The francesinha
Porto's signature sandwich, with a slow-cooked sauce made the way the house has made it for half a century. It arrives piping hot, with the city's coat of arms on top.
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Porto's coat of arms on every francesinha · since 1972Visiting Porto? Capa na Baixa is a must
You can't say you've been to Porto without eating a francesinha. At Capa na Baixa, every francesinha arrives with a small flag bearing the city's coat of arms. That's how seriously we take our commitment to Porto.
- 1972
- the Fontes family opens Capa Negra II in Campo Alegre
- 2016
- Capa na Baixa opens on Praça de Dom João I
- +1500
- rissóis served on a busy Saturday
- 1
- Porto coat of arms on every francesinha
Porto's coat of arms on every francesinha
Take a close look at your francesinha. Standing next to the sauce is Porto's coat of arms: the crown of towers, the castle with Our Lady at its centre, the river waters and the motto every local knows by heart.
“Antiga, Mui Nobre, Sempre Leal e Invicta Cidade do Porto” (Ancient, Most Noble, Always Loyal and Unvanquished City of Porto)
We put it there as a sign of respect. The francesinha was born in Porto and belongs to Porto, and our sauce has been made the same way since 1972. Every flag is a small tribute to a city that never surrendered: the title Invicta, unvanquished, recalls Porto's resistance during the Siege of 1832–1833, in the Liberal Wars.
Why it's a must when you visit Porto
It all began on 30 August 1972, when the brothers José, Manuel, António and Amândio Fontes opened Capa Negra II in Campo Alegre, named after the black cape of Porto's student tradition. In 2016 the same family brought its recipes downtown and opened Capa na Baixa on Praça de Dom João I, with 120 seats and an interior garden. Here is what you come for:
Beef rissóis
Filled with 100% beef sirloin (carne da vazia), same recipe since 1972. On a busy Saturday the kitchen serves more than 1,500. Time Out Porto placed them among the four winners of a blind tasting.
The rissóis story →The city at your table
Granite walls, an interior garden, a cold fino and Porto playing on our screens, seen from a drone and from street level.
Porto is Capa na Baixa →Make it part of your Porto trip
Walk the Ribeira, cross the bridge, get lost in the granite streets of the Baixa. Then sit down where Porto eats: a francesinha with the city's coat of arms, a plate of rissóis and a cold fino.
Our commitment to the city is such that even the francesinha carries its coat of arms. Come and taste why.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the francesinha at Capa na Baixa carry Porto's coat of arms?
As a sign of respect for the city and its traditions. Every francesinha arrives with a small paper flag bearing the coat of arms of Porto.
What does Porto's motto mean?
It reads “Antiga, Mui Nobre, Sempre Leal e Invicta Cidade do Porto”: Ancient, Most Noble, Always Loyal and Unvanquished City of Porto. The title Invicta recalls the city's resistance during the Siege of Porto in 1832–1833.
Is Capa na Baixa worth visiting in Porto?
Yes. It is a family house with roots going back to 1972, known for its francesinha and its beef rissóis, in the heart of downtown Porto.
What should I order?
The francesinha and the beef rissóis, served as a starter. The full menu and prices are at capanabaixa.pt/menu-baixa/.
Where is Capa na Baixa?
At Praça de Dom João I, 175, 4000-425 Porto, in downtown Porto (the Baixa).
How do I book a table?
You can book online, free of charge, with the Book a table button on this page.