Fried foods are very popular, such as "chicharrones de pollo" or "carne frita", chicken and beef which are usually heavily seasoned (but never spicy). These will be served with fried plantains, which are cut in one-inch slices, then flattened, dipped in salted water and fried in vegetable oil. Do not miss "mangú", the same green or ripe plantains that have been boiled and then mashed and served with cooked onions. A typical breakfast will be mangú with onions, fried white cheese, fried eggs and orange juice.

Coconut is used to prepare many local dishes. Those traveling to Samana, the nation's leading producer of coconuts, should savor the "pescado con coco", a delicacy native to this area. This is fish stewed in a subtle coconut and tomato sauce.

Rice is king in the Dominican Republic. The most popular meal in Dominican households will be a simple dish of white rice, red stewed beans, meat, and fried plantains. It is so popular Dominicans call it "la bandera," or the flag. Another popular rice dish is "moro", which can be of red beans, guandules or black beans.

Another national dish is a stew, "Sancocho", made of a mixture of different meats and several root plants only found in the Caribbean.

For desert, there are numerous sweets such as "dulce de leche," and "dulce de coco." Fruits cooked in syrup are also popular, for example bitter orange, papaya, guava, cashew or pineapple. If you visit during Easter, make sure to request "habichuelas con dulce," a sweet concoction made with red beans. All year round you can try "majarete," a kind of corn pudding. Both "habichuelas con dulce" and "majarete" are available in ice cream form sold by Helados Bon ice cream shops all around the country. Flan is another very popular dessert here – even available in cans!

Bavaro and Punta Cana Restaurants

Restaurant Capitán Cook
Don't expect an elaborate food or fancy sauces; the allure here is the ultrafresh seafood that's simply but superbly grilled to order. A battery of smoldering outdoor grills lies near the entrance to a dining area whose tables are positioned beneath palm-frond gazebos overlooking a superb beach. Some guests don't bother to consult a menu, but order their meal based on whatever is sputtering over coals or displayed on ice as they enter. Platters of grilled fish or shellfish, chicken, pork chops, or steaks are accompanied by salad, baked potatoes, or french fries. As an alternative try a heaping platter of paella. The shrimp and grilled calamari are superb. Beer is the perfect accompaniment for anything served here, perhaps preceded by a rum-based cocktail.

• Address: Playa El Cortecito, Marina El Cortecito, Around Town
• Phone: 809/552-0645
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

Restaurant Palace
This is the showcase restaurant of one of the biggest resort complexes in the Dominican Republic. If you're not staying at one of the Barcelo hotels, you'll have to make reservations in advance. The decor is cool and stylish, as though it were imported from a chic resort in the south of Spain. A formally dressed staff serves superb dishes that include salmon mousse in a prawn sauce, tartar of tenderloin, grilled red snapper, grouper with mustard sauce, and filet mignon with truffles and foie gras.

• Address: In the Bávaro Palace Hotel, within the Barcelo Bávaro Beach, Golf & Casino Resort, Around Town
• Phone: 809/686-5797
• Open: Daily 7-10:30pm

Cabarete Restaurants

Casa del Pescador
Since 1988, Casa del Pescador has served sophisticated seafood in an engagingly hip environment. It's right on the beach, in the heart of town. To begin, sample the chef's flavor-filled fish consommé. He does very well with shrimp, too, either with pastis sauce or more zestily, with curry and fresh garlic. On a hot day, the seafood salads are a welcome relief and tasty, too, as are the grilled octopus in spicy Creole sauce and fresh lobster in garlic sauce (unless you love garlic, you might find the latter overpowering; ask for butter instead). Although there's a full wine list, Presidente beer seems the best accompaniment to the fish, especially on hot, sultry nights.

• Address: Calle Principal, Around Town
• Phone: 809/571-0760
• Open: Daily 10am-11pm

La Casita de Don Alfredo (Chez Papi)
This quirky and durable bistro is one of our favorite restaurants in Cabarete. It's located on a battered pavilion directly on the sands of Cabarete's beachfront, and it's accessible from the town's Calle Principal. Don Alfredo himself, a French expatriate from Strasbourg, keeps a firm grip on things. Menu items sure to entice include spiny Caribbean lobster with garlic and saffron sauce or with pastis; filet mignon with peppercorn sauce; and an array of the local fishermen's daily catch. We nearly always go for the fresh fish, which can be prepared almost any way you like it. As you'd expect from an articulate Frenchman, the wines are well chosen and urbane.

