Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
“Pescao Frito”
Golden, crispy, straight from the sea
Pescado Frito — whole fried fish — is one of the great pleasures of eating in the Dominican Republic, particularly along the coast. A whole fish (most commonly red snapper, sea bass, or parrotfish) is scored, seasoned with garlic, oregano, and lime, coated lightly in flour, and deep-fried until the skin is golden and crispy while the flesh inside remains moist and flaky. It arrives at your table whole, head and tail intact, resting on a bed of tostones with lime wedges on the side.
Eating pescado frito on a Dominican beach is a quintessential island experience. The combination of freshly caught fish, the salt breeze, a cold beer, and the sound of waves creates a sensory memory that travelers carry with them long after they leave. From the humble beach shacks (paradas) of Boca Chica to the elegant seafood restaurants of Las Terrenas, pescado frito is served with pride and eaten with enthusiasm across the island.
The simplicity of pescado frito is deceptive — proper technique produces dramatically better results:
Pescado frito is best enjoyed at coastal locations where the fish is freshest:
Always choose restaurants where you can see the fish being selected and prepared. The best establishments let you choose your fish from the day's catch displayed on ice.
Make your pescado frito experience memorable:
Meal Type
Lunch
Difficulty
Medium
Total Time
35 minutes
Servings
2
Spice Level
Mild
Region
East
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