
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Santiago, Dominican Republic
1. Sancocho de Gallina
A hearty stew made with chicken, plantains, yuca, and various vegetables. Try it at La Cueva del Sancocho.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes local ingredients such as tender chicken, plantains, and yuca
- Authentic Setting: Served at a traditional eatery called La Cueva del Sancocho
- Familiar Comfort Food: A comforting and filling meal perfect for cold days or after a long day of exploration
2. Mofongo con Camarones
A fried plantain dish served with shrimp in garlic sauce. Visit La Casa del Mofongo to savor this delight.
- Tasty Twist: Combines the flavors of fried plantains and succulent shrimp
- Popular Restaurant: Served at La Casa del Mofongo, a well-known restaurant in Santiago
- Seafood Flavor: Features fresh and flavorful shrimp in garlic sauce
3. Chicharrón de Pollo
Crispy fried chicken skin served with rice and beans. Head to La Bandera for this popular dish.
- Crunchy Texture: Enjoys a satisfying crunch and pairs well with rice and beans
- Well-Known Restaurant: Served at La Bandera, a famous restaurant in Santiago
- Traditional Comfort Food: A traditional Dominican comfort food that's hard to resist
4. Tiburón en Tinta
Blackened shark served with coconut rice. Don't miss this at El Conde.
- Unique Protein Source: Features the exotic taste of blackened shark
- Popular Restaurant: Served at El Conde, a popular restaurant in Santiago
- Cultural Experience: A cultural experience to try shark, a popular dish in the Dominican Republic
5. Pastel en Hoja
Sweet plantain pastry filled with meat or cheese. Find this treat at La Pasteleria Miriam.
- Tasty Pastry: A delicious combination of sweet plantains and savory fillings
- Popular Bakery: Sold at La Pasteleria Miriam, a popular bakery in Santiago
- Portable Snack: Perfect for on-the-go snacking during your adventures
6. Arroz con Gandules y Pollo
Chicken and pigeon peas rice served with fried salami. Visit La Fonda del Socorro for this classic dish.
- Flavorful Rice: Features a rich, savory flavor from the chicken and pigeon peas
- Well-Known Restaurant: Served at La Fonda del Socorro, a well-known restaurant in Santiago
- Comforting Meal: A comforting and homey meal perfect for lunch or dinner
7. Cachito de Yautía
Yucca cake filled with savory meat. Savor this at La Cuchara de San Pedro.
- Savory Filling: Filled with a mouthwatering savory meat
- Local Restaurant: Served at La Cuchara de San Pedro, a local eatery in Santiago
- Traditional Snack: A traditional Dominican snack that's worth trying
8. Tostones rellenos de Camarones
Stuffed fried plantains with shrimp and garlic sauce. Enjoy this at El Rancho de la Loma.
- Tasty Twist: Combines the flavors of fried plantains, shrimp, and garlic sauce
- Popular Restaurant: Served at El Rancho de la Loma, a popular restaurant in Santiago
- Seafood Flavor: Features fresh and flavorful shrimp stuffed inside fried plantains
9. Cuban Sandwich
A Cuban-inspired sandwich made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. Taste this at El Cuco.
- Cultural Influence: Influenced by Cuban culinary traditions
- Popular Restaurant: Served at El Cuco, a popular restaurant in Santiago
- Fusion Food: A fusion of Cuban and Dominican flavors in one sandwich
10. Tres Leches Cake
Three-milk cake with a creamy frosting. Indulge at La Isla del Tres Leches.
- Sweet Treat: A delightful dessert made with three types of milk
- Popular Bakery: Served at La Isla del Tres Leches, a popular bakery in Santiago
- Creamy Texture: Features a smooth and creamy frosting
11. Chuletas de Cerdo
Grilled pork chops served with rice and beans. Head to La Hija de Juan for this classic dish.
- Tasty Meat: Juicy and flavorful grilled pork chops
- Well-Known Restaurant: Served at La Hija de Juan, a well-known restaurant in Santiago
- Comforting Meal: A comforting and homey meal perfect for lunch or dinner
12. Empanada de Carne
Meat-filled pastry served with a side of rice. Try it at La Empanadita.
- Tasty Pastry: A delicious combination of savory meat and flaky pastry
- Local Restaurant: Served at La Empanadita, a local eatery in Santiago
- Portable Snack: Perfect for on-the-go snacking during your adventures
13. Yuca con Mojo
Boiled yucca served with a citrus and garlic sauce. Savor this at El Jibarito.
- Unique Ingredients: Features locally-grown yuca and a zesty citrus and garlic sauce
- Popular Restaurant: Served at El Jibarito, a popular restaurant in Santiago
- Healthy Side Dish: A nutritious and flavorful side dish to complement your meal
14. Maduros con Queso Frito
Sweet fried plantains served with melted cheese. Try this at El Rinconcito.
- Tasty Twist: Combines the flavors of sweet fried plantains and melty cheese
- Local Restaurant: Served at El Rinconcito, a local eatery in Santiago
- Unique Snack: A unique snack that's hard to resist
15. Arroz con Pollo y Guandules
Chicken and pigeon peas rice served with fried salami. Enjoy this at El Tropico.
- Flavorful Rice: Features a rich, savory flavor from the chicken and pigeon peas
- Well-Known Restaurant: Served at El Tropico, a well-known restaurant in Santiago
- Comforting Meal: A comforting and homey meal perfect for lunch or dinner