Best "Snack Bars" in Porto: cheap authentic Portuguese street food
If you are looking for a quick meal or something Portuguese made on the spot for an affordable price, then the “Snack Bars” in Porto are perfect for you. While a Snack Bar is not an obvious Portuguese concept, it is a type of restaurant that has been around for some time and is very Portuguese in itself. They usually serve the Portuguese “Bifana”, a sandwich like dish, fries, typical Portuguese soups and plenty of wine and beer.
Below is my list of the best Portuguese Snack Bars that you can get while in Porto.
Gazela
This restaurant has almost become an institution and many places try to recreate it elsewhere. Gazela has had such success throughout the years that it opened a second location just across the street.
On Google Maps, one is simply called “Gazela” while the other one is named “Cachorro Gazela”. Worry not, one looks more like a traditional restaurant and the “Cachorro Gazela” is a smaller location with a cozier vibe.
Their signature dish is the “Cachorro” which is a hot dog. However, they have their own take on the famous dish which is worth a try!
Casa Guedes
Another culinary landmark in Porto when it comes to Portuguese street food is the Casa Guedes. Much like Gazela, its success has led to a second location being opened: on the same street!
Casa Guedes is famous for its “bifanas” (Portuguese hamburger), “Francesinhas” (typical Porto sandwich” and typical Portuguese soups.
It has a more modern feeling than what Gazela offers: however the quality of the food and its low price are very much in par.
Conga
Located close to the city town hall (metro stop “Aliados”) is the Snack Bar called Conga.
Much like the other places mentioned in this list, Conga chooses to make a narrow selection of dishes but focuses on making them perfectly and at an affordable price. At Conga you can find the classic Bifana as well as soups.
It is a smaller establishment than for example Casa Guedes and is less visited by tourists. A solid choice for bifana lovers!
O Astro
Open since 1979, this restaurant is actually a “Cervejaria” which is like a beer hall. However, don’t get fooled by the name, it is much like the previous places on this list.
A family run business, O Astro is situated right next to the train station Campanhã in Porto making it an ideal stop before boarding a train to Lisbon or Spain.
Casa dos Presuntos “Xico”
This place is unique on this list as it does not make the typical Bifana that you would find at the other Snack Bars.
Their trade is cured ham, and their Bifana consist of slices of cured ham with fresh cheese. Moreover, they have a wide variety of other finger food Portuguese call “Petiscos” (or “Tapas” in Spain).
Casa do Presunto, which literary means “House of hams”, is located between the Porto historical center and the Campanhã station. Worth a stop if you are staying or passing in this part of Porto. The outside doesn’t look like much and is easily missed for what it actually has to offer!
