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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
