The 15 Best Restaurants in Sosúa: My Favorites + What's Next on My List

Cabarete gets a lot of attention for its restaurant scene, but drive 15–20 minutes toward Sosúa and you suddenly have a completely different selection of places to eat.

And people don't talk about some of them enough.

From Dominican food and casual beach restaurants to Italian pastries, pizza, seafood and some surprisingly nice dinner spots, Sosúa has a lot more going on food-wise than people sometimes realize.

This guide is a little different from my Cabarete restaurant guide. I've divided it between places I've actually tried and would recommend and restaurants that are still on my list.

Because I'd rather tell you "I haven't been yet, but everyone keeps telling me to go" than pretend I've eaten somewhere I haven't. And, of course, I'll keep updating this list as I work my way through it.

If you just want my quick picks

Best Italian Treats & Pastries: Dolci & Sapori
Best Dominican: Danny’s Terraza / Parada Típica El Choco
Best Views: Waterfront
Best Beach Experience: El Velero (only lunch)
Best for Lots of Options: Bailee
Best with Kids: NLB (Nelson’s Lounge & Bistro)
Best Bakery & Coffee: Milz Chocolat / Dolci & Sapori
Best Nice Dinner: Casa 21

➜ Restaurants I've tried

1. Dolci & Sapori

This is one for anyone who, like me, sometimes needs a little taste of Italy.

Dolci & Sapori is a great stop for Italian pastries, breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's both a bakery and and a proper restaurant with an incredible menu. I can tell you that the Honey Goat Cheese Pizza is the best pizza I have tried so far (in the entire area). They also bake incredibly delicious cakes, perfect for birthdays and special occasions.

Go for: Italian pastries, sweets, coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner
Instagram:

Food: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★☆☆

2. Parada Típica El Choco

If you're visiting the Dominican Republic and actually want to eat Dominican food, but also Swiss and Italian, put this one on your list.

Parada Típica El Choco is more traditional and local than many of the restaurants you'll find in the tourist areas, which is exactly why it's worth going. There is a small area that looks like a traditional Swiss chalet, straight from the mountains. They also have a great Cheese Fondue and my favorite, Spätzli with apple sauce and friend onion rings. Come hungry.

Go for: Dominican + Swiss + Italian food, local experience, traditional dishes
Instagram:

Food: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★☆☆☆

3. Leo Banana

Leo Banana is casual, easy and more of a local everyday option. But the view of Sosúa Beach here is breathtaking!

This isn't somewhere I'd necessarily tell you to dress up and make a night of it. It's somewhere to go when you want a relaxed meal without overthinking it.

Go for: Casual lunch, ocean view dinner, local atmosphere
Instagram:

Food: ★★★☆☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★☆☆

4. Casa 21

Casa 21 is where I'd go when I want something a little more polished. The food is probably some of the best on the North Coast.

It's a good choice for dinner when you're looking for a nicer atmosphere without necessarily wanting a beachfront tourist restaurant.

Go for: nice dinner, date night, special occasion
Instagram:

Food: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★★★

5. Steven's at Playa Alicia

The location alone makes Steven's worth knowing about.

It's at Playa Alicia, one of my favorite beach settings in Sosúa, and the menu is surprisingly broad.

I've tried their breakfast and pasta, pasta al pesto is probably the best around here, while their Asian-fusion dishes are still on my list, so I'll have to report back on those.

It's also an easy place to combine with a beach day.

Go for: breakfast, pasta, Playa Alicia views
Instagram: @stevenbyritualesrestaurante

Food: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★☆☆

6. Waterfront at Playa Alicia

Waterfront is one of those restaurants everyone seems to know and love in Sosúa. And I understand why.

The views are fantastic, and it's a beautiful place to sit overlooking the ocean.
Sunset here is hard to beat. They also serve Dominican breakfast, which makes it an interesting option earlier in the day.

That said, I think the vegetarian selection could be better, and I've had experiences where the service had room for improvement.

Would I still go back? Yes, because that location is difficult to beat.

Go for: ocean view lunch or dinner, breakfast, sunset, seafood
Instagram: @waterfrontplayaalicia

Food: ★★★☆☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★★☆

7. Danny's Terraza

If you want a proper Dominican plato del día in Sosúa, Danny's Terraza is one to know. It’s located very close to La Sirena Market of Sosúa, right by the traffic light and Llaves Rodriguez.

This is the kind of place I'd recommend when you want to skip the tourist-style lunch and eat something much closer to what people actually have for lunch here: rice and beans or moro de guandules, chicken, beef, vegetables, plantains and different homemade dishes depending on the day.

It's casual, affordable and exactly the kind of local spot I think deserves a place in this guide.

Go for: Plato del día, Dominican food, casual local lunch
Google Maps: Danny’s Terraza

Food: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★☆☆☆
Price: ★☆☆☆☆

8. Bailee

Bailee is almost the opposite of a tiny curated-menu restaurant.

There are lots of options, which makes it useful when you're with a group and everyone wants something different.

There's also something very Sosúa about the atmosphere. It's lively, casual and has more of a local feel than some of the polished restaurants on this list.

And yes, there's pizza, I think they call it Chicago Style Pizza (will need to double check).

