Restaurants in Dominican Republic
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La Yuca Caliente
A definite step up from the neighboring cookie-cutter restaurants, La Yuca Caliente is sophisticated and serene. Spanish, Italian, fish dishes and excellent pizzas are served by a professional and courteous staff. Tables are set out on the beach amid swaying palm trees and the low-key sound system is conversation friendly. Wi-fi internet is available.
reviewed
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El Meson de Lu
This simple and unpretentious restaurant is a downscale version of Mesón D’Bari across the street. Mostly loyal locals line up at the small bar or in the open-air dining room for filling plates of seafood and meat. Even though service isn’t with a smile, it’s a good choice, especially at dinnertime when it’s not uncommon for a trio of musicians to serenade your table.
reviewed
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Dajao Restaurant & Bar
There are two Dajaos: a sleek, small, modern side, resembling a European café, and an older, basic side, much like an ordinary comedor. The former outshines the latter, not only in terms of style but in menu, too: it has specials like conch-meat croquettes (US$10), shrimp crepes (US$9) and grilled octopus (US$10).
reviewed
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Expreso Pekin
Fast, cheap and good Cantonese-style Chinese food. Even delivers, which might be a good idea since the fluorescent lighting makes you feel like you’re in an incubator.
reviewed
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La Despensa
Largest grocery store in the Zona Colonial, which means lines can be long especially around closing time. Load up on cheap water, soda, alcohol and juice.
reviewed
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Adrian Tropical
A huge sign of a smiling boy (Adrian?) announces this popular chain’s kid-friendly credentials. However, from the road the lush jungle landscaping and waterfalls obscure its function – to serve as many hungry families as possible. Waiters scurry throughout the two floors and outdoor dining area doling out Dominican specialties like yucca or plantain mofongo (mashed yucca or plantains with pork rinds; US$5) and standard meat dishes (US$8). An inexpensive buffet (US$6) is another option and the fruit drinks (US$1.50) hit the spot. There are three other outposts in Santo Domingo.
reviewed
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Principe Snack Bar
Part of the brightly painted fake village that stretches along the western part of Av Malecón, this place is a snack bar dressed up as an elegant restaurant. Owned and operated by the resort chain of the same name, Principe Snack Bar has an indoor dining area that is the nicest in town and perfect for a drink, which makes the menu of chicken fingers (US$4) and hamburgers (US$5.50) something of a surprise. The outdoor patio is pleasant, especially at night when the air cools and a breeze blows in from the bay.
reviewed
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Castle Club
Just 200m past the Blue Moon on your left is this rambling, eccentric home – a castle of sorts, under continuous construction (and unlikely ever to be fully finished). The owners grow much of their own food on the property, and serve this superfresh produce in their restaurant, one of the very best in the country. Expect dishes like coconut sea bass, exquisite salads and cold lemon soufflé. Their schedule can be erratic, though – book at least two days in advance. They can cater for groups from six to 100.
reviewed
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Restaurante El Rancho
Part of the Baiguate empire, El Rancho offers a varied menu of chicken and beef dishes, sushi-style wraps and excellent pizzas. The walls of this semi-dressy, open-sided restaurant are graced with handsome local paintings, although the motoconcho traffic outside detracts somewhat from the setting. Be sure to try the chili jam, served as an appetizer with yucca chips. Independent travelers can also inquire here about trips with Rancho Baiguate.
reviewed
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Mesón del Jamón
Part of Plaza España’s restaurant row, Mesón del Jamón is distinctive for its elegant 2nd-floor balcony. Only four or so tables for two fit out here, but they provide wonderful views of the goings on below – it’s hard to give up the spot even after several hours. Along with grilled sirloin (US$17), pasta dishes (US$10) and fish (US$13), Jamón has an extensive menu of hot and cold tapas, like cured ham (US$12) and mussels in vinaigrette sauce (US$9).
reviewed
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Restaurant Del Parque Galería
Overlooking Parque Central, this open-air restaurant/bar serves up traditional Dominican meals as well as international favorites. If you’re in the mood to try something a little different, the conejo criollo (rabbit prepared Creole-style, US$12) and the cabrito al vino (goat in wine sauce, US$9) are both excellent choices. A great place to people-watch – feel free just to order a drink and check out the going-ons in the park.
reviewed
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Brasserie Barrio Latino
Occupying the busiest corner in town, this casual open-sided eatery has a large menu of international standards like sandwiches, burgers, pastas and meat dishes. Breakfast may be the best meal of the day here and there’s a small bar that in addition to beer and alcoholic drinks mixes up smoothies and a delicious morir soñando (tasty combination of orange juice, milk, sugar and crushed ice).
