The best restaurants Dominican Republic

Vast Dominican canteen, very populated on Sundays where you can taste a speciality of Puerto Rico: the mofongo, whose main ingredient is the plantain banana. You will be surprised by the immensity of the dish, which is nevertheless easy to eat. A typical atmosphere of the Dominican Republic with a rather fast and smiling service. Warm welcome, fresh drinks to accompany the dish. One of the best restaurants with small prices and original cooking that one finds in the corner. Address to remember to taste the mofongo.

This is one of the most popular canteens in Bavaro, here no fuss is made, you can eat local specialties like mofondo de salami or marinated chicken with rice and red bean sauce. Even if the place is open on the road, very close, the atmosphere is very friendly and the service is fast. The kitchen is behind a bay window so you can see the staff busy during the lunchtime rush. Very good value for money for the area! Delicias de Bavaro also has the advantage of staying open most of the night.

Many of the restaurants are located around the malls, and it is in the San Juan mall that Noah opened a few years ago. Specialized in fusion cuisine, the establishment benefits from a beautiful and large terrace, the grey tones and exotic wood are soothing and the bilingual staff (Spanish-English), efficient and pleasant. You can eat sushi, duck, shrimp pancakes, steaks or chicken parmigiana. From time to time, musicians come to sing.

Located in front of the hotel on the beach of Cortecito, this terrace with a view is a good address for a romantic dinner facing the sea. Of course, you can eat excellent seafood platters, but connoisseurs come here to taste one of the various local paella proposals. Despite its location, the restaurant remains affordable. The only negative point is the poor wine list, which is mostly from Mexico. The place also offers air-conditioned rooms, which are quite simple and comfortable.

Installed for only 4 months, this Spanish restaurant, just a step away from the square of Boca Chica, comes to complete an already very heterogeneous offer. In the interior room or on the beautiful shaded terrace, one can taste local specialities such as grilled fish, Pollo Asado al Vino,Habichuela con mariscos, but one comes there especially for the numerous varieties of paellas. Chicken, fish, mixed, there is something for everyone for a very attractive price. And the portions are copious. This restaurant is currently a sure value in Boca Chica.

Away from the city center, the setting is enchanting, all wood and shells. Exceptional wine cellar, local and Peruvian cuisine, inventive and fresh based on fish and seafood of the day combined with beautiful variations of salads and other small elegantly presented plates. The place is also a beach bar during the day, and we can only recommend the chef's caipirinha, to be sipped on a deckchair or seated in a comfortable beach chair facing the calm waves of the exclusive beach of El Portillo.

Zu Ceviche and Grill offers a cuisine halfway between Dominican specialties and more Spanish flavors. However, it is the raw fish preparations (well, cooked in lemon/lime) that are unanimously appreciated: the ceviche is king here! It must be said that the restaurant is literally stuck to the fish market. It's hard to imagine anything fresher than this! As for the atmosphere, it is rather relaxed, with a surfer/hippie tendency. Don't hesitate to talk to Alex, the friendly owner!

At D'Randy's, the specialty is fried fish: perfect for sampling the latest arrivals from the sea. Prices are very affordable, so it's a good choice for those on a budget and those looking for a hearty, simple lunch break. The atmosphere is generally upbeat, and the dining room is packed with locals, families and friends. The restaurant offers a wide selection of fish and seafood, which the chefs fry and serve with plantain and lime fries. A real treat for connoisseurs.

For brunch, afternoon tea or lunch with friends, everyone loves Loretta! This popular café has everything you could wish for: charming decor, impeccable service and a varied menu. We sit inside, under the beautiful veranda crossed by a gigantic tree (and air-conditioned, of course), and linger to rest from the heat and bustle of the city. You can go there in the morning for their famous brunch, at lunchtime for risotto or fresh pasta, or simply for a coffee or fresh juice. Wifi available.

This friendly restaurant is run by Alisson and Lara, two young, dynamic sisters who grew up in Las Terrenas from the age of 2 months and 2 years respectively. They know the town better than anyone, and warmly welcome you to their "little corner", which translates from El Yarabi in Taïno. On the menu are their famous tartines, revisited salads, pastries and homemade desserts. A regular address for passers-by and locals alike. So don't hesitate to spend some time at "les sisters", as they're known in the area!

