Top 10 Culinary Delights to Experience in La Romana

Exploring exotic dishes or indulging in authentic renditions of your favorite international cuisine is one of the highlights of a cruise vacation. With each bite, you create fantastic flavors and joyful memories. If you're gearing up for a Dinogo cruise that includes La Romana, a charming port in the Dominican Republic, you might be curious about the local gastronomy. Get ready for an exhilarating and delicious journey into culinary exploration!

Dominican cuisine is a vibrant display of local ingredients infused with diverse influences from Spain, Africa, and the Middle East. While it shares similarities with its Latin American and Caribbean counterparts, it also features many distinct dishes. If you're contemplating what to savor in La Romana, consider trying these top 10 foods and beverages:

1. Sancocho

Sancocho, a hearty stew brimming with meats and vegetables, is regarded as the national dish of the Dominican Republic. Its preparation varies by region but typically includes a medley of meats alongside starchy root vegetables. Some variations might contain just beef and chicken, while others boast up to seven different meats, such as smoked pork, goat, and longaniza, a traditional Dominican sausage. Common vegetables include yucca, squash, potatoes, green bananas, and corn on the cob, all seasoned with citrus, garlic, and aromatic herbs. After hours of simmering, this dish emerges as a rich and intricate one-pot meal, often accompanied by rice and salad. If one dish encapsulates the essence of La Romana’s cuisine, it’s undoubtedly sancocho.

2. Los Tres Golpes

Los Tres Golpes, meaning "the three hits," is a beloved breakfast option in the Dominican Republic, although it's enjoyed at any time throughout the day. This meal typically features mangú, a hearty mash of boiled green plantains garnished with red onions marinated in vinegar. Accompanying this are slices of fried Dominican salami and queso frito, a fried firm cheese. It’s a robust dish that offers a unique taste experience.

3. Dominican Coffee

Recharge your energy during an exciting day of exploring or shopping in La Romana by trying a cup of robust Dominican coffee. It's served strong and black, with locals often adding a generous amount of sugar. Grown on the island, this coffee is as fresh and flavorful as it gets, and you can even bring home a couple of bags of Dominican beans.

4. Dulce de Coco

Dulce de coco is a deliciously sweet and creamy coconut dessert made by gently simmering shredded coconut with whole milk, condensed milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until it thickens into a fudgy treat. The varieties you’ll find in La Romana use young coconuts that have a mild flavor and are locally sourced. Served chilled, dulce de coco is a delightful indulgence perfect for a sunny day in the Caribbean.

5. Pica Pollo

With so many exciting activities in La Romana, you might find yourself short on time for a sit-down meal. Instead, head to a fritura (a fried food street vendor) to grab a quick order of pica pollo, the Dominican take on fried chicken. Much like fried chicken found worldwide, pica pollo is served hot and juicy, featuring a crispy golden coating infused with the unique flavors of Dominican oregano, alongside hints of lemon and garlic.

6. Habichuelas con Dulce

Habichuelas con dulce, meaning “sweet cream of beans,” is a unique dessert that is especially popular during Lent. While recipes can vary widely, the main ingredient is always beans, which may include white beans, kidney beans, butter beans, or pinto beans. These are simmered in a blend of coconut milk, evaporated milk, or regular milk, sweetened with sugar, and flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves before being pureed until smooth. Some variations include raisins and sweet potatoes, and it's often topped with a few small cookies.

7. Tostones

Tostones, which are crispy, twice-fried plantains, are a staple in La Romana's culinary landscape, just as they are throughout the Dominican Republic. Green plantains are sliced thick, fried until tender, then smashed flat and fried again. This smashing process gives the plantain chips a rugged shape and increases their surface area, resulting in extra crispy edges. Tostones are typically enjoyed as a snack or a side dish, similar to French fries. Look for them on menus under the name fritos verdes (green fries).

8. La Bandera Dominicana

La Bandera Dominicana translates to “the Dominican flag,” and it’s a traditional dish that features a combination of four key components: fluffy white rice, stewed red beans, slow-cooked meat (which can be beef, chicken, pork, or fish), and a refreshing green salad. The salad typically consists of shredded lettuce or cabbage, along with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and sometimes bell peppers, radishes, and beets. It’s a fulfilling meal that offers an authentic taste of the Dominican Republic.

9. Mama Juana

Mama Juana (or mamajuana) is a distinctive local beverage found in bars, restaurants, and sold by the bottle in grocery stores. This drink blends the familiar flavors of red wine and local rum with cinnamon and honey, infused with an intriguing mix of fermented tree bark, roots, and medicinal herbs and spices native to the island. Its taste is sweet, spicy, and warming.

10. Chimichurri

In the Dominican Republic, chimichurri refers to a burger rather than the well-known Argentinian sauce. This burger closely resembles a classic American version and is characterized by a topping of shredded cabbage and a sauce made by mixing ketchup and mayonnaise. The patty is hand-formed into an irregular shape to fit a toasted pan de agua bun. Pair this comforting Dominican dish with a cold beer, cola, or milkshake for the ultimate experience.

Please note that onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options can vary depending on the ship and destination.