Santo Domingo
Only in the Zona Colonial could you have food trucks set up in a Dominican version of an outdoor food hall surrounded by buildings dating to the era of…
Must-see restaurants in Dominican Republic
Central Highlands
This welcoming new spot sits on a corner with doors that open to the street, capitalizing on the street traffic of central Constanza. It's a great place…
Península de Pedernales
The kitchen here dishes out fresh seafood as the seasons dictate (though the seasons sometimes affect consistency as well). The perfectly sized seafood…
Santo Domingo
On a raised platform at the eastern end of the Malecón, this chicharronera (fried pork eatery) is from the people behind D'Luis Parrillada across the…
Santo Domingo
Sophisticated and stylish, with oversized framed poster reproductions of European Renaissance paintings decorating the triple-height ceilings, Pizza…
Central Highlands
You’ll find solid Dominican fare and heaping portions at this restaurant at the western edge of town. Crowded at lunchtime – especially on Sunday, when…
Dominican Republic
Don't let the tinted facade just opposite Parque Central deter you: this is a friendly, mega-popular spot for simple and quick Dominican food. The plate…
Cabarete
Just outside of town, this third-wave coffee shop offers all the latest in coffee. Its aesthetic, with mason jars, pallet furniture, lanterns and a 2000s…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
Slammed at breakfast, this is where Punta Cana comes for its bagel fix. Fab bagelwiches (also available on baguettes) are the call, in such rarely seen…
Las Terrenas
Dig your toes into the sand, shoot the breeze with the server over the daily catch (there's no menu), and sit back and wait for tasty lobsters the size of…
Península de Pedernales
On the coastal road in the adjoining villages of Bahoruco and La Ciénaga, this good option has a tidy 2nd-floor dining room overlooking the shore and…
El Manguito Restaurant & Liquor Store
North Coast
Nestled at the side of the highway just east of the Costa Dorada complex (and just west of Playa Dorada) is this good-value seafood joint with a diverse,…
Cabarete
A tiny, cozy spot with all-day breakfast menu (waffles, omelets and even bagels), paninis and smoothies made with organic and locally sourced ingredients…
Santo Domingo
You might stick out at this locals-only spot with tables on the Parque Arturo Pellerano Castro, a charming cobblestone plaza at the southeastern tip of…
Península de Samaná
Service can be an issue here, but there's no denying the food is tasty, especially the fish in Creole sauce (tomatoes, onions and peppers). There are…
Dominican Republic
Yes, it’s a chain, but this is Baní and locals swear it’s better than anything else nearby. Think of it as a Dominican Pizza Hut: there’s decent pizza …
Santo Domingo
This restaurant’s stunning, open-air dining room is the courtyard of a ruined building lit by shimmering candles, which makes it at least as good a place…
Santiago
This popular, long-running restaurant serves grilled fish and seafood in an indoor dining room with white tablecloths, a breezy outdoor garden and a more…
Central Highlands
The cozy (chilly at night, so bring a sweater) log-cabin-like dining room qualifies as fine dining in Constanza. Along with the usual Dominican fare are a…
Santo Domingo
You might not be in the DR to eat in an upscale mall. But best to get over it. This European-style brasserie with a stylish outdoor terrace is one of…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
Owned by Pitbull, the American rapper, this fairly out-of-the-way large open-air waterfront restaurant is not content to coast on his fame alone. The menu…
Las Galeras
When the multitasking French chef-owner is less taxed, this centrally located open-air restaurant does reliably good and large pizza and pasta dishes as…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
This French bakery and cafe remains a welcome respite from motoconcho fumes. Located inside a historic mansion, the bakery side has freshly made pastries…
Dominican Republic
This outdoor restaurant centers on a palapa-covered grill, from which aromas waft all the way to the street. Order your protein from the counter – the…
North Coast
This fine dining restaurant, 100m east of Cofresí up a small hill, serves excellent meals in a large palapa-roofed dining area with dark-wood tables, a…
Cabarete
One of the few reasonably priced beachfront places, Mojitos has an excellent selection of natural juices, healthy salads, Dominican food and sandwiches …
Central Highlands
The straightforward name isn’t entirely accurate. Yes, pepperoni pizzas are on the menu here, along with more than a dozen other varieties, but so too are…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
Unsigned and off the beaten path, Mirabel serves up heaping plates of Dominican platos del día (beef, chicken, fish or pork along with rice, beans and a…
Península de Pedernales
Possibly the best food in Pedernales can be found in this seafood-centric restaurant that does a satisfying job with classic Dominican preparations. Best…
Santo Domingo
Good, cheap meals to take on-the-go are rare in the Zona Colonial. This is one of the best with a selection of more than a dozen varieties of empanadas,…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
As good as it gets in Miches, this mini-complex along the town seafront does a good job with Dominican seafood and an even better job with drinking – the…
Sosúa
This waterfront space is part of Gansevoort Dominican Republic, an ultramodern condo development on a tranquil beach at the end of town. The Mediterranean…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
If you're in Higüey for a night, this rustic palapa-roofed Dominican choice is the way to go. The house specialty is mofongos (mashed plaintains stuffed…
Cabarete
This restaurant at Velero is the best spot in town to watch the sunset, and serves up Dominican cuisine along with fresh seafood, meats and pasta. Top…
Las Terrenas
Transport yourself to Paris at this pleasant bakery serving fresh croissants and other traditional French pastries and desserts. The street-side patio…
North Coast
This waterfront establishment at the marina is a great place to kick back with a Presidente and meet some boaters and fisherfolk. It's a pretty relaxing…
Santo Domingo
Once a well-known hangout for artists, intellectuals and journalists, this long and narrow greasy spoon opened in 1932 and still caters to a regular…
North Coast
Not at all like Paris, this hot-pink-and-white cafe sits right on Laguna Gri-Gri and makes an excellent spot for fresh juice or a cocktail. The plato del…
North Coast
Look for this restaurant with oceanfront outdoor seating just before the green monstrosity of the Hotel Montechico. Buoys and fishing nets hang from the…
Santiago
Possibly downtown's and the Monument's most upscale restaurant, stylish Noah does pasta, fish and meat dishes, plus more than a dozen varieties of pizza…
