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Ratings and reviews

Travelers' Choice2022
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Mentioned in

  • Dominican Republic Itinerary 2020 - Travel Guide, Highlights And Morewanderlustchloe.com
About
Open since 1967, built inside a quaint natural cave, acclaimed by the New York Times as a landmark of the city of Santo Domingo. An eclectic cuisines characterize by fusions of local and Spanish dishes. Recently opened and outdoor terrace with a unique wood fire exterior kitchen, from where chefs interact with clients. The terrace has its own menu with a very excellent relation of value/quality. A recently installed elevator connects the lobby to some forty feet down to both the restaurant and the outside terrace. The terrace temperature is kept comfortable through the means of a misting system which adapts perfectly to the lush tropical garden. Live music is played every night from tuesday
PRICE RANGE
$15 - $35
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Spanish, International
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Reviews (1,254)
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Traveler rating
264
115
38
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21
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveler rating
264
115
38
23
21
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All reviews lobster paella rice natural cave one of a kind beautiful restaurant terrace waiter decoration
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

We stopped by on a Tuesday for lunch. The atmosphere is amazing and it was so nice to take a break from the midday heat! The food was delicious and service professional. Dining in a cavern is a one of a kind experience. This is...a worthwhile stop while in Santo Domingo. We had a light lunch split the ham croquettes, smoked octopus and a caesar salad. It was delicious.More

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

It was a truly exceptional experience, the atmosphere was charming and romantic from the moment we arrived. The food was simply excellent. Starters and main courses arrived promptly at our table, allowing us to enjoy dinner without undue delay. Each dish was carefully prepared and...presented with an artistic flair. The flavors were exquisite and showed great quality in the ingredients used. I notified that my partner was celebrating his birthday, they help me with my request of a decorated dessert and sang happy birthday, as we were about to leave the restaurant, going up the stairs and entering the elevator, we heard typical Dominican music with a birthday theme. It was a lovely gesture that really made the occasion feel special and personalized. Without a doubt, I hope to visit Mesón de la Cava again in the near future.More

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 5 weeks ago

Excellent food, excellent service, great scenery and lovely scenery. Host Cindy made my entire experience amazing with her service and recommendations 🔥 Definitely coming back

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 9, 2023

THE LOCATION IS ABOUT THE ONLY GOOD THING. WHEN YOU SIT IN THE OUTSIDE BALCONY LEVEL THERE'S A WHITE WALL THAT KEEPS YOU FROM LOOKING OUT TOWARDS THE SOUTH (SEA). WE ORDERED A PAELLA FOR 2 IT WAS BROUGHT OUT BURNT AND THE RICE WAS...SOUPY THE SKIMPY LITTLE SHRIMPS COULD BE COUNTED ON ONE HAND. WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THEY JUST SHRUGGED THEIR SHOULDERS AND NEVER EVEN APOLOGIZED THE WAITRESS WAS RUDE AND NEVER RETURNED TO FOLLOW UP ON THE SERVICE AND THE PLACE WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THERE ARE MUCH BETTER RESTAURANTS WITH FAR BETTER FOOD AND SERVICE. SAVE YOURSELF THE AGONYMore

Date of visit: April 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 29, 2023

We had high expectations for this restaurant,and had reserved a table on the terrace. The restaurant itself is beautiful,but the food is average and overpriced. My wife had the grilled octopus as a starter,and i had the lobster cakes,which were mainly filling with barely any...signs of lobster being present. We shared the pork belly risotto. Had we known the food was this poor,we would have eaten at the restaurant at the El Embajador hotel,which had more choice.More

Date of visit: January 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 23, 2022

When it comes to the way it looks, aesthetics etc this restaurant wins. I love the gorgeous view, the live music band that we got to watch play. If you want an in-depth review of my visit to El Meson de la cava go to...my profile and click the link in my bio. It will lead you to my blog where I get to take you along on my food adventure to El meson de la cava in Santo Domingo.More

Date of visit: October 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed October 31, 2022 via mobile

Food was great and venue was beautiful inside and out. Excellent customer service and great prices. Going back soon.

