Casa Guedes, in downtown Porto, is the place to eat the best pork knuckle sandwich in the world. Seriously. Take our word for it. Ok, the place is not the trendiest or the winner of best design of the year award but the sandwich, that would make them win awards. You can choose the simple pork knuckle sandwich or you can go for something more elaborate and choose the pork knuckle and mountain cheese sandwich. It’s not just any cheese. It’s cheese from Serra da Estrela. Does it smell? Oh yes. Is it de-li-ci-ous? Hell yeah! Is it a perfect match with pork knuckle? Yes it is. The bread is slightly warm and that makes the whole difference. The recipe comes has brazilian influences and is top secret. There’s no way you can get from the cooks!
This is why you must go to Casa Guedes.Apart from the famous sandwiches you can also try “salpicão” and “presunto” (smoked ham). The wine is also something unique. It comes from the owners’ farm and it’s the traditional farmers’ wine that you could only find in small village taverns.
There’s a terrace (except on rainy days) where you can enjoy these delicacies and also the garden view, located side by side with São Lázaro garden. Across the garden you can visit the City Library.
From Casa Guedes you can easily walk to the Majestic Cafe and Porto’s main shopping street, Santa Catarina Street and São João Nacional Theatre. Is you walk a little further, you’ll find São Bento train station, Clérigos Tower and Porto’s main avenue “Avenida dos Aliados”.
If you’re planning to go there, keep in mind that everybody in Porto knows about this place so you’ll probably find it a bit crowded. Part of the experience of going there is exactly that: a crowded room! At lunch time, they serve cheap meals.
The nice terrace on the sidewalk
Please note that they close at 10pm. So, if you’re planning a late dinner, this is not the place.