It's a beautiful establishment overlooking the central square with a huge wooden mezzanine. Large and beautiful pizzas are mainly served at Del Parque Galeria, but also Dominican and international dishes with generous portions. The large open terrace on the ground floor is more for aperitif and sometimes even for some wild dance steps... A nice offer of hot and cold drinks, a friendly atmosphere, an attentive and successful service. An address that deserves to be visited.

At Mama Mia, we eat Italian, of course! Freda's fresh pasta, an authentic Italian and fine gourmet, is a real treat... You will have the choice between the great transalpine classics, all the preparations being elaborated from fresh and quality products, like the delicious plate of pasta all'arrabbiata! Note that the restaurant offers lemonades, natural juices and an excellent homemade tiramisù. An exceptional value for money considering the prices charged for a full meal.

This is an excellent address for a stopover with your feet in the sand. The restaurant offers service in the dining room or on the terrace directly on the beach. The French owners offer a varied international menu, accompanied by a wide selection of world wines. The speciality is lobster (especially with cream!), which is always fresh! The French ambiance is inspired by the famous beach of St-Tropez, famous thanks to Brigitte Bardot, to whom this heavenly spot pays homage.

We warmly recommend a stop in this pleasant little restaurant. Martin and Antonia welcome you in their tropical inn where a buffet formula (starters, hot dishes and fruits) will be proposed to you. Crudités as starter, meat or rice dishes... Limited choice. Simple and good. To know : a ranch is located next door with about fifteen horses to take you to the waterfall, the ride lasts a good half hour. On the way, the guides explain the local fauna and flora. Craft shop on site.

This restaurant, which does not look like much, is a real institution in Boca Chica. Run by the pleasant Chito for 44 years, it is very frequented by Dominicans or inhabitants of Boca Chica, which is always a good sign. It claims to be the universidad de mariscos (the university of seafood). We confirm! One tastes here a beautiful variety of seafood of fresh fish prepared in salads or in prepared hot dishes: shrimps, lobsters, crabs and lobsters are of the part. All in a simple and popular atmosphere.

For those who want to eat well and cheaply, Don Camaron is the place to be! It is a small restaurant of Mexican specialities, held by a Mexican family! We will find the great gastronomic classics of Mexico, sometimes tasty, sometimes exhilarating and spicy: tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and other burritos are obviously on the menu! Micheladas (beer/pepper/tomato juice/salt) and cocktails (based on tequila and mezcal) are also offered. Good plan for a quick and nourishing meal!

L'azotea is one of Santo Domingo's finest addresses, with a superb terrace that's pleasant both day and night. Come with friends until late to sip a cocktail or drink a beer, while nibbling on delicious Spanish-style tapas: ham, mushrooms, chorizo, tortillas and croquetas of all kinds. The menu is very extensive, with plenty of hearty dishes to satisfy the cravings of the whole family. Friendly, young and dynamic service, and a great atmosphere at this restaurant in the colonial zone.

MEDITERRANEO is one of the restaurants in the luxury EDEN ROC complex in Cap Cana. It's the ideal place for lovers of gourmet cuisine and culinary innovation. The cuisine is inspired by the Mediterranean basin, with a touch of the Caribbean and European inspiration, creating a unique and exciting experience. Guests can choose from a variety of wines, each carefully selected to complement the meal.

On the side of the road towards Jarabacoa, this little western-style bar is known in the region for its ribs, smoked pork ribs in the Texan style. Just take a look at the barbecue and you'll see that this is serious business. The beautiful ribs are presented in the window (with smoked chicken and a few side dishes, including excellent banana leaf tamales ). You choose the quantity and it's off to pure happiness. But you have to be a meat lover, of course... Top service.

This is the landmark of Jarabacoa. You often hear people say "See you at La Tinaja", in Spanish of course. Open to the street, this café-restaurant is always busy. In the morning, workers and hikers meet for an excellent coffee and a hearty breakfast, ideal to start the day on the right foot. In the evening, it's the place to be for an aperitif. In short, a central and unavoidable address for all those who will spend a few days in Jarabacoa.

