Pepperoni Italian Restaurant

Pepperoni Italian Restaurant has been a dining anchor in La Romana for years, bringing authentic Italian flavors to the eastern Dominican Republic. The restaurant is run by an Italian family who brought their recipes from Naples and adapted them to their Caribbean home, creating a menu that is genuine in its Italian roots while embracing local ingredients when appropriate. The cozy interior, with checkered tablecloths, Italian music, and the aroma of wood-fired pizza, immediately transports diners to a neighborhood trattoria.

The wood-fired pizzas are the main draw — thin-crusted, blistered, and topped with imported Italian ingredients alongside fresh local produce. The Margherita is a masterclass in simplicity, while more elaborate options feature prosciutto, arugula, and burrata. Beyond pizza, the homemade pastas are excellent: pappardelle with wild mushroom ragu, spaghetti alle vongole with local clams, and a rich lasagna that has become a signature dish. The wine list focuses on Italian regions at fair markups.

Pepperoni fills an important role in La Romana's dining scene, offering a reliable, high-quality alternative to the resort dining and Dominican restaurants that dominate the area. Both resort guests and local residents count it among their regular rotation, and the welcoming family atmosphere keeps people coming back.