Creole and international cuisine await the visitor in Santo Domingo
Dominican cuisine shows the influence of its Taino Indian roots
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. With buildings dating from the sixteenth century, and the walled historic centre with its Colonial Area, which was the first European settlement in America, Santo Domingo is one of the world’s most popular cities with tourists, and offers a cuisine to suit every taste.
Influenced by the Tainos — the island’s principal ethnic group — as well as by the Spanish, African and Arab cuisines, Dominican cooking offers a plethora of dishes based on beef, chicken, goat, pork, fish, shellfish, fresh coriander, beans and rice, but the star ingredient is the banana — which is served in myriad ways.
The other king of Dominican cuisine is the coconut, a product of the huge areas of palm forests that cover the island; it is used in savoury dishes, desserts and drinks.
So that you don’t miss out on the finest Creole cooking, we are recommending the best eateries in Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic
Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults only - All Inclusive
- On one of the 10 best beaches in the world
- Four buffet options
- Access to the entire complex
- Top honeymoon destination
Dominican Republic
Barceló Bávaro Palace - All Inclusive
Dominican Republic
Barceló Santo Domingo
- Excellent location in the heart of the city
- Kyoto restaurant, authentic Japanese cuisine
- Convention and meeting centre
- Trips and excursions service
Dominican Republic
El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
- Luxurious and Elegant Rooms
- Excellence in personalized services
- 3,000 m² of meeting and event rooms
- 12,000 m² of tropical gardens and green areas
Dominican Republic
Occidental Caribe - All Inclusive
- In front of the beach of fine white sand
- Kids Club and Water Park
- 7 restaurants with exquisite gastronomy
- Free Wi-Fi
Dominican Republic
Occidental Punta Cana - All Inclusive
- Exclusive Royal Level service and facilities
- 11 restaurants with a wide gastronomic variety
- 300 meters of fine white sand
- Free Wi-Fi
A seasoning of history provides a treat for diners at the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo.
In the heart of the Dominican Republic’s capital city stands the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo, an urban paradise for business visitors and tourists alike. The hotel offers a variety of bars and restaurants to cater for all tastes.
The gastronomic pleasures of this hotel have a history, as before it was acquired by the Barceló chain, it was called Hotel Lina, and its owner of the same name was a Spanish woman who, years earlier, had greatly impressed the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo when she cooked him a stew that he ate in the company of General Franciso Franco.
Doña Lina cooked for Trujillo again, but his wife, María Martínez, cancelled her services, and the Dominican dictator gave her 25 thousand pesos as a token of his gratitude. This was a tidy sum back then, and it enabled Doña Lina to set up her own business.
Her establishment, the Cantábrico, which boasted a steakhouse and a snack bar, became one of the 50 best restaurants in the world according to the US press. Later, Doña Lina moved to the Santo Domingo’s Avenida Máximo Gómez, where she opened a new business, which is now the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo.
B. Delicious
A restaurant offering both buffet and à la carte service, with highly qualified staff, where guests are made to feel at home, and which is open from 6.30 am right through until 11.00 pm. Every day, breakfast offers something different, while at lunch and dinner veritable feasts comprising a wide range of the highest quality dishes draw guests back time and time again.
Restaurante Kyoto
A restaurant with a sophisticated ambience and an attractive décor, and which embodies the quintessence of Japanese cuisine, offering quality dishes and an excellent standard of service.
Delicacies such as Maguro Zuke — tuna in a Japanese sauce — tease guests’ tastebuds before they move on to mussel Kai Crema or a wide array of sushis, nigris and Japanese noodle dishes.
Piano Bar
With an offer of great music, plus a dance floor and karaoke, not to mention mouth-watering cocktails and sandwiches, the hotel’s Piano Bar sets the scene for unforgettable soirées.
Lounge Bar
Visitors looking to enjoy the Caribbean climate and the swimming pool during the daytime, along with aperitifs and tropical drinks, will love the Lounge Bar.
Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo is located in the Dominican Republic’s capital city, in Avenida Máximo Gómez, on the corner of 27 de Febrero.
Indulgent treats for the most discerning palates at the Embajador Royal Hideaway
Indulgent treats for the most discerning guests are on offer at the Barceló Hotel Group’s El Embajador Royal Hideaway, which enjoys a strategic location in Santo Domingo. The hotel’s two restaurants and two bars offer a varied range of local and international dishes using fresh produce from around the island.
