Asadero Doña Pula — Restaurant in Higüey

Doña Pula in Punta Cana is a treasure for anyone craving authentic Dominican flavors! My visit to Doña Pula was an absolute delight! The restaurant has an incredibly charming, folkloric vibe that makes you feel right at home in the Dominican Republic. The food is the real star here. Everything from the grilled meats to the typical plates and fresh salads was spectacular. You can tell they use only the freshest ingredients. I was also blown away by how clean the place was, especially the bathrooms—they were spotless and looked state-of-the-art. The only area for improvement are the prices and service. The prices of plates are little higher than other local restaurants with similar food options, also waitstaff could be more attentive to costumers, but the amazing food and atmosphere more than make up for it. If you're looking for an authentic and delicious dining experience in Punta Cana, Doña Pula is a must-visit! This folkloric grill restaurant captures the heart of the island with its vibrant atmosphere and incredibly fresh food. The meats are perfectly grilled, bursting with flavor, and the típico plates—like mangu and sancocho—are a delicious nod to Dominican tradition. The salads are crisp and fresh, adding a perfect balance to the hearty dishes. The restaurant itself is spectacularly clean, with state-of-the-art bathrooms that make you feel like you're in a luxury spot. The folkloric decor adds such a fun, cultural vibe that makes every visit feel special. The only area for improvement would be the service—while the waitresses are friendly, they could be a bit more attentive and quicker to respond. However, if you're looking for a truly folkloric Dominican dining experience, Doña Pula is the right choice. From the moment you walk in, you're immersed in vibrant local culture—from the music to the décor—but it's the food that truly steals the show. The meats are grilled to perfection, juicy and fresh, and the salads are crisp, colorful, and bursting with flavor. Their platos típicos are the real deal—every bite tastes like it's made with love and tradition. You can tell the ingredients are top-quality and freshly prepared. Another standout is the cleanliness. Not only is the dining area spotless, but the bathrooms are shockingly modern—state-of-the-art and immaculate, which is rare and very appreciated. The only area with room for improvement is the service. While the waitresses are friendly, the attentiveness and speed could use some polish. The only downside? The prices are on the higher side compared to similar spots. Still, if you’re craving something truly tasty and don’t mind paying a little extra for quality, it’s worth a visit. Just be ready for some heat—both in the food and in your bill. That said, the amazing food and ambiance more than make up for it. If you're in Punta Cana and want a taste of true Dominican flavor with a touch of local charm, Doña Pula is a can't-miss. Overall, Doña Pula is a must-visit for an unforgettable taste of the Dominican Republic. I’ll definitely be back for more!...

I visited this location after hearing good reviews about the location in Santiago by an acquaintance.

Parking is cumbersome.

After arriving at the location, I ordered the Picanha, as the server greatly recommended, while my company ordered the grilled Churrasco. Both dishes were overpriced, each at around 1,800 pesos (USD 31.00).

The Churrasco had a strong taste of spoiled meat. We immediately notified a staff member and suggested to return the meat to the chef in order to verify that the meat was spoiled, as it was uneatable and that my company barely took one bite of it. The server took the meat and returned it to the kitchen. We also informed our server and he notified the manager, who was conveniently sitting across from our table, surely noticing our vocal displeasure. My dish (Picanha) was not spoiled, but the meat did not taste fresh neither. The meat was tough, as if it was a bottom of the barrel in the quality cut. I did not express my displeasure about my meat and probably ate one-third of the serving as I focus on the spoiled churrasco.

When the server returned to the table with the bill, surprisingly, the Churrasco was not removed from the bill, nor did they even attempt to discount it.

The manager never approached our table to apologize for serving us spoiled meat that could probably land us in a hospital.

Unacceptable service, my worst experience as a tourist in a restaurant in a tourist city. The whole incident suggests that this is a family-owned and managed business, as the manager did not show any customer service-based leadership skills or any ownership of a mistake that would have alleviated any vicarious liability resulting from a trip to an ER from rotten meat.

I never like using caps, but AVOID THIS RESTAURANT...

Dandole la oportunidad en 5 ocaciones, por que dije; debe ser coincidencia o un mal día... al igual que quien le pone 5 estrella a este lugar; tiene un paladar y un estómago... que Dios se lo bendiga...

