Santo Domingo Must Do (First Visit)

Description:

One of the oldest streets in Santo Domingo and still among the city's most popular commercial centers, this quaint pedestrian street extends from the Parque Colón to the Parque Independencia. It hosts a diverse variety of stores that include apparel and textile shops, shoe stores, restaurants and cafés, a hotel, gift shops and jewelry stores. Over time, this street has received several names, including Clavijo, Real and Separación. Its current name honors the Conde (Count) of Peñalba who defeated the English in the 17th century.

Description:

Built in the 1520s, the palace was primarily constructed in Italian Renaissance style with some Gothic details. The main entrance, however, was designed in Isabeline style. The building comprises of two rectangular floors, two wings joined by a central corridor and two galleries. In 1770 the building was abandoned. Attempts were made to turn it into a prison, but none were successful. In 1809 and 1835, parts of the building collapsed due to major landslides, but in 1957 it was restored to its present condition.

Description:

Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

There is a lot to be said for the power of ambiance, and this restaurant has plenty of it. As one of the first establishments in the New World, the space that surrounds diners is haunting, inspiring and beautiful. You can feel the history leaching out of the stone walls to accompany you during your meal. The location of the restaurant, in Plaza Espa ňa, with views of Christopher Columbus' home is none too shabby,...

Description:

It isn't particularly animated, but the food is surprisingly lavish at this showcase of the France-based Sofitel chain. The setting is historic (a ca.-1502 mansion transformed into a hotel), and if you happen to be within the historic zone, it's an excellent and easy-to-find dining choice. This is one of the few upscale restaurants in town offering spit-roasted lamb (rubbed with spices and served with bacon, garlic, and vinegar sauce) and rabbit (a boned saddle stuffed with bacon and mushrooms). Dominican-inspired dishes include roast lobster with wok-fried vegetables, a fricassee of pork chops with local spices, and braised "Dominican-style" red snapper. There's even a frequently changing array of vegetarian dishes.

Description:

Bordering the Ozama River, this area boasts cobblestone streets and an impressive group of buildings dating back to the 16th century. The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo permits us to travel back through more than 500 years of history and architecture. The palaces have been converted into fascinating museums, but many of the area's oldest structures are now quaint bars, cafés and small hotels and restaurants. At sunset an air of enchantment and romance settles over the neighborhood, letting the day's worries fade away.

Description:

El Malecón runs for 15 kilometers along the Caribbean shore. The middle stretch of this levee is reserved for casual strolling, family outings, lovers' trysts and simple sightseeing. Visitors enjoy the ice cream parlors and restaurants, plus the hot nightlife in several bars and discos. In fact, El Malecón might be described as an open-air disco in itself. In keeping with the party spirit of its businesses, Carnival and July's Merengue Festival are held here.

Description:

Founded in 1976, this museum was originally called The Gallery of Modern Art. In 1992, when only 900 works of art were on display, most of them winners of contests sponsored bi-annually by the museum, the President declared the gallery The Museum of Modern Art. Although the permanent exhibition has been dismantled, periodic exhibits are constantly being set up, each one lasting around three months. These shows exhibit pieces belonging to the museum as well as paintings from private collections, all related to the current theme of the exhibit.

Description:

Since 1993 Capuccino has offered delicious Italian cuisine, from oysters to Milan-style pizza, in with a simple but pleasant Tuscan atmosphere. One of the highlights has to be the Linguine allo Scoglio, prepared with shrimp, calamari, mussels and lobster in a white wine sauce. The Enoteca offers a great variety of wines, cheeses, and authentic prosciutto Italiano, and for dessert, try a slice of one of the delicious Northern Italian pies with a cup of espresso or cappuccino.

Description:

Founded in 1976, Plaza Naco was the first shopping center in the Dominican Republic, and it remains popular thanks to its central location and its more than 50 stores, which include shoe stores, clothing stores, jewelers, a bookstore and a pharmacy, among others. On the second floor there is a small but attractive food court with fast food places, typical Dominican food at Restaurante Melí Meló, a delightful cafe called Caffetté and an ice cream parlor. The Hotel Plaza Naco is also located in the shopping center.

Description:

Finding delicious, perfectly seasoned Mexican food in the capital was once a difficult, borderline impossible task. No longer. The owners of this welcoming little restaurant have realized their vision: great dishes, made by Mexican chefs (yes, they don't only import ingredients, but chefs, too) who get every flavor just right, every seasoning on point and the balance of sweet/salty/sour in every dish right on mark. It helps that all dishes come with an assortment of sauces to tailor to your taste buds. Great food is complemented by the fun, colorful decor: murals flank each side of the dining room, humorous puns and jokes are painted on the walls and the truly nostalgic feel will remind you of everything good about Mexico. The delectable Taquiza platter (slices of chicken, pork, beef and chorizo, with piles of guacamole and refried beans, and a stack of warm tortillas) for 2 or 4 provides plenty of food for double the number of people it's made for.

Have it with una aguita de jamaica or one of their signature drinks (a great one being a blend of tamarindo juice, amaretto and tequila), finished off with one of their desserts. Among the best are the crepes with cajeta...

Description:

Excellent food, even better decor. It's just one location, so I'd recommend making reservations. The price range is fair and the restaurant is located in one of the oldest modern neighborhoods in the city of Santo Domingo right in the center of the city.

Description:

Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

A veritable institution in the capital, Segafredo maintains its reputation as the go-to place for a drink and a bite in the Colonial Zone. It's always crowded, bustling with the young, hip and alternative crowd. The service could be better (much better), but the atmosphere and company of the young, interesting and beautiful makes up for the forgotten drinks and the less-than-attentive servers. They have a good sized menu, with a nice...

Description:

Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

Don't let its name fool you; this is no pizza joint or greasy little Italian bistro. Entering its patio, you will be intrigued by the fairy lights lighting all the cropped, perfect little topiaries on every side, these trumped by a full size royal palm growing through the floor. The setting is elegant, slightly subdued, with the whiff of class permeating the impeccably laid table linens. The service is impeccable: the food even more so. Although...

Description:

Falafel has nestled itself in a cave-like nook of the colonial zone: the building where it is housed has been beautifully restored preserving its ruin-like state. Enjoying Middle Eastern fare will have a different meaning as you're staring up at the stars or admiring the century-old stone walls that have yielded to time but now offer a perfect frame for a starry night and the crowd that flock to enjoy the house specialty. As the name suggests, it is the falafel. Their piece de resistance is heavy with savoury spices, the flatbread impeccably elastic and yielding, served with 3 sauces on the side (tahini, ketchup and chilli), presented in the decade-old squeezy bottles, there is an element of fun and childlikeness at squeezing all your condiments onto your wrap, trying to stretch your jaw to consume bites of the whole experience: bread, falafel, tomato and sauce. Thankfully, they provide plenty of napkins. The service is less than stellar, but made up in good humour, disposition and friendliness by the staff. Sauntering down for drinks and an appetizer is a thoroughly good idea: the babaganoush and hummous are creamy and moreish, the mini pita breads... read more

Description:

Nice place to share with friends and know Bohemian Dominican artists, good food, good environment, good music. Excellent service. They are known for all the cultural activites, live music, live Djs and much more. Just the Decoration will make you feel in a surreal place, full of art and nice people!