An Honest Review of Serẽa Coastal Cuisine in San Diego 

All opinions are mine and mine alone.

An Honest Review of Serẽa Coastal Cuisine in San Diego 

San Diego is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the world. Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the city is renowned for its fresh fish, mouthwatering shellfish, and its chefs’ unique spins on traditional dishes. There are several San Diego seafood restaurants that serve up inspired coastal cuisine that is as much about the experience as it is the flavor, but one spot rises above the rest.  

Serẽa Coastal Cuisine is a fine dining establishment that serves up simple, traditional fare with unique twists, and it is a San Diego seafood restaurant that is well worth checking out. Keep reading to learn more about Serẽa Coastal Cuisine and check out our honest review.  

Serẽa Coastal Cuisine 

Serẽa Coastal Cuisine is located inside the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California, which is just across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. Following in the footsteps of the former 1500 Ocean restaurant, Serẽa provides diners with an upscale sea-to-table experience featuring sustainable coastal cuisine. Dishes feature freshly caught fish and shellfish from the Pacific Ocean as well as locally sourced seasonal produce and prime meats from ranches in Southern California and along the Baja Peninsula.  

This seaside restaurant is truly something special, and its location inside a historic landmark like the Hotel Del Coronado is fitting since it plans to make history in the Southern California food scene.  

Serẽa was developed by Clique Hospitality, which operates various establishments in San Diego and Las Vegas. It also operates the Pendry San Diego, which is home to a similar restaurant known as Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine.  

Chef JoJo Ruiz 

San Diego native chef JoJo Ruiz is at the helm of the kitchen at Serẽa. He is no stranger to the restaurant scene in Southern California and first began his career in the industry at the age of 16 when he became a dishwasher at Yokozuna’s. During his time there, he worked his way up to prep cook and line cook positions and continued working full-time while attending San Diego Culinary Institute.  

Chef Ruiz studied under Michelin star and celebrity chefs and has worked at restaurants across the nation. When working at San Diego’s Ironside Fish and Oyster, he developed a passion for sourcing local, sustainable ingredients for his dishes. He started going to the docks and buying directly from local fishermen to create his “sea-to-table” concept. He believes in using local products that don’t need to be flown in from around the world and strives to use ingredients that are not pumped full of preservatives or hormones.  

His extensive experience and commitment to creating delicious dishes using local and sustainable ingredients made him the perfect choice for the executive chef position at Serẽa.  

The Menu 

The menu at Serẽa Coastal Cuisine is robust and environmentally friendly. It includes both cooked and raw options and features everything from elaborate seafood towers to fresh whole catch fish to beautifully composed dishes that are as enjoyable to look at as they are to eat. It is designed to showcase the complex flavors of the best fresh fish, seafood, and heritage meats that can be found in the Southern California region. The menu also includes vibrant, locally sourced fruit and vegetable options that change seasonally.   

Chef Ruiz sources seafood for the restaurant directly from trusted local purveyors, including Catalina Offshore Products, the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, Pacifico Aquaculture, and LA’s Superior Seafood. The meats come from ranches throughout the region, and the produce is sourced from local farmers.  

There are plenty of tasty drinks on the menu, too. Serẽa features an indoor/outdoor bar that serves up a wide range of local brews and specialty cocktails. There is also an eclectic wine list that has been carefully curated to help diners pair each meal with the perfect bottle.  

The Location  

Serẽa is located on the site of the now-closed 1500 Ocean restaurant at the Hotel Del Coronado. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is an amazing place to enjoy a meal for a special occasion. Whether you choose to eat in the upscale dining room or outside on the patio, you will get to enjoy a dining experience enveloped in the history of the 130-year-old property. Hotel Del Coronado is an important piece of San Diego’s long history, and Serẽa strives to add a few chapters to the destination’s remarkable lore.  

Conclusion 

If you are looking for an incredible San Diego seafood restaurant, Serẽa Coastal Cuisine is well worth a visit. With experienced chef JoJo Ruiz at the helm and a highly trained staff that delivers impeccable service, it is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys fresh, local food. Whether you are in the mood for a tasty steak or want to try a new twist on a classic seafood dish, Serẽa is sure to have something to please your tastebuds!