Must-see restaurants in Dominican Republic

  • Chinois by Susana

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Don't let the street noise steer you away from the atmospheric, Chinese-lantern-lit front courtyard of this high-quality Chinese hot spot serving up…

  • Tony's Bar

    Sosúa

    The best bar on Playa Sosúa is Tony's, for its seafood but also for the incredible coco locos (coconut cocktails). Tony, who is Dominican but speaks…

  • Maison Kreyol Restaurant

    Santo Domingo

    The simple, bare bones dining room belies the quality of the cooking here in delicious dishes such as grilled spicy goat, a whole snapper and okra…

  • Wilson's at La Boca

    Cabarete

    This is a little BBQ shack on the Yasica River in Islabon, around 8km southeast of town on the way to Sabaneta de Yasica. The eponymous Wilson, who speaks…

  • Neptuno’s

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    This wind-shaken restaurant-club across the street from Neptuno’s Refugio is tops for style and setting. The expansive over-water deck gleams with…

  • Il Cappuccino

    Santo Domingo

    You might leave this oasis of comfort and sophistication (on an otherwise gritty stretch) feeling envious of the regulars who are welcomed like family. It…

  • Steakhouse Tex Mex

    Las Galeras

    This American West–themed grill is a bit of a curious choice, even for the culinarily omnivorous. But it's a welcome change of pace from the more standard…

  • Mesón D’Bari

    Santo Domingo

    A Zona Colonial institution popular with tourists and sophisticated capitaleños (Santo Domingo residents) on weekends, Mesón D’Bari occupies a charmingly…

  • Lafel

    Las Terrenas

    A charming Argentinian-Israeli couple run this informal restaurant with outdoor tables in a central mini-plaza. Ignore the modest setting. The chef is…

  • Otra Cosa

    Cabarete

    Located at a secluded spot with marvelous sea breezes at dusk, this French-Caribbean restaurant guarantees a pleasant dining experience. You can listen to…

  • D’Luis Parrillada

    Santo Domingo

    This casual, open-air restaurant perched over the ocean (and unfortunately the oft-polluted Playa Montesinos) just a few blocks from the Zona Colonial is…

  • Restaurante Chez Arsenio

    Cabarete

    Occupying a spectacular stretch of the western end of Playa Encuentro, the restaurant at Hideaway Beach Resort (primarily condo rentals) serves up a wide…

  • Mecenas Café

    Santo Domingo

    In tranquil Parque Mirador del Sur, this cafe and culture center beckons artsy Dominicans and travelers in the know. The menu is all over the globe, with…

  • Hermanos Villar

    Santo Domingo

    Occupying almost an entire city block, Hermanos Villar has two parts: the bustling diner serving classic Dominican cafeteria food such as rice and beans…

  • El Conuco

    Santo Domingo

    Unashamedly touristy, El Conuco is stereotypically Dominican in the same way the Hard Rock Cafe is authentically American. Nevertheless, Dominicans as…

  • Jalao

    Santo Domingo

    A towering and cavernous restaurant brimming with Dominican style, Jalao is over-the-top theme park touristy but attracts local crowds, too. The walls and…

  • Mesón D' Bari

    Santo Domingo

    The new and fashionable outpost of one of the Zona Colonial's most popular places for traditional Dominican fare such as crab-meat empanadas, stewed conch…

  • Beicaraibi Rincón Italiano

    North Coast

    This palapa-topped, beachfront hut serves up delicious pizzas with a variety of fresh local toppings, and also Italian dishes like pulpo carpaccio (thin…

  • Guilia’s Café

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Juan Dolio’s interpretation of a sports bar, the Welsh-Israeli Guilia's has 25 years under its apron. It's popular for English, American and Dominican all…

  • Adrian Tropical

    Santo Domingo

    This popular family-friendly chain occupies a spectacular location overlooking the Caribbean. Waiters scurry throughout the two floors and outdoor dining…

  • Fresh Fresh Café

    Santo Domingo

    Get back on the healthy straight and narrow at this palette cleanser of a cafe with a loungey outdoor seating area with hammocks and outlets good for…

  • El Pescador

    Las Galeras

    Located across from BanReservas on the main road, this is an excellent seafood option, notably for its paella (the owner is Spanish), which could hold its…

  • Solo Pollo

    Bávaro & Punta Cana

    A legion of locals flocks to this simple comida criolla restaurant serving – as the name implies – only chicken (well, besides rice and beans). Juicy,…

  • Mitre Restaurant & Wine Bar

    Santo Domingo

    This sleek restaurant, located in a nondescript building in an upscale business and residential district, serves a creative and ecletic fusion of Asian,…

  • La Campagna

    Santiago

    This charming cafe features a patio beneath a thatched roof and an extensive, healthy menu including sandwiches, salads, pasta and soups. Flowers on every…

  • La Bricola

    Santo Domingo

    From the candlelit open-air patio to the soft melodic piano, La Bricola embodies romance – a meal here is the perfect place to pop the question. Set in a…

  • Monte Andentro

    Santo Domingo

    Ensconced in the hip courtyard of a gorgeous 16th-century edifice, Monte Andentro triples as an erstwhile design store and cocktail lounge. The atmosphere…

  • Ristorante El Sueño

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Italian owners and their Azurri cohorts sit around this casual open-air eatery Godfather-style, giving it a nod of authenticity it doesn’t need – the real…

  • Dom Ham

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    This festive, thatch-roofed open-air bar and grill is home to Carlitos Pichardo, who got his start flipping burgers outside a baseball stadium. These days…

  • Taberna Mediterranea

    Península de Samaná

    The recently renovated front patio and neon-lit bar are definite ambience downgrades (though you can still opt for the older, stone-walled dining area),…

  • Restaurant Lucas

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    This local's secret is buried inside a residential complex less than 2km from centro. Delectable fresh pastas (house-made ravioli, tagliatelle and gnocchi…

  • Maniqui Restaurant & Lounge

    Santo Domingo

    Decked out like a burlesque club, this lavishly and curiously decorated space, seemingly inspired by modeling, is in the middle of the Plaza de la Cultura…

  • Bliss

    Cabarete

    It may not be on the beach, but sitting around the small, crystal-blue pool with a top-shelf glass of wine in your hand, you can be forgiven for not…

  • El Mesón de la Cava

    Santo Domingo

    This is where Batman would take a date – this craggy stalactite-filled limestone cave is home to a long-running unique and romantic restaurant. Formally…

  • De Parrillada

    Central Highlands

    Set back from town on a quiet side street, this rustic and charming establishment is candlelit by evening, and serves up adventurous dishes combining…

  • Le Tre Caravelle

    Las Terrenas

    A convivial little spot for risotto (mushroom and red wine, saffron and sausage, shellfish) and fresh seafood, though the ambience won't floor you –…

  • Paletas Bajo Cero

    Santo Domingo

    The display of popsicles at this small shop is nearly as aesthetically pleasing as appetizing, when fully arrayed (that is, just after the shop opens) in…

  • Joiaa

    Las Galeras

    Occupying one side of the town's prime intersection and upping the bar for Las Galeras dining, at least as far as the sophisticated design and…

  • Barra Payán

    Santo Domingo

    Capitaleños have been lining up for this fast-food joint's signature delicious pork sandwich (as well as burgers) before and after late nights out since…

  • Naturalis Té

    Santiago

    This adorable Taiwanese cafe offers tasty, nutritious vegetarian food, along with natural juices and cold flavored teas with boba and chia seeds. The…