Within the luxurious Ocean Club complex, the Baia Lounge welcomes you between the pool and the sea, with a breathtaking view. The Mediterranean specialities honour fish in all its forms: carpaccio, ceviche, sushi... We particularly recommend the octopus carpaccio and mango conch. A delight. Possibility to have lunch by the pool, and even on the beach. A beautiful address, which reminds us more of Saint-Tropez or Capri than Sosúa. A moment of luxury guaranteed and an undeniably professional and careful service.

Located at the western end of the beach, you can walk past it several times without noticing it. And what a shame! It is one of the only restaurants on the beach without touts. Since it is located on the Dominican side, it welcomes mainly Dominican families who come to share fish and seafood. The restaurant has no sign: it is a white building, with a large kitchen open to the beach, and a few tables outside. Here, fish is king, grilled or fried, in Mofongo with octopus or shrimps, or in paella.

Without a doubt the best Italian restaurant in the region. The setting is pleasant with its small shaded patio away from the tourist crowds. Here, the fish is in the honor as well as the Tuscan specialities: pasta, pizzas, good pieces of meat accompanied by chips or vegetables... We recommend the fish of the day (roasted) as well as the linguini with lobster. A real treat and generous portions! The whole in a warm atmosphere and a service with the small onions. Some evenings, the meal is accompanied by live music.

At the exit of the city, this beautiful wild beach welcomes some stalls which will prepare you fish or grilled shrimps. Obviously, the fish is remarkably fresh, but it is especially the setting, with its feet in the water, that is worth the detour. We will not cease to repeat it nevertheless: ask well the price before ordering and being served because it is not rare, unfortunately, that the prices are inflated by knowing that you are on holiday in the corner. Otherwise, a good meal in an idyllic setting.

About thirty shops and restaurants line the fabulous beach of Ensenada. With a background of salsa or merengue music, choose your spot (at Teo's, Dueña Elsa's or Diana Barbecue for example) and the fish you want to eat (fried, a la plancha, or en papillote with a Creole sauce). A quality tip: the earlier you arrive, the fresher the fish will be. On weekends, many Dominican families flock here. Typical, charming and not expensive.

Located by the pool of the Punta Rucia Lodge, this restaurant enjoys an idyllic setting, with a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. On the menu: fish specialties of course, but also meat dishes and other specialties proposed according to the mood of the chef. The products are good and fresh. All this for an excellent quality-price ratio. Smiling and attentive service. For lunches and dinners that will delight all appetites.

THE middle-eastern restaurant of Santo Domingo. Welcome with oriental music, interior room a bit old-fashioned and often deserted, the attraction being the magnificent patio opened on two floors. Besides the menu, filled with tasty falafels, kebabs, hummus (a must) and other chawarma, we like the atmosphere of the place. Sip a fresh chinola juice or a limonana in the shade of giant banana trees, or in the evening a house cocktail. We recommend the "pintchos" formula which allows you to taste all the specialities, in small portions. Fast service.

Run by Christophe and Stéphanie, the café La Moricette (formerly Paco Cabana), is the haunt of French people living in Santo Domingo and offers the best croissants and pains au chocolat in the colonial zone (a French baker is behind the ovens). Perfect for a French breakfast, a savoury break (croque-monsieur, sandwich), a juice or a smoothie, but also for an aperitif on the terrace while watching the animation of the street. No doubt you will find a French speaker if you feel the need.

The beach club has a Tropezian atmosphere, lulled by the sound of garlands of seashells waving in the breeze. Every Sunday, the rich families of the capital and local celebrities gather in this restaurant on stilts, with a background of house music, to taste succulent fish, sushi, parilladas and seafood. We recommend the famous Boca Chica-style red mullet and paella marinera. Upstairs, there is an oyster and tapas bar and a smokehouse. Exceptional wine list (over 1,000 references). DJ on weekends.

Without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Las Terrenas. This beautiful Italian restaurant focuses on the sea. The vast service room is very elegant - a tribute to the three caravels aboard which Christopher Columbus and his crew discovered Hispaniola, blending tribal art and maritime frescoes - while on the plate, you'll find a fine menu that honors fish, but also offers excellent grills and other more innovative dishes like the excellent egg-coconut with sea urchin cream. Don't forget to make a reservation - it's often full!

