Staying at any of the all-inclusive resorts within Punta Cana will present you with tons of free food, included in the overall price. Most resorts have several different types of restaurants. But food standards within the Dominican Republic are not the same as in America or Europe. If you think something doesn’t taste right or smell good, steer clear of eating it.
Captain Cook Restaurant in Cortecito
This restaurant sits right on the beach, or the Playa El Cortecito, specializing in seafood. You can choose your meal right out of their barrels of freshly caught fish and they will prepare it in any way you like. Among their offerings, Captain Cook’s famous Lobster, Red Snapper, Spicy Mahi-Mahi, Langostinos Creole style, The Captain Cook flaming Agua Roll, Calamari, and Mussels. Some of the charm of Captain Cook’s is its huge open grill and its overstuffed platters of food. Not good to book this restaurant through your hotel, since you will pay double the restaurant’s actual prices, which are very reasonable. Instead, call the restaurant to make a reservation and they will arrange to have a water-taxi pick you up if it’s not too far away. Their telephone is 1-809-552-1061.
The High Wave Restaurant in Bavaro
The High Wave is a U.S.-style Sports Bar and Grill in the American Bavaro Shopping Center. It’s one of the few restaurants that offers comfortable air conditioning, state-of-the-art high definition TVs, and a great bar/lounge, as well as a swinging love seat on the front porch, and a terrace with tables for big groups. The restaurant serves hamburgers and Churrasco steak and potatoes. As the sun goes down, the music comes up, with both traditional Latin and Dominican as well as retro U.S. The number is 809-309-0500.
La Yola Restaurant
This restaurant’s name gives its secret away. Yola in Spanish means a small fishing boat. Set within the Punta Cana Resort Marina, it stretches out over the water, allowing diners to feel the gentle ocean breezes, and see the boats up close coming and going. The overhead shelter is made of thatched cane and there is a glass-floor viewing portal to watch the sea life below. The restaurant has a casual, beach atmosphere, but don’t be fooled. The meals are pricey and the furnishings are sophisticated. Seafood and fish are the main events, mixed in with beef and chicken selections. Appetizers include spicy tuna tartare with guacamole relish. Main plates include the catch of the day, usually red snapper, grouper, or mahi-mahi, or you might select the baked Chilean sea bass with clam and cherry tomato risotto. Reservations are a must and should be made well in advance. Their telephone is 1-809-0959-2262
Cafeteria Las Leñas II in Bavaro
This is a Spanish-style coffee shop, that locals call the best bakery in the area. They offer a variety of muffins, croissants and sandwiches to eat in or take out. They also have free Wi-Fi. Special occasion cakes are their specialty. Residents say their strawberry juice is awesome and that this is the best place to have breakfast in Punta Cana. Their telephone is 1-809-552-6776.