Interview with Amândio Fontes
Owner of the restaurant Capa Negra II
Capa Negra II is already a true institution in Porto. What’s the story behind it?
The story of Capa Negra II begins in the Bonfim neighborhood of Porto, back in the 1960s. [Editor’s note: The first Capa Negra opened its doors in 1968, in Bonfim. Capa Negra II followed four years later, in 1972, near Boavista.]
Why did you decide to open Capa Negra II in Boavista?
At the time, the Boavista area was the part of Porto growing the fastest. On top of that, the city’s breweries were located nearby.
How many breweries were there in the area?
The first brewery in Porto was just 500 meters from Capa Negra, on Rua da Restauração. Then it moved to Rua D. João V, only about 50 meters away. Finally, the last brewery to operate in the center of Porto was in Praça da Galiza — it even had its own beer hall. That’s the area we moved into.
How important is Super Bock beer to Capa Negra?
Beer is the most important element of all. And for 49 years, we’ve been supplied by the same brand — Super Bock. We even have a special tap system that exists nowhere else. Super Bock works closely with us, always creating unique setups that help us stand out from other restaurants. That’s why we’ll always be a Super Bock house.
Your restaurant is also quite famous in the media. Is that true?
Yes. Whenever national politicians are in Porto, they come to Capa Negra. Recently, both the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Prime Minister, António Costa, visited. They always order a francesinha and drink two finos. Super Bock, of course.
