Top 20 Dominican Foods

Flan de coco or coconut flan is a delicate dessert that is popular in Colombia, Costa Rica, and parts of the Caribbean. It is typically made with eggs, coconut milk, condensed milk, cream, vanilla extract, and flaked coconut. The dessert is usually baked in small ramekins with caramel on the inside, so when flan de coco is inverted, it has a nice caramel layer on top and on the sides. Before serving, the dessert is often topped with flaked coconut.Expand

Pica pollo refers to Dominican-style fried chicken that is often eaten with a side dish of fried plantains and paired with a refreshing beverage on the side — usually beer or Coke. The freshness of the chicken comes from lemon juice in which it is marinated, while the coating mostly consists only of flour, or rarely, cornmeal.Expand

Dominican food is a unique mixture of African, Spanish, and Taino Indian influences, without spiciness but with a lot of herbs and sauces. La bandera Dominicana (literally translated as the Dominican Flag) is one such dish and a staple of Dominican cuisine. Similar to many Latin dishes, it starts with stewed beans and white rice, with the addition of meat, either stewed or roasted. The rice used in the dish is usually long-grained, cooked until it gets tender and dry on the exterior. It is mandatory to create a bit of concon - a dry, golden and crispy layer of rice, slightly burnt on the bottom of the pan. The beans are cooked in a savory tomato sauce with herbs, onions, garlic, celery, plantains, and squash. Dominicans choose chicken as the most popular meat in the dish since it is the cheapest option available, but beef, pork, and goat are all viable options. If the meat is stewed, the sauce is made from tomatoes and onions, and the meat is first caramelized on some burnt sugar in the bottom of the pan. When the plate is full of ingredients, it's time for side dishes, and Dominicans have a huge variety of those, such as salads, crispy-fried green plantains, corn fritters, or fried eggplant.Expand

Carne guisada is a simple, traditional beef stew flavored with cumin, jalapeños, and chili powder. It is popular throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The dish is usually simmered over low heat for about two hours until the meat becomes tender. It is recommended to serve it on flour tortillas, although it can also be paired with rice or potatoes.Expand

Chivo guisado is a Dominican goat stew. It is usually prepared with pieces of goat meat, onions, bitter oranges, garlic, and tomatoes, while the secrets to this delicacy are wild oregano and Scotch bonnet peppers. Local goats feed on wild oregano, which is the reason for great flavors of chivo guisado. It is recommended to serve this tender and flavorful stew with chenchén (cracked corn pilaf), which is another delicacy from this country.Expand

Chimichurris is a Dominican hamburger characterized by the addition of numerous spices to the meat patty, such as oregano, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes. It is usually not prepared at home, but bought from street food vendors. Like most burgers, chimichurris is served in a bun and topped with a variety of ingredients such as mayonnaise, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, and onions. It is said that the real Dominican chimichurri will always be served with a glass of cold, frosty beer on the side.Expand

Sopa de mondongo is a term that is widely used all across Central and South America when referring to a hearty tripe and vegetable soup. The star of the dish is beef or pork tripe, the rather tough edible part of animal stomach which is cut into smaller pieces and cooked with other ingredients in a flavorful broth. Different versions of the soup are found all across Latin America, where it has been adapted with locally available ingredients and spices. Typically, sopa de mondongo employs plain and sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, cabbage, plantains, onions, sliced avocado, and generous amounts of chopped cilantro, which is used as a garnish. It is often spiced with cumin and the authentic Latin American spice called achiote. Local varieties commonly include additional ingredients such as lean pork meat, pork feet, Columbian chorizo sausage, and animal bone marrow. Because of its nutritious ingredients, it is usually regarded as a complete meal that is mainly served alongside white rice. Sliced lemon or lime wedges and local tortilla varieties such as arepa in Colombia are often served on the side. Unusual additions may include raisins or capers in Puerto Rican versions, or peanut sauce in the Ecuadorian version, popularly called guatica. In many Latin American countries, sopa de mondongo is believed to have healing properties, and it represents a traditional dish that is usually served for lunch or in the early hours after a night of clubbing.Expand

