Short answer: the francesinha is a Porto sandwich: slices of bread with meats inside, covered in melted cheese and drenched in a hot, spicy, tomato-based sauce — many recipes add beer. It usually comes with fries and often with a fried egg on top. It was created in Porto in the mid-20th century, inspired by the French croque-monsieur. At Tropical Global we serve francesinha with egg and fries, every day until 07:00.
What’s in a francesinha?
The structure never changes: bread, meats, cheese over everything, and sauce covering the plate. The meats — and above all the sauce — vary from place to place. Every restaurant has its own recipe, and the sauce is often how people pick where to eat one.
Want to know exactly what’s in ours? Ask us at the counter or on WhatsApp.
Why is it called “francesinha”?
“Francesinha” means “little French girl” in Portuguese. The name nods to where the idea came from: the croque-monsieur, the French ham-and-cheese toastie, which in Porto gained more meat, more cheese and a sauce of its own.
How do you eat a francesinha?
At the table, with a knife and fork — the sauce is unforgiving. The fries are there to mop up the sauce to the last drop. It’s a hearty dish: for most people, one francesinha is a full meal.
Where to eat francesinha in downtown Porto?
At Tropical Global, Rua de Sampaio Bruno 10, between São Bento and Aliados. The francesinha is in the Portuguese dishes section of the menu, next to bacalhau à Brás and octopus lagareiro style — and with five kitchens, your friends can order a curry, a kebab or a pizza instead. We’re a halal-certified restaurant, open every day from 11:00 to 07:00. See how to get here.