Date of visit: January 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed July 28, 2022 via mobile

The ambiance of the restaurant is nice. However, customer service and the quality of the food are VERY POOR. So much so I would rate them a zero if possible. We found most of our food items were VERY salty. The pork chop entree tasted...like it was preserved with salt and therefore inedible to me. When I returned it I was told it could not be remade as it was part of a meal for 2 and my husband ate his. He ate his because it was late (after 9pm) and he was hungry, but he admitted, it was indeed salty. I could not consume such a salty meal. The waiter later returned the same meal I sent him away with, after several minutes, and told me I had to have it. When I refused, the Manager came out, with a nasty attitude and told me he checked with the kitchen and the meal was not salty, so my palet was the problem. The Manager's demeanor was just as nasty and salty as the food. He said next time I should tell the waiter "I eat salt down", despite the fact my daughter's shrimp and chicken pasta (also only had 2 shrimp, 2!) was salty, as was my friend's fish filet. She said she could taste the salt grains on top of her fish as though it was sprinkled on top after it was cooked. Never did the Manager or Waiter ask if I would like something else from the menu, in fact, the Manager insisted I would pay for my meal because I ate most of it. I literally only took 2 small bites to confirm the meat and mashed potatoes were too salty to consume. I refuse to accept rude behavior and poor quality food from any restaurant! Therefore, out of principle, I paid for everything except that disgustingly salty pork chop entree and left! The restaurant and plating are good for photos, BUT that's it. 0/10, I will NEVER return nor will I recommend anyone to go there. It was the worse experience of our trip. We were treated nicely and enjoyed our food at every other restaurant we visited in Santo Domingo. I recommend ppl try Jalao, Laurel, Maraca, Turo, Buche de Perico, El Provocon (authentic dominican chicken cook shop), Pat'e Palo...you will have a better experience-customer service, ambiance, vibes and food are top notch at those places👌🏾More

Date of visit: July 2022
Helpful?5  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed June 21, 2022 via mobile

Very cool experience to dine in a natural cave. The restaurant has three levels. Make sure you make a reservation for the cave level. It’s dark, romantic and unique. Food is delicious. Paella takes about 50 minutes to make- they warn you in advance. But...it is worth it.More

Date of visit: June 2022
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 19, 2022

This restaurant is an authentic cave. The decoration is intriguing. The service is superlative. The costs are a little high but worth a trip there.

Date of visit: January 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed March 27, 2022

Went here with a friend as she had suggested it before. I believe that its 2 terraces and a cave as well. We ate in the cave and its a lovely intimate and cosy vibe. Service was real good, if anything I went underdressed an...would of gone a little bit more smarter casual to feel more comfortable. Had a cocktail each, sea food linguini, tequila chicken and one dessert, cost around £55 or so. Great place to take a partner I feel, but did also see a few larger family groups.More

Date of visit: March 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed December 29, 2021 via mobile

The place is amazing. The view at night with some lights just amazing. Came here for dinner with family and friends. The service and the decorations are nice. The food is delicious. would like to come here again.

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed December 23, 2021 via mobile

You ate in a cave. Amazing atmosphere. Food is average with some good and less good things. Service was bad. Seemed completely disorganized. Made us laugh a few times. But overall a good experience

Date of visit: November 2021
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 22, 2021

We went with friend to dinner and the food and services was amazing ! The ambiance is gorgeous ! Highly recommend this Restaurant.

Date of visit: September 2021
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 1, 2021

Very unique dining inside a cave. Food was great but they did mix up our orders for the gourd of 10.

Date of visit: July 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Happiness45880026676
May 26, 2021|
Answer
Response from amydZ2632WF | Reviewed this property |
Hi it is preferable .
0
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JCW3865
December 28, 2019|
AnswerShow all 6 answers
Response from elcallao05 | Reviewed this property |
En la calle te puedes parquear . Es facil conseguir parqueo en los alrededores.
1
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ImpressMePlease
May 4, 2019|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from Francis C | Reviewed this property |
Just normal doesn't matter
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EL MESON DE LA CAVA, Santo Domingo - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about El Meson De La Cava

El Meson De La Cava is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5