A night at Diaz

It’s a well-known fact that as soon as winter descends on Cape Town majority of the population transform into complete hermits. In summer, my plus-one and I pop out after dinner for a quick walk on the Seapoint prom, or a glass of wine at a friend’s, or just a drive to watch the sun fall over the sea. The days are far longer, the views around Cape Town are mind-blowing, and the idea of staying in seems totally foreign.

Fast forward from January to July, and the opposite is true. Between bouts of monsoon-like rain, wind that pelts the rain into a sideways motion fooling any umbrella and freezing temperatures, the thought of poking one toe out of the front door is absurd. We sprint home before dark to close curtains and stop the cold coming in. We huddle around the gas heater like we’re the last two people on earth, and my dogs grow into mini fluff balls resembling little grey lambs. Besides the little lamb bit, which I secretly enjoy, winter in Cape Town is totally depressing.

All is not lost however; as I have discovered one little treat which will suit both young and old. Now keep an open mind. The place that I recommend below is well-known by most Capetonians, but not necessarily a first option for a night out. Keep in mind that this recommendation comes on the back of many depressed nights in and the need to stretch your fun muscles.

So here it is:

Dias Tavern. Don’t gasp or shake your head until you’ve read until the end. The key to a good night at this old Portuguese institution is a LARGE group of friends. Don’t bother going if it’s just you and your in-laws – the key to success here is loads of fun-loving people to accompany you. Book a big table in advance (it gets busy). Anywhere in the restaurant is fine, but not near the bar or dance floor.

Yup. This happened at Dias. Your turn.

We’ve been a couple times for birthdays and other celebrations and I find that taking matters into your hands early on and booking a taxi ride there and back is the best way to do it. There is an FNB ATM at the entrance to the restaurant, so if you’ve forgotten cash for transport, no need to stress. The restaurant is warm and welcoming and absolutely packed most of the time. If you’re into sport, get there early on sporting days to watch the major rugby or football games – they seem to screen most of them. 

Once you’re in, don’t delay: Order a pitcher of Katemba immediately. If you haven’t tried it, you haven’t lived. This is one of those ‘when in Rome’ moments. If you’re going to soak in the authenticity of the place then just give in. Katemba is a mixture of Coca Cola and Red wine (another gasp). The benefit thereof is that your head and stomach might cope slightly better the next morning :)

The menu is filled with many delights like Trinchado, giblets, livers, Espetada, Prego (I could go on for ages) – you are bound to find something that suits your taste. I seem to always choose the giblets as a starter followed by the Trinchado. I can highly recommend both – and the hotter the better!

After dinner, specifically on a Friday or Saturday evening there is live entertainment, and hopefully by that time you have warmed up on the Katemba and are in the mood to shake those hips. The crowd is usually completely diverse, but united in their need for a good party. The best thing to do is pack your inhibitions to one side, along with your winter coat, and dance all your stress away.

This picture is blurred to protect the identities of the people having ridiculous amounts of fun at Dias :)

You need to relax and enjoy it – try not be too particular about seating, noise or service. Just get into the vibe and have a great time. We do it often, and we have many hilarious stories to tell about nights out at Dias.

Tell us yours once you’ve been.


xx L

Dias Tavern is located at 15 Caledon Street (off Buitenkant st) Cape Town. You can contact them on 021 465 7547.