The Dominican Republic was formerly a Spanish colony. Similar to Spain, the most important meal of the day is lunch. Dominican Republic’s local cuisine is influenced by indigenous Taino, Spanish, French and African gastronomy. Some of the most popular dishes can be found in cities across the world as many Dominicans brought family recipes for Arepitas, Chimichurris, Soups, Chicharróns (and much much more) out of their home country and into the stomachs of hungry consumers. With that in mind, when you dine at a local restaurant COME HUNGRY. You can spend as much or as little time as you want at various restaurants – which make sense since Cabarete is one of the most laid back beachside towns on the island of Domincan Republic.
You will find different dishes feature at local restaurants depending on where your villa or hotel is located. Seaside towns tend to offer a great variety of seafood, with the most common being shrimp, mahi-mahi and lobster (available from July 1st until February 28th). The interior mountains tend to have dishes involving pork, stews and rice. The nice part about Dominican cuisine is that it uses milder spices than other countries in the West Indies without compromising taste.
When dining at Embocca, expect to be fed like a king. Embocca’s chef’s cater to a variety of dietary restrictions and preferences. Whether you follow a gluten-free diet, have seafood allergies or maybe you have a picky eater in the group, we have you covered. With that said, our chefs are obsessed with using fresh local produce and proteins.
If you decide to depart Embocca for lunch or dinner, a few of our favorite restaurants are:
Located on the northern coast, Embocca is one of the best places to stay in Cabarete Dominican Republic for tourists from around the globe. While one might think they are limited to ocean sports – seeing as Cabarete is known as a kite surfers paradise, there is a vast array of activities and destinations inland that you simply shouldn’t pass up. From El Choco National Park to small shops offering artisan crafts, food and souvenirs, Cabarete attracts people from across the world looking to connect their love for the outdoors with local culture and cuisine.
Here are our top choices for things to do in and around Cabarete:
– Kite surfing (a.k.a. kiteboarding)
– El Choco National Park (just a 15-minute walk from the center of town)
– Horseback riding tours and lessons
– Tubing on the Yasica river in Jamao
– Surfing in Playa Encuentro
– Stand up paddle boarding (SUP Boarding)
– Canyoning tour of Magic Mushroom
– Big game fishing charters
For those days you want to enjoy everything a private villa has to offer, Embocca can arrange in-villa massages, spa treatments and photography sessions from Dominican Republic’s most hospitable and welcoming people. Who wouldn’t want a massage overlooking the beach while surrounded by lush flora and fauna? Embocca combines the amenities you would find at a resort with the privacy of a high-end beach home.
For families, Cabarete is a dream destination as there are limitless options for kids of all ages. Absolutely try the Glide n’ ride adventure which combines 8 zip lines, horseback riding and breathtaking views of the Dominican countryside (minimum age to participate is 3 years old). Tubing on the Yasica river in Jamao is another option for a low impact relaxing activity. Catamaran Charters offer snorkeling at different reefs, amazing views as you cruise along the coastline and delicious BBQ and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) onboard. Villa pickup and drop off is available with advance notice.
When traveling to Cabarete it would be a shame to miss out on the nightlife. Head to Onno’s Bar for cocktails and yummy food. Onno’s is located directly on the beach and happens to be Cabaretes most popular nightlife destination. Their moto is “Eat Drink Party” which perfectly sums up what you will encounter as soon as you enter. If you aren’t looking to leave Embocca, let us hire a DJ and bartenders so the party can come to you.