• Address: Playa de Cabarete, Around Town
• Open: Bar and cafe daily 8:30am-midnight. Meals 8:30-10:30am, noon-2:30pm, and 6-10:30pm

Puerto Plata Restaurants

Aquaceros Bar & Grill
This is one of our favorite restaurants on the Malecón, just across the busy boulevard from the sea. The menu lists such tempting food items as Creole-style conch, two different preparations of lobster, burgers, barbecued fish, burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas. Of special note is the house version of Monterrey chicken, made with chicken breast, ham, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. Rum punch and banana mamas give diners a buzz. Adobe walls, a fountain, and merengue music complete the picture.

• Adress: Malecón 32
• Phone: 809/586-2796
• Open: Daily 10am-2am

CafeCito
"Cafe Cito is the kind of place you're supposed to find in the Caribbean," said one customer. "It's one of those semi-legendary, ex-pat hangouts where you never know who you're going to meet... great food at reasonable prices... music that's a welcome change from the rah-rah resort scene."
Jazz, blues, vintage rock & roll... steaks and lobster, burgers and wings... and Puerto Plata's only 'try before you buy' cigar bar where you can buy cigars by the box at factory prices...
Cafe Cito has been has been rated among the two top spots for a night out in Puerto Plata by The Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide. And we're proudest of the fact that scores of clients have taken the time to write in and describe their experience way up there on the Richter scale of good vacation times...

So, if you're planning on coming to the north coast of the Dominican Republic... please pay us a visit!

• Address: Plaza Isabela • Km 3 1/2 Puerto Plata - Sosua Highway, Located 1/4 mile west of Playa Dorada Main Gate, Phone/Fax 1 809 586-7923, OPEN Noon to Midnight 7 days a week, VISA • Master Card • Amex
• CafeCito Website

Hemingway's Café
The rough-hewn character of this place stands in stark contrast to the manicured exterior of the shopping center that contains it. Inside, you'll find a dark and shadowy plank-sheathed bar and grill, dotted with accessories you might have found on a pier in Key West. We can just imagine Papa himself digging into the succulent pastas, fajitas, quesadillas, meal-size salads, burgers, and huge New York steaks, while downing one of the "Floridita" cocktails. After around 9pm, a karaoke machine cranks out romantic or rock 'n' roll favorites.

• Address: Playa Dorada Plaza, Around Town
• Phone: 809/320-2230
• Open: Daily noon-2am

Jardín Suizo
This Swiss-run restaurant, a tradition here since 1990, resembles a European trattoria with its tiles, cloth-draped tables, and use of wood. Sliding windows are pulled back to take in views of the ocean. The food is fresh and well prepared, although some of the dishes might be a little heavy for the Tropics. You can order such dishes as filet of pork in a mushroom sauce, or three different medallions of meat in a wine sauce. The best item we recently enjoyed on the menu is the freshly caught fish filet of the day in garlic sauce. Many famous international dishes are offered as well, including tasty shish kabob, chicken curries, and a thick beef stroganoff.

• Address: Ave. Circunvalación Norte 13A
• Phone: 809/586-9564
• Open: Daily 11am-11pm, Closed 3 weeks in July

Le Papillon
This is an unusual but charming restaurant set on a hillside in a residential neighborhood about 5km (3 miles) south of Puerto Plata. The expatriate German owner, Thomas Ackermann, manages to combine aspects of the Black Forest with merengue music. The best way to start a meal here is with a caipirinha (a Brazilian cocktail) at the bar beneath the cane-frond ceiling. Later, within an open-sided pavilion overlooking a forest, you'll be presented with a menu that's divided into categories that feature different preparations of pork, chicken, beef, seafood, rabbit, and even vegetarian offerings. Enduring favorites include fettuccine with lobster; "pirate" kabobs with shrimp, tenderloin of beef, and vegetables; an especially worthy chicken stuffed with shrimp and served with saffron sauce; and a four-fisted version of chateaubriand that's only prepared for two.

