Primeiro, o restaurante apareceu no Parts Unknown, o programa do saudoso Anthony Bourdain; depois, curioso, apareceu por lá o crítico desta revista, que elogiou a muito competente francesinha deste espaço em Cedofeita. “O pão estava torradinho e fofo, a carne do bife bem passada e saborosa, e a fatia
de mortadela com bagos de pimenta preta dava-lhe um toque interessante. E, depois, havia ainda a linguiça salgada a encher o prato de vida, muito queijo, e um molho ligeiramente picante a envolver tudo numa alarvice estonteante”, descreveu na altura, conferindo-lhe umas generosas quatro estrelas (em cinco).

Café Restaurante O Afonso lies in the center of the Cedofeita area, and the jam-packed tables inside quickly piqued my interest as I was walking by. After a short wait, I snagged a table alongside the bright yellow, tiled-clad walls and spotted the photos of Anthony Bourdain on the wall, who I learned had previously visited. There were also pictures of race-car driver Ayrton Senna, which was fitting considering the Formula 1 collectibles everywhere!

The restaurant Afonso is a discreet and informal space, where, to this day, the francesinha is made on the spot and in an artisan way, as tradition demands. Unknown to many, this small restaurant was catapulted to fame when, in 2017, was visited by chef Anthony Bourdain. And everyone who has visited it since then confirms the quality of its francesinha, made only by its owner, who religiously keeps the recipe to himself.

https://www.facebook.com/oafonsofrancesinhas/photos/1371114489610823. Um pouco mais para cima das principais atrações do centro histórico, na rua da Torrinha, O Afonso é outra referência na cidade do Porto quando se fala nas francesinhas. Bem generosa, ela é recheada com mortadela, fiambre, bife, mais fiambre, linguiça, salsicha e queijo, nesta ordem, além dos pães torrados, queijo derretido, ovo e molho.

At O Afonso, Bourdain tried Porto’s other famous casual sandwich-style food: Francesinha. This sandwich is comprised of of ham, sausage, steak, cheese, and bread, and is slathered with a beer, Port, cheese, and tomato sauce. If it sounds like the perfect thing after a night out or to soak up a few too many glasses of Port, you’re right, and will be in good company while enjoying it.

Somewhat hidden in Porto, O Afonso is a unique restaurant that stands out from the other suggestions, mainly due to a particularity. When you arrive, you will immediately be surprised by its window where a small “sanctuary” dedicated to the famous F1 pilot, Ayrton Senna, is placed. The inside is almost a mini-museum, or some say tribute, to this legendary Formula 1 driver.

Featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, O Afonso is a must for trying Porto’s famous Francesinha. You can try a traditional francesinha or even a vegetarian francesinha here. Between the slices of bread, you’ll find layers of different meats (usually ham, sausage, and steak), all smothered in melted cheese and a secret sauce.

Once one of the best kept secrets of Porto, after Anthony Bourdain went there for the TV Show Parts Unknown, it became part of every list of restaurants to try in the city. But the quality never changed and still is one the best places to taste this amazing dish!

A casa ganhou fama mundial após uma visita de Anthony Bourdain, em 2017. O prato é muito bem servido e a receita inclui mortadela no recheio. Enquanto aguarda por uma das melhores francesinhas do Porto, pode contemplar um pequeno museu em homenagem a Ayrton Senna.

A combination of ham, sausage, steak, cheese, bread, and a beer sauce, it’s the sort of sandwich a student might invent after a heavy night out. People either love it or hate it. It’s not the most delicate dish, so be sure to go for a big long walk after.

Afonso é um ícone no Porto quando se trata de francesinhas – até mesmo Anthony Bourdain experimentou este famoso prato aqui em fevereiro de 2017. “Carne, queijo, gordura e pão: a combinação imortal” – Anthony Bourdain. Endereço: Rua da Torrinha 219, Porto

Este lugar é uma referência no Porto quando se fala das francesinhas. O ambiente simples é acolhedor e o atendimento muito satisfatório, sem dúvida uma ótima opção de lugar para degustar a iguaria!. Endereço: Rua da Torrinha 219, Porto.

Known for its cosy atmosphere and a francesinha that stays true to the original recipes, O Afonso is another favourite. Its sauce has a perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Dirección: Rua da Torrinha 219, 4050-610 Oporto

Café Restaurante O Afonso – 4.4★ – Anthony Bourdain stopped here – and for good reason. O Afonso’s Francesinha is bold, meaty, and unforgettable. Their sauce has a smoky depth that sets it apart.

Casa tradicional em Cedofeita, com foto de Anthony Bourdain na parede. A francesinha tem molho mais picante com toque de cerveja. Carne suculenta e bem temperada.

Although a list of the best francesinhas is never unanimous, O Afonso restaurant could not be missing from this itinerary.