Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic, with its delicious food with influences from Taino, African, Spanish and some Asian cultures, but with added ‘sazon’ - the Spanish word for umami! - is a foodie lovers’ paradise.
Visit Punta Cana for the best of all worlds – incredible beaches and truly delicious food from tasty beachside seafood and local eateries. Hydrate and refresh with a local speciality, passion fruit juice or chinola, or a fruit smoothie with milk, condensed milk or ice. For the national dish, try La Bandera (the Dominican Flag), a dish made with white rice, stewed meat, beans, salad, and fried green bananas. Being surrounded by abundant waters, seafood is very popular, and you’ll find fresh fish or squid served with a spicy tomato sauce – a la diabla – while a al criolla is a less spicy tomato-based option!
For quick snacks, try tostones, sliced and fried plantains, or quipe, a deep-fried savoury bite of minced meat and onion, the Dominican answer to a Middle Eastern kibbeh. For sweet-tooths, try Habichuelas con Dulce, a delectable soup-like dessert made from red beans, milk, coconut milk, sugar, cinnamon, yams, cloves and topped with small cookies! It’s truly unique.
While the Dominican Republic is certainly a destination that loves its meat, there are plenty of vegetarian friendly options in many of Punta Cana’s restaurants! It’s also well worth making the journey to larger cities like Santo Domingo for more amazing veggie-friendly cuisine.
Gastronomic Goodness in LATAM
Food is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in a foreign culture and experience local life, and culinary travel has long been a key motivator for travel. Gastronomy opens doors to destinations where travellers may not have ventured, were it not for the incredible cuisines on offer. Latin America is a region of rich history, with cuisines that are an amalgam of many cultures. So, it’s an amazing place for any foodie!