12 Must-Have Foodie Experiences to Seek Out in the Dominican Republic

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Water just tastes better out of a coconut, no?
Water just tastes better out of a coconut, no?

Content Produced in Partnership with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

When you remember a good vacation, chances are you recall what you ate just as vividly as what you did. One meal truly can make or break a trip, and consistent exceptional dining is what makes one destination stand out over a mediocre one. The Dominican Republic has almost more restaurants than the rest of the Caribbean combined so for foodies looking for a beach getaway, this is pretty much mecca.

Upscale dining experiences feature everything from live music to full vegetarian menus ensuring your Dominican Republic food is a tasty treasure hunt. Whether you prefer fine dining or more casual grab and go spots, the DR has something to appease every palate. If you’re wondering what to eat in the Dominican Republic, here are a few of the standout dishes and dining experiences to seek out:

Sometimes you just have to point and guess what you want to try at a local market, but 9 times out of 10 it pays off.
Sometimes you just have to point and guess what you want to try at a local market, but 9 times out of 10 it pays off.

Try the Street Food

A food tour is one of the best ways to get a local feel for a city. Keep an eye out for sizzling empanadas deep-fried right before your eyes (be prepared for serious yolk porn), Oreo churros, quipe (deep fried Middle Eastern croquettes filled with meat and rice), and dangling pork roasted right on the side of the highway. It’s one of the best street market countries outside of Asia.

Sancocho, a homey stew, is one of the signature Dominican Republic foods.
Sancocho, a homey stew, is one of the signature Dominican Republic foods.

Take a Cooking Class 

Following the direction of culinary guru Chef Martin Omar at Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando, while you wouldn’t necessarily think of soup as comfort food in the blazing summer sun, that’s exactly what is. Sancocho is a traditional Dominican dish of stew served over rice and just one of the dishes we learned to make in our hands-on cooking class. You can use any combination of proteins along with plantains, pumpkin, and other root vegetables to enhance the creaminess. Everyone’s variation is unique, but given that it takes hours to simmer and stew, you can literally taste the love bubbling up in the bowl.

Grilled lobster is a treat anytime you visit.
Grilled lobster is a treat anytime you visit.

Go on the “See Food” Diet

If there’s one thing islands are famous for, it’s their seafood. Fresh and readily available, pescado frito (fried fish) is commonly found at the beach and markets, but more refined dishes like octopus ceviche, conch empanadas, grilled lobster, and crab creole are worth seeking out. Mason de Bari is one restaurant that’s recommended for traditional seafood dishes in Santo Domingo.

Chinola, passion fruit, is a favorite in the DR.  Photo Credit: Nick Argires
Chinola, passion fruit, is a favorite in the DR.  Photo Credit: Nick Argires

Drink Your Fruits

When most people think island they immediately associate the beach with umbrella cocktails, but the local fruit juices and natural coconut water are equally as tempting. Keep an eye out for their specialty, which is chinola (passion fruit). Typically mixed with carnation condensed milk, they like things sweet in the DR (sugarcane is the main export), but you can also specify smoothies made with regular milk or ice too. If you want to make it a tropical cocktail, beach grape mojitos are popular when in season.

Pork sandwiches, fried goat, and hearty potatoes are also staple cuisine, but not great for the bikini bod.
Pork sandwiches, fried goat, and hearty potatoes are also staple cuisine, but not great for the bikini bod.

Make it a Meat and Potatoes Night

At its core, like Cuban food, Dominican cuisine is uncomplicated. They like pork leg sandwiches, stewed goat, and all types of fried foods: potatoes, tostones (plantains), bread (Johnnycakes), and yucca. Chimichurri sauce makes a great steak topping, while salt never hurt the side dishes. Their local 24/7 fast food chain is called Barra Payan, which serves a variety of pressed sandwiches mostly in variations of ham and cheese.

Street markets are sensory overload in all the right ways.
Street markets are sensory overload in all the right ways.

Peruse the Street Markets

The best way to take in the local sights, smells (this one was especially pungent), and tastes, street markets provide a raw authentic sense of place. It’s the place to find fresh produce with people watching at it’s finest. One to check out is Mercado Modelo in Santo Domingo, which is open daily.

