Higüey is a working Dominican city and its restaurants reflect that — comida criolla is the staple and prices are local. The best eating is at small comedores around the central area and market, where a full plate of rice, beans, meat, and salad costs a fraction of what the resorts charge. La bandera dominicana — the "Dominican flag," meaning rice, beans, and meat — appears at every table.
The streets around the basilica plaza have more formal restaurants catering to pilgrims and visitors, with the full range of Dominican staples plus some international options. Prices are higher here than in the comedores but still cheap by any international standard.