Restaurante Marco is the best place for a francesinha in Lisbon

The francesinha sandwich is one of Portugal’s most famous meals. While the dish’s creation has its origins in Porto, Lisbon offers its own unique take on the francesinha, and one place stands out as a must-visit for this delectable delight – Restaurante Marco.

Restaurante Marco: The details

Restaurante Marco is located around the corner from Cais Do Sodre, just past the famous Time Out Market. Situated in front of a quiet and lush green park, Restaurante Marco welcomes foodies with a sleek, modern, and minimalistic appearance. Simple, welcoming, and airy, the restaurant ensures you’re given a comfortable spot – whether that’s at the main dining area or one of the cosy side booths – to hanker down and dig into a francesinha. In the summer, you can even opt to sit outside, enjoying the sunshine and a beautiful, hearty meal.

The francesinha experience

What sets Marco’s francesinha apart from others is the meticulous attention to detail and the use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Restaurante Marco’s menu includes a choice of between seven francesinhas: the original; the spicy Red Dragon dish; plates with added beef, bacon, chicken, or game meat; and a vegan option. All are priced at just under €12, although the Francesinha Cacador (With added game meat) comes at a slightly higher cost of €12,50.

Each of the francesinhas come with chips included, a fried egg on top, and a lot of sauce – the friendly staff are always happy to top you up with more free sauce if you ever happen to run out (And we did!).

When we visited Restaurante Marco in November 2023, we opted for the Francesinha Red Dragon and the Francesinha Portuense, pictured above. Both were filled with delicious meat, plenty of oozy cheese, fluffy homemade chips, and a runny fried egg. The Francesinha Portuense’s sauce was filled with flavour, while the Red Dragon packed a punch – perfect for anyone who likes their food with a kick.

With so much food available with our mains, we were reluctant to try any of the restaurant’s starters. But, taking a look at the menu, you can enjoy all of the usual Portuguese plates: soup, olives, prawns, chorizo, and more.

What if the francesinha isn’t for me?

Although we thoroughly enjoyed our francesinhas, Restaurante Marco offers several other dishes for anyone who isn’t keen on trying the legendary dish. You can opt for several different salads, grilled meat, sirloin steaks with different sides and toppings, grilled chicken breast, two different burgers, a hot dog, traditional Portuguese sandwiches like pregos, and a mixture of mini dishes of the above for children.

If you’re not a meat eater, Restaurante Marco also caters to your needs, giving you a choice between a vegetarian francesinha and two burgers. Unfortunately, there are no vegan options, although I hope this is something the restaurant improves upon soon since it already caters to several different needs.

One of the best aspects of dining at Restaurante Marco is the exceptional service provided by the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re seeking recommendations, have dietary preferences, or need assistance with the menu, the attentive team at Marco’s is there to ensure your dining experience is top-notch, and it was for us.

Conclusion

If you’re visiting Lisbon and want to indulge in the best francesinha sandwich the city has to offer, Restaurante Marco should be at the top of your list. With its welcoming ambience, meticulous attention to detail, and a francesinha that’s nothing short of a culinary masterpiece, Marco’s embodies the essence of Lisbon’s food culture. Make your way to Marco’s Restaurant for a delightful dining experience that will leave your taste buds craving more of their delectable francesinha – a true Portuguese delight in the heart of Lisbon.