Local Markets, Big Flavors: A Culinary Tour of Santo Domingo’s Mercado Modelo
Mercado Modelo sits in the heart of Santo Domingo, a sprawling complex of narrow aisles where vendors call out to passersby over piles of amber jewelry and hand-rolled cigars. It’s the capital’s most iconic market, drawing around 10,000 visitors daily who come for everything from local spices and Dominican coffee to carved wooden crafts. This guide covers what to eat, how to haggle, and where to find the stalls worth stopping at — without the tourist markup. Around 10,000 people pass through Mercado Modelo daily, hunting for spices, cigars, and fresh produce. I’ve walked these aisles more times than