La gente de buen comer, me va a entender

El ambiente es perfecto, cómodo, fresco, acogedor, muy original su decoración, mega concepto, un museo dominicano; toda la energía se fue en la estética, marketing y marca. Magistral

Si es para tomarse par de cervecitas sociales tranquilos 10/10. (Rescatar eso)

El área de niños sin supervisacion, a la 1ra que fui con mi niño, hubo 3 incidentes en la zona de niños. Y ellos indiferentes a ellos.

Generalmente yo que eh visitado muchos restaurantes, de todas las gamas en la zona. Lo cual me habilita para dar una opinión más profunda y de análisis.

Si hablamos de sabor "criollo" esta a diez años luz de serlo, los platos super hermosos de vista, pero de sabor insipido, 0% sazón dominicano, en el menu hay de todo, pero a la vez nada. El menu es 100% embutido que ya vienen sazonados; y cortes de carnes pre- sazonados y pre cocidos al vacío. Por que este tipo de carne, sabría del cielo a la tierra, si fuera fresca. Yo que las eh comido de ambas formas, puedo dar fe y testimonio.

Conozco sitios más modesto y humildes de la zona, que le dan 900 pata. A su menú dominicano o parrillero.

Al chef general de aquí, deja mucho que desear. Es una ofensa, a los chef que tenemos en la zona, de calidad de un michelín.

Es como un menú "comodin" pre- listo así lo califico yo. Debería de haber una parrilla en vivo... ah no, es que es todo pre- hecho Ni un hotel se atreve a tanto.

El mofongo pésimo... ya le eh dado 2 oportunidades. En las dos ocasiones me dio indigestión, a mi y a quienes fueron conmigo y lo comieron, es un 3/10 ] para mi, no entiendo... por que lo preparan asi.

el chicharrón frío, como que estuvo congelado... no se siente fresco, ni de chicharrón de primera, se cuando es de puerco viejo, cuando es cimarrón, cuando es carne joven, cuando no. Quien es consumidor de chicharrón, sabe lo que hablo; y muy grasoso. Dicha grasa, también causa indigestión y malestar del estómago.

Hay como problemas con el aceite..... se siente a la boca viejo o añejo, por ello la mala digestión y malestar de estómago. Lo mismo en todo el menu.

Al inicio las tablas eran espectaculares y ahora, lo rellenan con más salchichas malas que buenas... según mis conocidos, mucha queja de eso.

Muchos errores en la encomienda, al pedir. (Eh estado en hoteles con 200 personas comiendo, y el camarero recuerda todo, quien pidió cada cosa, no se equivocan, en lo que le piden, con 200 o 300 personas en mesa; aqui anotan la encomienda y ni miran al cliente, ni interactuan, es como un robot por ello no recuerdan, nada! Por que ni el rostro de la persona ven.

En otros restaurantes de la zona; mientras más full, más los empleados estan al pie del cañon, nos dan servicio, nos dan carisma, nos dan risas, nos dan personalizacion de atencion, nos dan ambiente, se adaptan al animo del cliente. No es solo tener ambiente, es que el empleado complemente el ambiente.

Tanta formalidad y rigidez, corta un poco la magia. Están como el menu, sin sazón e insipido. Ni las cadenas de comida en la zona, son tan rígidas.

En ninguna mesa los veo interactuando, nisiquiera cuando cantan feliz cumpleaños, se les ve chispa es como mecánico. A ninguno lo veo sonriendo trabajando.

Debería ser el trato al cliente igual de fabuloso que la estructura y ambiente.

Si pides muchas cosas se les olvida una que otra... debe uno estar pendiente. Por que al final lo que van a cobrar es lo que uno facturó primero. Tener claro lo que se pide para que no le añadan más, que le den el plato correcto a uno.

En general, el ambiente lo ame, Pero la comida, nisiquiera se me apetece, al pensar en ella solo me repite en el paladar. Las próximas veces que me lleven invitada allí, pediré frito con chorizo y una corona. Para salir del paso

En conclusión puro marketing, y ambientalizacion brutal, pero de servicio...