Vegan Guide to the Dominican Republic

In the capital of Santo Domingo, a vegan scene has started to sprout and a growing number of restaurants are adding vegan options. A few 100% vegan restaurants have opened and you can even pick up a copy of Theresa Boehl’s ‘Vegan in Santo Domingo: A Guide to Meat-Free, Dairy-Free Dining in the Caribbean's Largest City’ available on Amazon. Yes, the classic local fare here in the DR is mainly about the meat but that doesn’t mean traditional foods can’t be given a vegan twist.

Before you start your vegan journey through the Dominican Republic it’s worth learning some useful phrases to help you avoid eating or drinking anything you don’t want during your stay.

All vegans know how difficult it can be to order food in another country. The Dominican Republic is no different but thankfully the main language here is Spanish with mild variations due to the regional dialect. You shouldn’t have too many issues using these traditional Spanish phrases:

If you are staying in hotels or B&Bs, you’ll often be provided with a breakfast that includes fresh local fruit and salads, plus corn, rice and other grains grown right here on Hispaniola. With luck, these will be vegan right off the bat.

As for traditional meals, you’d be very lucky to be served any that are 100% vegan unless specified. It’s worth noting that many dishes here are flavored with ‘caldito’. This is a concentrated chicken broth used in the vast majority of dishes in the Dominican Republic. You’ll have to be quite specific if you want to order a traditional dish “sin caldito”, because it’s such a staple that many locals wouldn’t even consider ‘caldito’ an animal product.

Another tip: the word for meat - ‘carne’ - is used on the island to specifically talk about red meat. Therefore, it’s important to use the basic phrases above to tell locals you don’t eat poultry or fish either.

Remember, it’s YOU that needs staff to go the extra mile to cater to your diet, so always be polite and smile during your conversations. The Dominican people are generally very friendly and willing to help, so if you’re patient and understanding, you’ll get there eventually.

Above we mentioned the concentrated chicken broth, ‘caldito’. It is found in pretty much everything and therefore, anything you think is probably vegan, most likely is not. To stay away from accidentally consuming animal products you might just want to stick to the local vegetables and fruits from markets.

If you go to any big supermarket in the major cities and towns you will find a number of vegan products including plant milks, meat-alternatives, plus plenty of vegan snacks and sweets.

The ‘veganizing’ of traditional Dominican foods has become a popular thing to do in major US cities like New York City and Los Angeles. Now, this trend has started to appear on the island itself - which is great news for visiting vegans!

Vegan restaurants based in Santo Domingo are now offering a number of traditional dishes with a vegan twist. Most notably is restaurant Raices which serves up a vegan version of Bandera Dominicana, a classic dish of rice, beans, and soy or gluten-based meat. Sancocho, the traditional Dominican stew, has also been given a vegan makeover at Raices. Expect a big bowl of delicious, unusual ingredients including taro and green plantain.

Finally, check out the awesome Asian restaurant Bambú, which serves up a vegan version of the salad Plato de Meli - minus the cheese and with some tasty mushroom-based meat.

C-Orgánico Juguería, Santo Domingo

The only truly 100% vegan restaurant in town is C-Orgánico Juguería. This is a lunch spot serving delicious vegan food all day long, in a beautiful tropical setting outside under an avenue of palm trees.

There is a strong emphasis on natural surroundings and ingredients. Expect to find a number of tasty raw salads, juicy veggie burgers, falafels, soups, rustic bean stews, fresh detox juices, and delicious smoothies. You will find each day there is a Plato del Dia - a daily special - which could be anything from a yam and ginger soup to quinoa tabbouleh, plantain casserole or mushroom ceviche.

C-Orgánico Juguería is a wholesome, fresh, healthy and exciting vegan restaurant just 500m away from the famous Colonial Zone.

Ama Luna Vegan Restaurant & Lab, Punta Cana

Sometimes you visit a restaurant that is so good you can physically feel the love and passion that has gone into it. Ama Luna Vegan Restaurant & Lab is one of those places, and not to be missed by any vegan heading to the seaside town of Punta Cana.

Here you will find simply magical vegan dishes that include Ama Luna’s own artisan tofu, pasta, cheese, and “wheat’s muscle” (seitan prepared according to an Italian recipe). The restaurant has a touch of Italian Mediterranean cuisine that is guaranteed to impress any visiting vegans - and your non-vegans friends.

The menu consists of traditional ‘veganized’ Italian dishes such as lasagne, cannelloni, and pizza plus international dishes such as veggie burgers, Buddha bowls, and some delicious tapas-style food boards. The food here has been thoughtfully put together and the result is simply delicious.

Fresh Fresh Cafe, Sosúa

Not a strictly vegan restaurant but Fresh Fresh Cafe in Sosúa has enough on its menu to keep any vegan satisfied. This cafe is all about quality nutrition, providing customers with foods and drinks that promote good health.

The menu is made up of wraps, bowls, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, natural juices, and baked goods. Of particular note for vegans are the breakfast bowls made using granola, local fruits, and nuts. The falafel burger is also really good and 100% vegan - just remember to ask for it with no tzatziki sauce.

Of all the major cities and towns, Santo Domingo has the best vegan scene and if you know where to look, you can find some very special vegan treats.

Head to TIME Vegetarian Kitchen on Parque Billini in the Colonial Zone for a bowl of delicious vegan ramen. At Roma’s Cafe, you’ll find a lush selection of vegan gelato flavors including pineapple, strawberry and passionfruit.

For tasty traditional Dominican sweets that are made using only fruit and sugar, head to Esquisiteces Postres near Ciudad Nueva.

Buffet Vegetariano in Santo Domingo serves up a scrumptious daily vegan buffet. Load up your plate with local twists on tofu, mock meats, stews, soups, deep-fried goods, beans, noodles, rice, corn, bread and more. More than enough to satisfy any traveling vegan.

If you are struggling as a vegan in Santo Domingo, this might be the best place to retreat to for lunchtime. The buffet is highly rated by tourists and local regulars alike.

Want to meet up with other vegans and take the sample the best of vegan Dominican cuisine? For $60 you can hop on the Vegan Food Tour - Colonial Zone and be guided through the historic streets of the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, picking up vegan goodies along the way from various food vendors and vegan restaurants. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a history of the area and see some of the historic buildings.

This is a fantastic way to get a taste of the vegan scene in Santo Domingo and learn about some of the local history.