• Address: Villas Cofresi, Around Town
• Phone: 809/970-7640
• Open: Tues-Sun 6-10:30pm

Sam's Bar & Grill
The gringo and gringa expats have made Sam's their favorite dive since way back in 1970, when it was first established. In the center of town, only a block and a half from the central park and the Malecón, it lies in a Victorian building from 1896. Marilyn Monroe photographs and caricatures by local artists form the decor. Here is where you can order a plate of meatloaf like your mama made, or that eternal favorite, steak and eggs. The cook does a tasty filet of beefsteak or something more ambitious, like chicken cordon bleu. Come here for the memories, the good times, and, of course, the good-tasting food. You can start your day with fluffy pancakes, or later enjoy freshly made soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch along with hot dishes.

• Address: Calle José del Carmen Ariza 34
• Phone: 809/586-7267
• Open: Daily 7am-11pm

La Romana Restaurants

Café del Sol
The pizzas at this stone-floored indoor/outdoor cafe, which is positioned one flight above the medieval-looking piazza outside, are the best on the south coast. The favorite seems to be quattro stagioni, topped with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, cooked ham, and olives. The chef makes a soothing minestrone served with freshly made bread. To reach the cafe, climb a flight of stone steps to the rooftop of a building whose ground floor houses a jewelry shop.

• Addres: Altos de Chavón, Altos De Chavón
• Phone: 809/523-3333 ext. 5346
• Open: Daily noon-11pm

El Pescador

The best and the freshest seafood in the area is served at one of the restaurants inside the Casa de Campo, which is not only the finest place to stay along the southern coast, but serves the grandest cuisine. In an elegant setting, you can dine inside or out on the alfresco terrace. The atmosphere is informal, but the service is first rate. The freshest fish, based on the catch of the day, is brought here for the chefs to concoct into a number of delectable dishes, including perfectly grilled fish, the most preferred method of cooking for most diners. A justifiably favorite dish is the deep-fry mix of calamari, shrimp, and the "catch of the day." For lunch many visitors prefer the fish salad with tropical fruit, or one of the best fish sandwiches in the area.

• Address: In Casa de Campo, Around Town
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: Daily noon-4pm and 7-11pm

El Sombrero
In this thick-walled, colonial-style building, the jutting timbers and roughly textured plaster evoke a corner of Old Mexico. There's a scattering of rattan furniture and an occasional example of Mexican weaving, but the main draw is the spicy cuisine. Red snapper in garlic sauce is usually very good. Most guests dine outside on the covered patio, within earshot of a group of wandering minstrels. Chances are you've had better versions of the standard nachos, enchiladas, black-bean soup, pork chops, grilled steaks, and brochettes served here, but a margarita or two will make it a fun night out anyway.

• Address: Altos de Chavón
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: 809/523-3333

Giacosa
This is the only restaurant within Altos de Chavón that's not owned and operated by Casa de Campo. As such, its owners and staff tend to try a bit harder. It's a branch of a success story based in Coral Gables, Florida. Within a two-story stone Tuscan-style building you can try Mediterranean dishes like seafood soup studded with lobster and shrimp, risotto with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes, or savory imported mussels with olive oil, garlic, white wine, parsley, and fresh tomatoes. Another superb dish is red snapper filet with fresh tomatoes, baked in a paper bag to seal in its aromatic flavors.

• Address: Altos de Chavón
• Phone: 809/523-8466
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

Lago Grill
With one of the best-stocked morning buffets in the country, Lago Grill is ideal for breakfast. At the fresh-juice bar, an employee in colonial costume will extract juices in any combination you prefer from 25 different tropical fruits. Then you can select your ingredients for an omelet and another staff member will whip it up while you wait. The lunchtime buffet includes sandwiches, burgers, sancocho (the famous Dominican stew), and fresh conch chowder. There's also an abundant salad bar.