Folklore 100% Dominican assured in this vast canteen dedicated to fish and seafood. Mora Pescaderia does not offer a menu, but a counter that presents the specialities of the day: octopus or conchas salad, marinated fish (which will be fried later), garlic shrimps... so many tempting dishes, served in generous portions. The room is often full to bursting, which ensures that the fish is always fresh! The dishes are accompanied by a good cold beer, a glass of wine or a fruit juice. Successful service.

Undoubtedly, Coco Mar is the most pleasant restaurant in Montecristi, facing the sea. It serves simple, unpretentious, and very good-natured maritime cuisine with many juices on the menu. The portions are rather generous, you will leave the table full. On the menu: fresh fish, pasta, but also the inevitable Dominican speciality, thearroz y pollo... The whole, the feet in the water! Impeccable, smiling and available service. Take a seat on the shaded terrace and enjoy your meal while admiring the view.

This is a brand new restaurant in "El callejon". Swai is specialized in fish and seafood. They serve very nice portions that taste as good as the plate suggests! We advise you to take 3 or 4 starters for two people(ceviche, fish soup Thai style, fresh burrata ...). Otherwise, let yourself be tempted by one of the "signature" dishes of the house, like the fish fillet from which the restaurant takes its name(swai). For a local taste, you can opt for the very good mamajuana cocktail.

This seaside restaurant in Miches welcomes you in a simple, friendly setting. The food is hearty and tasty: grilled fish, seafood and other Dominican dishes. All at very reasonable prices and in a family atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. A good place to enjoy a meal overlooking the sea when you're in town, and perhaps to meet the locals for a meal.

Alfredo is a kind-hearted and committed chef. Originally from Venezuela, he now lives in the Samaná region. To delight you, he offers a rare culinary adventure: a series of dishes inspired by the ingredients used in ancestral Taïnos cuisine. In this way, he sublimates the products and highlights their nutritional and gastronomic qualities, to help you discover forgotten traditions. To do this, he uses the various techniques he has acquired on his many travels around the world. A real experience!

An enchanting place, an imaginative decoration, sweet flavours served in a quiet, jovial and musical atmosphere, so many good points that make you want to go to El Babunuco to have a meal or a drink. You can reserve the dishes of your convenience that the chef will execute for you. We like the presentation of the plates and the generous quantities. To go further and stay in the Dominican atmosphere, tasting of home-made cigars for the informed amateurs. An address to visit.

It is one of the best restaurants in town, with Creole and international specialties. It also serves pizzas. If the dishes are a bit disappointing, you won't be disappointed by the good value for money. However, the welcome is very friendly and the atmosphere is convivial. We also challenge you to finish your plate. The walls of the restaurant are adorned with a beautiful mural of the region. An address where you can go at any time of the day for lunch or simply to have a coffee.

The Barra Payan is an institution, a legend, a place of life and meeting. You can't come to Santo Domingo without tasting its juices and its sandwiches (we recommend the Payan Especial, made of crumbled pork, ham and two kinds of cheese). A biography in Spanish has been published about its owner: how he started from nothing and became very rich by creating the Barra Payan. The place is always full, never closes at night, people crowd around the counter to eat, but you can, of course, order takeaway.

Restaurant Laurel offers a unique dining experience, brilliantly blending traditional Dominican and international cuisine. This trendy restaurant is a favorite with locals, whether for a romantic dinner, a business meeting or a meal with friends. Always full, you can enjoy delicious dishes in a sophisticated, friendly atmosphere. Dishes are prepared with fresh, local ingredients, highlighting local flavors. For gourmands and gourmets, we recommend it!

Look no further, the Mountain View Cafe is by far the best possible stopover in the area. From Bonao, you'll have to take a road heading up towards Cabasito, then park in one of the bends in the road. A pretty wooden hut, but above all a spectacular terrace overlooking the whole valley awaits you. Add to that a varied and excellently prepared menu (the meat plate is perfect for carnivores).

