Guacará Taina (Av. de la Salud, Parque Mirador Sur) – Another interesting nightspot known for booking House & Trance DJs that has been the only disco in the capital that’s within a cave.
Praia (Av. Gustavo Mejía Ricart 74, Naco) – reputed to be the most popular House & Trance music lounge in the capital (complete with a Miami art gallery-like exterior, and a futuristic interior with Italian lounge furniture and pricey drinks).
Like Santiago (the island nation’s second largest city), the capital’s nightlife is divided into the tastes of the popular classes – that is, Merengue, Bachata and Reggaeton (favored among Spanish-speakers of various age groups) versus the international House music movement (English-language intensive, and favored among younger music fans, especially those from the middle and […]
Pat’e Palo (Calle La Atarazana 25, Zona Colonial) – For those who want to soak in the capital’s Spanish colonial atmosphere, there is the European brasserie Pat’e Palo, which is reputed to be the oldest existing tavern since the 1500s. This restaurant, named after Dutch buccaneer Peg-Leg (Pata e Palo), faces the Alcázar de […]
El Mesón de la Cava (Av. Mirador del Sur #1, Mirador Sur) – serves a variety of national and international dishes, is often chosen by patrons for its uniqueness – located by a park at an elevated part of the city. The restaurant is found within a cavern that has an outdoor area (offering a […]
Felini Ristorante (Av. Roberto Pastoriza 504, esq. Evaristo Morales) – Named alter the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, this cozy restaurant serves entrees such as Portobello Mushrooms (marinated in thyme and Caciotta cheese), whitefish marinated in olive oil, as well as various pasta dishes.
Scherezade (Av. Roberto Pastoriza 226) – Its Arabian castle exterior virtually gives away which side of the Mediterranean its cuisine focuses on: Lebanese cuisine (a legacy of the Lebanese and other Middle Eastern immigrants who relocated to the Dominican Republic during the early 20th century). With scents like saffron and cinnamon emanating from this […]
Mitre (Av. Abraham Lincoln esq. Calle Gustavo Mejia Ricart) – a more sophisticated newer generation restaurant located within the Naco commercial district in the western part of the capital. This restaurant appeals to college students and local yuppies. Dining options include Carpaccio of Carite (a Caribbean whitefish); salmon steak teriyaki; braised Chilean sea bass […]
Don Pepe (Calle Porfirio Herrera 3, near the Centro Comercial Acropolis) – For those wanting to sample colonial Spanish cuisine, there’s Don Pepe (Calle Porfirio Herrera 3, near the Centro Comercial Acropolis). Typical Spanish dishes served there include zarzuela de mariscos (shellfish stew), different types of paella, and Caldo Gallego, a Galician broth with […]
Vesuvio Malecón (Av. George Washington No. 521) – The Malecón, which constantly reminds visitors of the country’s presence in the Caribbean, compels at least some to choose seafood upon arrival in the capital. An ideal seafood restaurant is the Vesuvio Malecón (Av. George Washington No. 521), which was launched in 1954 by the Italian […]