• Adress: In Casa de Campo, Around Town
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: Mon-Sat 7-11am and noon-3pm; Sun 6:30-11am and noon-4pm

Restaurants Santo Domingo

Asadero Los Argentinos

• Address: Av. Independencia No. 809, Gazcue, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 686 4060 - avimesa@codetel.net.do

Auto Sandwich Payano´s
Payano´s, claiming to be "the best in the Americas", offers a wide variety of sandwiches including cheese, ham, chicken and tuna, among others. The Payano especial de cerdo is the house specialty sandwich, prepared using Danish cheese, pork, ham and turkey. The menu includes other items such steaks, fish, shrimp and chops. The beverage selection includes natural juices, coffee, teas, as well as alcoholic beverages (wines, beers and whisky). Breakfast is also available.

• Address: Av. Tiradentes, Plaza Naco, 2do. nivel, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 227 9330
• Open Hours: 8am-8:30pm Mon-Sat

Bella Cristal
This restaurant, with its unique and exotic atmosphere, is a place where you can enjoy authentic Oriental cuisine as the dishes are prepared by Chinese chefs.

One of the most frequently requested dishes is "Flaming Centollo with Leeks and Ginger". A wide variety of desserts and international drinks are also available.

The establishment is simple, yet decorated in good taste. Two distinctive atmospheres merge here: that of the executive each weekday afternoon; and the family-style dining during the weekends. A 120 person dining room is available for special events.

• Address: Calle Roberto Pastoriza No. 458, Piantini, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 540 2923
• Open Hours: 11:30am-11:30pm daily

Black Angus Steak House
There are two kinds of steak that beef connoisseurs seek out: the Kobe beef and Black Angus beef. The latter you will be able to find at Black Angus Steak House, where each one of the prime cuts of meat prepared is tender and succulent.

The interior of the restaurant is modeled in a Southwestern theme, offering a friendly dining experience. Couples looking a more intimate spot can request such accommodation.

• Address: Calle Paseo Yapora esquina Av. 27 de febrero, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 565 5970
• Open Hours: 4pm-11pm daily

Black and Light
European fare has always been a popular choice among travelers in the Dominican Republic. That may be because of the elevated amount of European tourists that each year visit the island. The Black and Light specializes in popular French and German cuisine that will surely tempt your taste buds. The interior offers a romantic setting and is mainly enjoyed by couples, although there are tables that accommodate four or more. The service offered could be qualified as one of the best in the city and the attention to detail is remarkable.

• Address: Av. Pedro Henríquez Ureña No. 157, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 687 9713
• Open Hours: 3pm-10pm daily

Boga Boga
The cuisine at this family restaurant is purely Spanish, epitomized by its culinary specialty, Paellas Marineras y Valencianas, a dish abundant with meat and seafood. The comfortable dining room, perfect for an evening with friends, is bedecked with fragments from sunken ships and maritime photographs, while the bar's decor, which includes an illustration of cured ham, mirrors the food and drink that it serves.

• Address: Av. Bolívar No. 203, Plaza Florida, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 472 0950; 472 0849
• Open Hours: 11am-1am daily

Bucanero
Providing a splendid panoramic view of the city from Sans Souci Bay, this restaurant is an ideal meeting place if you like fresh seafood, imported meats and excellent wines. The atmosphere is very romantic, most notably because of the open terrace where, at night, stars are the ceiling, and the sea reflects the Caribbean moon. The decor, boasting antique cannons, anchors and ship helms, will nearly convince you that you are sailing on a ship as you dance to the live music.

• Address: Av. España, Puerto turístico Sans Soucí, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 592 2202
• Open Hours: Restaurant: 11am-midnight daily; Bar: 5pm-1am daily

Buen Provecho
This cozy and informal restaurant, decorated with simple details in wood, is at the branch of the Plaza Paseo de la Churchill. It is superbly located in the middle of the shopping center and in a zone with major access, but it is the perfect spot to relax after shopping and to taste one of the succulent typical Dominican dishes offered on the daily buffet. Three types of salads, various pies, fried foods, and the most delicious Creole desserts are just some of the highlights.

