Totem Las Terrenas

12 months ago

🇩🇴 A Hidden Gem in Las Terrenas 🇩🇴 This is one of those magical places you stumble upon by accident and end up falling in love with. After enjoying a delicious pizza at the restaurant next door, we spotted this charming little beach bar tucked away near the parking lot and decided to grab a few drinks before heading back to our hotel. The atmosphere was so vibrant and laid-back that we ended up staying until closing time. The owner and staff were incredibly attentive, which made the experience even more memorable. One of the highlights was their team of dancers who rotate between locations, teaching guests how to dance to Latin music. They were not only talented but also respectful and welcoming—making everyone feel comfortable trying out new moves. Honestly, it’s one of the best entertainment teams I’ve seen in the Dominican Republic. Thank you all for an unforgettable night. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in Las Terrenas!

a year ago

A cozy atmosphere, great service and good food. We had a wonderful goat cheese and honey salad, followed by pichana steak, which was cooked perfectly, and was flavourful and tender. I had the shrimp mofongo, which was nicely done. For dessert we had rum flambéed bananas. The coffee was excellent and the prices comparable to most restaurants along the Popy strip. Would eat here again. * My only suggestion would be to have more descriptions or photos on the menu… as the food is better than the menu suggests.

7 months ago

We made a reservation for a large group and, to their credit, they were able to accommodate us easily. The atmosphere is nice and the place has a great vibe. However, we were seated outdoors and our entire group was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes the whole night, which immediately put a damper on the experience. We started with appetizers—calamari and guacamole—which were actually good, and the food came out relatively quickly. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives ended. The main dishes were a complete nightmare. Our table ordered nine shrimp mofongos (the main reason we came), and each one arrived with only 3–4 shrimp (more like head-on prawns). Worse, the shrimp had a strongly off/rotten texture and taste, to the point that everyone who ordered it stopped eating immediately out of concern for food safety. We brought this to the manager, Melissa, and her response was extremely rude and dismissive. Two of the nine shrimp mofongos were requested not to be served after we raised the concern, and the remaining plates were barely touched. After we explained what was wrong, Melissa seemed visibly frustrated and carried a nasty attitude for the rest of the evening. Other entrées were also disappointing. One person ordered the picaña, which was served like a basic steak cut and tasted terrible. A few of us ordered the chicharrón mofongo, and it arrived with the chicharrón served separately (not mixed in like most places). The chicharrón itself was overly greasy, with barely any meat, and looked and tasted very unappetizing. Adding to the frustration: the menu and our waiter said each meal included a side, yet not a single side came out for 21 orders. When we asked about it, we were again dismissed by Melissa. Most concerning of all, one of our guests has a severe seafood allergy and had a reaction after eating French fries. The most likely explanation is cross-contamination, such as fries being cooked in the same oil as seafood. Whether it was shared oil, shared equipment, or improper handling, this is completely unacceptable and a serious safety issue. A restaurant serving seafood must be able to clearly communicate allergen practices and prevent cross-contamination, especially when it can put someone’s health at risk. The worst part was the checkout. When Melissa brought the bill, she essentially threw it on the table and walked away. We then realized we were charged for items that never came out. We tried to resolve it calmly, but Melissa became hostile—she yelled, and at one point got in a guest’s face/put her hands close to their face, which almost escalated into something serious. This dispute lasted nearly 30 minutes. Management refused to remove the charges, saying that because it was “cooked,” they wouldn’t take it off the bill, despite the fact that it was either not served or was inedible. For a restaurant that looks this nice, we were all extremely underwhelmed, and the reviews did not match our experience. Our server was kind, and the atmosphere is pleasant, but the manager’s behavior and the food quality (especially the shrimp) were unacceptable. I’m leaving 2 stars only because the ambiance, appetizers, and our server were the only positives.

2 years ago

Our last visit to this spot under the previous ownership left us underwhelmed, but we decided to give it another try under Totem’s new management—and what a difference! The decor is vibrant and inviting, and though we arrived for a late lunch as the only customers, the experience was anything but dull. Our waiter/barman was knowledgeable and walked us through the menu. We kicked off with mojitos, which were not only generous in size but also beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. From the tapas menu, we chose mini burgers, meatballs, fries, wings, and guacamole. The wings and meatballs stood out with just the right amount of spice, perfectly cooked, while the burgers were spot-on as well. Another round of mojitos led us to a sweet finish with two coconut egg flans—decadent and satisfying. Service was attentive, even with the place to ourselves. Chef Francisco made a point to chat with us post-meal, adding a personal touch to the already pleasant experience. The location, right by the beach, only adds to the charm, and the fact that they accept card payments is a rare and welcome convenience. All in all, it was a surprisingly delightful meal at 5,000 pesos for two, including two rounds of mojitos, desserts, and taxes—well within the usual Las Terrenas pricing, but with a noticeable boost in presentation, taste, and service. We’ll definitely be back, especially for their Saturday bachata nights.

a year ago

We were looking for a quick bite to eat near our Airbnb and decided to try "Totem." The restaurant has a fresh, modern feel, suggesting it might be a new addition to the area. The service was attentive, and the view of the beach was excellent, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. The food was decent—perfect for a casual lunch. My son particularly enjoyed the shrimp Mofongo, which was a highlight of our meal.