The best and the freshest seafood in the area is served at one of the restaurants inside the Casa de Campo, which is not only the finest place to stay along the southern coast, but serves the grandest cuisine. In an elegant setting, you can dine inside or out on the alfresco terrace. The atmosphere is informal, but the service is first rate. The freshest fish, based on the catch of the day, is brought here for the chefs to concoct into a number of delectable dishes, including perfectly grilled fish, the most preferred method of cooking for most diners. A justifiably favorite dish is the deep-fry mix of calamari, shrimp, and the "catch of the day." For lunch many visitors prefer the fish salad with tropical fruit, or one of the best fish sandwiches in the area.

• Address: In Casa de Campo, Around Town
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: Daily noon-4pm and 7-11pm

In this thick-walled, colonial-style building, the jutting timbers and roughly textured plaster evoke a corner of Old Mexico. There's a scattering of rattan furniture and an occasional example of Mexican weaving, but the main draw is the spicy cuisine. Red snapper in garlic sauce is usually very good. Most guests dine outside on the covered patio, within earshot of a group of wandering minstrels. Chances are you've had better versions of the standard nachos, enchiladas, black-bean soup, pork chops, grilled steaks, and brochettes served here, but a margarita or two will make it a fun night out anyway.

• Address: Altos de Chavón
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: 809/523-3333

This is the only restaurant within Altos de Chavón that's not owned and operated by Casa de Campo. As such, its owners and staff tend to try a bit harder. It's a branch of a success story based in Coral Gables, Florida. Within a two-story stone Tuscan-style building you can try Mediterranean dishes like seafood soup studded with lobster and shrimp, risotto with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes, or savory imported mussels with olive oil, garlic, white wine, parsley, and fresh tomatoes. Another superb dish is red snapper filet with fresh tomatoes, baked in a paper bag to seal in its aromatic flavors.

• Address: Altos de Chavón
• Phone: 809/523-8466
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

With one of the best-stocked morning buffets in the country, Lago Grill is ideal for breakfast. At the fresh-juice bar, an employee in colonial costume will extract juices in any combination you prefer from 25 different tropical fruits. Then you can select your ingredients for an omelet and another staff member will whip it up while you wait. The lunchtime buffet includes sandwiches, burgers, sancocho (the famous Dominican stew), and fresh conch chowder. There's also an abundant salad bar.

• Adress: In Casa de Campo, Around Town
• Phone: 809/523-3333
• Open: Mon-Sat 7-11am and noon-3pm; Sun 6:30-11am and noon-4pm