Best ofRestaurants
The Best Dominican Restaurants in Washington Heights
Where to eat Dominican food in Washington Heights: rotisserie chicken, mofongo, breakfast mangú, and a Cuban-Dominican diner open around the clock.
Updated
A plate of rice, beans, and something stewed, fried, or mashed from a plantain is a natural way to start eating in Washington Heights. This guide is for first-timers who want a reliable starting point and for locals deciding where to take out-of-town friends.
We started with the Dominican and Dominican-adjacent restaurants already listed on Washington Heights Guide and ranked them by fit: how well each one delivers classic Dominican cooking, and what kind of meal it suits. Picks are editorial: the order is our judgment, not star ratings, review counts, or any scoring system, and every place is a listing on Washington Heights Guide with its own page, sources, and verdict.
Hours and menus change, and some of these listings note that sources disagree, so check before a special trip.
01
Best overall
Malecón
Its own site describes rotisserie chicken, stews, fried plantains, rice and beans, empanadas, and mofongo, and says it has served New Yorkers since 1987. A 2023 Infatuation guide listed it as good for casual dinners and serious takeout.
02
Best for a group dinner
La Casa del Mofongo
The Infatuation's 2023 guide describes a massive spot serving 30 types of mofongo, from shrimp and pernil to octopus and lobster, with a bar area for watching sports. The listing notes that sources disagree on hours, so call before a late visit.
03
Best open 24 hours
El Floridita
A Cuban and Dominican restaurant on Broadway that its own site says has operated since 1995 and lists as open 24 hours. The Infatuation points to the Cubano sandwich and describes mofongo, asopao, and rotisserie chicken on a long menu.
04
Best for mangú
Marilu & Daysi
A cash-only Dominican counter at 206 Audubon Ave, between W 175th and W 176th, serving mangú, bistec encebollado, and stewed chicken since 2007. Hours are about 8am to 6pm. Bring cash.
05
Best Friday salsa
Club Deportivo Dominicano
The Centro Cultural Deportivo Dominicano, founded in 1966 and now at 2088 Amsterdam Ave at W 163rd St. Known for dominoes and a Friday salsa night. It is a club, not a restaurant; call about nights and the door.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins are places on this site that have coordinates.
Sources
- maleconnyc.com (opens in a new tab)
- maleconnyc.com/page/locations (opens in a new tab)
- ny.eater.com/venue/74632/malecon (opens in a new tab)
- www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/where-to-eat-in-washington-heights (opens in a new tab)
- www.nyctourism.com/restaurants/la-casa-del-mofongo (opens in a new tab)
- www.floriditanyc.com (opens in a new tab)
- www.floriditanyc.com/contact (opens in a new tab)