homemade French fries. Service was also amazing. The waiter/owner was very attentive and was always there when we need him. Also, he let us stay there for as long as we wanted and when we were ready to go he was quick to notice. (Just remember to communicate about wanting the check when you're ready to leave since it's part of their culture to let you stay there for as long as you want). Overall, a great experience!

Lisa E took us through fabulous back alleys with scenic vistas on the first dry night in Porto. Her…read moremaps guided thr way to Arco for drinks and fireplace and a great surprise, 3 piece jazz by tthr fireplace. This beautiful space was packed but as we entered a couple were just settling their bill. We settled in for an amazing cheese plate, a crusty sublime sourdough bread and some lucious ports. I had the Nierpoort 10 year tawny, Lisa the LBV 2020. Each worthy of a second pour. A gem with beautiful views overlooking the Douro and we could actually see our hotel room in the distance. So close and yet eluded is the entire stay but made a perfect last night in Porto! Looking at some older reviews, this is now a wine bar with cheese and meat boards, middle eastern dips, and good crusty bread.

I found this little gem when looking for places with a view near the riverfront. This family-owned…read morewine shop was such a pleasant experience. The service was excellent, and the vibe was chill. Anyone can change the music from the options available at any time, and the books on the shelf are available for perusal. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we decided to have some charcuterie and cheese along with our wine. And, the view from the windows in the tasting room is spectacular! If we're ever back in Porto, we would visit again.

Absolutely dynamite customer service and even better food! I can not recommend this place highly…read moreenough! Only suggestion is to make reservations. The Francesinha was good, but unless you are extremely hungry don't order the side of fries. Very nice ambience and decor. I can't wait to come back!

My first day in Portugal we went straight to have the most famous Francesinha…read more The service was excellent. Very attentive wait staff. The bistro was busy and had a queue to get in. The francesinha was very good but HEAVY. it's not for the faint at heart. The sauce was delicious, the pork and beef were cooked well and the egg fried to perfection. If you don't plan on eating the whole thing, think about the sharing one

This was our favorite restaurant experience in Porto. I found this recommendation from Reddit and…read moreit did not disappoint. My husband loved the octopus and my son enjoyed the lamb. I thought the veal was also amazing. We came for dinner twice. It is a must when you are in Porto. Service was excellent and the ambiance and view from the windows was lovely.

Recommend reserving the top floor (third fl) for a truly beautiful view while dining. Both, the…read moresecond and third floors have a balcony, and French doors that open out to a picturesque view. Unfortunately, the food fell short, despite the gorgeous presentation, the reason for the 4 star rating. The octopus was fresh, however over cooked. Similar with the rack of lamb, tough around the edges. The service is quite lax, if you're not on a schedule, then that shouldn't be an issue, otherwise recommend being proactive. Come here for the view, the ambiance, and to share drinks and the experience with partner/date, family and friends.

The shop is ran by Sofia; she is very friendly and speaks fluent English. There is a board for…read moredaily specials and no written menu. We went near the end of the service: she told us what was still available. The place is clean and very authentic Português restaurant. We ordered steak, veal, grilled salmon and pork belly, soda and green wine. All the food was prepared like home cooked. She served us with big bowl of rice, French fries and salad. The meal was very satisfying. I would expect to pay more than but I was surprised how much we need to pay. It was very good value and definitely recommend to others!

As a huge foodie, I love traveling the world and experiencing different cuisines and unique dining…read moreexperiences, so I was excited to discover so many Michelin-starred options during our trip. With so many incredible choices, deciding where to dine was difficult, but I am so glad we chose Antiqvvm. The location and views were absolutely stunning. The only frustrating part of the evening happened before we even arrived. We made the mistake of ordering a car through Bolt, which is similar to Uber or Lyft in the States, and our driver dropped us off at a park entrance instead of the restaurant. We ended up walking through the park and trails in heels trying to find our way there. It was definitely not how I envisioned starting the evening! If you visit, I would recommend arranging transportation through your hotel and making sure your driver knows exactly where to go. After our unexpected adventure, we finally arrived at the entrance and immediately noticed the restaurant's impressive Michelin recognitions dating back to 2018, along with a Best Chef award in 2024. Once we checked in, we were shown to a beautiful courtyard where we found the perfect spot to watch the sunset. After enjoying the amuse-bouche, we were escorted inside to begin our meal. To say Antiqvvm was a wonderful start to our trip would be an understatement. It ended up being one of the absolute highlights of our journey.

I hope this review is not too outdated as it has been a little more than a year since I went but I…read morestill think about my lunch here every once in a while. Have been meaning to write this review but time keeps slipping away from me! We had both the menus (I believe one is vegetarian) and honestly I think the vegetarian one was a little better but they were both excellent. Every single dish had such an amazing flavor profile, and really some unique ingredient choices. The seaweed butter for example was one of a kind. I don't know how to express how good the food was. I would fly back to Porto to eat here. Service was excellent and the view is incredible (you can look over the water to the other side).

What a GEM! Located off the bustling Costal Cabral drag is this fantastic place, with their hidden…read morepatio outback. While I walked by a million times and never entered, I am so glad I finally popped in. I love a place with a warm vibe and energy and this is the spot. The service was on the spot, the food extra on the spot, prices on the spot, everything just works here. Plenty of space to sit indoors and community sitting on the magical back patio. Not sure you should even be thinking about where to go... this is your next stop. Now go, see for yourself. Fall in love!

This is a somewhat belated review. Nevertheless, not to review Sergio's gem in Porto would be an…read moreinsult. Our 1-day visit to Porto was made immensely welcome by Sergio, his wife, staff, and the local customers. Even to call the locals "customers" would be incorrect. We were welcomed into a family, even if it were for only a few hours. The place might look unassuming from the outside, but don't be fooled. It is indeed a gem. The food was out of this world. The portions are sizable for the price, and Sergio did not hesitate to warn us about the portion sizes. He suggested we order half portions or share a full one. And boy was he right. The food was well prepared and delicious. Sergio described every meal option in detail, and made suggestions; we cared to listen and were not disappointed in the least. It is rare when the food and hospitality combine in a sincere presentation. There was no conniving mercantilism and fake smiles. All was genuine, conversations and atmosphere. Such candor and warmth can only come from sincere and open people. Sergio and everyone we met that night made us feel like part of the family. Muito obrigado.