Other restaurants in Santo Domingo
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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El Grand Charolais Steak House & Grill
El Grand Charolais has all the hallmarks of a classic steakhouse – red checkerboard tablecloths, chalkboard specials, huge slabs of meat – and is a popular spot for long business lunches. The rib eye (US$21) is especially juicy and there are nonmeat options, like the fettuccine del mar (US$15).
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La Cafetera Colonial
Everyone knows everyone else’s name here. That can seem intimidating at first, especially because the narrow entranceway means new customers can’t pull up a stool at the long lunch counter unnoticed. It’s a classic greasy-spoon menu: eggs and toast, simple sandwiches and super-strong espresso.
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El Navarro Restaurant & Bar
This restaurant suffers a bit from a split personality. The dining room is richly and elegantly appointed, but much of the menu is mediocre bar food like hamburgers (US$4.75) and wraps (US$6). Higher-end items such as grilled meats and lobster thermidor (US$18 per lb) are available as well.
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Pasatiempo
This small Italian bistro boasts a preservative- and additive-free menu and handmade pastas. The dining room is a little cramped but it’s a pleasant and romantic restaurant on a quiet block of the Zona Colonial. Especially recommended is risotto with seafood (US$15) and osso buco (US$13).
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Hermanos Villar
This bustling Dominican-style diner serves cafeteria food up front and deli/groceries at the back. The hot, grilled baguettes with a variety of fillings are popular. It’s tough to find an empty table during the heavy lunchtime traffic, so getting things to go is always an option.
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El Mesón de la Cava
This is where Batman would take a date – this craggy stalactite-filled limestone cave is home to a unique and romantic restaurant. However, the formally clad waiters and soft merengue and salsa music don’t entirely make up for only average food, primarily grilled meats and fish.
reviewed
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Restaurant Mariscos
Literally a hole-in-the-wall. There’s only room for a few cramped tables, but there’s no better lunchtime deal around. A plate of rice with your choice of seafood goes for only US$2.50. More substantial meals like grilled shrimp are slightly more expensive.
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L’Osteria de Charly y Christian
A favorite hangout for local expats and Dominicans alike, L’Osteria is a casual open-air restaurant on the Malecón. Aging albeit with character, it’s as much a good place for a drink as a serving of homemade pasta or other Italian and French standards.
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El Taquito
Tired of the same menu of ‘international standards’ – cooked from the same kitchen? Head over to this stamp-sized restaurant, really a stall, for tacos, burgers or sandwiches. It’s especially good for a late-night snack.
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La Supertienda Shopping Mall
La Supertienda Shopping Mall lives up to its name.
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