Restaurante-Pizzería Portofino (Calle Hermanas Mirabal 12, tel. 809/261-2423, US$5–12) offers some of the best pizza and pasta in town, along with other Italian favorites like eggplant parmesan. Next to the Portofino Guest House, it’s a good choice for a casual night out in the open air.

Tex Mex is the specialty at Aquaceros Bar & Grill (Malecón 32, tel. 809/586-2796, 10 a.m.–2 a.m., US$7–14), but dishes also include fresh barbecued fish, lobster, and burgers. The distinctive Dominican ambience along the Malecón, with the fresh sea breeze and merengue music, makes it a favorite.

Sam’s Bar and Grill (Calle José del Carmen Ariza 34, tel. 809/586-7267, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. daily, US$4–12) is an institution with the local expats for dishes like meatloaf, chili, Philly cheesesteaks, pancakes, chicken cordon bleu, and a great many other American diner favorites. You’ll often find a sporting event of some kind on the televisions, and it is a lively place for drinks around dinnertime. Sam’s has free Internet access.

Jamvi’s (Malecón 18 and Calle Lopez, tel. 809/320-7265, open 11 a.m.–midnight daily) serves national and international dishes like pizza, burgers, and steak. The location on the Malecón and directly on the beach is a perfect place to enjoy the view and a glass of wine.