Dias Tavern

Cape Town Cuisines: Spanish

About

It's a bit of a dive, on the "wrong" side of town, with red plastic chairs alternating with plastic-covered booth seats, but Dias is an old favorite, famous for its delicious steak dishes and very much a local hangout. Order the espetada (chunks of marinated sirloin, skewered and carried, flaming hot, to the table) or -- better still -- trinchada (cubes of sirloin in a garlic and wine sauce), spicy and tender. Dias does not bother with vegetables; meals are served with margarine-spread bread and chips. Unless you enjoy eating to the live accompaniment of a wannabe Julio Iglesias, don't dine here on Friday or Saturday evenings. Note: If you're craving a meat fix in more salubrious surroundings, The Famous Butcher's Grill (www.butchersgrill.com) in the Day's Inn on Buitengracht Street (tel. 021/422-0880) is regularly rated one of the top steakhouses in the country.