6 Best Restaurants in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Hotel concierges still recommend this Malecón institution for Dominican food (it's now a local chain of four), although it has been branded as fast food. It's touristy, yes, but Dominicans still make up the majority of customers. Start with mojitos at sunset. The three-tiered, outdoor setting overlooking the sea is unique here. Opt for the excellent sancocho (a rich, meaty stew), mofongo (stuffed mashed plantains), or sopa de pescado (fish soup). Breakfast and lunch (a buffet) is served, as well as dinner: it's open 24 hours, and the clubbers come calling for late-night sancocho. The prices are reasonable, but the service is, unfortunately, somewhat inconsistent Be careful crossing the street here: use the crosswalk, and at night on the Malecón be alert for sketchy characters.

Hotel concierges still recommend this Malecón institution for Dominican food (it's now a local chain of four), although it has been branded as fast food. It's touristy, yes, but Dominicans still make up the majority of customers. Start with mojitos at sunset. The three-tiered, outdoor setting overlooking the sea is unique here. Opt for the excellent sancocho (a rich, meaty stew), mofongo (stuffed mashed plantains), or sopa de pescado (fish soup). Breakfast and lunch (a buffet) is served, as well as dinner: it's open 24 hours, and the clubbers come calling for late-night sancocho. Service is, unfortunately, somewhat inconsistent. Be careful crossing the street here: use the crosswalk, and at night on the Malecón be alert.

This cutesy, kid-friendly restaurant/bakery looks like a French café where chic ladies do lunch. It's buzzing for all three meals (it's the "in" brunch place for residents of this fashionable Piantini neighborhood). Happily, it's still moderately priced, even for apps the size of mains, and generous dishes such as one of the croque madames (perhaps with pulled pork added) or eggs Benedict. At breakfast, they squeeze your juice and tempt you with house-made croissants and beignets. For lunch there's grilled sausages and such sides as homemade waffle-cut fries in silver baskets. Dinner includes delicious mofongquitos (plantain cups filled with veal osso bucco). Signature desserts are luscious. If only the service was so good. Try to snag a seat on the less noisy terrace.

This cutesy, kid-friendly restaurant/bakery looks like a French café where chic patrons do lunch. It's buzzing for all three meals (it's the "in" brunch place for residents of this fashionable Piantini neighborhood), and happily, it's moderately priced, even for apps the size of mains, and generous dishes such as one of the croque madames (perhaps with pulled pork added) or eggs Benedict. At breakfast, they squeeze your juice and tempt you with house-made croissants and beignets. For lunch there's grilled sausages and such sides as homemade waffle-cut fries in silver baskets. Dinner includes delicious mofonguitos (plantain cups filled with veal osso buco). Signature desserts are luscious. If only the service was so good. Try to snag a seat on the less noisy terrace.

For some 45 years, this popular restaurant, where baseball is invariably on the TV at the bar, has been feeding the local Zoners what their grandmothers used to make. It's still a hangout for artists, baseball players, politicians, businesspeople, tourists, and even unaccompanied gringas, who feel comfortable here. Really flavorful dishes include creole-style eggplant, empanadas of crab and conch, grilled crabs and chivo (goat). Prices are up even though the culinary ambition is not. You'll hear bachata and American music from decades past (think "Moonglow"). If you want a quieter atmosphere, go upstairs.

Mix, match, and compartir (share) is the thought behind this trendy restaurant in an apartment tower that is still packing in the well-heeled capitaleños. It's a place with a fun atmosphere best enjoyed with a group, though you might want your very own tamarind-grilled chicken salad. Italian-Dominican influences often prevail in the main courses; vegetarians will be pleased to know they have options, too. The cultivated wine list offers many fine Italian and Spanish bottles and there's a signature sangria. To finish, go grappa. Family-friendly, with a convivial bar and a late-night scene, this is a crowd-pleaser and always packed.

Check out the new casual sister restaurant, Market.