Private Tour
Cook Traditional Dominican Cuisine with a Charming Grandmother in Santo Domingo
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Join your host Rossy and learn to cook 2-3 traditional Dominican dishes such as sancocho and platano frito (fried plantains) in her cozy kitchen. You can expect to cook for about 1-2 hours before enjoying the meal with Rossy at her dining table.
Rossy mixes up the menu so you can get anything from asopao (a rice-based soup), mangu (mashed plantains), arroz con pollo (one-pot chicken and rice), habichuelas (beans) and platano frito (fried plantains). End the meal with homemade dulce de leche or dulce de coco and coffee.
Rossy is passionate about nature, people, reading, photography, art, dance, and growing orchids. She loves being a host and teaching other people about Dominican culture and the country's cuisine. Since restaurants in the city rarely have Dominican food, Rossy loves to serve it to her guests to introduce them to the delicious local dishes!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Menu may vary depending on the season
If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Private, personalized experience
Please note, this is not a commercial cooking class, rather this experience is a visit into a Santo Domingo home to meet a local who is an expert cook, and share Dominican culture and cuisine together.
For groups of seven or more guests, the space may feel a bit tight as Rossy’s kitchen is small. To ensure a comfortable experience, guests will work in smaller groups and rotate.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Join Rossy, a warm local grandmother, in her charming Gascue home just 10 minutes from the Zona Colonial, for a private and authentic Dominican cooking class. Learn to prepare 2–3 traditional dishes, including sancocho (a hearty meat and root vegetable stew) and plátano frito (fried plantains), using family recipes passed down through generations. Rossy will guide you step by step in her kitchen, sharing local cooking techniques, cultural stories, and tips for making each dish perfectly. After 1.5 hours of hands-on cooking, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you prepared together, complete with homemade desserts and coffee. Your experience includes local beer, rum, or a Cuba Libre cocktail. If you choose the optional transfers add-on, Rossy offers pick-up and drop-off transportation for a seamless experience. This class is ideal for food lovers, families, or friends seeking an authentic Santo Domingo culinary adventure.
Sample Menu
starter
Casabe | yuca bread with a garlic, cilantro and cream cheese sauce
main
Sancocho
Exquisite stew of chicken, pork and a medley of native Dominican root vegetables
main
Arroz (rice) and plátano frito (fried plantains)
dessert
Dulce de leche
(You can also email her in advance for her special hot chocolate made from her farm-grown cacao!)
What‘s Included
Private cooking class and meal with your host Rossy
Immersive cultural and culinary experience with a charming local
Local alcohol such as beer, rum or Cuba libre!
Options
Cooking Class + Dinner
Cooking Class + Lunch
Cooking + Meal + Transfers
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful insight into local cooking and culture
566heatherl,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful experience. Rossy is a charming host, sharing her home and kitchen. We hadn’t been brave enough to try Sancocho before, it’s delicious with rice and avocado. And yummy dessert. We learnt so much about local cuisine and culture. Easy to get to from Zona Colonial, we walked from our hotel.
A wonderful experience
Ryan F,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rossy was so welcoming! She made us feel like long-time friends and taught us how to make a delicious Dominican dish while sharing some stories. For anyone wanting an authentic Dominican experience, this Would be the way to go!
Authentic cooking with authentic people
Elisabeth D,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our host Rossy was a pleasure and great to spend an evening with. Not only did we get to experience how Dominicans cook and eat, she gave us tips and contacts for other parts of our stay. A wonderful experience!!!
An authentic experience that shouldn’t be missed!
Curtis B,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rossy and her husband Nelson were very welcoming and extremely gracious. We enjoyed learning about the meals ingredients, the recipe and how to prepare it, all while learning about each other and our cultures! The meal was absolutely fabulous! The relaxed atmosphere while dining was very enjoyable and made for a great early Thanksgiving meal! We highly recommend this very special experience!!
Get ready for some delicious food!
megm190,Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rossy was wonderful! She and her niece cooked a delicious Dominican dinner with me and my daughter. She talked about the ingredients and her family and the whole evening at her lovely home was very nice.
Great time with kind people
Courtney M,Oct 19, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.0010/10 experience. I went solo and this was a great time. I met Mrs. Rossy & her husband Mr. Nelson. They were so kind and welcoming. We made sancocho (a traditional dominican soup with meat & various other delicious food items. My father is dominican so this was a great way for me to connect further with la cultura. I am so glad I booked this and I will never forget my time here. If you’re visiting Santo Domingo, or you live there and want to learn to cook a good meal, book this experience!! Thank you for everything!!!! Hasta la próxima vez :D
Fantastic. Awesome. Perfect. Informative. interesting. Fun.
660patrickk,Jun 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing. I can not say enough. Perfect. Amazing cooking experience. Rossy showed us how to make an excellent traditional Dominican meal. It was a fantastic experience. The food was over the top great. Rossy made great conversation and helped to make it perfect.
Excellent
Aaandreava,Nov 8, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a wonderful experience. If you are in Santo Domingo, and looking for a cultural and authentic experience then do not hesitate to book this. Rossi was very hospitable and welcoming and the food was delicious! I am excited to bring what i learned with Rossi home with me. An unforgettable experience! :)
Authentic Dominican experience!
Travel Canuck C,Sep 12, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rossy was an absolute delight. She made sure we were safely picked up and escorted home and her meal was delicious. We felt like we truly had an authentic Dominican experience. Would highly recommend.
Wonder cooking experience with a wonderful family
Deanna W,Sep 5, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Grandma Rosie and her family were wonderful! They thought us so much about the culture and history of the Dominican Republic. They gave us tips and tricks to get around town and made us feel like family. The dish was amazing. I can’t wait to try to make it at home. The rice and beans were so good. And the chicken was easy to make but tasted gourmet. Bonus their daughter shoots archery, which we are in town for a world tournament.
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