Eden Roc Cap Cana has earned its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious properties. Named the “#1 Resort in the Caribbean Islands” in Condé Nast Traveler’s most recent Readers’ Choice Awards, this five-star Relais & Châteaux resort located in an exclusive gated community provides an ideal setting for upscale romantic getaways and family vacations.
Spanning 30,000 acres, the property has a private beach, an infinity pool, a kids club, the world’s first Natura Bissé hotel spa, and 67 all-suite accommodations, ranging from junior pool suites to multi-bedroom villas. The resort is also adjacent to the Punta Espada Golf Course, the top-rated Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Eden Roc Cap Cana’s dining options are as impressive as its accommodations and onsite amenities, setting it apart from the sea of all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic. Under the expert guidance of Culinary Director Chef Adriano Venturini, who brings a Michelin-starred background, the resort is dedicated to sustainable, ethical food sourcing and high-quality gourmet menu options. Chef Venturini says, “We source the freshest local ingredients to create dishes that not only tell a story but also honor the Dominican Republic’s culinary identity.”
Each dining venue at Eden Roc Cap Cana provides a distinct culinary experience, from the Nikkei-themed delights at Blue Grill + Bar to the Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Mediterraneo and the fresh, oceanfront flavors at La Palapa. Here’s what it’s like to dine at Eden Roc Cap Cana.
Blue Grill + Bar
At the heart of the hotel’s dining scene is Blue Grill + Bar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant also features a show kitchen, a cigar bar, and live musical performances. Start your day with the restaurant’s expansive breakfast buffet, which has a selection of pastries like cream-filled croissants alongside a made-to-order omelet station, a yogurt parfait bar and an array of hot dishes like roasted tomatoes, breakfast meats, baked beans and plantains.
For lunch and dinner, the restaurant showcases an all-day menu with light fare such as sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and salads and an evening menu that merges Robatayaki and Nikkei cooking techniques. The dinner menu blends Japanese and Peruvian cuisine in dishes like bata miso salmon, duck magret with Peruvian sweet potatoes and tiradito-style tuna rolls.
Mediterraneo
Executive Chef Gianluca Re Fraschini oversees the resort’s signature fine-dining experience at Mediterraneo. The restaurant decor includes a luxurious great room with high ceilings, iron chandeliers, coral stone floors, and elegant Italian drapery. Guests can dine in the great room or outside on a charming terrace overlooking a pool and beautiful landscaping.
Mediterraneo’s elevated menu pairs Mediterranean-inspired dishes with Caribbean ingredients. Choose from a selection of cold or hot appetizers and signature main courses like presa Iberica tataki with mojo criollo and tamarind sauce. The dining experience also includes a curated selection of fine cheeses and decadent desserts, such as rum baba with mango compote and caramelized tobacco leaf with coffee sauce.
La Palapa
La Palapa offers diners an exceptional oceanfront experience, blending fresh, local seafood, a raw bar, premium meats, handmade pasta, and Dominican specialties such as Boca Chica fish with fried plantains. One signature dish is the grilled sea bass with jalapeno and Salmoriglio sauce, which the chef says is a “celebration of Dominican coastal flavors.”
When dining at Eden Roc Cap Cana, saving room for dessert is essential. Options at La Palapa include passion fruit crème brûlée, tiramisu, tres leches cake and a Dominican chocolate volcano served with vanilla ice cream. The resort’s less-is-more culinary philosophy means the simple flavors are crafted to perfection and not masked by too many ingredients.
Other dining venues at Eden Roc Cap Cana include the Hoyo 19 Restaurant at the Punta Espada Golf Course, the Beach Club, and Riva Bar, a 1960s-style piano bar with creative cocktails. These diverse venues collectively provide one of the most memorable gastronomic experiences in the Caribbean.
Other Culinary Offerings
When Eden Roc Cap Cana was constructed in 2012, it was ingeniously designed around an existing cenote—a natural sinkhole exposing groundwater. To enhance this unique feature, the property’s design included a walkway and an open-air wooden deck within the cenote, creating an intimate atmosphere for private dinners.
The resort’s exclusive cenote dining experience includes a four-course gourmet dinner with champagne, a private butler, live musicians, a bouquet of roses and a one-of-a-kind cave-side massage that guests can enjoy the following day. Priced at $1,200 per couple, this dining experience is a splurge, but the experience is truly remarkable. Guests can also enjoy this package in additional venues on the property, such as the beach.
In addition to the resort’s dining options, guests can participate in interactive mixology and cooking classes. These experiences allow guests to craft Dominican-style mofongo, sushi and ceviche, as well as pizzas, pastas, and classic cocktails. Chef Venturini plans to create more immersive dining experiences like these that connect guests to the local culture and flavors. He says, “My goal is to ensure that Eden Roc Cap Cana becomes synonymous with unforgettable dining and a hub for innovation and excellence, further establishing the resort as a premier culinary destination in the Caribbean.”
This article first appeared on Forbes.com.
