Must-see restaurants in Dominican Republic

  • Pat’e Palo

    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…

  • El Monte Azul

    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…

  • La Terrasse

    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…

  • Las Palmas

    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…

  • Mare Nuestro

    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…

  • Restaurant Casa Veintiuno

    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…

  • Paladart

    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…

  • El Cabito

    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…

  • Saona Cafe

    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…

  • Restaurante Playa Blanca

    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…

  • Rincón Mexicano

    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…

  • Shish Kabab Restaurant

    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…

  • Samurai

    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…

  • L’Hacienda Restaurant

    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…

  • Pequeña Suiza

    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,…

  • El Caney

    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…

  • El Meson Suizo

    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,…

  • Gordito's Fresh Mex

    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…

  • El Mesón

    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…

  • El Bergantin

    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…

  • Camp David

    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…

  • Restaurant La Bahia

    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…

  • Los Charros

    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…

  • Lulú Tasting Bar

    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…

  • Ñam Ñam

    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 –…

  • Mama Mia

    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…

  • Little John

    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…

  • Wacamole

    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…

  • Buche Perico

    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…

  • Michael's Stone Bar

    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,…

  • The Beach

    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…

  • Balicana

    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…

  • Trattoria Angiolino

    Santo Domingo

    Small and casually sophisticated, this old-school family-owned trattoria serves up delicious and large portions of pasta including pappardelle ragout,…

  • Kaffe

    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,…

  • El Lugar

    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…

  • 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…

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