A strongly recommended Italian pizzeria in Perla Marina, known for wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, generous portions, delivery, and occasional service or billing complaints.
Ceiba Cafe and Pizzeria stands out for exceptional food quality, with its dough, oven-cooked pizza, and fresh pasta earning praise from many diners. Covered outdoor seating in a quiet residential complex and a loyal base of returning Cabarete regulars add to its appeal. Service lapses during busy periods and occasional inconsistency in sauce and toppings keep it just short of the very top tier.
Ceiba is the kind of place people deliberately seek out after discovering it: a family-run Italian pizzeria tucked into Perla Marina, with a relaxed, intimate setting and delivery for nights when leaving the villa feels ambitious. Diners describe the wood-fired crust as lightly charred and structurally crisp, while repeat customers return for years. The one caveat is that busy services can wobble; one regular left after feeling overlooked, while others report attentive service even in a packed room. The cooking is classic Italian with a broad, crowd-pleasing menu rather than a highly experimental one. Pizza is the headline act—especially the simpler combinations, Meat Lovers, Four Seasons, and burrata-topped versions—but fresh pasta, ravioli, calzones, seafood, rice bowls, and desserts give groups room to roam. Prices are approachable for the area, with many mains below $13, though taxes or service charges should be checked and salads have drawn value complaints. Families are well served: reviewers mention whole-family meals, a highchair, delivery-friendly dinners, and familiar choices such as pizza, pasta, chicken fingers with fries, and chocolate desserts. The menu also includes vegetarian pizzas, a vegan rice bowl, and several seafood dishes, making it easy to accommodate mixed groups. For children and cautious eaters, start with a simple pizza or pasta rather than the more adventurous anchovy, octopus, truffle, or seafood options.
Area vibe: Beachfront, windsurfing and kitesurfing tourist town with a laid-back, tropical vibe.
Safety: Generally safe in daytime and tourist areas; exercise usual caution at night and on quieter residential roads.
What's nearby: Near Cabarete beach, beachfront bars, watersport schools, small hotels, and the main coastal road with local shops and restaurants.
Bring something casual to wear, book ahead on busy nights, and check the bill for a 10% tax and an 18% tip or service charge.
Ceiba feels like a laid-back, family-friendly pizzeria in a gated complex with covered outdoor seating and a cozy wood-fired atmosphere.