An elegant address where the service is impeccable. You can come to The Market at any time of the day to enjoy some good food prepared with care: meat and fish, salads and pastas, pizzas and burgers, but also a wide choice of dishes from the buffet. The desserts are deliciously copious, just like the dishes. You can sit on the benches of the wooden tables lined up, or at one of the round tables for 4-5 people. Excellent value for money and good service in this place where the crowds rarely drop.

The Buche Perico hides its game well. Don't be fooled by the exterior façade, it actually houses a magnificent tropical garden with plant walls and small waterfalls: a true haven of peace cooled by the propellers of the ceiling fan. It is in this setting, both modern and colonial, that you can enjoy some Dominican and European dishes prepared in all simplicity. The staff is very friendly, the prices rather honest for the area, and the meals are occasionally enlivened by dance or music performances.

A veritable little embassy of Haitian cuisine, Maison Kreyol offers a deliciously spicy gourmet stopover. The French-speaking team will be happy to provide you with some keys to the menu: "Tèt Kabrit" broth, tilapia filet with cheese, shrimps or lambi à la créole, salt fish... All accompanied by the refreshing national beer Prestige, before finishing with a few swigs of Barbancourt rum. A large buffet is served every Wednesday. Attentive service. Highly recommended.

More than 10 years ago, Big Lee, a retired Chicagoan, set up his Big Lee's Beach Bar & Grill here, a charming tropical shack with his feet in the sand. Big Lee and his team welcome you with open arms and a smile, to enjoy a good meal at any time of day. Fish & chips, burgers and hot dogs are served in a relaxed atmosphere. The Bar & Grill is also a great option for breakfast and aperitifs!

A calm and warm atmosphere for this small address. We are welcomed under the tropical straw hut of Los Tres Cocoswith a smile by the Austrian chef and his wife, both of whom are not lacking in professionalism, before taking a look at the beautiful wine list. As for the dishes, everything is fresh and delicious, from the starter to the dessert. For example, the salmon lasagne, the meat and potatoes or the rice and vegetable dish for vegetarians. No bad choices here. Nice address.

This small place on the waterfront, all in simplicity, is held by an Italian, Lino. You can eat very good pizzas with unique flavors and on the inspiration of the pizza maker. The pizzas are accompanied by natural juices, equally delicious and refreshing. Open at the end of the day, this is an undeniably warm place to eat. Specialties from the sea and the Caribbean are also on the menu. Impeccable and smiling service. When the music resounds, one cannot resist a few swayings on the improvised dance floor.

Recently taken over by a new team, the pretty Casa Coson and its restaurant are well worth a visit! If you've come here to taste a gastronomy at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and Dominican specialties (sensational fish and seafood preparations in particular), you can also enjoy some very successful pizzas. More than a restaurant, this is a trendy beach bar: from a day on the chaise longue overlooking the sea or in the whirlpool, you can enjoy themed evenings and cocktails! Perfect for a change of scenery in a quiet setting!

The Cabarete Coffee Company is the showcase of the Mariposa DR Foundation, a Cabarete-based organization fighting against poverty and promoting education and empowerment of young girls. Here, we drink a delicious coffee from local organic cultures, freshly roasted, offered hot or cold according to a dozen recipes. Also on the menu are delicious tropical smoothies and fresh fruit juices. All the profits made by the shop (including goodies) are donated to the association!

What a pleasure it is to find this real little piece of Italy in the heart of the Caribbean! We owe Bella'mbriana Al Caribe to Angelo Condemi, a native of Bari in Puglia. After having opened two "pizzeria/osteria" in Italy, he tackled the Dominican Republic in 2016, and the success is there once again. On the menu, some delicious transalpine dishes, but above all incredible pizzas topped with hand-picked ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven. Without a doubt the best pizzeria in the area. To be discovered!

If you end up here, it might be because a local recommended the place to you! This Neapolitan pizzeria is a reference in town. It must be said that its thin dough pizzas are very digestible (this is one of the selling points of the pizzeria and experience confirms it!) made with fresh ingredients and are delicious. And they are cooked over a wood fire, which makes all the difference. The great specialty is the pizza napoletana that chef Raffaele puts in the oven under his straw hut and that you can eat on the go.