Coco by the Sea sits on the Malecón with tables positioned to look out over the Atlantic — on a breezy evening with the sun going down, it is one of the more pleasant settings for dinner in the city. The menu centres on seafood: grilled mahi-mahi, shrimp in garlic sauce, whole red snapper, and the standard Dominican fish preparations that involve sofrito, tomato, and onion. The portions are large and the fish is fresh from the port a few minutes away.
The restaurant attracts a mixed clientele of visiting tourists and Puerto Plata residents celebrating something, which is usually a good sign for quality control. Service can be slow at peak hours — this is common across the Dominican Republic and not specific to this restaurant. Order a Presidente at the start, enjoy the view, and don't be in a hurry. The lambi (conch) dishes are worth trying if they're on the day's menu; the kitchen generally does them well.