Go for: groups, pizza, lots of choices, local atmosphere
Google Maps: Bailee

Food: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★★☆☆

9. NLB (Nelson’s Lounge & Bistro)

If you're traveling with children, this is one to know about.

NLB by Nelson has pizza and a playground for kids, which immediately makes dinner easier for families.

Sometimes the best family restaurant isn't the fanciest one, it's the one where the adults can actually finish their meal.

Go for: Pizza, families, dinner with kids, Dominican food
Instagram: @nlbsosua

Food: ★★★☆☆
Ambience: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★☆☆

10. El Velero at Sosúa Beach

This is probably one of the best examples of why I don't judge restaurants based on how fancy they look.

El Velero is right on Sosúa Beach. It's casual, beachy and very local. Don't come expecting fine dining.

But I've found the service and quality really good compared with many of the other options directly on the beach.

And sometimes that's exactly what you want: sand, ocean, cold drinks and uncomplicated food.

Go for: Sosúa Beach, local atmosphere, casual lunch, seafood
Instagram: @elvelero108

Food: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★☆☆☆

11. Milz Chocolat

Coffee + chocolate + bakery. Do I really need to explain much more?

Milz Chocolat is one of those places I'd stop for a quick break. Think coffee, baked goods, chocolate and something sweet in the middle of the day.

Go for: Coffee, bakery, chocolate, sweet treats
Instagram: @milzchocolat

Food: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★★☆

➜ Still on my list

And now for the fun part.

These are restaurants I haven't properly tried yet, but they're on my list because I've heard about them, driven past them or had enough people mention them that I'm curious.

I'll update the ratings once I actually go.

12. Hispaniola Diners Club

This one has been on my radar for a while and is probably one of the next Sosúa restaurants I want to try.

It looks like more of an evening/dinner experience, so I'm saving it for a night when I can actually sit down and enjoy it rather than rushing through dinner. Probably with friends.

Recommended for: dinner, pizza, date night

13. Hard Rock Cafe Puerto Plata

Okay, it's called Hard Rock Cafe Puerto Plata, but it's actually located right in Sosúa.

I haven't tried it yet, but I keep seeing their music nights and entertainment events on social media, so I'm curious enough to put it on my list. Live music is a big part of the concept here, and they've already hosted concerts and special events since opening.

This isn't necessarily where I'd go looking for an authentic Dominican meal. I'm more interested in seeing what the whole experience is like, and keeping an eye on their calendar to see if they have any cool concerts planned.

Recommended for: the experience, cocktails, casual dinner, live music

14. Michael's Stone Bar & Restaurant

This is probably one of the places I'm most curious about.

It's small, scenic and has more of a Dominican feel, which is exactly the kind of place I love finding for these guides. It’s located in Charamicos, on the other end of Sosúa Beach.

Sometimes the places that don't look like major tourist destinations end up being the ones you remember.

Recommended for: Dominican food, scenery, something different

15. Crazy Ranch

I'm leaving this one here for the meat lovers, because realistically, as a lifelong vegetarian, I probably won't ever be the person reviewing it properly.

But I've heard enough good things about Crazy Ranch to think it deserves a spot on the list. Think meat, beer and a casual ranch-style atmosphere.

So for this one, I'll leave the judging to you. If you go, you'll have to tell me whether it deserves to stay on the list! So, let me know!

Recommended for: meat, beer, casual group dinner

Where should you eat in Sosúa?

If I were sending a friend to Sosúa for a few days, I'd mix things up rather than only eating at the beachfront restaurants.

For something Dominican, try Parada Típica El Choco or Danny’s Terraza.
For the views, Waterfront or Steven's.
For an actual Sosúa Beach experience, I'd go casual at El Velero, for lunch.
For something Italian and sweet, Dolci & Sapori.
For a nicer dinner, Casa 21.
And if you're traveling with kids, NLB by Nelson is worth remembering.

Cabarete or Sosúa for restaurants?

They're different.

Cabarete has more of the international beach-town scene: brunch cafés, healthy bowls, beachfront cocktails, sushi, Italian food and restaurants designed around the lifestyle of the town.

Sosúa gives you more variety between local Dominican restaurants, international food, casual neighborhood spots and beautiful oceanfront settings.

If you're staying in Cabarete for more than a few days, I absolutely think it's worth making the short drive and exploring both.

And that's something I love about living on the North Coast… you don't really have to choose.

Planning a trip to the North Coast?

If you're staying in Cabarete, start with my 3-Day Cabarete Itinerary and my guide to the Best Restaurants in Cabarete.

Before your trip, you can also check Kitebarete for events happening around Cabarete and to book water sports lessons and activities.

And if you're looking for accommodation, you can also book one of the vacation rentals I manage in Cabarete, just click here to check them out.

From vacation to "could I actually live here?"

This is one of the reasons I'm adding more travel content to Gio in the DR.

I want you to discover the Dominican Republic as a place to travel first, the beaches, restaurants, little road trips and places I really enjoy.

But sometimes a vacation turns into something more.

I'm Gio in the DR, a real estate agent based on the North Coast, and I help people looking to buy property, invest or relocate to the Dominican Republic.

If you're considering a move or property purchase, get in touch and tell me what you're looking for.

I'll help you take it from there, making the process simple, personal and as stress-free as possible.