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

Street vendors and shoppers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Street vendors and shoppers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | © Randy Duchaine / Alamy Stock Photo
Sophia Mills Francis

Mostly made up of Spanish and African influences, the cuisine of the Dominican Republic has some really delectable food to dine on. Be sure to check out some of these top Dominican delicacies, and the best places to try them in Santo Domingo.

1. Pastelón de plátano maduro

Restaurant, Caribbean

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.

2. Chimichurri Burger

Cafe, North American

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!

3. Palitos de Coco

Patisserie, Dessert

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.

5. Wasakaka

Restaurant, Dominican, Cuban, Argentina

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.

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