Your Trip to the Dominican Republic: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Nightlife in Santo Domingo: Bars, Clubs, & More Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Safety in the DR Top Resorts Dominican Republic Airport Guide Places to Visit One-Week Itinerary 48 Hours in Santo Domingo Annual Events Things to Do in the DR Things to Do in Santo Domingo Best Beaches Best Hikes Foods to Try Best Restaurants in Santo Domingo Your Trip to the Dominican Republic: The Complete Guide close Overview Caribbean Dominican Republic The Top 11 Restaurants in Santo Domingo By Lebawit Lily Girma Lebawit Lily Girma Freelance Writer Facebook Instagram Twitter University of Virginia School of Law Lebawit Lily Girma is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, and author of several Caribbean guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides. She is currently based between Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Washington, D.C. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 11/29/19 As the most populated and the most cosmopolitan city in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo’s restaurant scene is rich in both local and international cuisines. You’ll find dining options are as numerous and stretch as wide as the city’s multiple neighborhoods. Whether you’re curious to sample Dominican dishes, or you’re craving falafel and shawarmas or vegan meals, there’s a restaurant, food truck, or comedor to suit all tastes. The city’s best dining spots can be found in three main areas: the Colonial City, the seafront Malecon, and Gazcue neighborhood, and the downtown Piantini and Naco areas. Eating your way around these areas is a great way to explore the city's diverse facets, from Dominican-themed restaurants to seafood on a terrace overlooking the Caribbean, and dining in a cave. Here are the best 12 restaurants to try while in Santo Domingo. 01 of 11 Best for Dominican Food: Villar Hermanos Courtesy of Villar Hermanos View Map Address Av. Independencia 312, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-682-1433 Web Visit website Located in Gazcue, near the Malecon and the Colonial Zone, Villar Hermanos is a bustling, locally-owned Dominican cafeteria restaurant and a staple in Santo Domingo. There are daily fresh lunch options, from rice and beans to chicken or beef stews, fish, yucca, mangu, chicharron, and other Dominican specialties. Enjoy your meal on-site in the spacious, air-conditioned dining area. At the back of the lunch counter, you’ll find a bakery section with sandwiches and empanadas, cakes, and fresh bread. Gourmet coffee and a full cocktail menu are also available. Continue to 2 of 11 below. 02 of 11 Best for Live Merengue: Jalao Courtesy of Jalao View Map Address C. El Conde, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-792-1262 Web Visit website If you love eating to the sound of merengue, bachata, and other Latin sounds, head directly to Jalao. This Dominican-themed restaurant, located on Calle El Conde in the center of the Colonial Zone, serves local dishes with a modern twist and boasts an extensive cocktail menu. Head there for lunch or dinner before or after you’ve explored the area’s museums, parks, and plazas. Live bands perform here nearly daily, playing late into the night on the weekends as diners are invited to join the fun on the dance floor. Continue to 3 of 11 below. 03 of 11 Best for Seafood: El Gallego Courtesy of El Gallego View Map Address C. César Nicolás Penson 76, Santo Domingo 10205, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-689-4027 Web Visit website Off the beaten track in the Gazcue neighborhood yet minutes from the hotels on the Malecon, El Gallego lies tucked inside a former home turned authentic Spanish-Galician restaurant. Seating is set on a poolside terrace or indoors if you prefer. The menu is an exquisite selection of Spanish seafood favorites, but there are also meat options. Come here for the ceviche, pulpo a la gallega, or octopus, tapas, the city’s best seafood paella, and the extensive imported wine list. Continue to 4 of 11 below. 04 of 11 Best for Romantic Setting: El Meson de la Cava Courtesy of El Meson de La Cava View Map Address Av. Mirador Sur 1, Santo Domingo 00000, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-533-2818 Web Visit website The most romantic restaurant in Santo Domingo for its unique setting, El Meson de la Cava takes you underground to dine in an ancient Taino cave turned restaurant. Beautifully set with white tablecloth covered tables and soft lighting, the international menu is equally satisfying, from fresh salmon to the filet mignon steaks. It’s a perfect pick for special occasions or a romantic night out. Continue to 5 of 11 below. 