• Address: Calle Gustavo Mejía Ricart No. 59, Plaza Paseo de la Churchill, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 562 4848
• Open Hours: 7:30am-4pm daily

Campo de Francia Cafe & Restaurant
This restaurant-cafe is located on a quiet, cozy block of Conde street in the Colonial area. French cuisine is the forte here, with the three varieties of fondue being highly recommended. Soft background music, usually in French, heightens the magical candlelit atmosphere. You'll be able to listen to live music from Thursday to Saturday, usually beautiful pieces played on the piano.

• Address: Calle El Conde No. 54, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 689 0583 - contact@campodefrancia.com
• Open Hours: 11am-12am Mon-Sat; closed Sundays

Cafe Coco
In the heart of Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone is an attractive restaurant, Coco's, with all the English charm its owners, Colin Hercock and Christopher Gwillym, have been able to re-create in the pleasant atmosphere of a tastefully appointed, authentic Colonial house. They have gathered the best recipes of the British cuisine, and Christopher, the chef, has improved on them and added his own original dishes. Casual elegance surrounds you, from the pub-like bar to the varied environments of the dining rooms, where fine wines may be ordered.

• Address: Padre Billini 53 Tel: 687 9624
• Cafe Coco's Website

Capuccino
Since 1993 Capuccino has offered delicious Italian cuisine, everything from oysters to Milan-style pizza, in a simple but pleasant Tuscan atmosphere. One of the highlights has to be the Linguine allo Scoglio, prepared with shrimp, calamari, mussels, and lobster in a white wine sauce. The Enoteca offers a great variety of wines, cheeses, and authentic prosciutto Italiano; and for dessert, try a slice of one of the delicious Northern Italian pies with a cup of espresso or cappuccino.

• Address: Av. Máximo Gómez No. 60, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 689 8600
• Open Hours: Noon-3pm (Osteria), 12pm-3pm 7pm-11pm (Restaurant) daily

Che Bandoneon
Your dining experience can only be made even better when you are able to choose exactly which cut you want, and at Che Bandoneon you are able to do just that. The house specialty is the 'Ranch Style Beef Filet' and the 'Ranch Style Steak'. Both are tender and juicy and prepared to your exact specifications.

Diners can choose to enjoy their meal indoors or outside on the terrace. As you are enjoying your meal an Argentinean accordion player will soothe you with sounds form his homeland. Exquisite and unparalleled French pastries, worth trying, are served for dessert.

• Address: Calle El Conde, (Between Calle las Damas and Parque Colon), Santo Domingo,
• Phone: +1 809 687 0023
• Open Hours: 11am-10pm, Tue-Sun

Costelão Grand Rodizio
Best Brazilian Restaurant in Town Atarazana 20 , in front of Plaza Colon , a place to go

Da Franco
Nice small Italian restaurant. Home style.

• Address: Salome Ureña / Corner Hotel Palacio

David Crockett
If you are looking for a taste of the Old West, this cozy replica of a cowboy ranch is the perfect place. Wood and rock decor prevails, and many a deer's head hangs on the wall. The restaurant specializes in grilled meats in various cuts, standouts being the Tenderloin and the Cowboy Filet, both accompanied by the wine of your choice. For a friendly drink, check out the informal bar where you can listen to music as the cowboys bring in the herd!

• Address: Calle Gustavo Mejía Ricart No. 34, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 547 2999
• Open Hours: Noon-midnight daily

Don Nacho Taquería
Tastefully decorated in a Mexican motif, this restaurant serves delicious Mexican meals at affordable prices. The menu includes tacos, burritos, fajitas, chiles, sopes, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos and flautas. The menu was created by one of the owners, of Mexican origin, who guarantees the authenticity of the recipes. The delicious and gigantic burritos are worth trying, as are the fajitas. If you're very hungry, accompany your meal with the "Don Nacho" nachos topped with cheese. The beverage selection includes sodas and juices, wines and beers.

