Santo Domingo
The most happening and deservedly longest-surviving of Plaza España’s restaurant row, Pat’e Palo is for anyone tired of the same old bland pasta and…
Must-see restaurants in Dominican Republic
Las Galeras
Clinging spectacularly to the edge of a cliff, El Monte Azul offers postcard-perfect views and a good-value menu split between French-leaning meat and…
Las Terrenas
The Dominican chef at this sophisticated French bistro deserves a few Michelin stars for his steak au poivre (pepper steak; RD$550), one of the most…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
This made-to-order fresh-lobster madhouse offers a meal to remember for crustacean lovers. Call ahead and make a reservation so they know to send a…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
Freezing red wine aside, this is the classiest restaurant in Bayahibe proper, a breezy, 2nd-story-patio affair overlooking beautiful views of the…
Península de Pedernales
A longstanding cradle for sustenance at Playa Las Cuevas, the closest point to Bahía de Las Águilas with infrastructure, Rancho Tipico does fresh seafood…
Sosúa
A bit out of town and tucked into an eponymous guesthouse up a hill, this poolside Italian restaurant serves the finest meals in all of Sosúa. The menu…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
This Argentine-Spanish grill kills your carnivorous cravings with juicy steaks (sirloin, tenderloin, rib eye), surf and turf, and chicken and jalapeño…
Central Highlands
This little Italian place north of town nails it with homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and imported meats and cheeses. The affable owner-chef helps…
Las Galeras
Don't turn around. Sure, the rough road might take out the axel on an ordinary car. And the paved and messy parking area doesn't inspire confidence. And…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
The French-Canadian owners of this excellent Bayahibe focal point surely scoured the coast to see what everyone else wasn't serving, then put it on their…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
Flanked by an army of palms, this stylish and atmospheric open-air restaurant is within the Puntacana Resort complex but open to the public and worth the…
Mares Restaurant & Pool Lounge
Puerto Plata
Distinguished chef Rafael Vasquez-Heinsen has converted his elegant home into a candlelit destination for foodies. The kitchen turns out what might be…
Dominican Republic
Owned by a Mexican (who does the cooking) and her Dominican husband, this airy, immeasurably pleasant restaurant pumps out authentic Mexican tacos (RD$110…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
The Palestinian owners of this local institución dish out Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus, baba ghanoush and delectable shish kebabs (one should hope…
Santo Domingo
One of the best Japanese restaurants in the city, with yakinuku-style tables (grill the meat and seafood at your table), a sushi bar and a large dining…
Península de Samaná
José, the friendly French chef-owner with a Spanish name – who comes from a family of nine, five of whom are chefs – has been running this intimate French…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
A Boca Chica institution, and one of the better places to eat at any time of day, with English breakfast in the morning and fondue, the house specialty,…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
Location is everything and this thatch-roofed establishment (with a newer modern attached annex) just off the parking lot near the Aguitusamar guide…
Dominican Republic
This classy-for-Àzua place is one of the southwest's better spots to eat. Excellently prepared mofongos (mashed plantains with meat or seafood), pasta,…
Cabarete
A California transplant opened this immediately popular Dominican version of Chipotle, and they're now discussing plans to expand to new locations in the…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
If the waft of fresh-off-the-grill whole lobster doesn’t suck you in, go for the spot-on paella (from RD$770 for two) at this perennially popular Spanish…
Puerto Plata
Housed in a revamped Victorian-era building on Puerto Plata's central square, this Caribbean grill and pizzeria makes you feel fancy just walking in. From…
Santiago
Sit outside on the restaurant's balcony, with piano music on the stereo and the city spread out at your feet… This is easily the most romantic spot around…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
The best of the Boca de Yuma's seafront restaurants, La Bahia is an efficient and friendly, family-run operation dishing out all manner of delectable…
North Coast
This warm, breezy restaurant is right on the beach and features a menu full of succulent, authentic Mexican fare like quesadillas and tacos. Try the house…
Central Highlands
Sweeping, practically aerial views of the Jarabacoa countryside are available from the terrace of this mountaintop restaurant, which holds the distinction…
Santo Domingo
Class it up at Lulú, a stylish Zona Colonial tapas bar that lures a fabulous after-work crowd looking to unwind over cigars and cocktails and nibble on…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
Ñam Ñam means 'yummy' in Serbian, and that ain't no lie. The friendly Belgradian couple behind this tiny Los Corales kitchen – they do it all themselves –…
Punta Cana & the Southeast
It’s very hard to eat this well for these prices in the DR, but this spaghetteria specializes in classic pasta recipes such as all’amatriciana (tomato…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
With its photogenic, colored-up VW van and pleasant open-air, whitewashed setting on Playa Juanillo, Little John is the best spot to kick back with a…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
Straight outta Cancún – Mexican hipsters lugged a tortilla machine from home and regularly smuggle in habaneros, all of which add authenticity to this…
Santo Domingo
One of the city's more spectacular dining rooms, with light streaming through the greenhouse-like ceiling several stories above and a flowering vine…
Sosúa
Perched on a cliff at the very southern end of Playa Sosúa, this simple, traditional beach shack combines million-dollar views with freshly prepared crab,…
Las Terrenas
The beach-club component of the Peninsula House hotel – open to nonguests as well – is a wonderful little plantation-style bungalow on a private lawn…
Bávaro & Punta Cana
Not to worry. The food quality has survived the move from Balicana's old beach-adjacent location to a gated golf-course community. Give your taste buds a…
Santo Domingo
Small and casually sophisticated, this old-school family-owned trattoria serves up delicious and large portions of pasta including pappardelle ragout,…
Puerto Plata
This homey, adorable cafe in downtown Puerto Plata is a welcome respite from the hot, bustling city streets. All manner of coffee drinks are on offer,…
Las Terrenas
Hands-on Belgian owner Bruno found a Las Terrenas niche: fulfilling carnivorous desires with juicy, rich burgers (go for the one with Reblochon cheese)…
Restaurante Il Pirata da Manuela
Las Galeras
Locals, Italians even, claim the homemade gnocchi and other pastas made by the owner-chef, originally from Torino, are the best on the peninsula…