05 of 11 Best for Dominican Pastries and Sweets: Dulceria Maria La Turca View Map Address dbdb, F494+CJ9, Santo Domingo 10208, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-686-5248 A stop at a dulceria or a typical pastry shop and restaurant is an integral part of the food experience in Santo Domingo. The city boasts numerous options, but the most locally known and authentic is Dulceria Maria La Turca. With two locations in the Colonial City, you’ll get to sample Dominicans’ favorite sweets and desserts, many of which are coconut-based. There are often hot salty snacks on sale, as well. Continue to 6 of 11 below. 06 of 11 Best for International Fine Dining: Nipau Courtesy of Nipau View Map Address C. Max Henriquez Ureña 20, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-540-3558 Web Visit website Locked in downtown Santo Domingo, in the upscale Piantini sector, owned and operated by a power chef couple, Nipau is one of the most high quality, consistent, and value-packed restaurants in the capital. In a cozy set of small dining areas, the menu will satisfy the pickiest eater: shrimp risotto, wood-fired pizza, lemongrass salmon with lentils, spinach dips, creamy mushroom penne, and rib-eye steaks. The cocktails are also popular, including mojitos, gins, and an extensive wine list. Continue to 7 of 11 below. 07 of 11 Best for Middle Eastern Cuisine: Falafel Zona Colonial Courtesy of Falafel Zona Colonial View Map Address C. Padre Billini 352, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-688-9714 Web Visit website Specializing in Lebanese and Mediterranean influenced dishes, made using the family’s grandmother recipes—shawarmas, falafel pita sandwiches or salads, flatbreads, mushroom hummus, and delicious chicken skewers—Falafel has lasted in the Colonial Zone since 1999. The restaurant’s highlight, aside from its consistent menu, is its multilevel Spanish courtyard setting. Continue to 8 of 11 below. 08 of 11 Best for Family Dining: Adrian Tropical Courtesy of Adrian Tropical View Map Address Av. Independencia km 6 1/2, Plaza Atala I frente a la Cerveceria, Santo Domingo 10115, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-565-9236 Web Visit website Conveniently located on Santo Domingo’s historic Malecon, facing numerous brand hotels, Adrian Tropical is as popular for its “criollo” Dominican soul food as it is for its outdoor clifftop terrace with views of the Caribbean Sea. Order one of its frozen “tropicolada” fruit smoothies, made daily from fresh fruits. Sample a range of Dominican favorites, including chicharron, rice, and beans, fried chicken, seafood in a creole sauce, or a variety of grilled steaks. While service can be a bit slow, it’s an excellent spot for the family—there’s ample seating indoors as well, and the staff will play merengue for special celebrations. Continue to 9 of 11 below. 09 of 11 Best for Date Night: Buche Perico Courtesy of Buche Perico View Map Address C. El Conde 53, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-475-6451 Web Visit website Located on the most scenic cobblestoned block in the Colonial Zone, Buche Perico specializes in “new” Dominican cuisine. Its large, green-room-like leafy courtyard is one of the most beautiful in Santo Domingo, and you’ll feel cool under the giant, rotating yet silent high ceiling fans. Sample the coconut ceviche, Dominican sancocho, or mashed yucca with lobster. There is usually a live jazz performance on the terrace in the evening. Continue to 10 of 11 below. 10 of 11 Best for Food Truck Dining: El Patio Culinario Courtesy of El Patio Culinario View Map Address C. Isabel La Católica &, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 829-645-6666 Web Visit website This food truck “patio” in the Colonial City is a fun option for a night out with your group of friends or as a fun couple night’s out. A series of food trucks are permanently stationed in the yard of this outdoor restaurant, serving grilled burgers, Mexican fare, or seafood. There’s always a happy hour deal taking place throughout the week, and the atmosphere livens up with an in-house DJ or karaoke nights. It’s a great spot to enjoy food trucks in a safe atmosphere. Continue to 11 of 11 below. 11 of 11 Best for Tapas: Pura Tasca Courtesy of Pura Tasca View Map Address C. Emiliano Tejera 51, Santo Domingo 10212, Dominican Republic Get directions Phone +1 809-333-8494 One of the most value-packed restaurants overlooks Plaza España, along a row of bars and restaurants that were once taverns in the colonial days. The best reason to dine at Pura Tasca is its list of more than a dozen sangrias in multiple local fruit flavors. Try the passion fruit or the classic red sangria and pair them with tasty tapas—patatas bravas, portobello sliders, smoked tuna, and sausage croquettes, as well as cheese platters. 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