DINING

The food in Cape Verde will have your taste buds tingling in no time, with an exotic mixture of African, Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. A continental feast you could say. And if you're a fan of seafood, you're in for a real treat. Not only is it mouth-wateringly delicious - it's extremely reasonable too. Tuck into charcoal grilled lobster, juicy giant prawns, tasty octopus, and of course, the fresh fish catches of the day. If you're up for giving some local specialities a go, try bife de atum, tuna marinated in spices and vinegar or bacalhau, dried cod. Other Cape Verdian specials include the national dish catchupa, a stew-like dish made from corn, beans and chorizo, particularly good with a bottle of locally produced Manecome wine. Santa Maria has an excellent selection of places to eat, from restaurants serving traditional dishes and tapas bars to pizzerias and Italian eateries.