Punta Cana is built around the all-inclusive, and the buffet is already paid for, so most visitors never eat anywhere else. That is a shame, because Dominican food is some of the best in the Caribbean, and none of the best of it is on a buffet.
Where to go#
| Area | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| El Cortecito and Los Corales (Bávaro) | Restaurants and bars along the beach | Seafood lunch with your feet in the sand |
| Downtown Punta Cana | Restaurants, bars and the show clubs in one area | Dinner and a night out |
| Cap Cana marina | Seafront restaurants by the boats | A special-occasion dinner |
| Friusa and Verón | Comedores, pica pollo, colmados | Eating where locals eat, for a few dollars |
| Public beaches (Macao, Cabeza de Toro) | Fried fish shacks | A weekend lunch like a Dominican family |
What to order#
- La bandera — rice, red beans and stewed meat: the national lunch
- Pescado frito — whole fried fish with tostones (twice-fried plantain)
- Sancocho — a thick stew of meats and root vegetables, for a rainy day
- Mangú — mashed green plantain with pickled onions, fried salami, cheese and eggs: breakfast
- Chicharrón and pica pollo — fried pork and fried chicken
- Habichuelas con dulce — sweet bean dessert, around Easter
The Dominican food guide explains each of these properly.
The comedor lunch#
A comedor is a small local restaurant, often a front room or a roadside counter, with a plato del día — the dish of the day, almost always a version of la bandera. Pots on the counter, you point, you get a full plate. It costs a fraction of any resort restaurant and it is what the people cooking your resort dinner eat for lunch.
You'll find them in Friusa and Verón, a short taxi ride from Bávaro. Go at lunchtime, when the food is fresh. Nobody will mind that you don't speak Spanish, but pointing works better than asking for a menu.
Fried fish on the beach#
On a Sunday, Dominican families go to the public beaches and eat fried fish at the shacks behind the sand. Macao is the classic; see the Macao and Uvero Alto guide. Agree the price before the fish is cooked — it is often priced by weight.
Paying and tipping#
- Restaurants in the tourist areas usually take cards; local places want pesos in cash
- Dollars work in many tourist places, but you'll get a better deal in pesos
- Many bills include a service charge; check before adding more — see tipping in the Dominican Republic and money and cash
Getting there#
The areas are spread out and taxis are not metered: agree the fare first. Keep your hotel's name on your phone. The off-resort guide and Punta Cana on a budget cover getting around cheaply.
The easiest way to find the comedor worth the trip is to go with someone who eats there.
A Punta Cana Local Friend can take you to lunch where locals eat — and order for you.
Browse Local FriendsFrequently Asked Questions
Is it worth eating outside the all-inclusive in Punta Cana?
At least once, yes. Resort buffets aim at every taste at once; the food Dominicans eat — la bandera, sancocho, fried fish on the beach — is better outside. Even one lunch at a comedor or a beach shack will tell you more about the country than a week of buffets.What is la bandera dominicana?
The everyday Dominican lunch: white rice, red beans and stewed meat (chicken, beef or pork), usually with a side salad and sometimes tostones. It is what the plato del día at a comedor almost always is, and it costs a fraction of any resort restaurant.Where do locals eat in Punta Cana?
Mostly in Friusa, Verón and Higüey, where the people who work in the resort zone live: comedores with a plato del día, pica pollo (fried chicken) shops, and colmados. On weekends, families go to the public beaches for fried fish.Can I pay by card at restaurants in Punta Cana?
At restaurants in the tourist areas, usually yes. At comedores, beach shacks and colmados, bring pesos in cash. Dollars are accepted in many tourist places, but you will get a better deal paying in pesos.Is street food in Punta Cana safe?
Busy places with high turnover are usually fine. Drink bottled water, pick food cooked in front of you, and start gently if your stomach is sensitive. The guide on drinking water in the Dominican Republic covers the rest.
