Punta Cana

Office lunch spot Classic Dominican food. I'm not talking to any Dominican. I'm talking about Abuela cooked Dominican food. The bread that they give you while you wait is addictive. It's not your typical restaurant bread. This is the kind of bread that Hispanics might even eat while they drink their coffee. It's very light, but you can find yourself wanting more. Food is always good. I cannot complain about any dish that I've ordered from here. My go to is the stewed chicken with the rice and beans it taste just like the way my grandmother used to make so I go here when I want a taste of home. The portions are decent size. I've had a lot of coworkers get the Cubano and that is pretty big. But after they see my plate, they always get it the next time they go.

Punta Cana Restaurant - Charlotte, NC (4/5)Coming from Rhode Island, where Dominican food spots are everywhere, finding authentic flavors since moving to the northern side of Atlanta has been a challenge. But while in Charlotte this week, I discovered this gem on Yelp, and let me tell you--it did NOT disappoint!Drinks to Start Of course, I had to kick things off with an ice-cold Presidente beer. It's just not a true Dominican meal without it, right?The Main Event We skipped the appetizers and went straight for the good stuff: * Mofongo with Pernil : Perfectly mashed plantains with that garlicky goodness topped with tender, flavorful roasted pork. Hands down, the best Mofongo I've ever had--perfectly balanced and packed with flavor! * Chicharrones : Crispy and well-seasoned, these were everything you want in fried pork bites. * Beef Steak with Pan-Seared Onions : Juicy and savory, served alongside white rice and beans that were so comforting and rich, they felt like a warm hug from abuela.The Sweet Finish Since it was our first visit, Alba, our incredibly friendly and professional waitress, surprised us with a complimentary flan for dessert. It wasn't your typical soft, milky flan--this one had a more solid, custard-like texture. Let me tell you, it was AMAZING. Smooth, rich, and bursting with caramel flavor.Ambiance & Vibes The restaurant had that unmistakable Dominican vibe: vibrant and welcoming with merengue and bachata playing softly in the background. Families and friends were gathered around, enjoying hearty meals and laughter. It truly felt like a little slice of the DR right in Charlotte.Final Thoughts Punta Cana nailed the authenticity, from the food to the atmosphere. The service was top-notch, thanks to Alba, who made sure our first visit was extra special. I'm holding back one star only because I'd love to see a few more appetizer options to explore next time. But overall, this place is a must-visit for Dominican food lovers! Location: Charlotte, NC Pro Tip: Come hungry and pair your meal with a Presidente beer for the full experience!#DominicanFood #MofongoMagic #CharlotteEats #ComfortFoodDoneRight #FoodieAdventures

Came here on Wednesday night, we ordered Anna sat for 2 hrs with No food, the server said she was bringing us our appetizer .... It never came. When the food finally came it was incorrect, we did not receive everything we ordered, and my steak was cooked well done...it was so tough I couldn't even eat it. So I ordered something else, a hot dog just so I could eat something QUICK. they said it would be out in 5 mins. It took 30 mins for the hot dog to come out and when it came out it was burnt. Very disappointing experience

Oh my goodness! We could smell the amazing food from the parking lot, and then we walked into a very inviting restaurant. The decor is festive, and the music was Spanish and festive. I didn't see any good pictures of menu so I got some for you. Now, I'm a sucker for a soup and apparently they have a special soup they only serve on Sunday. SANCOCHO. This soup is rich, the broth is thick and very flavorful. And the stew is meaty - they said it's made with oxtails, smoked pork and chicken. There was also a piece of corn on the cob, some yucca and plantains. Seriously, this soup is a warm loving hug from Grandma and I will totally make the nearly 2 hours drive to eat this again! My Sister had a Goat stew that was also very good. Hers came with a side of red beans and white rice. Those ted beans were delicious, very well seasoned. There were so many different dishes that sounded amazing. I definitely look forward to eating here again. Oh, yeah, my sister wanted me to tell you that (we sat by a window), that the window sills were dust free, and the floor was not sticky, and the women's bathroom was clean and smelled nice.