• Address: Calle Roberto Pastoriza No. 58, Ensanche Naco, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 549 5804 (delivery);+1 809 683 6461
• Open Hours: 11:30am-1am Sun-Thu; 11:30am-3am Fri-Sat

Don Pepe
Experience the authentic Spanish cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. At Don Pepe's diners will discover that only the freshest ingredients have been employed in the preparation of their meals. The menu offers the most popular traditional Spanish dishes -- Garlic Soup, Arroz con Calamares and Arroz con Pollo. An added highlight, to the regular menu are the daily specials offered, as well as the specialty dishes prepared for during annual festivals (which take place throughout the year).

• Address: Calle Pasteur esquina Santiago, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 686 8481
• Open Hours: 11:30am-12:30am Mon-Sun

El Cantábrico
Christened the King of Seafood, this restaurant has served the most diverse Spanish and International cuisine for over 20 years. The menu includes the traditional Paellas, mixed-seafood soup, fried squid, crab, and vieiras. Meat-lovers can try the "El Filete Especial Cantabrico". A selection of excellent wines and desserts is also available. The space is accommodating, offering elegant ballrooms, such as "El Salon San Marcos" and "El Salon Noelia", as well as a bar with a non-smoking area.

• Address: Av. Independencia No. 54, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 687 5101 - rest.cantabrico@codetel.net.do
• Open Hours: 11am-midnight daily

El Chef
This award-winning establishment is popular within both locals and tourists. Specializing in local and traditional fare, this is the place to experience a real Dominican cuisine. Here, the low-fat dishes are prepared taking your health into consideration, without sacrificing the relish of the local dishes.

Unlike various of the restaurants on the island, this one has an especially casual atmosphere, where buffet lines cater to take-out customers.

• Address: Calle Gustavo Mejia Ricart esquina Augustin Lara, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 562 4657
• Open Hours: 11am-4pm daily

El Conuco
Decorated with countryside paraphernalia that reflects the happiness of the island, this restaurant offers guests authentic Dominican flavors. Dine to the rhythms of a sensual meringue played on the tambora, the guira and the accordion. Even the plates are made of typical behuco and sugarcane, and most dishes are adorned with cayenne flowers. The extensive Creole menu includes El Moro and La Bandera Dominicana (rice with beans and meat), capturing the town's true flavor.

• Address: Calle Casimiro de Moya No. 152, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 686 0129 - conuco@dominicana.com
• Open Hours: Noon-2am daily

El Junquito
This restaurant serves an extensive variety of traditional Venezuelan dishes, such as arepas, cachapas and hallacas, corn-flour based meals, with different fillings (meat, veggies and/or cheese). The menu also includes grilled meats (chicken, beef and shrimp), hamburgers and salads. Enjoy the dish of the day, plus a "pastelón" and a cup of coffee for a moderate price. The interior is decorated (and constructed) with wood and red brick materials.

• Address: Av. Los Próceres esquina Euclides Morillo, Diamond Mall, 2do. nivel, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 732 7322
• Open Hours: 9am-11pm Mon-Wed; Thu-Sun 9am-midnight

El Mesón de la Cava
Tucked into a magnificent natural cave and decorated with the engravings of natives who lived on the island hundreds of years ago, this restaurant is both romantic and unique. Dishes from the seasonal international and Creole menu include shrimp in a fine herb sauce, filet in dijon mustard, imported meats and whole lobsters from the coasts. The wine list is extensive. Save room for one of the exquisite desserts such as the famous Crema Catalana. The extraordinary location and fine menu have attracted visitors from all over the world since 1967.

• Address: Av. Mirador Sur, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 533 2818 - pescador@codetel.net.do
• Open Hours: Lunch: Noon-4pm; Dinner: 6pm-1am daily

Expreso Jade
Expreso Jade has offered its Chinese takeout service since 1997. Meals here can be considered authentically Chinese since they are prepared by native Chinese chefs, most of whom have cookied in restaurants in China Town, New York.

The restaurant has a family atmosphere with Oriental touches, and the kitchen is within view of the customers. Service is fast and efficient.

So far there are two centrally-located restaurants, one on Lincoln Ave. and the other on Romulo Bentacourt Ave.