El Jardín
The El Jardín gourmet restaurant, set in an exquisite Spanish courtyard, is run by an Executive Chef who takes care of every last detail. It offers a delicious paella, background music and a select wine list.
In one of the Colonial City’s most charming settings, guests can enjoy a range of salads, risottos, meat or fish dishes, many of which have tropical touches, followed by amazing desserts and ice creams.
Los Porches
This restaurant, with its wonderful view of the Hotel Embajador de Santo Domingo’s gardens and swimming pool, offers a Dominican or international buffet breakfast, delectable à la carte menus at lunch and dinner and a varied brunch which includes the indispensable ingredient: mimosa.
Bar Las Cotorrass
Enjoy an incredible experience enhanced by the singing of parrots in the hotel’s Bar Las Cotorras, which faces the swimming pool, is surrounded by tropical gardens, and serves an extensive range of snacks and drinks.
The Lobby & Cru Bar
The Lobby & Cru Bar, a place steeped in elegance and tradition within the Hotel Embajador de Santo Domingo, has a Spanish tapas section, a bar serving both Dominican and international drinks, and a selection of wines.
The Embajador Royal Hideaway is located at no. 65 Avenida Sarasota, Ensanche Bella Vista, Santo Domingo.
Board the Adrián Tropical gourmet cruise ship
Situated in Avenida George Washington, in the heart of Santo Domingo’s waterfront area, the Adrián Tropical restaurant is guaranteed to bring a satisfied smile to the face of every diner who enjoys its unique Creole cuisine.
Although its origins date back to 1988, when it served street food sandwiches, in 1997 this establishment became the Adrián Tropical, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The restaurant gives the impression of being a cruise ship docked overlooking the Caribbean Sea, inviting visitors to embark on a gastronomic voyage through ceviches, soups, barbecued and fried dishes, sandwiches, Creole specialties and desserts, along with all types of drinks.
This gourmet cruise ship can be found at no. 1, Avenida George Washington, on Santo Domingo’s waterfront.
Platos Exquisitos is a natural limestone cavern inside the Mesón de la Cava
Open since 1967, El Mesón de la Cava is one of Santo Domingo’s most famous and distinguished restaurants among the tourists who flock to Santo Domingo from all over the world. El Mesón de la Cava has been recognized by the New York Times as an icon of Santo Domingo.
With a long history and a unique appeal, this restaurant is housed within a natural limestone cave created by the waves that caressed the cliff for millions of years.
Various items found inside the cave show that it was inhabited by different groups over many, many years, including the island’s first inhabitants, the indigenous Tainos; the first colonizers; corsairs and pirates and, more recently, the guerrillas known as “Gavilleros”, who fought against occupation by foreign forces in 1930.
In 1965, soldiers from the occupying army of the Organization of American States used the cave to store their provisions, and although for many years the restaurant’s owners kept many of the artefacts discovered there from public view, nowadays some of them are on display to guests.
El Mesón de la Cava has three areas: one specifically called La Cueva, and two others, Las Terrazas and Impromptu, offering guests a wide-ranging selection of wines chosen by the sommelier.
Delicacies such as octopus in garlic and guajillo chilli sauce, or chargrilled sweetcorn in the style of the Peruvian Incas whet the appetite, to be followed by a lobster and shrimp stew or a bream fillet in brown shrimp butter with capers.
El Mesón de la Cava is at no. 1, Avenida Mirador del Sur, Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic
Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults only - All Inclusive
- On one of the 10 best beaches in the world
- Four buffet options
- Access to the entire complex
- Top honeymoon destination
Dominican Republic
Barceló Bávaro Palace - All Inclusive
Dominican Republic
Barceló Santo Domingo
- Excellent location in the heart of the city
- Kyoto restaurant, authentic Japanese cuisine
- Convention and meeting centre
- Trips and excursions service
Dominican Republic
El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
- Luxurious and Elegant Rooms
- Excellence in personalized services
- 3,000 m² of meeting and event rooms
- 12,000 m² of tropical gardens and green areas
Dominican Republic
Occidental Caribe - All Inclusive
- In front of the beach of fine white sand
- Kids Club and Water Park
- 7 restaurants with exquisite gastronomy
- Free Wi-Fi
Dominican Republic
Occidental Punta Cana - All Inclusive
- Exclusive Royal Level service and facilities
- 11 restaurants with a wide gastronomic variety
- 300 meters of fine white sand
- Free Wi-Fi