Must-see restaurants in Dominican Republic

  • Vagamundo Coffee & Waffles

    Cabarete

    Just outside of town, this third-wave coffee shop offers all the latest in coffee. Its aesthetic, with mason jars, pallet furniture, lanterns and a 2000s…

  • Brot Bagel Shop

    Bávaro & Punta Cana

    Slammed at breakfast, this is where Punta Cana comes for its bagel fix. Fab bagelwiches (also available on baguettes) are the call, in such rarely seen…

  • Restaurante Luís

    Las Terrenas

    Dig your toes into the sand, shoot the breeze with the server over the daily catch (there's no menu), and sit back and wait for tasty lobsters the size of…

  • El Manguito Restaurant & Liquor Store

    North Coast

    Nestled at the side of the highway just east of the Costa Dorada complex (and just west of Playa Dorada) is this good-value seafood joint with a diverse,…

  • Cabarete Coffee Company

    Cabarete

    A tiny, cozy spot with all-day breakfast menu (waffles, omelets and even bagels), paninis and smoothies made with organic and locally sourced ingredients…

  • La Cocina de Cheska

    Santo Domingo

    You might stick out at this locals-only spot with tables on the Parque Arturo Pellerano Castro, a charming cobblestone plaza at the southeastern tip of…

  • Tierra y Mar

    Península de Samaná

    Service can be an issue here, but there's no denying the food is tasty, especially the fish in Creole sauce (tomatoes, onions and peppers). There are…

  • Pala Pizza

    Dominican Republic

    Yes, it’s a chain, but this is Baní and locals swear it’s better than anything else nearby. Think of it as a Dominican Pizza Hut: there’s decent pizza …

  • Falafel

    Santo Domingo

    This restaurant’s stunning, open-air dining room is the courtyard of a ruined building lit by shimmering candles, which makes it at least as good a place…

  • Marisco Caribeño

    Santiago

    This popular, long-running restaurant serves grilled fish and seafood in an indoor dining room with white tablecloths, a breezy outdoor garden and a more…

  • Café SBG

    Santo Domingo

    You might not be in the DR to eat in an upscale mall. But best to get over it. This European-style brasserie with a stylish outdoor terrace is one of…

  • El Langostino de Oro

    Las Galeras

    When the multitasking French chef-owner is less taxed, this centrally located open-air restaurant does reliably good and large pizza and pasta dishes as…

  • La Grasa

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Owned by Pitbull, the American rapper, this fairly out-of-the-way large open-air waterfront restaurant is not content to coast on his fame alone. The menu…

  • Trigo de Oro

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    This French bakery and cafe remains a welcome respite from motoconcho fumes. Located inside a historic mansion, the bakery side has freshly made pastries…

  • La Cava del Parrillero

    Dominican Republic

    This outdoor restaurant centers on a palapa-covered grill, from which aromas waft all the way to the street. Order your protein from the counter – the…

  • Le Papillon

    North Coast

    This fine dining restaurant, 100m east of Cofresí up a small hill, serves excellent meals in a large palapa-roofed dining area with dark-wood tables, a…

  • Mojito Bar

    Cabarete

    One of the few reasonably priced beachfront places, Mojitos has an excellent selection of natural juices, healthy salads, Dominican food and sandwiches …

  • Comedor Mirabel

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Unsigned and off the beaten path, Mirabel serves up heaping plates of Dominican platos del día (beef, chicken, fish or pork along with rice, beans and a…

  • Sicily's Empanadas

    Santo Domingo

    Good, cheap meals to take on-the-go are rare in the Zona Colonial. This is one of the best with a selection of more than a dozen varieties of empanadas,…

  • La Playita

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    As good as it gets in Miches, this mini-complex along the town seafront does a good job with Dominican seafood and an even better job with drinking – the…

  • Baia Lounge

    Sosúa

    This waterfront space is part of Gansevoort Dominican Republic, an ultramodern condo development on a tranquil beach at the end of town. The Mediterranean…

  • D'Yira

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    If you're in Higüey for a night, this rustic palapa-roofed Dominican choice is the way to go. The house specialty is mofongos (mashed plaintains stuffed…

  • Sunset Grill

    Cabarete

    This restaurant at Velero is the best spot in town to watch the sunset, and serves up Dominican cuisine along with fresh seafood, meats and pasta. Top…

  • Boulangerie Française

    Las Terrenas

    Transport yourself to Paris at this pleasant bakery serving fresh croissants and other traditional French pastries and desserts. The street-side patio…

  • La Cafetera Colonial

    Santo Domingo

    Once a well-known hangout for artists, intellectuals and journalists, this long and narrow greasy spoon opened in 1932 and still caters to a regular…

  • Las Velas Restaurant

    North Coast

    This waterfront establishment at the marina is a great place to kick back with a Presidente and meet some boaters and fisherfolk. It's a pretty relaxing…

  • Café de Paris

    North Coast

    Not at all like Paris, this hot-pink-and-white cafe sits right on Laguna Gri-Gri and makes an excellent spot for fresh juice or a cocktail. The plato del…

  • Noah Restaurant & Lounge

    Santiago

    Possibly downtown's and the Monument's most upscale restaurant, stylish Noah does pasta, fish and meat dishes, plus more than a dozen varieties of pizza…

  • Restaurant Coco Mar

    North Coast

    Look for this restaurant with oceanfront outdoor seating just before the green monstrosity of the Hotel Montechico. Buoys and fishing nets hang from the…

  • La Casita de Papi

    Cabarete

    An institution in Cabarete, this homey beachfront restaurant does a great garlic shrimp paella dish as well as lobster and grilled fish, under twinkling…

  • La Dolce Vita

    Las Terrenas

    When the Italian chef is in the kitchen cooking, this old-fashioned throwback does very good pasta. The wide-ranging menu hits all the usual fish and meat…

  • Rincon del Marisco

    Las Galeras

    A simple open-air place with outstanding food thanks to chef Rubi: fresh fish, lobster, grilled chicken etc. Order anything in the wonderful coco sauce…

  • Gelatera Italiana

    Las Terrenas

    Continental quality gelato, the ideal apres-beach refresher, is served up at this small spot where the main access road to town dead ends at the beach…

  • Café Italia

    Península de Samaná

    The burgers, burritos, pastas and pastries aren't anything special but it has a pleasant outdoor patio right across from the ferry dock and is very…

  • La Parrilla de Luis

    Cabarete

    Ignore the noise and fumes from idling motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) and pull up a plastic chair to enjoy delicious plates of barbecue chicken and yucca.

  • Supermercado Lindo

    Las Terrenas

    One of the largest and best supermarkets in town, this is the place to go for canned food, pasta, produce, imported foods, snacks, wine and any other…

  • Punto Italia

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Imports gourmet Italian and European brands; stocks fresh meat and cheeses; and serves quick-fire pastas and pizza in an attached open-air pavilion.

  • El Farolito

    North Coast

    A standout beach restaurant, serving fish, burgers, fried chicken and more. The owner and staff members could not be nicer.

  • Restaurant Johnson

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Fresh seafood is offered at this simple and bare-bones Dominican place on the town square, walkable from the ferry pier.

  • Mijas Restaurante

    Santo Domingo

    Upscale and trendy Spanish restaurant serving some of the best tapas in the city. Live music Saturday nights.

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