The title of “sandwich capital of the world” has some strong contenders. Think: Philadelphia with its iconic cheesesteaks, Mexico City with its decadent tortas, and Florence with its gooey mozzarella-filled paninis. But there’s another city that’s frequently overlooked when debating this topic, despite the fact it has some of the tastiest sammies you’ll find anywhere. Let’s take a look at this “secret” sandwich destination that’s hiding in plain sight.

Porto, Portugal: A Sandwich Lover’s Dream

Portugal has long been a popular destination for jet-setting gourmands. The country is famous for its fresh seafood, decadent custard tarts, and full-bodied port wine. But there’s also a prolific sandwich scene in Portugal — especially in the northern coastal city of Porto, the second-largest city in the country (after Lisbon).

For some, the idea of comparing Portugal’s sandwich shops to the Jewish delis of New York City or the banh mi vendors of Hanoi may seem strange. But trust us when we say that Portugal’s offerings can stand up to the best sandwiches out there. Below, we’ll take a look at the types of sandwiches Porto is known for, plus some of the best places to try them.

Iconic Sandwiches in Porto

Porto’s most famous local sandwich is the francesinha, which consists of toasted bread layered with various meats and cheeses. Usually, this includes tenderized beef or pork, wet-cured ham, Portuguese-style sausages such as linguica and chipolata (stacked atop one another), plus a mild, creamy cheese known locally as queijo Flamengo. The entire package is then smothered in a beer-infused tomato sauce, making it better suited to eat sitting down than on the go. 

According to legend, the francesinha was created in the 1950s by a Portuguese immigrant in France named Daniel David da Silva. He modeled it after the French croque monsieur, swapping out traditional French ingredients for similar Portuguese variants.

Next up is arguably the most famous sandwich in all of Portugal: the bifana. The primary ingredient is pork, with preparations varying slightly by region. In Porto, bifanas are traditionally made with thin strips of pork that have been simmered in a rich beer- and tomato-based sauce. The meat is then loaded onto a bread roll with a crusty exterior and pillowy interior. The hard outside provides a nice crunch, while the soft inside sops up the juice, making the bifana one of the more popular street foods in Porto (and elsewhere in Portugal).

Another popular Portuguese sandwich is the prego, which contains thinly sliced beef that’s been seasoned with garlic, fried, and sauteed with onions and wine. The sandwich is typically served in a bread roll with mustard and hot sauce, topped with a fried egg, and paired with french fries. 

Then, there’s sandes de chouriço, consisting of a spicy chorizo sausage that’s been grilled or smoked, served inside a crusty roll. There’s also the sandes de pernil: slow-roasted pork shoulder that’s shredded, topped with cheese, and served on a plain roll, sometimes with a bit of mustard as an accompaniment.

Lastly, you’ve probably heard the question, “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” Well, in Porto, the answer is certainly yes. Locals enjoy a treat known as the cachorrinho, which is a sausage served in a long, crusty roll. The meat is often topped with melted cheese and a butter sauce containing spicy piri piri pepper for an added kick. The entire cachorrinho is then pressed and cut into bite-sized pieces, which are typically enjoyed as a bar snack, often late at night along with a frosty mug of beer.

The Best Sandwich Shops in Porto

If you’re looking to sample a francesinha, one of the best places to do so is Francesinha Café, whose version of this beloved classic includes ham, mortadella, salami, smoked sausage, regular sausage, cheese, sirloin steak, and an egg if desired. All those ingredients are loaded onto soft, pillowy bread and topped with a special house sauce. Another spot serving up delicious francesinhas is Yuko, which offers a vegetarian version that swaps out meat for seitan, a plant-based protein.

For bifanas, head over to Conga, also known as the casa de bifanas (house of bifanas). It’s considered by many to be among the best bifana shops in the city. Try a basic bifana em pão with thinly sliced pork and spicy sauce; add cheese if you’d like, and swap out the standard soft roll for a longer crunchy baguette. Sol e Sombra is another beloved sandwich joint, where you can enjoy a bifana along with a cold beer at the bar. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also order a side of snails, another house specialty.

Another must-stop spot is Cervejaria Gazela, which arguably serves the best cachorrinho in Porto. Grab yourself a cheese-covered sausage on a crusty roll and wash it down with a tall glass of Super Bock, a beloved local beer. The restaurant is cash-only, so be sure to come prepared with plenty of euros.

You also can’t go wrong with just wandering the streets of Porto and tasting whatever sandwich strikes your fancy. Enjoy these hidden gems while you can — it’s only a matter of time before the secret of Porto’s sandwich scene gets out.

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