Restaurants Overview

The island's culinary repertoire includes Spanish, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Japanese, and nueva cocina Dominicana (contemporary Dominican cuisine). If seafood is on the menu, it's bound to be fresh. The dining scene in Santo Domingo is the best in the country and probably as fine a selection of restaurants as you will find anywhere in the Caribbean. Keep in mind that the touristy restaurants, such as those in the Colonial Zone, with mediocre fare and just-okay service, are becoming more and more costly, whereas the few fine dining options, like La Residence and Café Bellini, have lowered their prices and are offering a daily special menu with main courses less than $10. Or you can order two generous appetizers for say, $15. You will have caring service and be sequestered in luxe surroundings away from the tourist hustle. Know that capitaleños dress for dinner and dine late. The crowds pick up after 9:30 PM.

Among the best Dominican specialties are queso frito (fried cheese), sancocho (a thick stew usually made with five meats and served with rice and avocado slices), arroz con pollo (rice with beans and fried chicken parts), pescado al coco (fish in coconut sauce), and plátanos (plantains) in all their tasty varieties, including tostones (fried green plaintains). Shacks and stands that serve cheap eats are an integral part of the culture and landscape, but eat street food at your own risk -- more like your own peril. Presidente is the best local beer. Brugal rum is popular with the Dominicans, but Barceló anejo (aged) rum is as smooth as cognac, and Barcelo Imperial is so special it's sold only at Christmastime.

What to Wear

In resort areas, shorts and bathing suits under beach wraps are usually (but not always) acceptable at breakfast and lunch. For dinner, long pants, skirts, and collared shirts are the norm. Restaurants tend to be more formal in Santo Domingo, both at lunch and at dinner, with trousers required for men and dresses suggested for women. Ties aren't required anywhere, but jackets are (even at the midday meal) in some of the finer establishments.