Good food, nice people, and island vibes. I like the arroz con gandules. They didn't have that so I tried the mixed rice with black beans. I didn't like it. Next time I will get the baked chicken instead of stew chicken. Some of the food wasn't served as hot as I would've liked. Overall , it was a good experience.

Not that there are many Dominican restaurants around, but this place is great. The lunch menu is on point and fast enough if you only have an hour. The Rum selection from the bar is top notch

If you're craving a taste of the tropics, then Punta Cana is the place to be. This vibrant restaurant has an authentic cuisine and lively atmosphere. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance. The music was lively and upbeat, setting the perfect mood for a night out. The food is incredibly fresh and flavorful, prepared with traditional Caribbean techniques. The service at Punta Cana is exceptional. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They're happy to recommend dishes based on your preferences and ensure that your dining experience is unforgettable. If you're looking for a great night out, Punta Cana is a must-visit.

I had lunch here with some friends who are regulars. This was my first time both here and having Dominican food. I got the pernil (roasted pork), maduros (sweet plantains), and arroz amarillo (yellow rice). The pernil came with three different yummy sauces- a criollo, a garlic/parsley sauce, and a mayochup. I also had cashew nut juice. The food was delicious and service was prompt and courteous. This isn't a fancy place, but it's just right for what it is. I definitely recommend giving it a try!!

I was pleasantly surprised when lifelong friends from California and I met in Charlotte for dinner last weekend at Punta Cana Restaurant. Service was spot-on from the moment we arrived! The ambiance was as though we were truly in Punta Cana. I enjoyed their "Bistec Encebollado" with Moro and Asparagus! We researched the area for a few days before deciding on this restaurant. and It was an excellent choice! Good food with close friends is always a wonderful combination. I'll definitely be back!

Dinner last night at Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). The atmosphere was comfortable and most tables were filled on a Thursday night. Real flowers are on the table and that was a really nice touch. There were some guys playing dominos loudly in a back room, but that just made it much more authentic. The music was initially a bit too loud and we asked if they could turn it down, which they did. Our server spoke English, but had difficulty a bit. We had 2 people in our group that spoke Spanish, which helped. There was complimentary garlic bread to start, which was very good. I got the pastelito. It looked like an empanada, but it had stewed shredded beef inside. I didn't care for the sauce that came with it, which tasted like Thousand Island dressing. The paella was excellent. I highly recommend it. The rice had an amazing blended seafood flavor. There was one crab leg and a few mussels, clams, etc. I got the fried pork mofungo. Mofungo is specific to the Dominican Republic, so this is one of the few places to get it. When I was here years ago, it was way too dry. This time it was really good, not dry but I had asked for extra sauce ($1 extra) just in case, and pouring it on the pork was very helpful. It was good. One person got the garlic shrimp. I could smell the garlic from across the table. So be sure to really like garlic if you get this. She did and enjoyed it. The shrimp mofungo reminded me of shrimp and grits. The gravy looked really good and she enjoyed it. They have nightly drink specials. We were there on a Thursday so it was $6 Dominican rum. I got it mixed with coke. Holy Moly that is some serious alcohol ! Whew ! It was good... but be warned. Who knows what proof that was ! I also got the cashew fruit juice with milk ($1 more for the milk). The waiter assured me the fruit was fresh and not from a can. It was good, but my friend liked the passion fruit and it was great ! However, the star of the night was the tres leches I took home and shared with hubby. He has never liked tres leches before, yet liked this one. I absolutely loved it. (Sorry no photo, we ate it quick!) The cake was even more moist than many other restaurants I've had and the condensed milk flavor was intensely rich. I bet their carmel dessert made from this is to die for.We had 8 people, so a gratuity was already added to the bill. We all enjoyed our food and would definitely return. I know this place has been here forever in this same building. I remember seeing it when I moved to Charlotte in 1996. They must be doing something right.