At the top end, Caribbean dining stands toe to toe with anything on offer in major North American or European cities, not least because a trail of renowned chefs have made their way to the Caribbean to take charge of restaurants in the luxury resorts. The real joy, however, is discovering those unannounced roadside stalls and beach bars where the food combines with the surroundings to deliver the perfect experience.
Dine like a local
The fuller Dominican figure comes from hearty meat stews accompanied by the obligatory “bandera” of rice, beans and salad, while thick sancocho chicken soup is the go-to remedy for sapping energy levels. Ice cold Presidente beer is hard to top, while local Brugal rum sees the sun down nicely.
Where to go
Wealthy Dominicans do lunch at the stylish restaurants in Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. Cabarete has some laid back beach bars, while street food across the country is excellent and varied.
