Montanha

Opened on Largo Príncipe D. Carlos (formerly the name of Largo da Portagem), on a now-vanished street, Montanha was considered an innovative café and one of the busiest in Coimbra. After extensive renovations that redesigned the space and gave the current Portagem its name, Largo Miguel Bombarda, Montanha moved to a new, exuberant building next to the Bank of Portugal branch. In the 1940s, its dances and musical concerts became famous, featuring top orchestras, and it was known for serving exotic drinks, such as the famous Vermouth Soda. It was one of the first to offer snooker, in one of the building's basements. A haven for many students and football fans, it was frequented by prominent figures such as goalkeeper Manuel Capela, Miguel Torga, and Dr. Moura Relvas. 4 The Montanha café in Largo Miguel Bombarda has closed, but next door, today in Largo da Portagem, after numerous renovations in this area of ​​the city, stands the current Café Montanha, the third café with the same name, opened on October 25, 1988, occupying the site of a former Ford dealership. It remains one of the busiest cafés in Largo da Portagem and a landmark in the city.