---
title: "9 Dominican Dishes You Must Try"
url: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/blog/2016/04/28/9-dominican-dishes-you-must-try/
date: 2016-04-28
modified: 2026-09-02
lang: en
author: "Casa de Campo"
description: "Food plays a major role in the formation of a cultural identity and the Dominican Republic is no exception. With a blend of Spanish, indigenous Taíno and African influences, Dominican..."
categories:
  - "Blog"
image: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/La_Cana_dining_2_21305-800x600-1.jpg
word_count: 477
---

# 9 Dominican Dishes You Must Try

## Key Takeaways

- Mangú is a Dominican breakfast staple made with mashed plantains and sautéed onions, and it is often served with queso frito, eggs, and salami as los tres golpes.
- Lago Restaurant serves Sancocho with seven types of meat, root vegetables, plantains, herbs, and spices, and it also serves Lambi in an authentic creole sauce with fried plantains.
- Morir Soñando is made with orange juice, condensed milk, cane sugar, and ice, while Majarete is a smooth corn and coconut milk pudding that tops off a meal.

Food plays a major role in the formation of a cultural identity and the Dominican Republic is no exception. With a blend of Spanish, indigenous Taíno and African influences, Dominican cuisine offers an array of amazing dishes that are sure to please any palate. And since no travel experience is complete without a taste of local cuisine, we’ve compiled a list of must-try foods and drinks to give you an authentic Dominican experience during [your stay at Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/).

**Mangú: **A staple of a good Dominican breakfast, *mang**ú* consists of mashed plantains topped with sautéed onions. Add some *queso frito* (fried cheese), eggs and salami and you’ve got *los tres golpes* (the 3 hits) that will give you the fuel you need to hit [the golf course](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/) all day long. Or enjoy a long nap on Playa Minitas beach.

**Quipes: **A Dominican spin on the Mediterranean dish *kibbeh*, a savoury mixture of meat (usually ground beef), peppers, onions and raisins is wrapped in a bulgur wheat mixture and fried.

**La Bandera: ***La Bandera *is the quintessential Dominican dish. The main components of the dish embody the country’s tri-color flag (hence the name): rice, for the white of the flag, beans for the red, and meat for the blue (just trust us on this one). As you explore the DR you’ll see this dish on the menu almost everywhere you go.

**Sancocho: **This hearty stew is one of the most central dishes to Dominican cuisine. Try our version at [Lago Restaurant](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/quick-bites-cafes/#restaurants#lago-restaurant) made with seven types of meat, root vegetables, plantains and an abundance of herbs and spices.

**Lambi (stewed conch): **More than just a pretty seashell, conch provides a delicious meat that is a must-try for any seafood lover. Try it at Lago in an authentic creole sauce served with fried plantains.

**Shrimp Asopao: **If you still can’t get enough seafood, shrimp *asopao* is the way to go! At Lago this hearty shrimp and rice soup is taken to the next level with added *Mamajuana*!

**Empanadas: **These tasty pastry pockets can be made in a variety of ways – from savory to sweet. Try the cassava empanada – a Dominican favourite – served with savoury meat at Lago Restaurant.

**Morir Soñando: **To wash down all of these delicious dishes sip on the refreshing drink *Morir Soñando*. Made with orange juice, condensed milk, cane sugar and ice, as the name implies you can “die dreaming” about this heavenly concoction!

**Majarete: **We can’t forget dessert! This smooth and silky corn and coconut milk pudding is the perfect way to top off any meal during your stay here.

Now that we’ve whet your appetite, what dishes are on your list to try when you visit us? Book a stay at one of our [luxurious and private villas](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/), order our [chef-in-villa service](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/catering-services/), and prepare to satisfy your curiosity! when it comes to your appetite, your wish is our command!

 

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What Dominican dish should I try first if I want a classic breakfast?**
A: Mangú is the clearest starting point because the page calls it a staple of a good Dominican breakfast. It is mashed plantains topped with sautéed onions, and the classic add-ons are queso frito, eggs, and salami, which together are called los tres golpes. That combination is practical if you want something filling before a day at Casa de Campo, especially if you plan to head to [the golf course](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/) afterward.

**Q: What are the best Dominican dishes to order at Lago Restaurant?**
A: Lago Restaurant is the strongest pick on this list because the page names several dishes there: sancocho made with seven types of meat, lambi in an authentic creole sauce with fried plantains, shrimp asopao with Mamajuana, and cassava empanada served with savoury meat. That gives you a good spread of stew, seafood, and pastry in one place. Casa de Campo offers [Lago Restaurant](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/quick-bites-cafes/#restaurants#lago-restaurant) as a focused way to try multiple Dominican flavors without leaving the property.

**Q: Which Dominican dish is best if I want something hearty and filling?**
A: Sancocho is the most obvious choice for a heavy meal because the page describes it as one of the most central dishes in Dominican cuisine. The version at Lago Restaurant uses seven types of meat plus root vegetables, plantains, herbs, and spices, so it is built more like a full meal than a side dish. If you want something that feels substantial during your stay at Casa de Campo, this is the one that stands out.

**Q: What should seafood lovers try from this Dominican food list?**
A: Lambi and shrimp asopao are the two seafood picks that matter most here. Lambi is stewed conch served in an authentic creole sauce with fried plantains, while shrimp asopao is a hearty shrimp and rice soup finished with Mamajuana at Lago. That matters because both dishes show different sides of Dominican seafood cooking: one richer and saucier, the other more soup-like and filling.

**Q: What’s the best way to try these Dominican dishes during a stay at Casa de Campo?**
A: The easiest approach is to split your choices between dining out and staying in. The page points to [Lago Restaurant](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/quick-bites-cafes/#restaurants#lago-restaurant) for dishes like sancocho, lambi, shrimp asopao, and cassava empanadas, while [chef-in-villa service](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/catering-services/) lets you bring that experience into one of the [luxurious and private villas](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/). Casa de Campo offers both options, so you can sample local food without planning around only one setting.