Moro de habichuelas is a traditional way of preparing rice and beans in the Dominican Republic, and it's also one of the most commonly prepared dishes in the country. Although any kind of beans can be used in the dish, it's most often made with red or pinto beans, while fava beans, pigeon peas, white beans, and black beans can also be used. Apart from the beans and rice, other common ingredients include onions, bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The vegetables are sautéed in oil with the spices, while the rice and beans are added later with water. Once everything becomes tender and fully cooked and the liquid evaporates, the dish is served warm as a side dish or a meal on its own. Moro de habichuelas is also popular during holidays because it can be prepared in a single pot.Expand

Conconetes are traditional cookies originating from Dominica. These rustic cookies are usually made with a combination of grated coconut, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon water, ginger, and salt. The cinnamon water is made by boiling cinnamon sticks in water. The ingredients are mixed together into a homogenous mass, and scoops of the mixture are then placed on cookie sheets and baked in the oven until golden brown and crunchy. They can easily be found in most colmados (corner stores) in the country. It's recommended to serve them with fruit shakes, coffee, or cocoa on the side.Expand

Definite Chocolate is a bean-to-bar producer from the Dominican Republic distinguished by its precision, ethics, and deep respect for the origin of cacao. The brand was founded by Jens Kamin, a German engineer who shifted his career path to pursue a mission of creating chocolate made entirely in the country of origin. Every stage of production - from bean selection to packaging - takes place in Santo Domingo, reinforcing Definite’s commitment to full transparency and local value creation. Their chocolates are crafted in small batches, using cacao sourced exclusively from different regions of the Dominican Republic. The process involves careful roasting and long conching to extract the fullest aromatic complexity. The resulting chocolates are rich yet balanced, often revealing notes of tropical fruit, nuts, and honey. Through this approach, Definite Chocolate has become a symbol of authentic, sustainable, and high-quality chocolate production that celebrates the identity of the Dominican Republic.Expand

Choco Punto by Mabel is a chocolate producer based in La Romana, Dominican Republic. They specialize in crafting artisanal chocolates using locally sourced cocoa beans. Their product line includes a variety of chocolate bars and confections that emphasize high-quality ingredients and traditional methods. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability and supporting local farmers.Expand

Ron Barceló is a renowned rum producer from the Dominican Republic, founded in 1930 by Spanish entrepreneur Julián Barceló. The company is known for producing high-quality rums made from 100% sugarcane juice sourced from its own plantations, resulting in a smoother and more rounded flavor. Over the years, Ron Barceló has expanded its product range to include rums such as Barceló Blanco, Dorado, Añejo, and premium variants like Barceló Imperial. Barceló Imperial stands out as the most awarded rum in their portfolio. The company is committed to sustainability and environmental protection. In 2016, they became the first rum company in the world to achieve "Carbon Neutral" certification, highlighting their efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.Expand

SPAGnVOLA is a chocolate producer located in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic. They manage their process from farm to finished product, ensuring control over the quality and sustainability of their chocolate. The company utilizes only organic practices for growing cacao and conducts all of its post-harvest processing locally. SPAGnVOLA chocolates are known for being single-estate, meaning the cacao is sourced from one single farm, which allows for distinctive flavor profiles unique to their chocolates.Expand

Chocolate Chin Chin is a chocolate producer based in Punta Cana. The company is known for offering a variety of artisanal chocolates, often incorporating local ingredients like Dominican cacao. They provide factory tours where visitors can learn about the chocolate-making process. Their products include chocolate bars, truffles, and chocolate drinks.Expand

Cacaoteca is a chocolate producer based in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They specialize in crafting artisan chocolates using locally sourced cacao. The company is committed to sustainable practices and works closely with Dominican cacao farmers to ensure fair trade standards and enhance the quality of their products. They offer a range of chocolate products that highlight the unique flavors of Dominican cacao.Expand

Ron Bermúdez is the oldest rum distillery in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1852 in Santiago de los Caballeros by Don Erasmo Bermúdez. The company is renowned for producing high-quality rum, featuring the oldest aging cellars in the country. Over more than 150 years of existence, Ron Bermúdez has developed a unique distillation and aging process, giving their rums a distinctive smoothness and authentic character. The company remains family-owned, with the current generations continuing the tradition of crafting authentic Dominican rum, blending rich heritage with modern technologies to satisfy the tastes of rum enthusiasts worldwide.Expand

Conacado is a cooperative in the Dominican Republic that produces organic and fair-trade cocoa. It was established to help small-scale farmers achieve better trading conditions. Conacado's operations have significantly contributed to the improvement of livelihoods in its farming communities. The cooperative also plays a critical role in promoting sustainable farming practices.Expand