Now that spring’s here and the days are getting longer, I was itching for something fresh and packed with flavour. On one of those warm evenings, I found myself craving a proper Portuguese meal—specifically, a francesinha. Luckily, an old work friend of mine (who happens to be half Portuguese) had recently got back in touch, and it just felt like the perfect excuse.

The real challenge, though, was deciding where to go. I’d never had francesinha in London before—only in Lisbon—and my friend admitted she hadn’t found a good one here yet either. But after some digging around, I kept seeing mentions of a particular street near Vauxhall, packed with Portuguese restaurants all serving this hefty sandwich.

Turns out, this was Little Portugal—a small corner of Nine Elms with a strong Portuguese community and plenty of spots offering francesinha and more. But one place kept standing out with its Google review score: Velho Portugal, a cosy little restaurant with a big menu of Portuguese favourites.

As I made my way through Wilcox Road just opposite Nine Elms underground station, I could tell I was in the right place. The shops were decorated with Portuguese flags and espresso cups, and you could spot groups of men playing cards and chatting inside. There was even a colourful wall mural welcoming me to Little Portugal.

Across the road, Velho Portugal caught my eye with its rustic exterior and wooden styled logo that gave off real old-town charm. I got there before my friend, so I had a bit of time to take it all in. Inside, Velho Portugal was inviting, with warm brick walls and bar that looked like a terraced Portuguese villa, alongside beer-barrel-style chairs adding a fun touch.

The whole vibe made it feel like we were in a tiny town somewhere in Portugal, not in the middle of London. When my friend arrived, she was just as surprised, saying she’d never been to Velho Portugal in all her years living in Nine Elms—and that it might just be the nicest spot in the area.

The Food – Francesinha & Tapas

While we were still catching up and figuring out what to order, we both grabbed a pint of Super Bock—that light Portuguese lager that just hits the spot. It made the whole place feel even more laid-back, like we were sat outside somewhere in Lisbon. Honestly, though, I couldn’t stop thinking about that francesinha.

For anyone who’s never tried francesinha, it’s a seriously heavy sandwich. It’s packed with thin slices of steak, sausage, ham, and then they throw a fried egg on top. The bread’s got a little hole in it for the yolk to poke through. But it doesn’t end there. They cover the whole thing in melted cheese and smother it with this thick beer-based sauce that’s a secret recipe at every restaurant. On the side, a load of chip shop style chips to mop everything up.

When it arrived at the table, it immediately grabbed our attention. The sauce was bright red, the cheese was all gooey and melted. It’s meant to be for one person, but we wanted to try more food later on and one each would have certainly denied this opportunity. Thankfully, the waitress offered to cut it in half, which made it a lot more manageable.

Inside, it was just what I expected, layers and layers of meat—steak, sausage, chorizo, ham—you could taste each one but none of them overpowered the others. The sauce was incredible. It had a slight sweetness that cut through all the saltiness from the meat. The chips did their job perfectly and soaked it all up. Whatever was left got picked up with bits of melted cheese. Honestly, it was spot-on and tasted just like the one I had in Lisbon two years ago - even my friend, was impressed at its quality and authenticity.

We didn’t stop there, though. The tapas menu was too good to ignore, especially on a warm evening like that, with plenty to choose from. We got a portion of black olives in garlic and oil, which were fantastically moreish. There was also some crusty bread that came with codfish pâté and butter—salty, fresh, and the perfect little nibble.

For something a bit lighter, we went for melon with prosciutto, a classic combo for a reason. Sweet and salty, though it was a bit of a faff cutting up the melon and pulling the ham apart ourselves. And, of course, we had to get some seafood at a Portuguese restaurant. We ordered the chilli and garlic king prawns.

They were fresh and juicy, swimming in garlicky olive oil, with a wedge of lemon on the side that gave a pleasant tart freshness. The only thing I’d say is that they weren’t spicy enough—I’d have loved a bit more heat. But still, a great choice which I am sure can be adjusted upon request.

Overall Experience

After we finished eating, I was honestly just so happy to have had a proper francesinha in London. It reminded me of being back in Lisbon, and my friend was just as surprised at how good it was. You can tell the staff really care about the food, and it’s obvious most of them are Portuguese. They were friendly and made us feel at home while the prices were decent too. Including several glasses of beer and loads of food, it worked out at £27.50 each, which felt reasonable considering how much we ate and drank.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Nine Elms, I had heard negative things, but the vibe turned out to be super chill on my visit. The whole area had a neighbourhood feel where you can slow down and enjoy yourself. It really didn’t feel like London at all.

Velho Portugal wasn’t just about getting my francesinha fix, it was about finding a spot that felt relaxed, served proper food, and gave me a little break from the usual.

If you’re looking for more great Portuguese food in London, you can check out my article on Casa do Frango for authentic peri peri chicken in Piccadilly.

If you liked this post be sure to give it a like and share - and let me know if you have any other Portuguese spots you think I need to visit, write them down in the comments.

Velho Portugal Key Information

Prices:

Tapas - £3.50-£12

Francesinha - £18.50

Beer - £4.50

Instagram: @velhoportugallondon

Address: Unit 12a, Victoria Mansions, 11a S Lambeth Rd, London SW8 1QX