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This recently restored stone house of the former governor Nicolás de Ovando is now a luxury hotel, offering a romantic gourmet dining experience. The early 16th-century mansion oozes with Spanish colonial history. Savor Mediterranean-style dishes here.

Dominican food is the specialty at this restaurant, which looks like a rustic dwelling. Opt for the fixed-price buffet, which is more extensive in the evening than at lunchtime, or eat à la carte . Dancers and musicians perform in native costume

Housed in an old colonial building and known for both local and international dishes, especially seafood, this is a pleasant place to stop for lunch while sightseeing, or for dinner.

Dine in a great setting – a natural cave, with strategic lighting in tunnels, and antechambers. La Cava is popular for steaks and seafood.

The steaks here are large and juicy, but there are other items on the menu, notably fish, for those who don’t like red meat. A piano bar and a fine wine list are a bonus.

Reservation is required for this authentic East Indian restaurant in the countryside. Dinner is served on banana leaves, and diners sit on cushions on the floor. It’s fun to go in a group as this enables you to order and sample a wide selection of dishes.

Opened in 1954, this remains one of the best places to go for an elegant meal. The cuisine is mostly Italian, with delicious seafood and pasta, complemented by dishes from around the Caribbean.

A well established bistro, popular with the upper-income residents, particularly for family Sunday lunches and business encounters. The menu is a combination of Chinese, Dominican, and international dishes. The food and wines are excellent, and portions are generous.

With smart decor and beautifully laid tables, the café is popular with the upper crust of Santiago society. The chef serves up excellent international dishes such as rack of lamb, steaks, and fish.

A good place for all seafood-lovers, with generous portions of fish, prawns, and other delicacies. Seafood chowder is recommended. The catch of the day is also good and everything is absolutely fresh.