reviewed
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Mesón D’Bari
A Zona Colonial institution popular with tourists and sophisticated capitalinos on weekends, Mesón D’Bari occupies a charmingly decaying colonial home covered with bright, large paintings by local artists. The menu has Dominican and international standards, different versions of grilled meats and fish; the long attractive bar is equally appealing. Live music on some weekend nights.
reviewed
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Restaurant Vesuvio
An upscale Italian restaurant on the Malecón, Vesuvio is a Santo Domingo institution that unfortunately has seen better days. The old-fashioned decor is fading and the wheeled cart displays of food are looking a little tired, but the Neapolitan owner still prides himself on serving the freshest seafood and homemade pasta dishes. Next door is a more casual pizzeria under the same ownership.
reviewed
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Café Bellini
This stunning restaurant off Plazoleta Padre Bellini (look for the statue of Don Francisco X Bellini) serves haute cuisine – interpretations of Italian meat, seafood and pasta with Dominican flourishes – like you’d find in the toniest restaurants in Paris or New York. A beautiful interior courtyard leads into an elegant and modern dining room that is designed to the hilt.
reviewed
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Pat’e Palo
One of Plaza España’s eateries, Pat’e Palo is for gourmands and anyone tired of the same old bland pasta and chicken. Everything here is special but two personal recommendations are the grilled angus rib eye with rocket and parmesan with potato fricassee, mushrooms and bacon, and the Chilean sea bass served over Spanish sausage risotto in a creamy beer sauce.
reviewed
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Casanova
This Asian-decorated restaurant has Buddha statues about the place, and plays funky house music. The food is the best you’ll find directly on the beach – the usual suspects like surf and turf make an appearance, but also a goat’s cheese salad and some mighty fine pizza, too. Dig your toes into the sand and relax with a beer. Now this is the life.
reviewed
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Coconut Ray’s Paradise Restaurant
Meals at this restaurant in front of Paradiso Bungalows at the main intersection in town are a good deal in terms of portion size. Besides standard pasta and meat dishes like barbecued chicken (US$7.50), with a little foresight – two to four days’ notice –you can get a 4lb to 6lb giant crab (US$7.50 per lb) or slow-smoked whole pig (US$6 per lb).
reviewed
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Mamma Luisa
Though the setting resembles any mini-mall USA, this friendly restaurant serves up excellent Italian meat, fish and pasta dishes – the paella for two (US$35) is recommended. Checkerboard tablecloths, formally clad waiters and an extensive wine collection allow Mamma’s to rise above its location a half-kilometer west of the airport.
reviewed
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Primo Jeffro
For a change of pace, both in terms of cuisine and décor, head to this no-nonsense American-owned Mexican eatery. The open-air dining room couldn’t be simpler and unpretentious but the hearty tacos (US$1.25), burritos and chimichangas hit the spot. Almuerzos (set lunches; US$4) and combo dinners (US$4.75) are great deals.
reviewed
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Restaurant Train Steak House
Not quite a chop house, not quite a sports bar, this restaurant combines a little of both. In the front bar there are several TVs tuned to international sporting events, while uniformed waiters and the enthusiastic owner hustle about the brick-walled dining room serving delicious cuts of meat as well as grilled seafood and tapas.
reviewed
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Otra Cosa
This French-Caribbean restaurant, just across from Velero and with marvelous sea breezes at dusk, does some of the choicest food in town. The forbidden paste – foie gras (US$20) – features prominently on the menu, and it also serves filet mignon with duck liver, morels and cognac (US$33). Good fish, lobster and steak dishes, too.
reviewed
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Ananda
Hard-core vegetarians will want to try out this cafeteria-style restaurant-cum-yoga center run by the ‘International Society of Divine Realization.’ They may not find the offerings enlightening but more the equivalent of a downward facing dog. Dominican dishes like brown rice and roast beans outnumber the Indian offerings.
reviewed
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La Bricola
La Bricola embodies romance. From the candlelit open-air patio to the soft melodic piano, a meal here is the perfect place to pop the question. While the setting in a restored colonial-era palace can’t help but trump the food, the international- and Italian-inspired mains, including fresh fish specials, won’t disappoint.
reviewed
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Mitre Restaurant
This sleek restaurant, located in a nondescript building in an upscale business and residential district, serves a creative fusion of Asian, Italian and Dominican cuisines. The results are satisfying to both the eye and stomach; an outdoor patio and 2nd-floor lounge are more casual than the white-tableclothed dining room.
reviewed