• Address: Av. Abraham Lincoln No. 1066, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 683 9090 ; +1 809 508 1111
• Website

Fai Chan Oriental
The dishes served in this Chinese restaurant are prepared the minute you order them, whether for takeout or to be eaten here. Note that you may indicate how you wish the food to be prepared, in case you have an allergy or follow a special diet.

The menu includes different rice dishes, others made from pork, chop suey, Chowmein-lomein, soups, vegetarian dishes, among others, at moderate prices.

This restaurant also offers fast, efficient drive-through service.

Take-out is available within the Ensanche Piantini, Ensanche Naco, Arroyo Hondo and surrounding areas.

• Address: Av. Abraham Lincoln No. 901, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 563 0808
• Open Hours: 11am-11pm daily

Fellini Ristorante & Bar
Considered one of the best choices for Italian and International cuisine, this restaurant is named after the great filmmaker Federico Fellini, as is evident by the charming display of movie posters that chronicle the director's cinematic masterpieces. With twenty-one years of gastronomical experience under the belt, the chef/owner offers exquisite specialties in pasta and seafood, as well as more than 300 wines from nearly everywhere in the world. A cozy terrace allows guests the option to enjoy these fine dishes in the fresh air.

• Address: Calle Roberto Pastoriza No. 504, Evaristo Morales, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 540 5330 - fellini@fellini-rest.com
• Open Hours: 12:30pm-3:30pm, 7pm-midnight daily

Fonda La Atarzana

• Address: Atarazana 5
• Phone: 689-2900

Frances Hotel Restaurant ( French )

• Address: Calle Mercedes, corner Arzobispo Meriño
• Phone: 685 9331

Independence Day Military Parade
Each February 27, a military parade takes place at El Malecon to commemorate the Dominican Independence of 1844. The President, who inaugurates the event, attends the traditional and solemn act with his family. The crowd floods George Washington Avenue starting in the early afternoon hours to witness the military display that begins at 4pm and usually lasts two hours. The Dominican Army, Air Force, Police and S.W.A.T. squadron participate in this activity characterized by military marches and armament displays. There is no admission charge.

• Address: Avenue El Malecon, (and George Washington Avenue), Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 221 4660
• Open Hours: 4pm-6pm Thu

Italo´s Lounge, Restaurant and Grill
Italo's specializes in both Italian and international gourmet cuisine. Outstanding choices found on the menu are delicious meats and fish prepared in wood-burning ovens, such as the outstanding Salmon Sorrento grilled in a lime and white wine sauce. Without exagerating, you could say that this restaurant distinguishes itself from others in that its excellent service exceeds customers' expectations. Italo's has smoking and non-smoking sections, as well as an open-air terrace. On Sundays you can listen to live violin music starting at noon.

• Address: Calle Paseo de los Locutores No. 9, Piantini, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 541 7883
• Open Hours: Noon-midnight daily

Japanese Restaurant Samurai
Come and enjoy Santo Domingo's premiere Japanese sushi restaurant. Guests come to enjoy the wide array of specialties prepared, which include hibachi, sashimi, teriyaki and yakitori. But, those who prefer the traditional style sushi can choose individual pieces of Spanish mackerel, octopus, squid and tuna. Also available, the menu includes variety of rolls such as -- California roll, spicy tuna roll, cucumber roll and the soft shell crab roll. Regardless of which you choose you will surely be satisfied with the freshness and quality of the items ordered.

• Address: Av. Abraham Lincoln No. 902, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 541 0944
• Open Hours: 12pm-12am daily

Juan Carlos
Fine Mediterranean fare is what you should expect to find when dining at this establishment. Chef, Lida Gil, has created some of the area most exquisite and tasty dishes, some of which, include Filet Mignon, Roasted Rack of Lamb and Filet of Fish. Any of which are sure to tempt even the finickiest eaters.

The restaurant offers a romantic ambiance, which is evident by the number of couples that dine there. However, groups of friends and families attend this restaurant as well.

