Cafe Santiago

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COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this property is taking.Read more
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What you can expect during your visit
  • Face masks required for staff in public areas
  • Staff required to regularly wash hands
  • Tables disinfected between guests
  • Face masks required for guests in public areas
Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

Ratings and reviews

#195 of 1,861 Restaurants in Porto
Travelers' Choice
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
$7 - $15
CUISINES
Portuguese
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
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features, about
Reviews (4,691)
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799 results
Traveler rating
403
269
92
25
10
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
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Traveler rating
403
269
92
25
10
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All reviews francesinha sandwich fries poutine ham beer sauce bread steak typical porto place to eat super bock egg cheese dish franceshina gravy tourists
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Reviewed 4 days ago

This place has advertised in the window that they have one of the top 50 sandwiches in the world - and they weren't lying! This place is unassuming. It feels bit like the Portuguese version of the diner from, "Seinfeld." We sat outside and had...done a bit of research about what place to have the best Francesinha, which was allegedly the typical sandwich you have to try. I will warn that this sandwich is not for the faint of heart. It is a sandwich made with ham, two different kinds of sausage, and steak, topped with ALOT of cheese and an egg. It's not for everyone, but I knew I had to try it. I split it with my wife, which was a wise choice. It was absolutely massive and covered in a sort of tomato sauce and swimming in a pool of French fries. I paired it with the typical Portuguese beer, "Super Bock." It was delicious, and definitely the only one I ate during my 5 day stay in Portugal. I thought about comparing it to some other places, but my stomach and cholesterol disagreed with that idea. Certainly a fun treat to try a unique Portuguese dish! Like most eating experiences in Europe, the joy is in the lack of rush that you experience at the table. Since wait staff are paid living wages, you don't tip, and as a result, there is not the same urgency to "turn tables" by wait staff as there is in the U.S. The upside of this is that you can enjoy a lovely outdoor meal for as long as you like without being constantly asked if you need anything else and feeling like you're being forced out. Of course, the flip side is that if you are trying to get the check, you may have to walk inside to pay. If you're in any kind of rush, I don't recommend sitting down. For European travelers, this is typical, but for U.S. travelers, who are used to a faster-paced eating experience, this may be frustrating, but something you just need to adjust expectations for! Solid place with delicious food! A great experience!More

Date of visit: September 2021
Helpful?
Reviewed 1 week ago

I stopped by the and had lunch at the bar. I was looking for tripas a moda do porto and had success. The portion was very large so it might be better with a companion. The caulda vera was a little grainy but tasty as...well.More

Date of visit: September 2021
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Reviewed August 2, 2021

Food was good, service was fine....very busy place so try to avoid the lunch & supper crowds. Well worth giving a try...lots of selections

Date of visit: July 2021
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Reviewed August 1, 2021 via mobile

delicious food, good service, I highly recommen delicious food, good service, I highly recommend, it is perfect to share d, it is perfect to share. The best francesinha of Porto

Date of visit: August 2021
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Reviewed February 22, 2021 via mobile

We came in to try the famous Francesinha, heard good things about cafe Santiago so decided to pop in and we were not disappointed.

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?1  
Reviewed November 5, 2020

Came here to try the famous francesinha and wasn't disappointed. Its a beast of a sandwich but well worth a try if you're in Porto!

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?2  
Reviewed October 22, 2020 via mobile

We tried here for the first time the famous Francesinha. It was very good. One portion was enough for 2 girls :). About the other meals I cannot say. The serving was very nice and very fast. We enjoyed our choice. Thank you, Cafe Santiago.

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?1  
Reviewed October 12, 2020

They say you'll love it or hate it...well I tried the francesinha. Not my thing but according to my husband, that was tasty and so was the cachorro, other Portuguese speciality. Cheap enough, especially when you consider the quantity. Service is alright, cantine style so...don't expect a smile. Good luck!More

Date of visit: September 2020
Helpful?2  
Reviewed September 13, 2020 via mobile

Our expectations regarding their famous franceshina were not met. We know the franceshina is not healthy food, but we were expecting to enjoy the “junk food quality” and we didn’t. We had better franceshinas elsewhere in Porto. The service was pretty quick despite the amount...of people queuing. Overall, an overrated experience.More

Date of visit: September 2020
Helpful?2  
Reviewed August 26, 2020 via mobile

The francesinha sandwich is amazing - I think one is enough for two people, if they’re not gluttons ;) Service was incredibly slow but they were busy

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?1  
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Questions & Answers
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Sccrfam4
July 1, 2019|
AnswerShow all 9 answers
Response from Gilly1959 | Reviewed this property |
Yes they do, enjoy.
1
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Beth43572
March 28, 2015|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from okeytotravel | Reviewed this property |
Public parking on the street
0
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cafe Santiago

Yes, Cafe Santiago offers takeout services.

Yes, Cafe Santiago is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Cafe Santiago is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 3.5