Where To Eat The Best Delicacies In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Be sure to sample pastelón de plátano maduro whilst visiting Santo Domingo. It is a layered dish that consists of meat, cheese, butter, onions, garlic and plantains (sort of like a Caribbean version of Italian lasagne). This dish varies from region to region, with some adding different ingredients such as raisins to make the dish sweeter. But the plantains are the main layer of the pastelón, which are thinly sliced and then fried and finally, baked.

For a traditional dish that is served in the Dominican Republic, why not sample the Chimichurri burger, also called the Chimi burger. Not to be confused with the Argentinian sauce, this delicious dish is made from delectable ground pork or beef that is sliced then grilled and served on bread. Garnishes include freshly chopped cabbage and a salsa is often added. You can find this dish usually on street stands in the Dominican Republic. The vendors each have a slightly different recipe that alter the taste of the chimichurris. For a sit-down version of this meaty delicacy, pop into VacaBar where they serve their Chimi burgers with so many toppings you can barely get the top bun on!

Palitos de coco is a must try dish in the Dominican Republic. Also known as memelos, churumbeles, coquitos and Coconut Pops, these shiny, red popsicles of delight consist of shredded coconut that is cooked in condensed milk. They are then shaped into small balls and then coated in a syrup. The delicious, sweet syrup is made from sugar, corn syrup and red food coloring. This dish is truly tasty and can be found as a dessert in many different restaurants all over the Dominican Republic, as well as on tonnes of street food stalls.

You might like to try mofongo if you are in the Dominican Republic. This is a delicious dish made with fried plantains which are pickled until they are green, and then mashed with salt and water in a pestle and mortar. These delectable dishes are served with chicharrón (pork cracklings) or bacon inside and the dressings include garlic and olive oil. There are variations of this dish, some are served with chicken, shrimp or beef which are served around the central plantain. The best place to try this tasty dish in Santo Domingo is at La Casa Del Mofongo; the clue’s in the name!

Wasakaka is a delicacy that definitely needs to be tried if you are in the Dominican Republic. It is usually combined with chicken as a savory sauce. This delicious dish is made of garlic, parsley, citrus and chili peppers. This delectable dish is similar to the flavors of Argentinian chimichurri and Cuban mojo as they share the same ingredients, though it is believed wasakaka pre-dates these now better known sauces. Try this tangy sauce at El Provocon 4to restaurant, Santo Domingo.