Where To Eat In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This article will feature the most interesting and authentic spots to eat in Santo Domingo. All of them are located within the Colonial Zone, the historic district of the city, where 90% of all hotels are located and where also the Dominicans love to go out.
This means that you can easily walk to all the top restaurants in Santo Domingo mentioned here which makes it even more pleasant to explore the culinary diversity of Santo Domingo and its Colonial Zone. Let find out Where To Eat In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic below.
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Where To Eat In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pura Tasca & Pat’e Palo At Plaza España
If you are in Santo Domingo just for 1 night and would like to dine at THE most emblematic place of the city, then you have to go to Plaza España in the Colonial Zone. It is the most historic place of the entire city, with Casa Colón the house of Columbus’ son being right on the square, Calle Las Damas the oldest street of the Americas ending at Plaza España and the Museo de las Casas Reales one of the most beautiful buildings in the city nearby.
Plaza España is home to a couple of restaurants, which all feature a marvellous view of Casa Colón, especially at night. Musicians playing typical Dominican music and a muted illumination of both, the public plaza and the restaurants create a romantic atmosphere. In terms of food and ambience at Plaza España, I recommend Pat’e Palo and Pura Tasca. While Pat’e Palo is probably the most historic and well known restaurant serving traditional food in an elegant atmosphere, Pura Tasca is one of the cheaper options at Plaza España and serves a fusion of Dominican classics and Spanish tapas.
Experience Dominican Culture: Jalao
If you are more into music and traditional entertainment than history and a romantic setting when looking for a place to eat, you should head to Jalao in the pedestrian area of the Colonial Zone, right opposite the historic basilica. Jalao is a huge restaurant that features typical Dominican home cooked fare prepared and served in an elegant and modern way.
Furthermore, the restaurant hosts almost daily shows or live music, especially in the Dominican genres of Bachata, Salsa and Merengue. Depending on the crowd, this might turn to spontaneous dancing sessions in the restaurant, as it is a popular place among wealthy Dominicans. If you are looking for an authentic Dominican experience with a high quality of service and abundant options of food, Jalao at Parque Colón is your place to go.
Dine In Style: Lulú Tasting Bar
You want to meet the young and successful generation of the Dominican Republic. Chances are high that you’ll find them at Lulú Tasting Bar, an elegant and cozy restaurant and bar in one of the most romantic corner parks of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. Especially at night, Parque Billini features a haimish atmosphere, thanks to its perfect illumination, historic buildings and the adjacent cobblestone streets.
If you decide to dine in this romantic setting, you can expect a journey through the variety of Dominican dishes, spiced up with some international influences. As the name of this restaurant in Santo Domingo suggests, you’ll end up tasting a whole range of dishes instead of just eating one plate. Therefore, arrive with some extra time at Lulu’s and check out the weekly specials to make this visit more affordable.
Lebanese Food In A Pretty Courtyard: Falafel
Do you want to combine exotic food with one of the prettiest courtyards the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo has to offer. When visiting Falafel restaurant, you can enjoy affordable, home made and delicious Lebanese food while sitting in one of those historic patios, which are omnipresent thanks to the colonial buildings in this district. It is a true joy to explore them. Falafel’s collection of sauces and dips is especially impressive, so make sure you get a dish with some finger food.
The Best Empanadas In Town: Sicily
While all the places described above are proper restaurants, let’s head into the more informal section of eateries in Santo Domingo. These places are significantly cheaper and popular among the young and middle class Dominicans. One of these spots and one of my favorites is Sicily.
This hole in the wall offers the best empanadas in town, thanks to their creative and rich fillings as well as the on the spot production they have set up. While empanadas in the Dominican Republic usually are pre produced and cold, empanadas at Sicily are fried only when you order them which means that they are served sizzling hot. This gives those empanadas a totally different taste.
