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Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
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PRICE RANGE
£5.00 – £11.00
CUISINES
Portuguese
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Details
About
Family Café/Restaurant, open since 1959, typical from Porto, which serves the most appreciated by locals citizens Francesinha, the famous and multi awarded Francesinha Santiago(R)
PRICE RANGE
£5.00 – £11.00
CUISINES
Portuguese
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.0
5,230 reviews
Excellent
2,384
Very good
1,976
Average
635
Poor
141
Terrible
94
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edmo6778
Lancaster537 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
My husband and I were told that Cafe Santiago was the place to go for francesinha and they were right! As luck would have it, it was only a few blocks from our hotel so we headed there as soon as we arrived. We had been travelling most of the day without food so were very hungry! We each had the Francesinha Santiago (with egg and fries) and a beer. It was one of the best things we have ever eaten! At €9.75 each it is not cheap but there is a lot of food so good value. Being hungry we cleared our plates but we noticed that most other people sitting near us did not finish theirs. Our waitress (Andreia) was fantastic and made a good evening even better. Would thoroughly recommend!
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas H
9 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
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!
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ilovelivin
9 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
Very good popular with tourists. We had the popular Portuguese sandwich of ham fried egg and sauce. Excellent flavor. We shared it. There is a small up hat he to split it but they include an extra egg since served on two plates.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tracey m
Arriate6 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
Not at all impressed. My partner ordered the Francesinha which he said was OK but he had tried Francesinha in other places which was just as good.
I ordered the Bacalhau and after several minutes was told this was not available and it was suggested I try another fish dish which was "similar". When the dish arrived it had three pieces of fish on it, some very dried up claggy tasteless rice and a small amount of tomato and onions, but no sauces were available so it was all very dry. When I cut into the fish all three pieces were at least 80% bone. This ranged from tiny bones in each mouthful to large prices of bone and very little fish. Most of the Staff were very indifferent although I could tell the poor guy who served us was really embarrassed by what he had to serve to me. I've been to Porto three times now and this was by far the worst experience I have had with any food there. I would not recommend and will not return.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saie Lapazi
Sydney925 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
I'm really not sure how to characterise the famous francesinha sandwich served at the Santiago cafe. It is a big, rich and over the top sandwich, with lots of meat fillings, covered in melted cheese and topped with with an egg it is served with fries in a rich sauce. The meat all tasted amazing, really good. The bread and melted cheese less so. And the fries were soggy. I know it's a Porto ttadition and I'm glad I've tried it. The service at Santiago was prompt and efficient, even more so considering it was packed with a long line of waiting people outside.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shigamm
London1543 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
We ordered bread and olives for a snack starter before the mains were delivered. The bread came in a wrapper which was unexpected, both the bread and olives were tasty enough. We had the grilled turkey/pork which came with fries and rice, they were well cooked and really enjoyable to eat! We also ordered 2 beers and 2 7ups, for a total of €30, well worth every cent!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welly13
Beverley88 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
Recommended by a taxi driver. Busy place, we had to wait for 10 minutes to get in. Great vibe, obviously popular with locals and tourists. The lady meet and greet was lovely, so helpful and kind. She even got us the ‘best seats in the house’ where we could watch the food being prepared.
Be aware - you need to be starving and not likely to suffer from a heart attack. I recommend trying the famous Francesinha, however it will be a long time before I have one again!
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GOLFF
53 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Obviously went in to try the famous speciality dish,
We sat at the bar as we like to and ordered the top of range Francesinha with the steak in it, fortunately made the decision to pay a little extra and share it (about 2 euros)
Watching the cooking process was interesting and I was looking forward to it. Then just prior to serving they poured the thin ‘secret’ sauce all over the fries around the sandwich making very soggy fries, almost like potato soup!
The owner all this time is leaning against the wall watching the money roll in and keeping an eye on his uninterested staff!
I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you must experience it, ask for the fries on a separate dish.
My wife however did like it.
It was a boring unfriendly restaurant milking in its apparent fame!
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy P
Mobile25 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
We went here to eat Porto's famous sandwich in one of the restaurants supposedly to have the best. My husband and I split the sandwich which is huge. They will do it for you for 1 euro The sandwich is a combo of several different meats between thick slices of bread ,then topped with melted cheese and a tomato based sauce that is spicy and has beer and some other mysterious ingredients. The sauce is kept a secret by some of the restaurants who make this sandwich. We thought this version was very good. It also comes with a very generous side of French fries. I also had one of the best table white wines I had in Portugal including a couple Michelin star ones .
Written 14 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raquel A
36 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
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.
Written 13 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angélique G
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • family
Recommended restaurant, we wanted to eat the best Francesinha. There was disappointment 😔. First of all, a wait of 45/50 min (we can understand the month of August in Porto) The Francesinha was bland, never eaten so bad, my son's prego was not accompanied by rice (first time for us without rice) the fries were not good and the egg placed on the burnt meat which gave a burnt taste to the meat which moreover was absolutely not cooked, also bland. We ordered a bottle of water and never received it even though we made the reminder in the middle of the meal and the prices were excessively expensive and when we see what we were served, well it's an aberration. For me it's just a tourist trap and not a Portuguese restaurant. No smile from the waiters, not even a thank you to my son who helped clear the table. 🙄Very big disappointment and it absolutely does not reflect Portuguese cuisine. Dear tourists, do not tell yourself that Portuguese cuisine resembles this restaurant because I can tell you that I have been working in Portugal for over 35 years, it has nothing to do with it. Go your way.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anahit
Yerevan132 contributions
Sept 2024 • friends
Café Santiago in Porto is often recommended as a must-visit spot to try the famous Francesinha, but after my experience, I found it to be somewhat overrated. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of a reservation system, which means you may end up waiting in line for over 30 minutes. Once inside, the service leaves much to be desired — the waitstaff are very slow, and their attitude can come across as unfriendly.
As for the food, while the Francesinha itself was decent, the meat was tough and difficult to enjoy. The dish didn't live up to the hype it's often given. Overall, while Café Santiago might be a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, it doesn't quite deliver on either service or food quality.
Written 10 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Micharoo2
13 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
If you like poutine, chips and gravy, loaded fries with a steak and egg sandwich. This is for you!!! I actually really enjoyed the Fanceshina (little France) inspired by the croque monseuer in France, I can only describe this as ‘big fast food’ Wouldn’t have another one, go there hungry or share. Wait staff were lovely and friendly and accommodated me trying to speak Portuguese! Outdoor seating area was warm and lively, definitely a good spot for food.
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick F
Wickford207 contributions
May 2022 • couples
The receptionist at our apartment recommended Cafe Santiago as the place to try Porto's signature dish, Francesinha. We visited for lunch, with an appetite, after our Segway tour.
We were seated outside, after a 20 minute wait for a table.
The Francesinha is a monster of a sandwich, with sausage, beef steak, ham egg and cheese, all put together in a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.
Not sure how healthy the dish is, but it was certainly one worth trying.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jesús G.
Madrid1729 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
A must visit in Porto to try francesinha. We tried the sirloin francesinhas (francesinha de Santiago) and beef (tosta de Santiago) and they were powerful and tasty. The best of all was the sirloin without a doubt, although I have to say that they are not suitable for people with cholesterol. We also tried the cod croquettes and they were good.
The service was correct but there were few waiters: with so many diners they should hire more. The price of all this plus two soft drinks did not exceed 30 euros.
You don't need to book, you always have to wait in line at this place. It is very worth going, I recommend it. Of course, it is better to go at lunchtime since the food is overwhelming and is not suitable for sensitive stomachs.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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