Lulú Tasting Bar in Santo Domingo

In the center of the colonial zone, Lulú Tasting Bar is found within Parque Billini in front of the Basilica Cathedral, just off Calle Arzobispo Merino. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy contemporary dining against a backdrop of exceptional Spanish colonial architecture.

Dating back to the 1500s, the historic colonial zone is the oldest existing European settlement in the Americas and has UNESCO World Heritage status. During the day, the colonial zone is one of the top attractions in Santo Domingo, with several landmarks worth visiting including the Alcázar de Colón, Fortaleza Ozama, and Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor. By night, the zone is full of lively cosmopolitan bars and attracts a chic crowd of locals and visitors dressed up for fine dining and cocktails.

The whole place is very stylish with beautiful decor throughout, gentle music playing through the rooms and a cozy vibe. While sat in Lulú Tasting Bar you might forget you’re in the Dominican Republic and for a moment quite easily think you’re sat in Madrid or Barcelona.

On Monday nights you can listen to live jazz, with other live music events scattered throughout the calendar including classical latin guitar.

The menu at Lulú Tasting Bar is varied, interesting and decadent with a focus on tapas featuring local seafood. Prices are on the high side but it’s well worth the expense with food of this quality.

Located in seaside Santo Domingo, seafood is the star here at Lulú, but you’ll also find modern twists on tapas such as sliders, jalapeño poppers and mini tacos. Menu highlights include the octopus tiradito, goat empanaditas and a customer favorite ‘today’s croquettes’ which are always a delight. Expect the unexpected with you-won’t-find-it-anywhere-else specialties, like roasted coffee ribs served with pork crackling.

Lulú Tasting Bar is a classy Santo Domingo restaurant with everything you would want from a fine dining tapas experience. It’s enviably located within exquisite, UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial architecture, with the option to sit either at the elegant bar or in the courtyard under the sunset. Dress to impress.

Written by Andrew Miles.

Published November 2020