• Address: Calle Gustavo Mejía Ricart No. 7, Naco, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 562 5088; +1 809 562 6444
• Open Hours: 4pm-10pm daily

Jullian´s Cafe Restaurant
This cafe-restaurant, serving typical Dominican meals, is located in the Diamond Mall´s food court. Unlike the other food establishment in the court, Jullian´s is located in an enclosed space so it creates an environment of its own. Decorated in a rustic style, the restaurant serves a buffet in the morning, which includes three breakfast options: Continental, American or Dominican. The lunch buffet includes 14 meals to choose from, a cup of coffee, fruits and a soda for a moderate fee. There is also a menu available. Crepes are the house specialty.

• Address: Av. Los Próceres esquina Euclides Morillo, Diamond Mall, 2do. nivel, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 683 9212

Kukara Macara Restaurant
This restaurant, inaugurated in 1995, possesses one of the most original styles to be found in the city of Santiago. It's a two-story restaurant whose mood is one of the Old West, with specialties being grilled meats and imported seafood. In addition, you'll also find an exclusive variety of typical Dominican dishes. These specialties are internationally renowned and prepared according to strict culinary standards to ensure you'll be getting first-class fare.

• Address: Avenda Francia No. 7, Zona Monumental, Santiago de los Caballeros
• Phone: +1 809 241 31 48 - restaurant@kukaramacara.com
• Website
• Open Hours: 11am-2am daily

La Atarazana
If you enjoy history, the 16th-century decorations in this restaurant, which include replicas of shields, spades and other weapons, will certainly tickle your fancy. Open since 1972, the restaurant serves diverse international dishes. Outside, a patio surrounded with flowers makes for a charming social atmosphere. The restaurant has an amazing view of El Alcazar de Colon, La Plaza España, El puerto de la Ciudad Primada de America, and the famous Faro a Colon or Columbus Lighthouse, dedicated to the discoverer of the New World.

• Address: Calle La Atarazana No. 5, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 689 2900 - atarazana@codetel.net.do
• Website
• Open Hours: Noon-midnight daily

La Bahía
This unassuming place on the Malecón serves some of the best and freshest seafood in the Dominican Republic. One predawn morning as we passed by, fishermen were waiting outside to sell the chef their latest catch. Rarely in the Caribbean will you find a restaurant with such a wide range of seafood dishes. To start, you might try ceviche (seafood marinated in lime juice) or lobster cocktail. Soups usually contain big chunks of lobster as well as shrimp. Our favorite specialties include kingfish in coconut sauce, sea bass Ukrainian style, baked red snapper, and a savory kettle of seafood in the pot. The chef also works his magic with conch. Desserts are superfluous. The restaurant stays open until the last customer departs

• Address: Av. George Washington 1
• Phone: 809/682-4022
• Open: Daily 11am-2am

La Briciola
This place has a touch of class, offering an elegant setting in two restored colonial palaces from the 16th century. Tables are romantically candlelit at night. In the Colonial Zone, it stands in front of Plazoleta Park. The menu reflects a commitment to prime ingredients and a determination not to let style overrule substance. The dishes here hardly test the creative culinary limits of the chefs but are tried-and-true favorites, beginning with many different pastas with various sauces-all made fresh daily. Our favorite is the delectable linguini with "fruits of the sea." Sometimes you're in the mood just for a good steak, and the chefs oblige with a perfectly grilled T-bone cooked to your specifications. This is also a good place at which to order fresh fish. Dominican rice accompanies all the meat and fish courses. A piano bar overlooks a courtyard.

• Address: Calle Arzobispo Meriño No. 152-A, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
• Phonel :Phone: +1 809 688 5055 - info@labriciola.com.do
• Website

La Creperie Cafe-Restaurant
This restaurant is one of a number of establishments that share a street visited by many tourists, given its nearness to important colonial monuments, which can be observed from inside. The cooking is typical of the French region of Normandy, and the specialty is crepes of many different kinds. Among crepes offered, you will the highly-recommended "Goullace", which is made from ham, Camembert cheese, almonds and bechamel sauce. A variety of international dishes is also included in the menu in an effort to cater to all tastes.

• Address: Calle La Atarazana No. 11, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 221 4734
• Open Hours: 11am-1am Mon-Fri; 3:30pm-2am Sat & Sun

La Mezquita
At La Mezquita renowned chefs Dechoudes and Baez have created an ar