Bakeries are dangerous because you want everything in the case. Photo Credit: Angela Lalaw
Bakeries are dangerous because you want everything in the case. Photo Credit: Angela Lalaw

Hit up a Bakery

Sweet paradise just like your great grandma made when she thought you were looking a little thin. Sample the sweet potato custard (probably the favorite thing I ate and I don’t even like sweet potatoes), coconut cake and cookies, flan, and tres leche cake are all delicacies here, and everything has a creamy, milky texture that goes down just a little too easily. If you’re more into savory, you can also get empanadas aplenty and other fried goodies.

The  Rom Barcelo factory tour is the place to try island drinks from the source.
The Rom Barcelo factory tour is the place to try island drinks from the source.

Tour a Rum Factory

The Rom Barcelo factory has been around since 1930 and was named the best rum in the world multiple times. The rums are sweet and smooth, aged and distilled in American white oak barrels imported from Kentucky. You can sample their nine varietals straight (don’t miss the cream rum) before tasting the island’s signature drink, a Santo Libre, which consists of rum and Sprite.

The DR has a surprising Creole influence you can see in dishes like Mofongo.
The DR has a surprising Creole influence you can see in dishes like Mofongo.

Seek Out the Signature Dishes

Mofongo is hands down one of my favorite things we tried, a glorious mashing of fried plantains, garlic ,and chicharron pork skin served in ball form. Jalao in the capital did it up right, and served a number of other signature dishes showcasing the island’s Creole influence (they’re known for their goat too). One of the most common dishes you’ll come across is “La Bandera,” which loosely translates to the “Dominican flag.” A simple plate of rice, red beans, fritters, and stewed or fried meat; you can see how straightforward their typical lunch plates are.

It's easy to be a veg head when upscale vegetarian dishes are on the menu. Photo Credit:Nick Argires
It’s easy to be a veg head when upscale vegetarian dishes are on the menu. Photo Credit:Nick Argires

Go Vegetarian

When you need a break from the meat heavy meals, TIME Vegetarian Kitchen is an upscale dining experience in Santo Domingo with a flair for the dramatics. Dishes are sophisticated, yet approachable, and presented with a flourish (think grilled cheese sandwiches suspended over soup and wontons encased in aromatic cloches). The veggie-centric plates are not trying to be meat substitutes and hold their own with the goat cheese, beet, and truffle ravioli being the notable standout.

El Presidente is the local beer of choice.
El Presidente is the local beer of choice.

Cheers with the Local Beer

Don’t forget to cheers with an El Presidente. Dominicans make an art out of keeping their beer cold and the bottles are painstakingly glassed over with a thin layer of ice called “vestida de novia” or “dressed as a bride.”

No matter what or where you eat, make sure it comes with a view. Photo Credit: Nick Argires
No matter what or where you eat, make sure it comes with a view. Photo Credit: Nick Argires

Dine Waterfront

Whether you opt for one of the many exquisite ocean view restaurants or make your own beach picnic, the water sets the scene for a beautiful evening and trip to remember. Time your meal at dusk because there’s simply nothing like a Caribbean sunset.

Dominican Republic Food is a Feast for the Senses

The Dominican Republic doesn’t just serve meals — it serves stories. Every dish, from street-side chimis to grandmother-worthy sancocho, is a window into the island’s past, present, and puro sabor. This is a place where food is both comfort and celebration, and if you’re doing it right, you’ll end every day deliciously full.

So forget the resort buffet and dive into the real flavor of the island — the smoky roadside grills, the steamy corner comedores, the markets overflowing with tropical fruit you didn’t know existed. Whether you’re sipping mamajuana with locals or going full “Los Tres Golpes” at breakfast, you’ll taste the DR’s soul in every bite.

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8 replies
  1. Victoria Ward
    Victoria Ward says:

    Ummmm! Yummm! I have family in DR so I have been quite a few times but it the type of place you can go back to over and over and discover new things. Thanks for the post this makes me want to go back again just to eat

    Reply
  2. Anonymous
    Anonymous says:

    Wow! All of those dishes look absolutely amazing. I had no idea that the Dominican was a foodie’s paradise until I read your post. Now, I have to go.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous
    Anonymous says:

    Aaah I probably shouldn’t have read this on an empty stomach all the food you described and showed sounds/looks delicious, especially the signature dishes.
    While I don’t really like beer I love the pic you used 🙂

    Reply
  4. Anonymous
    Anonymous says:

    This looks delicious! I love plantains! I have tried momofongo in NYC and was devastated when that place closed… Makes me hungry.. yum.

    Reply

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